I write for the Woodstock Preservation site during the year. I received this gift in the form of an email at the beginning of the New Year from the director, Joanne. Her words were so inpsiring that I have left it on my mail list and have read it every day since. I can't bring myself to delete it. I thought I would share it's wisdom. May all that you hope to achieve in your life, come to fruition and then some.
Along the way don't forget, to thine own self be true.
Get down, get dirty, get up, get clean, dream, scream with joy!
Love, laugh, cry, shout, be silent, converse, listen, stop, go for it, smell the roses.
Take a walk in the park, give, forgive, be compassionate, make someone smile...EVERY single day!
Be yourself, extend yourself.
Be understanding, loving and kind, give to the poor, share your wealth, your heart, your courage, give it all you've got...no matter what, do the best you can at whatever you do. Be grateful, gracious, accepting, surrender, don't give up, make peace with your past and let go of fears, be brave, and adventurous.
Help a stranger or someone in need, give a stray dog a home, the poor a reason to have hope, carry someone's burden for them for a while, call a friend, visit someone who lives alone.
Give, give and give some more, it will all come back to you.
Tell someone you love them every day, so that by the end of the year, your heart and arms will be so full, you will have a world of reasons to celebrate!!
Thanks for your kindness, friendship, help and sharing in 2007, and I hope that your life just keeps getting better and better through 2008.
Happy New Year!!
Joanne
Woodstock Prservation Archive
Thank you Joanne for your wonderful message!
Christopher Cole
*********This just in from Joanne:
Hi Chris,
I'm so glad that this touched you, as it did me when I received it.
I cannot take credit for writing it, only for passing it along. I was walking in Scranton several years back - it was during the Christmas season. The streets were busy, and there were people passing out phamphlets and flyers promoting their beliefs and causes. There was this one eldery man who handed me a piece of paper. I grabbed it and stuck it in my pocket.
When I got to my car and reached in my pocket for my keys, there was this paper, and on it was written this wish. I thought it was beautiful and I Kept it. Stashed it away in my Chrisdtmas boxes. (I didn't throw it away. So I know what you mean about not deleting it)
This year, as I was getting ready for Christmas - all eager to decorate and going through my boxes of "stuff", I came across this paper and thought it would be a nice wish to share this year - and it reminds me to have a good thought for the man who gave it to me.
Print it out. Stick it with your "stuff" and share it with your friends in the future.
My Very Best Regards -
Joanne
PS And yes, I do have it displayed on my website's main page.
Woodstock - Preservation Archives
http://www.woodstockpreservation.org
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