Supply of Smiles

Picture by Dj Arnel G.

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” ― Joseph Addison

It is one of the few things you can give away at no cost. There is a huge supply ready and available. And at any time of the day you can use it to change another person's life.

The 'smile' is what I'm talking about.

This simple but effective gift not only lifts other people but you might be surprised at how it lifts you. So be of good cheer and smile. It does not cost you a thing.

Stay inspired my friends.

Breaking Through The Clouds

"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." - Carl Jung

I was flying into a city recently on a business trip and for a good bit of time near the end of the flight we were flying within the clouds. We knew rain was evident at our landing site and that a runway would appear beneath the wings eventually. As we got closer and closer, the noises associated with a landing started to occur.

Yet there was no sign of a safe runway coming into view.

All of the right things were happening. The flight attendants were checking the safety of our seat belts. Our seat backs were pulled forward and tray tables properly locked. There were laptop devices turned off and each carefully stowed away.

But still no runway in sight.

We had everything right and now all we could do was trust that our designated place to land would soon appear. There was no panic and no cause for concern as we each had faith in the planned nature and training of our pilot.

As we broke through the bottom of the clouds, the runway suddenly appeared. It happened rather quickly and closely I might add. A normal landing had occurred and our plane braked to slow our speed.

Life can throw at us a moment of wondering.

- Will the clouds ever part?
- Will I ever get through this issue?
- Will the goal ever be achieved?

The answer is yes to all of them. You will get through the clouded view you find yourself in. Trust your ability to keep moving towards your destination.

- The journey will not always be clear skies.
- The journey will not be without bumps along the way.

Trust that as you enter the cloud bank, success resides on the other side. And stay inspired my friends.

Milestones of Time

“If Destiny throws a stone at you, don't let it become a millstone. Make it into a milestone.” ― Sachin Tendulkar

Yesterday, August 30 marked the day ten years ago when I wrote my first blog article. It was an article titled "Starting New" and I had thought it would be a good outlet for my experience in the computer industry. Yet I knew there was more purpose to it for many of the reasons my wife Laura wrote on my birthday blog two days ago.

Over the years there have been nearly 160,000 page views, scores of visitors and certainly an evolution of my writing ability. I am also very pleased with the comments received from each of you over the years.

And it is you the reader who are a large part of the inspiration. To that I thank each of you for keeping me inspired to write. You are the pilgrims of everyday life, traveling to places yet unseen to meet people yet unknown to do grand things as yet undreamed.

Henry Van Dyke >> Song Of A Pilgrim-Soul

March on, my soul, nor like a laggard stay!
March swiftly on. Yet err not from the way
Where all the nobly wise of old have trod,--
The path of faith, made by the sons of God.

Follow the marks that they have set beside
The narrow, cloud-swept track, to be thy guide:
Follow, and honour what the past has gained,
And forward still, that more may be attained.

Something to learn, and something to forget:
Hold fast the good, and seek the better yet:
Press on, and prove the pilgrim-hope of youth:
The Creeds are milestones on the road to Truth

Carry on my friends and stay inspired!

Blog Birthday Hijack

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss

Hi All,

Laura Primm here.

I hacked my husband’s blog today because it is his birthday and wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday. I also wanted to tell everyone a little story about Joe and his Primm's Attitude Blog that you are reading.

Ten years ago, back in August of 2005, my husband and I had been married for a few years and I was still a little broken at the time. Joe was certainly aware and loved me still. I was healing but still healing from life’s many bumps in the road I had experienced (ouch ouch ouch).

Joe would often say back in those days “You are just going to have to trust me” and “Laura, you are over thinking it." Two of my biggest issues were “Trust” and “Self Esteem.” He was patience, always loving and confident.

Loving persuasion you might say.

Over the years I have healed. In the right environment, all of us are continually healing whether physical, mental or spiritually. That is the way God made us. He does not want us to stay broken. He wants us to grow and have the capacity to be in His presence and live there.

He graciously gave me a man whom I needed then and do today as well.

Now about to Joe's blog. He never told me this and he would probably deny it, but I believe Joe created it, this blog we are all reading, just for me. He could never sit down, have a little 'pow-wow' with me and feed me all of the encouraging words he offers consistently day after day and year after year verbally. He would have to become my personal counselor or something.

So I do believe he created this Blog for me.

I read his encouraging articles and hear his encouraging words over and over and over. What a gift. What a special gift. And whether he created this blog just for me (which I like to think he did) or he created it for all. It is meant for all of us who need or want to hear encouragement each day.

Either way….I want to say on your birthday THANK YOU for the gift Joe. I guess I owe you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – I LOVE YOU

And as he always says, stay inspired my friends!