<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181</id><updated>2012-01-29T07:15:45.649-06:00</updated><category term='Peace'/><category term='Life'/><category term='Spirit'/><category term='Love'/><category term='Christmas'/><title type='text'>Rolling Along with Merrily</title><subtitle type='html'>Merrily Smith P. O. Box 1421, Addison TX 75001, 972-447-0990 www.holistic-helper.com</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>48</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8904849128313063422</id><published>2009-02-21T22:39:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-02-21T22:39:27.366-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Mt. Vernon Smells Like Popcorn</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;This little town in the bend of the Ohio River has a hominy mill.  Each month during the processing of the corn into hominy, it smells like popcorn.  When you come into town - it's as strong as a movie theatre lobby.&lt;br/&gt;   My Mother grew up in this little town and told stories of the 1910's and 1920's.  Oneof the finest harbors on the Ohio was right here so the steamboats that would ply the river would anchor at the foot of Main St.   The caliope rattled the air and all would know there would be a performance that night.  &lt;br/&gt;  My Mother was a dramatic talent and I know she learned her love of acting came from these shows.  She was a brilliant pianist and at 12 was playing professionally at the silent movies - following the westerns, the romances, etc.  She went on to play the lead in the high school plays.&lt;br/&gt;   Her father owned the biggest grocery store in town and was blessed by the steamboat business as they would restock at the store.  Cracker barrels and checkerboards were mainstays.&lt;br/&gt;   Another family story was about my Grandfather buy8ing the first electric car in town - and my Grandmother rode the fastest horse in town!  Her railing against the progress of cars was known throughout the community.&lt;br/&gt;   Mt. Vernon grew into a very progressive town - attracting a Johnson &amp;amp; Johnson Research facility, a boiler factory that supplied NASA for the space explorations and a large refinery.  &lt;br/&gt;   I always thought this was a cameo vignette of small town courage and forsight.  I trust you have enjoyed this long ago and far away. view.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;div class='zemanta-pixie'&gt;&lt;img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=1cb551b4-d918-4760-a94e-5d4cd3085245' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8904849128313063422?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8904849128313063422/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8904849128313063422' title='9 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8904849128313063422'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8904849128313063422'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/02/mt-vernon-smells-like-popcorn.html' title='Mt. Vernon Smells Like Popcorn'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>9</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-4831362101239569729</id><published>2009-01-30T08:42:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-30T08:42:11.249-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Moments 1</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;Life review shows the brief moments that gave meaning to our whole lives.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;I remember growing up in a rural community with one road over a hill between where I lived and the kids I wanted to play with - over the hill.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;One evening as darkness came I headed home.  As I saw the top of the hill, there were 8 or 9 kids that lived on my side of the hill.  They had a mean streak and often tried to cause me trouble.  Here they were gathered together in my only path home.  As I walked, leading my bike, I wondered what would happen when I got to them.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;I just kept on walking and amazingly, since I didn't break pace, I found myself walking through them - without being touched!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;A real life-lesson - there may be a chink in the stone wall that faces us - and the appearance of danger or destruction may fall away.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-4831362101239569729?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/4831362101239569729/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=4831362101239569729' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/4831362101239569729'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/4831362101239569729'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/moments-1.html' title='Moments 1'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8430463172891746796</id><published>2009-01-29T20:53:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-29T20:53:56.744-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Ahh!  Imperfection!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;Ahh, Imperfection!  I'm a recovering perfectionist - used to HAVE TO finish things, HAVE TO have things in order, HAVE TO have three weeks ahead on my calendar or I didn't think I was doing enough.  NOW - NOW&lt;br/&gt;Life is much more fun.  I'm lucky to know what a whole day will hold, and not be concerned about what's left over.  One observation I made during the transition is that I may come in to a situation at "step 5"  and take it to "step 6" and be satisfied to let go of the rest of the goal - it may not be mine to do. No angst. &lt;br/&gt;    Clearing clutter remains high on my list of "to do's" because of the wonderful space that opens up and the care I feel about filling it in with the current - more interesting - things I need and want.  &lt;br/&gt;   I'm a peaceful and proud imperfectionist - try it - you'll like it.  Cheers&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8430463172891746796?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8430463172891746796/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8430463172891746796' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8430463172891746796'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8430463172891746796'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/ahh-imperfection.html' title='Ahh!  Imperfection!'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-1463646337495862484</id><published>2009-01-29T14:58:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-29T14:58:48.725-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Yo Ho Ho to those who hurt us.</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;You can rest assured, that those who&lt;br /&gt;have hurt you had absolutely no idea of what&lt;br /&gt;they were doing and what was really going on.&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;    &lt;br /&gt;        &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;        It never occurred to them that you'd become&lt;br /&gt;even more magnificent. That they'd be&lt;br /&gt;invoking your sympathy, adding to your&lt;br /&gt;compassion, and increasing your "sparkles."&lt;br /&gt;And it will still be eons before they can&lt;br /&gt;grasp that you actually welcomed them into&lt;br /&gt;your life and played their little games for&lt;br /&gt;some of these very reason.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A Universal Truth = give it a Hand.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-1463646337495862484?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/1463646337495862484/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=1463646337495862484' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/1463646337495862484'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/1463646337495862484'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/yo-ho-ho-to-those-who-hurt-us.html' title='Yo Ho Ho to those who hurt us.'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-5035516235669165434</id><published>2009-01-26T23:11:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-26T23:11:12.293-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Only the Brave can Forgive</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;"When I say forgiveness, I do not mean forgetting, or approving, or absolving, or self-sacrifice.  I man understanding.  Being able to say, "I know you did the best you could; if you could have done better, you would have."  without the words getting stuck in my throat, is what I call forgiveness."  Suzanne and Sidney Simon, "Forgiveness: How to Make Peace With Your Past, and Get on With Your Life.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;U have often added - with the information you had a the time.  Sometimes there are big missing pieces that affected the behaviour  we have experienced.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-5035516235669165434?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/5035516235669165434/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=5035516235669165434' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/5035516235669165434'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/5035516235669165434'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/only-brave-can-forgive.html' title='Only the Brave can Forgive'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-7470688118927643221</id><published>2009-01-21T22:13:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-21T22:13:30.764-06:00</updated><title type='text'>The Active Stillness</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;Alan Alda speaks of meditations:&lt;br/&gt;   You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition.  What you will discover will be yourself.