Rae's Craft

Put Your Talents to Use "Use what talents you possess; the woods would he silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." - Henry Van Dyke I took six years of piano lessons, but I still cannot play well. When an occasion creeps up, I have to practice before I can play anything-and even then my timing is usually off. My false pride prevents me from playing in front of other unless I am pressured into it. Lately, though, I have been thinking that the folks in the nursi

Have spare time, help someone.

Staying Positive.

Dream a Little Dream "Dreaming is an act of pure imagination, attesting in all men a creative power, which if it were available in waking, would make every man a Dante or Shakespeare." - H. F. Hedge We've all experienced the fun of waking up out of a goofy, complicated, out-of-this-world dream. We quickly jot it down or describe it to a loved one before we forget it. Such dreams can provide the fodder for great novels, plays

Creating what you imagine.

The Ugly Green Thing "The greatest pleasure I know is to do a good action by stealth, and to have it found out by accident." - Charles Lamb I bought "the ugly green thing" at a rummage sale for 50 cents in the early '90s. It looked like a pea-green house that some kid made out of plaster at Brownie Camp. I presented it to my brother Joe foe his birthday. Five weeks later, he sent it to me for my birthday. Six months later, I hid it in the linen closet in his Kentucky hom

Remembering True Friends.

Two Sides to Every Story "In seeking truth, you have to get both sides of a story." - Walter Cronkite When we hear a story, it is good to make sure it is the whole story. This is a chief component of the best societies. Take the suspect who has been apprehended. Of course the police have reason to suspect the individual, but he is not wantonly punished. He is entitled to have his side of the story heard, and jury will decide hes fate. It is best for all involved if the

The Face of Courage "Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.' - George S. Patton The bravest among us feel fear-they just do not give in to it. They persist, because what is the other option? Give in? No-what kind of life is that? Better to be strong until the last breath. TODAY I WILL SEND A LETTER TO A SOLDIER SERVING IN A WAR ZONE. I WILL THANK HIM OR HER FOR BEING A HERO TO ALL OF US BACK HOME. #bookreading #bookreadings #blogs #RaesBlog #RaesCraft #PositiveQuote

Don't give up, keep practicing.

Artists never stop having a creative life, because it's who they are.

Support people who believe in the same principles as you do.

Using past generations discoveries and making your own.

Don't wait for someone else to do something, get up and do it yourself.

Getting control of your anger.

Getting Up Every Time You Fall.

Make The Most of Each Minute "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life your years - Abraham Lincoln How do you begin each day? Do you start optimistically and full of life (after that first cup of coffee or tea, of course), or grumpily waiting for the next annoying thing to happen? Circumstances can seem to account for our outlook, but this is not true across the board, is it? Haven't we all noticed both miserable heiresses and happy-go-lucky t

Try It Again "It is difficulties that show what men are." - Epictetus How did you handle the most difficult time in your life? You could have handled it differently, right? Either you handled it with strength and courage when you could have dodged it, or you dodged it when you could have exhibited strength of character. Think of the scene in Les Miserables when Jean Valjean had a chance to let an innocent man be held in his place. Freedom was tempting, but Jean Valjean

Get Out There "Man is born to live, not to prepare for life." - Boris Pasternak Study certainly prepares us for life, but experience must follow soon after study, shouldn't it? The experience phase must not be delayed too long. Studying feels empty after a certain point. It is like watching a fabulous travel or cooking show-we are enticed, but then we want the experience for ourselves. Prepare well enough, then get out there and live. TODAY I WILL MAKE SURE I AM PREPARED,

The Gist of Joy "Joy is a net of love." - Mother Teresa Joy is contagious. If you endeavor to remain joyful, whatever circumstances you face each day, you are acting in a loving way toward those around you. It is hard to fathom the number of people who can be touched by one joyful person. If you ride the bus each day and smile when you catch the eyes of other passengers, it is hard for them not to smile back or at least notice the joy that emanates from you. Perhaps your