This morning my dog, Ollie, made my world a better place - I awoke to find his head resting on my chest and looking at me something like in this picture. It didn't cost him a cent to make me happy and he did it out of unconditional love for me - he was asking nothing in return. Isn't it wonderful - we can make this world a better place without it costing a cent too.

Here are some great ideas to change the world.............

• Write a list of what you are grateful for RIGHT NOW and share with friends.
• Smile! And say hello to 5 strangers.
• Lend an inspiring book that you own
• Choose a small area that you can clear of litter - maybe your desk, a bus shelter or ...?
• Send a thank you note to a person or business helping the world.
• Strike up a conversation with an elderly or young person.
• Leave a snack for an unsuspecting co-worker or friend

 

Here is a simple way to bring about a more beautiful world. There are a number of sites that will donate to worthy causes. Advertisers pay to feature on the sites and the income generated by the site is then donated. On Click to Give you have the opportunity to support children, animals, breast cancer research and homelessness. It is an effortless way to make a difference and there is a cute page that keeps you up to date with how your daily clicks have helped. So far, for example, I have donated 3.5 cups of rice, amongst other things. This site, different to many others, actually gives you points which you can exchange for gifts including pens, notebooks, t-shirts and bags. Whilst I have reservations aabout this idea - surely the money spent on the gifts could also be donated - it may just suit a younger person who is still learning about the simplicity and beauty of giving to others. Please check out the site and if you have any thoughts, positive or negative, about this small way of helping others, I'd love to hear from you.

 

Many years ago we went on a holiday with my in-laws and extended family - a big group of us. We rented a lovely old house in North Wales. My mother-in-law valiantly mastered the AGA while the younger ones explored the rambling old house and discovered the many sheep around the property.

We all had a great time and when Sunday came round some of us decided to go to church. We had a choice of two in the village – the Welsh speaking chapel and the English chapel. Being of Welsh heritage it was tempting for me to choose the chapel that would stir me with beautiful singing and the harmonious lilt of the Welsh language. Instead I chose the option that would mean we could all understand and join in the singing and service.

As we walked into the chapel we found we were the first members of the congregation to arrive. The minister greeted us at the door and as a lady played gently on a small pedal organ we bravely made our way to the front pews. We had to brush away a few cobwebs so we knew we weren’t taking any of the regulars’ favourite pews.

We were still the total congregation when the minister left his ‘greeting’ place and moved to the pulpit, welcomed all visitors (i.e us) to the service and proceeded to announce the first hymn. Our feeble voices didn’t exactly raise the roof but we did our best and at least it was in English!

The service continued with the lady at the organ (later we discovered she was the minister’s wife) reading the Bible passage and taking up the collection, and we listened intently to the sermon before singing once again.

At the end the minister, with tears in his eyes, told us that they prepared and lead a service every week despite the fact that it was often just the two of them in the church. They didn’t want to miss the opportunity of being there for even just one person who may step over the church threshold. This delightful man and his wife were faithful to what they believed was their calling despite not having the benefit of seeing any results.

These dear people are almost certainly gone to glory now and I trust will be receiving their reward for their faithfulness and dedication.

Whatever your beliefs and understanding of this world and life itself, there may come a time when you have to ‘stick to your guns’ - a time when you are so sure you are right even though this may make you feel unsafe, unpopular or unloved. But hold fast to the feelings in your heart and you will triumph – either in this world or the next.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

Josh Billings

 

This photo is of my very disappointed dog. He knows I am going out and he is not! He will miss me but won't hold any grudges. When I return he will nearly turn himself inside out as his tail wags so fast in greeting. Ollie will also answer to "oliver", "oscar" "olliie wollie" "my little caramel dog". He can hear the toaster coming out of the cupboard or biscuits coming out of the packet. He is my best friend now, always and especially when I am eating cake. He won't let anyone touch me but if it is a kiss he wants to join in. His inquisitive nose sniffs out every bag I bring into the house.

We can learn a lot from Ollie and his 'simply beautiful, simple living' thoughts on life:

• Live life in the present tense. This is a good thing.
• If you really believe you’ll get a biscuit, you will.
• Bark at yourself every once in awhile.
• If it makes your tail wag, it is good. If it makes you throw up, it's is bad.
• You don’t always have to bite. Usually barking is enough.
• Sometimes begging works, unattractive as it may seem at the moment.
• Don’t judge.

I often wonder if we will meet our animals again in heaven and when I read this it made me cry:

"The Rainbow Bridge"

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine. Our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and were old have been restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by. The animals are happy except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had been left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted and when you and your special friend meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart...

...then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

- Unknown

 

• Find a box, A4 size is good. Pretty it up to match your decor and sit it next to your phone. Have you noticed how often a bill arrives with the last page almost blank? Or the address page inside a magazine or catalogue is blank on the back. Pop all scrap paper into the box along with every pen and pencil you find as you tidy up. You will never again need to hunt for paper and pencil to write down messages or shopping lists.

• Buy a lemon tree in a pot. It will sit in any small sunny spot.

• Do you have a lot of errands this week? A little simple organisation on a Sunday evening can save you stress, time and money. Write down places you have to go on certain days. Write down places you have to go but not on any particular day – see if you can match them up to make as few journeys as you can.

• This is a ‘biggie’. Trying to save for a house deposit, my son and his wife considered managing on one car. They decided to give it a go, sold one car and put the money in their savings and now carefully consider each journey they have to make in the one car. Both have bikes for short trips. It is working well and the money spent on fares and an occasional taxi easily offsets the amount saved on petrol, insurance and repairs for the car they sacrificed. If you only have one car anyway consider if you really need that.

• Check the temperature of the water heater. Keep it down to about 48C/120F

• Are you a beer drinker – or maybe your partner is? Father’s Day is coming – what about a homebrew kit?

• The warmer weather will soon be with us - plant herbs ready for your simply beautiful salads.

• An oldie but goodie! Trawl your local charity shops this week – they are trying to sell all their winter stock so plenty of bargains to be had.