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Like any effective action - the muscles must be developed.  The subtle energy develops strongly and surely.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-7470688118927643221?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/7470688118927643221/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=7470688118927643221' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7470688118927643221'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7470688118927643221'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/active-stillness.html' title='The Active Stillness'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-9167114795260788361</id><published>2009-01-20T21:44:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-20T21:44:49.785-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Crying with Joy</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;How often have we cried with joy?  We saw a beautiful scene - it caught our breath and brought tears to our eyes.  How the strong energy of hope today has brought tears to many of us - Obama is now president!  &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;My thought is that we all have a certain level of beauty in our inner being - soul? - and when that level is reached and then stretched - we are moved to tears as we expand.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;I think I must have heard the Peace Song (Let there be peace, and let it begin with me)  500 times before I could get all the way thru it without having tears.  Just hearing 3-400 people singing it so sincerely was very moving to me.  &lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-9167114795260788361?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/9167114795260788361/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=9167114795260788361' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/9167114795260788361'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/9167114795260788361'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/crying-with-joy.html' title='Crying with Joy'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-2874685678967934263</id><published>2009-01-17T18:32:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-17T18:32:44.985-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Search for Beauty</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;"All of life is a search for beauty."  Arab saying.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;I feel like today I have a lifetime treasure of beauty.  I watched the Obama Express Train from Philadelphia to Washington.  Joy pours forth from every cold and shivering person that was waving and shouting cheers and blessings.  This is Hope manifested.  We don't know what tomorrow will bring - but today we are all grateful that we are Americans, that we have atained the leadership of one who has vision for a harmonious, whole country.  &lt;br/&gt;   Aancients have told us - without vision your country will die - many of us have hung our heads in despair over the destructive actions that have led us to a low position in the world's eyes.  We raise our heads now, our heart's beat happier, our hands feel readier and our ears are attuned to what we can do - and our faith is that now someone will give us a directive that we can believe in.  God is blessing us NOW!.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-2874685678967934263?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/2874685678967934263/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=2874685678967934263' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2874685678967934263'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2874685678967934263'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/search-for-beauty.html' title='Search for Beauty'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8409417050001593267</id><published>2009-01-15T16:50:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-15T16:50:26.362-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Loving without Needing</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;"Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.     Dalai Lama&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;What freedom there is when both walk near to each other without leaning.  &lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8409417050001593267?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8409417050001593267/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8409417050001593267' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8409417050001593267'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8409417050001593267'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/loving-without-needing.html' title='Loving without Needing'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-40312386112805460</id><published>2009-01-14T22:03:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-14T22:03:50.679-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Spirituality differs from Religion</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;Oprah's show today - Jan. 14 - was a wonderful expression of separating these two concepts.  Spiritual people may very well also be religious - adhering to the ideas promoted by various religions, however, many spiritually-minded people don't go to any church.  Their path becomes very personal thru their own disciplines  usually developed by meditation, following intuition leading to freedom.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-40312386112805460?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/40312386112805460/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=40312386112805460' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/40312386112805460'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/40312386112805460'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/spirituality-differs-from-religion.html' title='Spirituality differs from Religion'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-6594421511277670964</id><published>2009-01-13T17:51:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-13T17:51:04.515-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Find Joy First</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;"I slept and dreamt that life was joy,I awoke and saw that life was service.  I acted and behold, service was joy."  Tagore.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Where to serve is often in front of our face.  We can often trust that the Universe knows who we are and what we can do - so we can easily do it.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-6594421511277670964?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/6594421511277670964/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=6594421511277670964' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/6594421511277670964'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/6594421511277670964'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/find-joy-first.html' title='Find Joy First'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3217552805019539437</id><published>2009-01-07T08:53:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-07T08:53:38.605-06:00</updated><title type='text'>I Don't  Know - Really?</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;There are times when we don't have the info needed - mechanically, socially, politically.  I'm focusing on the many times we have a personal decision to make and we sluff off  making the decision by saying, "I don't know."  I would add to those: "Yet"  &lt;br/&gt;Harking back to our personal theology - being made in the image and likeness of God - especially the likeness, God is all wise and we are the creation - we have the spark of wisdom within us to know what is for our highest good at all times and in all ways.  So, let's not waste the energy of confusion with the I don't know affirmation.  Consider that God knows and God show the insight I need at the moment when I need it&lt;br/&gt;  Vison your answer like a gift package onthe shelf, ready for the right moment for you to have it.  &lt;br/&gt;   I don't know is an energy drain and we need all the good energy we can get.  Try putting the plug on it..&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3217552805019539437?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3217552805019539437/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3217552805019539437' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3217552805019539437'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3217552805019539437'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-don-know-really.html' title='I Don&amp;#39;t  Know - Really?'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-2093343298567579465</id><published>2009-01-05T07:59:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-05T07:59:36.232-06:00</updated><title type='text'>One God</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;I talk to the stars, and they tell me of God.&lt;br/&gt;I talk to the trees, and they nod their heads wisely&lt;br/&gt;    as they tell me of God.&lt;br/&gt;I talk to the sparrows, the bees, and the flowers -&lt;br/&gt;    the wind, the sun, and the showers, &lt;br/&gt;       and they tell me of God, one God&lt;br/&gt;T talk to men, and they tell me of gods, many gods,&lt;br/&gt;     It seems that only men know enough to be confused.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;                            J. Sig Paulsen, Unity Minister&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-2093343298567579465?