“You ask me why I do not write something … . I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results.” – Florence Nightingale (1820 – 1910) English nurse in the Crimean War on getting into action
INTO ACTION – “As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day ‘Thy will be done.’ ” (12 & 12, p. 52)
In what ways have your good intentions gone awry, lately?
What are Words For – Missing Persons (4:31)
Florence Nightingale Brief Bio (3:57)
It Couldn’t Be Done
By Edgar Guest
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he had tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one has done it”;
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
[T]here are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That “couldn’t be done” and you’ll do it.
Today I am struggling with a communication I need for work and the suggestions today’s USFZ seem to help. First I’m going to honestly state the issue (not easy) then suggest the actions that might help resolve it. “actions that lead to results” as Ms. Nightingale would say.
Good morning everyone + Happy Monday. Yup, it’s Daylight Savings Time again. Thank God. I enjoy darker mornings + lighter evenings. Here is today’s thought. Faith without works is dead. One of the ways we get busy + stay tuned is by helping others. So today, say hi to a newcomer. Sit with them + help make their day more comfortable. Blessings. BB
Its funny. I haven’t thought about my incomplete volunteer painting project all day. Up until I read this question. So I just vow to do better next time. instead I think my efforts today were successfully completed and those I’ve encountered I was fully present.
In my infinite fear, I seem to be working the Program backwards: it took me five years to get a sponsor and another two to get a sponsee. I was most interested in making sure my Sponsor knew my story – I hardly had/have room to hear her experience, strength and hope. I still struggle with this disease of relationships – “not my will but thine be done, oh Lord” I have to repeat over and over every day. “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.” It seems to keep going back to the first three Steps. I guess I have to keep repeating them – as long as that takes.