March 9, 2022

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BG’s Positively Speaking

COURAGE

The word courage conjures up many images in our minds. Images of great deeds under extreme pressure, of heroic endeavours against overwhelming odds, such as those we hear about in the stories of victories won in war. Possibly the stories of first responders in accidents and disasters, both natural and man-made, those who put themselves in danger to help someone in trouble. Like those who have brought us through the last two years of the pandemic.

Then there is the kind of courage that we don’t hear about, that never makes the headlines but is displayed every day by millions of people worldwide. The type of courage born out of love, compassion, caring, hope and determination.

There is the courage shown by the parents of disabled and terminally ill children. Those who take care of aging parents or single parents struggling to raise children. Those financially challenged who never quite have enough to ‘make ends meet.

All of these people face each day with courage. The kind of courage that is born out of their love and compassion, their caring and their hope for a better tomorrow. Some gain the courage they need from a sheer determination to improve the lives of others and their own.

Those who dare to pursue their dreams. They often find themselves swimming against the current, people telling them they’ll never do it. Instead, they press on with their vision. When they finally realize it, those around them gain from that determination to succeed.

The next time you are looking for inspiration, take a good look around you. The world we live in is full of everyday unsung heroes……………………

In fact, YOU are probably a hero to someone!

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The Hole

The construction foreman ordered one of his men to dig a hole 8 feet deep. After the job was done, the boss returned and explained an error had been made. The hole wouldn’t be needed. “Fill ‘er up,” he ordered the man. The worker did as he’d been told. But he ran into a problem. He couldn’t get all the dirt packed back into the hole without leaving a mound on top. So he went to the office and explained his situation. “Honestly!” the foreman snorted. “The kind of help I get these days! There’s obviously only one thing to do. You’ll have to dig that hole deeper!”

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Fifteen minutes after….

Fifteen minutes after the Titanic sank, Mick and Patrick find themselves on the same overturned lifeboat. The water is freezing, sharks are cruising by, and the boat is slowly sinking. “Oh, well,” said Mick, “It could have been worse .””Worse? How could it be worse?” screamed Patrick. “Well, we could have bought return tickets!

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Editor’s Quote Book

“The cost of liberty is less than the cost of repression.”

— W.E.B. DuBois

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Trivia Quiz

(Click Question For Answer)

 

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Your Horoscope

For Amusement Only

Aries Mar. 21 – Apr. 19: An unexpected phone call brings exciting news. Any travel arrangements you are contemplating should be made immediately.

Taurus Apr. 20 – May 20: Your concentration wanes. Try to focus more clearly on your priorities. Then change your schedule accordingly.

Gemini May 21 – June 20: Digging into the past may reveal some skeletons that would be better left buried. Some things should rest in peace.

Cancer June 21 – July 22: You have some debt that was not expected at the start of the year. Rework your budget to accommodate it.

Leo July 23 – Aug 22: You tend to be negative and make your co-workers feel negative. Cut it out! Before you create a permanent breakup.

Virgo Aug 23 – Sept 22: It’s time to replenish your inner self. Take some time to do things that touch your soul, just for you.

Libra Sept 23 – Oct 22: Love continues to bloom. Do what you need to do to keep it healthy. Your attentiveness only helps its development.

Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 21: Get involved. If you’re not in the game, you’ll never win. What you get out depends on what you put in.

Sagittarius Nov 22 – Dec 21: Someone has been riding you hard and pushing your buttons. Stay calm, take the high road and come out on top.

Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 19: Long workdays mean more stress. Work off the steam in a positive way by focusing on exercise.

Aquarius Jan 20 – Feb 18: Families have squabbles. Don’t take sides. Ride the fence, and the situation will die a natural and peaceful death.

Pisces Feb 19 – Mar 20: When unexpected guests arrive, don’t be taken for granted. Let them take their share of the extra workload.

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Paintings

An artist asked the gallery owner if there was any interest in his paintings currently on display. “I’ve got good news and bad news,” the owner replied. “The good news is that a gentleman inquired about your work and wondered if it would appreciate in value after your death. When I told him it would, he bought all 15 of your paintings.”  “That’s wonderful!” the artist exclaimed, “What’s the bad news?”

With concern, the gallery owner replied, “The guy was your doctor.”

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The Get-away that became a Stay-away

Wayne Adams and Catherine King are the proud owners of ‘Freedom Cove,’ a colourful floating home off the coast of Tofino, Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The structure consists of 12 platforms, supporting wooden buildings, greenhouses, a lighthouse, and living spaces inter-connected through wooden pathways. Freedom Cove is unique because it is a ‘getaway’ in the true sense, entirely off the grid and completely self-sustaining. Adams and King, along with their two children, have lived at Freedom Cove ever since it was built in 1992. And they’ve managed to live a full life without the help of mainstream civilization. Instead, they grow fruits and vegetables year-round in several greenhouses and generate electricity through solar panels and photovoltaic energy generators. You can take a 30-minute boat ride from Tofino to Freedom Cove and have a guided tour of the floating home, complete with information on how Wayne and Catherine live “off-the-grid.”

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How Old?

When a new child visited the Sunday school, the teacher greeted him and asked his age. The little boy held up four fingers. “Oh, you’re four,” said the teacher. “And when will you be 5?”

After a few seconds, the child stared at her and replied, “When I hold up the other finger.”

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It was a stifling hot day, and …

It was a stifling hot day, and a man fainted in the middle of a busy intersection. Traffic quickly piled up in all directions, so a woman rushed to help him. When she knelt down to loosen his collar, a man emerged from the crowd, pushed her aside, and said, “It’s all right honey, I’ve had a course in first aid.” The woman stood up and watched as he took the ill man’s pulse and prepared to administer artificial respiration. At this point, she tapped him on the shoulder and said, “When you get to the part about calling a doctor, I’m already here.”

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The Last Word

The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

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