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/2093343298567579465/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=2093343298567579465' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2093343298567579465'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2093343298567579465'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-god.html' title='One God'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-2088882697761687361</id><published>2009-01-04T06:51:00.000-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-04T06:51:00.505-06:00</updated><title type='text'>That "C-word," Commitment</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;font face='Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif' size='2' color='#000000' style='color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;'&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;The&lt;br /&gt;irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating - in work, in play,&lt;br /&gt;in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic,&lt;br /&gt;from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as&lt;br /&gt;rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to&lt;br /&gt;your life.&lt;/em&gt; -Anne Morriss, Starbucks customer in New York City as quoted on a Starbucks cup.&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Nothing drains energy quicker than indecision.  You soon know if it was the right decision and can often change it.  Merrily&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;font face='Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif' size='2' color='#000000' style='color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;'&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-2088882697761687361?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/2088882697761687361/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=2088882697761687361' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2088882697761687361'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2088882697761687361'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/that-commitment.html' title='That &amp;quot;C-word,&amp;quot; Commitment'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-2540124852180569944</id><published>2009-01-03T19:19:00.000-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-03T19:19:00.431-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Great Love = Great Risk</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;"Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk."  Dalai Lama&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;When we choose to love - we do not know what the object of our affection will do with it.  Three ways:&lt;br/&gt;1)  Receive it with a smile that only you see and feel.&lt;br/&gt;2)  Received with logic and wisdom - don't be disappointed if emotions are not attached.&lt;br/&gt;3)  A ho-hum acceptance - it is still worth your while to have the expanded experience.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-2540124852180569944?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/2540124852180569944/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=2540124852180569944' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2540124852180569944'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2540124852180569944'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/great-love-great-risk.html' title='Great Love = Great Risk'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8726795168106004637</id><published>2009-01-01T16:52:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2009-01-01T16:52:03.512-06:00</updated><title type='text'>The Window Within</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;"If you bring forth what is inside you, what you bring forth will save you.  If you don't bring forth what is inside you, what you don't bring forth will destroy you."   Jesus&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;   When someone says or does something that makes us uncomfortable - just a bit like stepping on our toes - isn't it best to find a way to let them know before we stuff the energy of it and it grown until we're ready to hit them in the gut? &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Let's watch the little things before they get big, Merrily&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8726795168106004637?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8726795168106004637/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8726795168106004637' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8726795168106004637'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8726795168106004637'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2009/01/window-within.html' title='The Window Within'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3747231869926862192</id><published>2008-12-28T10:44:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-28T10:44:29.150-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Movie view - Defending Your Life</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;Defending Your Life&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;This movie is logically comforting.  Most lines carry wisdom we trust is waiting for us.  Very thought-provoking.  Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep show levels of progress and forgiveness we trust carries some truth for us.  The balance of fun and evaluation is deftly handles.  A must see to keep for me.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3747231869926862192?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3747231869926862192/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3747231869926862192' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3747231869926862192'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3747231869926862192'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/movie-view-defending-your-life.html' title='Movie view - Defending Your Life'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8348588834323831788</id><published>2008-12-27T11:14:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-27T11:14:01.487-06:00</updated><title type='text'>The Lion and the Lamb</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;The Lion laying down with a lamb is a strong symbol of peace to me. This has been my Christmas theme for cards and letters for many years.  Working for peacefulness within myself kept me focused for a long time - not realizing the triggers that would spring up in personal situations.&lt;br/&gt;   I heard a powerful speaker one time, Vivian Castleberry, answer to another speaker from South Africa who was exiled at the time - during apartheid.  The African speaker relayed her poginant story of how we could not have peace until we had justice.  &lt;br/&gt;   Vivian was thoughtful, as were we all.  We had gathered to discuss the upcoming "Global Women's Peace Conference,  Then she spoke to her Aftican "sister-"  If we have peace we can solve all of our problems - if we don't have peace, we cana't solve any of them."&lt;br/&gt;    This stays with me as a weathervane for attitudes.  &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8348588834323831788?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8348588834323831788/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8348588834323831788' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8348588834323831788'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8348588834323831788'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/lion-and-lamb.html' title='The Lion and the Lamb'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-7927931282668219675</id><published>2008-12-25T22:10:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-25T22:10:21.113-06:00</updated><title type='text'>The Sun Worship of the Sunflower</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;I learned today from the movie,Calendar Girls, that the sunflower follows the sun all day.  My namesake is the sunflower, and I'll take that path as an omen.  Merrily&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-7927931282668219675?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/7927931282668219675/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=7927931282668219675' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7927931282668219675'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7927931282668219675'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/sun-worship-of-sunflower.html' title='The Sun Worship of the Sunflower'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-7644193552502881811</id><published>2008-12-25T02:00:00.000-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-25T02:00:02.291-06:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Life'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Peace'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Christmas'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Love'/><title type='text'>the Power of Peace...</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SVJA0WWSgvI/AAAAAAAAABE/sm-i5TDprcI/s1600-h/lion-hugs-lamb.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 162px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SVJA0WWSgvI/AAAAAAAAABE/sm-i5TDprcI/s200/lion-hugs-lamb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283356580955456242" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;This has been a meaningful  message to me all my life the lion and the lamb together...&lt;br /&gt;We take it for granted now... but is it just a story? Are we capable of much more?&lt;br /&gt;Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas...&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-7644193552502881811?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/7644193552502881811/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=7644193552502881811' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7644193552502881811'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7644193552502881811'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/power-of-peace.html' title='the Power of Peace...'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SVJA0WWSgvI/AAAAAAAAABE/sm-i5TDprcI/s72-c/lion-hugs-lamb.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3541115986726402868</id><published>2008-12-24T03:05:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-24T03:05:33.446-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Utilizing Rudolf</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;&lt;font size='2' color='#3300ff'&gt;On a foggy Christmas Eve Santa asked Rudolf a &lt;br /&gt;question: Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?  In other words, how can we get you &lt;br /&gt;to use your bright (red) nose?  How can we take advantage of what appears to be &lt;br /&gt;a fault, a challenge, nay, a source of disfigurement and turn it into a &lt;br /&gt;positive?  This is the Rudolf Question.   Rev.Leo Booth&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;We are often given something that draws attention to our uniqueness - a debilitation or even a talent that has been developed.  Sometimes we want to hide because we are "different."  There are no accidents - it's come to us because we have the inner guidance and/or strength to benefit the world in which we live.  Giving from our inner wisdom allows the benefit to come forth in the right way at the right time to be a blessings to those we meet.  Rudolph's red nose guided efficiently with the job at hand.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3541115986726402868?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3541115986726402868/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3541115986726402868' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3541115986726402868'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3541115986726402868'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/utilizing-rudolf.html' title='Utilizing Rudolf'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-7948244146216137073</id><published>2008-12-21T14:05:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-21T14:05:26.170-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Order</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;To me these days, when I hear Obama, Biden, and others that have been chosen, I feel a sence of order and good management that I haven't hear in years.  I'm very hopeful and looking for my place to fit in with this new flow.   Merrily Smith&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-7948244146216137073?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/7948244146216137073/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=7948244146216137073' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7948244146216137073'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7948244146216137073'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/order.html' title='Order'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3930180234879133918</id><published>2008-12-16T08:10:00.004-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-16T09:31:57.219-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Problems = Gifts</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SUfJYLdCHeI/AAAAAAAAAA8/281_Wfgh0VQ/s1600-h/IMG_0694.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SUfJYLdCHeI/AAAAAAAAAA8/281_Wfgh0VQ/s200/IMG_0694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280410505343802850" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift - you seek problems because you need their gifts."&lt;br /&gt;                   Richard Bach, author of "Illusions"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What a great book...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;pic by &lt;a href="http://www.TigerSwami.blogspot.com"&gt;Tiger Swami&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3930180234879133918?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3930180234879133918/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3930180234879133918' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3930180234879133918'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3930180234879133918'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/problems-gifts.html' title='Problems = Gifts'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SUfJYLdCHeI/AAAAAAAAAA8/281_Wfgh0VQ/s72-c/IMG_0694.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-4335768134785559845</id><published>2008-12-15T14:26:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-16T09:20:51.040-06:00</updated><title type='text'>A Superlative Christmas Carol</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;At the Dallas Theatre Center, is a totally vibrant depiction of the classic transformation of Scrooge.  The stage is often filled with joy from the ensemble, sound effects abound to reflect Scrooge's dilemma and acting from all truly enthralls us at each stage of his mind set.&lt;br /&gt;   The essence of the play captures a heart-felt attitude from family and friends.  The dialogue clearly show how he laid his cold-hearted path.&lt;br /&gt;  Performances continue until Dec. 28.  Take a child, or let your inner child experience this joy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-4335768134785559845?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/4335768134785559845/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=4335768134785559845' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/4335768134785559845'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/4335768134785559845'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/superlative-christmas-carol.html' title='A Superlative Christmas Carol'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3183985936109214863</id><published>2008-12-15T00:19:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-15T13:56:19.046-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Animal Buddies as Teachers</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;Animals care little for the differences between us and them and simply enjoy loving and being loved. Our pets encourage us to let our guards down, have fun, and take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy life.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3183985936109214863?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3183985936109214863/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3183985936109214863' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3183985936109214863'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3183985936109214863'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/animal-buddies-as-teachers_15.html' title='Animal Buddies as Teachers'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8317431980132003330</id><published>2008-12-14T09:05:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-15T13:55:21.607-06:00</updated><title type='text'>The Value of I Am</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;Everyone is subject to losing the delicate thread of I Am which is the only truth about identity, the lnly fact of the self that belongs to each of us without falsity,       Deepak Chopra&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8317431980132003330?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8317431980132003330/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8317431980132003330' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8317431980132003330'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8317431980132003330'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/value-of-i-am.html' title='The Value of I Am'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-5501543989075303902</id><published>2008-12-13T08:53:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-13T12:03:00.307-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Animal Buddies as Teachers</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;Animals care little for the differences between us and them and simply enjoy loving and being loved. Our pets encourage us to let our guards down, have fun, and take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy life.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-5501543989075303902?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/5501543989075303902/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=5501543989075303902' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/5501543989075303902'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/5501543989075303902'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/animal-buddies-as-teachers.html' title='Animal Buddies as Teachers'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-4828122680079320049</id><published>2008-12-12T18:17:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-13T07:53:16.331-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Peace is not a dream.</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;"Peace is not a dreamer's dream.  but a real chance to transform our families, our communities, and our world.  Chopra dares us to confront the notion that we are destined to relive history's transgressions.  His call challenges us to exert ourselves as instruments for what should be our most urgent task:  Constructing Peace."   Deepak Chopra&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-4828122680079320049?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/4828122680079320049/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=4828122680079320049' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/4828122680079320049'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/4828122680079320049'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/peace-is-not-dream.html' title='Peace is not a dream.'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8997690644962155371</id><published>2008-12-10T22:16:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-10T22:37:40.526-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Monkey See Monkey Do</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."   ~Nelson Mandela&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What a neat insight into "Monkey See Monkey Do!"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8997690644962155371?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8997690644962155371/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8997690644962155371' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8997690644962155371'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8997690644962155371'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/monkey-see-monkey-do.html' title='Monkey See Monkey Do'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-2051606796745982195</id><published>2008-12-09T07:02:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-10T08:20:47.283-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Doggie DNA</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;On Channel 5, NBC, this morning, Dec. 8, 2008, it is reported that doggie doo can be sent to a sample lab, the dna is checked and can be traced to the owner!  A new blessing for lost animals, also.  Hooray for science.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-2051606796745982195?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/2051606796745982195/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=2051606796745982195' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2051606796745982195'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2051606796745982195'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/doggie-dna.html' title='Doggie DNA'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-834572975555015992</id><published>2008-12-08T09:40:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-08T09:41:52.129-06:00</updated><title type='text'>NO WONDER I WAS SCARED:</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When I thought I’d have to come up with answers&lt;br /&gt;To all that could happen to me in my life –&lt;br /&gt;No wonder I was scared.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When I thought I was really lucky to make it thru another day –&lt;br /&gt;No wonder I was scared.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There was an attack here, a squelch there – no matter what I did –&lt;br /&gt;No wonder I was scared.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Long years went by – brass rings came and went&lt;br /&gt;I caught a few and passed a lot –&lt;br /&gt;I didn’t know I was so scared.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I filled my years – much was good “they” say – and I say, too.&lt;br /&gt;I was wearing out my fears.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It had a name – more than one.&lt;br /&gt;Faith showed me how to shine a light.&lt;br /&gt;I saw fear fade!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It didn’t live so I could feel free –&lt;br /&gt;I soared in Silence – and more could see&lt;br /&gt;It’s me – clear and free.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My voice is heard, my step is seen&lt;br /&gt;Others now can follow close&lt;br /&gt;Free from fear our paths arose.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That light that shone became my own,&lt;br /&gt;It’s always been there my soul has known&lt;br /&gt;I travel now so free from fear –&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I now know that God is near.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-834572975555015992?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/834572975555015992/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=834572975555015992' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/834572975555015992'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/834572975555015992'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/no-wonder-i-was-scared.html' title='NO WONDER I WAS SCARED:'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3820176070118569220</id><published>2008-12-02T08:19:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-02T08:31:56.618-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Rockin' Your World</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;Recognizing that our bodies have innate intelligence, here is a way to utilize that intelligence to bring the clarity we often seek.&lt;br /&gt;   Stand erect - ask your question clearly - and notice if your body moves forward - giving you a "Yes," or back, giving you a "no."  Test with known answers, then try with unknown answers.  This is just one of many techniques you can use to give greater peace of mind.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3820176070118569220?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3820176070118569220/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3820176070118569220' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3820176070118569220'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3820176070118569220'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/rockin-your-world.html' title='Rockin&amp;#39; Your World'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3162789379508690128</id><published>2008-12-01T13:33:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2008-12-01T13:37:01.299-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Pronounce It GOOD ...</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After creating the world, God pronounced it good. My paraphrase, but to me the message is clear and current.  If we want to keep moving forward - pronounce our own world - Good! &lt;br /&gt;I think our heaviest "sin" is when we feel stopped - just can't move forward - and it usually is when we have an anchor on the past, holding us in place until we find some way to lift the anchor - forgiveness in some form.  Then we will feel the lifting.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3162789379508690128?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3162789379508690128/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3162789379508690128' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3162789379508690128'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3162789379508690128'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/12/pronounce-it-good.html' title='Pronounce It GOOD ...'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8897570638749245631</id><published>2008-11-28T19:46:00.002-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-28T19:49:27.094-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Greatest gift...</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;Choice is your soul's moment for its light to strike.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;  ~David Crosby&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Choice is God's greatest gift to us.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8897570638749245631?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8897570638749245631/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8897570638749245631' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8897570638749245631'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8897570638749245631'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/greatest-gift.html' title='Greatest gift...'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-6466846559239734852</id><published>2008-11-27T08:45:00.000-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-28T07:00:13.524-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Only words that heal</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;Careless Cussing&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;so many of us do this - the expletives roll off our tongue without pause when a frustration comes or a disappointment stops our intended forward march, let along when an intentional attack is made.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We've also studied the power of the spoken word - and assumed that these casual words that are sent out don't count.  How could they not?  If the good directive and blessing count - and we've seen that happen many a time - then these negative drops also drip into our way of thinking.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here's to the pause that refreshes - only words that heal, inspire or encourage come from me now!!  Tall order, but worth the effort - notice the stunned effect around you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-6466846559239734852?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/6466846559239734852/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=6466846559239734852' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/6466846559239734852'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/6466846559239734852'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/only-words-that-heal.html' title='Only words that heal'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3758963878025201669</id><published>2008-11-26T18:15:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-26T18:16:05.328-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Sea Of Discovery</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;&lt;div align="center"&gt;A Poem:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt; A Birthday is an honoring of the&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; completion of another cycle –&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; A pushing uphill with people,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; places and things.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Windows that were given to&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; breathe, weave new patterns&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; of our heart’s desires.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; A reaching out to touch others&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; in new ways,  some fun;  others&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; we’d shudder and shake.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; In the Quiet we’d catch a Glimpse&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; to  see “why” and “how” it fit&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; this personal flow that is our&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; own life energy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Now, a new wave begins your&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Sea of Discovery.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; May warm winds of Universal&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Love blow every so gently&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; To fill your sails and skim you&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; along to your port of 2009.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Merrily Smith&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3758963878025201669?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3758963878025201669/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3758963878025201669' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3758963878025201669'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3758963878025201669'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/sea-of-discovery.html' title='Sea Of Discovery'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3132922705242036031</id><published>2008-11-25T21:48:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-25T22:56:54.404-06:00</updated><title type='text'>To Affirm or not to Affirm.</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;Roilling Along with Merrily&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As we learn many things about our minds, we are taught about affirmations.  They work amazingly many, many times.  Then there comes the time when no matter how much you affirm, the "thing" just wom't move.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is when I suggest that it has roots - deeper underground than the surface positive flow.  we're taught to use only positive words in these affirmation - keeping the "not" words out. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well, I'm suggesting that we may need to uproot the more firmly held thought below the surface and declare that they don't have a hold on us any more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If it's fear - we've affirmed that I go forward with faith.  But "it" hasn't moved so try "I don't fear the successful outcome I need (or wish). This may go into that more deeply held fear.  I've found that it works.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3132922705242036031?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3132922705242036031/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3132922705242036031' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3132922705242036031'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3132922705242036031'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/to-affirm-or-not-to-affirm.html' title='To Affirm or not to Affirm.'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-5949444414241696721</id><published>2008-11-23T20:32:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-24T10:27:08.193-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Thank You, God</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt; Thank you, God - for holding the world together while I fell apart.&lt;br /&gt; Thank you, God - for Your strength within strong men and deeds&lt;br /&gt;                   That stood firm while I fled in fear.&lt;br /&gt; Thank you, God - for continuing the endless creation of beauty&lt;br /&gt;                   When my eyes saw only dry flatness.&lt;br /&gt; Thank you, God - for Your Love that brings near to me&lt;br /&gt;                   a wonderful, warm spot in which to live&lt;br /&gt;                   when I release and let Your Love within me&lt;br /&gt;                   flow and fill my expanded world.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-5949444414241696721?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/5949444414241696721/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=5949444414241696721' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/5949444414241696721'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/5949444414241696721'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/thank-you-god.html' title='Thank You, God'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-551580620537134640</id><published>2008-11-21T14:44:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-21T14:54:49.349-06:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spirit'/><title type='text'>God Is</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;GOD IS&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I thought God was near&lt;br /&gt;Then felt that I alone faced my foe.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I saw my foe as different and fierce,&lt;br /&gt;The found we stumbled over the same stones.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I thought that God was far away&lt;br /&gt;The healed without a scar.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I thought that God was strong&lt;br /&gt;Then felt the gentleness of a new idea.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I thought that God was gentle,&lt;br /&gt;Then went within Niagara&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-551580620537134640?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/551580620537134640/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=551580620537134640' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/551580620537134640'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/551580620537134640'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/god-is.html' title='God Is'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-5136083498649643519</id><published>2008-11-20T16:42:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-20T16:44:48.414-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Pots 'O Gold...</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;POTS OF GOLD&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We reach for Spirit’s touch,&lt;br /&gt;To truly BE where we want to BE.&lt;br /&gt;To bless all we have brings Spirit’s flow,&lt;br /&gt;Filling our own Pot of Gold.&lt;br /&gt;Now Spirit has a welcome home&lt;br /&gt;And we fill it with blessings anew.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We have learned much about our minds  through affirmations.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Then we expanded into visualizing – thru imagining, treasure maps, etc.  We saw and experienced the power of our minds in these ways.&lt;br /&gt;Then our wisdom teachings lead us to believing so strongly in our answers that we are to get into the feelings of being answered.  Ah, THERE’S THE RUB! &lt;br /&gt;Many times there is difficulty getting into this feeling of answered prayer.  We feel empty – at a loss.&lt;br /&gt;  If we had something to do that could move us forward???&lt;br /&gt; This is what our Pot of Gold is all about.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A clear glass container that will hold&lt;br /&gt; your blessing items is chosen.&lt;br /&gt;First – Take your Blessing Icon (chocolate nugget?) – identify the Blessings you do already have – housing, food, clothing, car, etc.&lt;br /&gt;Second – As new Blessings occur – prayers answered – delightful surprises – creative ideas – take a Blessing Icon – hold it to your heart – consciously acknowledge the blessing&lt;br /&gt;and add it to your Pot of Gold.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-5136083498649643519?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/5136083498649643519/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=5136083498649643519' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/5136083498649643519'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/5136083498649643519'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/pots-gold.html' title='Pots &amp;#39;O Gold...'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-1712518222604890413</id><published>2008-11-19T21:01:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-19T21:02:43.380-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Only for the Strong...</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"To forgive is for the strong - not for the cowardly."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;   When we feel confident within ourselves - we can&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;feel like we have something to give.  There are so&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;many things that can go into the wounding - trying not&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;to hurt someone's feelings and making the suffering&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;more keen - choices wee made that hurt someone&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;knowingly or unknowingly - embarrassments made by us&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;or "them." &lt;br /&gt;   These may be some dormant trigger to our memories. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For all of it we are left with dormant emotional&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;residue.&lt;br /&gt;   If any of this is hard to acknowledge, we may have&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;some emotional charge on it.  Let's  say we do -&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;clearance is what we want - confronting the injured to&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;say "I'm sorry," may or may not be advisable or&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;comfortable.  Imagining a similar situation  and&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;creating a change in attitude or movement may bring&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;some relief -  but primarily forgiving ourselves in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;the highest priority.  Usually we did the best we&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;could with the information we had.  Most of us think&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;that what we plan to do is a good idea at the time.&lt;br /&gt;    OOOHHH - those thoughts - we've often heard -&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;thought held in mind produce after their kind - let's&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;let kindness prevail.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;    May there  be joy on your journey,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;    Merrily&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-1712518222604890413?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/1712518222604890413/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=1712518222604890413' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/1712518222604890413'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/1712518222604890413'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/only-for-strong.html' title='Only for the Strong...'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-2486376191143495802</id><published>2008-11-18T17:23:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-18T17:25:09.364-06:00</updated><title type='text'>I criticize by creation...</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;Rolling Along With Merrily&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"I criticize by creation - not by finding fault."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;   Michelangelo gave us a thoughtful, creative way of looking at situations.  Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity Churches, presents this scenario - have a group listening to a newscast. Then ask each one to tell which story interested them. Out of the usual number of stories - perhaps 10 to 12, few in the group will choose the same one.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;   Mr. Fillmore suggests this is no accident - that the story each one chooses indicates that that person has part of the answer.  Their life experience may give them the solution or part of the solution - or they may know someone who does have pertinent information.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;   Our word for today is to pay attention to that which interests us and be reflective about what we can do to assist in expanding the scope of its effects.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, Friends,  look to this day for the fruit of your own harvest.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;   &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-2486376191143495802?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/2486376191143495802/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=2486376191143495802' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2486376191143495802'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/2486376191143495802'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-criticize-by-creation.html' title='I criticize by creation...'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-6942132704629137577</id><published>2008-11-17T11:11:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-11-17T12:19:13.890-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Reasons to Breathe Slowly</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;An Arab saying is that when we are born, we are given so many breaths for this life.&lt;br /&gt;   If that is true then it behooves us to be aware of the timing of our breaths - hurry and worry often bring the quick short breathing.  Calm, confident feelings allow the slower, deeper breaths.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;   If we want longevity - this is another way we can get more of it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;                        Take it easy, my Friend, Merrily&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-6942132704629137577?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/6942132704629137577/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=6942132704629137577' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/6942132704629137577'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/6942132704629137577'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/11/reasons-to-breathe-slowly.html' title='Reasons to Breathe Slowly'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8259015974917438176</id><published>2008-06-14T15:54:00.001-05:00</published><updated>2008-11-17T12:17:47.888-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Goddess, Mayan Prophecies &amp; More~Notes</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"&gt;Good Morning All,  There is now a really great program by two nationally-recognized speakers that will be available soon on video.&lt;br /&gt;   Jimmy Langkop is a brilliant researcher on the Goddess teachings, showing pre-dated materials revealing the worship of the Goddess in many ancient civilizations, and their silencing by most current religions.  Definitely not for wormen only, presenting that the influence is even greater upon men today than it is upon women.&lt;br /&gt;   Dr. Margaret Christensen, a noted ob/gym, brings out much in the study of sex&lt;b&gt;, and its practices in many cultures today.  She also is a strong advocate of healthy nutrition and this is amply shown.&lt;br /&gt;   These two cohorts provided a most stimulating 2 hours at the Plaza 200 in Dallas last night, June 13 - yes, Friday the 13th, another auspicious day for the Goddess and that also is addressed. &lt;br /&gt;   I'll be making announcements via my email as it becomes available.  If you want to be on my Holistic Hotline, published weekly, freely, in the DFW area.  sign in to merrily@holistic-helper.com.  G'day, Merrily&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8259015974917438176?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8259015974917438176/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8259015974917438176' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8259015974917438176'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8259015974917438176'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/06/goddess-mayan-prophecies-morenotes.html' title='Goddess, Mayan Prophecies &amp;amp; More~Notes'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-7871899237879360092</id><published>2008-04-22T17:24:00.001-05:00</published><updated>2008-04-22T17:24:52.340-05:00</updated><title type='text'>A Movie Review of  "The Final Inquiry"</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;Hello on the Earth Day,&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;I've seen  "The Final Inquiry," and want to tell you about this interesting historical view - fanciful though it is,&lt;br/&gt;The scene is the palace of Emperor Tiberius, roman ruler of the world at that time.  He hears about this group of people that are following the principles that this teacher, Jesus, has given to them.  He also hears that after his death - he rose again.  Now Tiberius is nearing his own death and wants to know if this is true.  He calls in a trusted friend (forgot the name) to investigate this information - and to find the body.  If the body is found, then the whole thing is a hoax.&lt;br/&gt;    So the friend goes to Jerusalem and finds the group of Christians that indeed are following Jesus' teachings - and are having difficulties with the Roman rule.  There is a good glimpse of how the early Christians were implementing these teachings, how they had so impacted their lives that they had the courage ot deny homage to the Romans.&lt;br/&gt;    Of course, the friend does not find the body and returns to Tiberius with that news.  Tiberius is overjoyed at the prospect of ascending into future living.  He decides to make a proclamation that these principles are to be implemented into the Roman rule.&lt;br/&gt;    Enter Caligula.  Caligula tries to dissuade Tiberius to not change the Roman rule, but Tiberius is determined - so Caligula kills him.  And so ends the saga of - what might have been!&lt;br/&gt;    I found the movie very well done - the depiction of early Christian life dealt with realistically, tho brief, but a hopeful view of "what might have been."   I think it is refreshing to see a new look.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p class='poweredbyperformancing'&gt;Powered by &lt;a href='http://scribefire.com/'&gt;ScribeFire&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-7871899237879360092?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/7871899237879360092/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=7871899237879360092' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7871899237879360092'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/7871899237879360092'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/04/movie-review-of-final-inquiry.html' title='A Movie Review of  &amp;quot;The Final Inquiry&amp;quot;'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3189750925174052312</id><published>2008-01-23T20:20:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2008-01-23T20:20:29.406-06:00</updated><title type='text'>3 Movie Reviews</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;&lt;div align='left'&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;RATOUILLE&lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;Movie&lt;br /&gt;Review &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;st1:date ls='trans' month='1' day='5' year='2008'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;1-5-08&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/st1:date&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;span style=''&gt;          &lt;/span&gt;Movies often inspire, educate and entertain.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;To me&lt;span style=''&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;there are not many who actually charm.&lt;span style=''&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;This one does.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Such a journey of&lt;br /&gt;human emotions – awareness of gifts – aloneness – unsuspecting positive&lt;br /&gt;openings – unlikely friendships – recognition – fulfillment of one’s purpose –&lt;br /&gt;these are a few of the human-like positions you will see paraded before you as&lt;br /&gt;you take yourself to this movie.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Pixar&lt;br /&gt;to me is a step above other animations.&lt;span style=''&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;What a r&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;st1:PersonName&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;om&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/st1:PersonName&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;p they had in making this.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I’ll be going again soon.&lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;The&lt;br /&gt;Great Debaters&lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;st1:date month='1' day='12' year='2008'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;1-12-08&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/st1:date&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;span style=''&gt;          &lt;/span&gt;What great guts Oprah has in making this picture.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;There is passion in all the main people –&lt;br /&gt;fire in every frame.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;As the producer she&lt;br /&gt;chronicles for us the glimpse of the millions upon millions of incidents the&lt;br /&gt;black people have lived with and through to attain normal dignities that whites&lt;br /&gt;take so for granted.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;That fire – “hope”&lt;br /&gt;is seen through all the generations, and none more powerful that the academic&lt;br /&gt;experiences.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The audience I was in&lt;br /&gt;cheered and clapped at the end.&lt;span style=''&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;Rightly&lt;br /&gt;so.&lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;The&lt;br /&gt;Bucket List&lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;st1:date ls='trans' month='1' day='20' year='2008'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;1-20-08&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/st1:date&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p align='center' style='text-align: center;' class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;span style=''&gt;          &lt;/span&gt;Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman have been brought to the&lt;br /&gt;pronouncement of their impending death.&lt;span style=''&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Both have very involved lives and this is a shocker.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Now to consider an ending to all that represents&lt;br /&gt;their lives.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Unlimited wealth plays a&lt;br /&gt;supportive role as they check out their list of what they want to accomplish&lt;br /&gt;before th y “kick the bucket.”&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Jack, the&lt;br /&gt;wealthy, and Morgan the worker come from different value systems, but quickly&lt;br /&gt;gain a respect for one another as they experience the wonders available to&lt;br /&gt;them.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The most profound thoughts they’ve&lt;br /&gt;ever had parade before their minds and hearts.&lt;span style=''&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;They face the chinks in the seemingly brick walls of their emotional&lt;br /&gt;mountains and allow themselves freedom breakthroughs done with believable&lt;br /&gt;efforts.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p class='MsoNormal'&gt;&lt;b style=''&gt;&lt;i style=''&gt;&lt;span style='font-family: &amp;amp;quot;Bookman Old Style&amp;amp;quot;;'&gt;&lt;span style=''&gt;          &lt;/span&gt;We’re all here with them and I feel will be inspired to&lt;br /&gt;write our Bucket List so we won’t miss out on anything we came into this life&lt;br /&gt;for.&lt;span style=''&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Anyone at any age will gain to see&lt;br /&gt;this. &lt;o:p/&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p class='poweredbyperformancing'&gt;Powered by &lt;a href='http://scribefire.com/'&gt;ScribeFire&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3189750925174052312?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3189750925174052312/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3189750925174052312' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3189750925174052312'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3189750925174052312'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2008/01/3-movie-reviews.html' title='3 Movie Reviews'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-3972550042550272848</id><published>2007-11-28T20:41:00.001-06:00</published><updated>2007-11-28T20:41:35.881-06:00</updated><title type='text'>Hi what would you like to read about ?</title><content type='html'>&lt;div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'&gt;&lt;font color='#330099'&gt;Hello Holistic Friends, &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;This blogging is a new adventure to me &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;- I love sharing holistic ideas event notices in the &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;DFW area, and hearing about spiritual experiences.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;    I publish a holistic directory - 1,300 &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;listings in 155 categories, so I've dipped into many &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;areas of this creative, helpful, healing community.  &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;My latest venture has been with internet radio shows - &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;my biz partner, Colin Ryane and I have interviewed 18 &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;people in the three months we 've been at it.  You'll &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;find interesting folk at www.holistic-helper.com and &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;scroll to Radio Shows.  &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Please, make a comment as to what you would like to see, or read here.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Let's see  what we will create. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Cheers,&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Merrily&lt;/font&gt;&lt;font color='#330099'&gt;&lt;big/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p class='poweredbyperformancing'&gt;Powered by &lt;a href='http://scribefire.com/'&gt;ScribeFire&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-3972550042550272848?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/3972550042550272848/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=3972550042550272848' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3972550042550272848'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/3972550042550272848'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2007/11/hi-what-would-you-like-to-read-about.html' title='Hi what would you like to read about ?'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819343240910197181.post-8610404768210111802</id><published>2007-05-21T18:13:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2007-05-21T18:15:26.508-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Sparkling days are created - want to know how?</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6819343240910197181-8610404768210111802?l=merrilysmith.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/feeds/8610404768210111802/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6819343240910197181&amp;postID=8610404768210111802' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8610404768210111802'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6819343240910197181/posts/default/8610404768210111802'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://merrilysmith.blogspot.com/2007/05/sparkling-days-are-created-want-to-know.html' title='Sparkling days are created - want to know how?'/><author><name>Merrily Smith</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01733802720029745859</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='25' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pl_mIcomo3E/SSNLw4x48SI/AAAAAAAAAAc/d2CrSOiWi7Y/S220/Merrily+Smile154x201.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
