We carry many memories with us and when we reminisce feelings arise from those memories, making us consider them positive or negative memories. As we mature we find that some negative memories actually produced positive outcomes, although it might have taken years to see, consequently some positive memories were not truly in our best interest.
The same applies to hope. We only hope for what we know. We hope for a long and healthy life, the house and lifestyle of our dreams, etc. Most of the things we hope for are things we think we want. Things that we think will make us happy, but most of our desires are superficial and don’t bring us lasting happiness. So if we do not know what will make us happy, how can we ever obtain happiness or know what to hope for?
Some of us live in worldly contentment and think maintaining our present situation is our best chance for lasting happiness, but that is a fatalistic approach. Hoping for things to remain the same is an exercise in futility, and shows poor judgment. We cannot expect our homes and bodies to remain in good condition without maintenance, and since aging is inevitable, changes occur. We should strive for progress—growth that goes beyond preserving or protecting our present situation but rather progress and development that improves our situation; such as a dietary change or an efficient heating system.
Think in terms of a business or town that does not bring in new products or plan for the future. Soon both discover declining numbers; as their customers or residents are not being continually renewed.
There is always new technology and knowledge in this world and to live in this world is to continue learning and growing. Of the elderly people I have known I admire most those who keep moving forward with the times, unabashed by computers, cell phones or technical car craziness. They don’t have to know how to do everything, but they have the desire to learn and the wisdom to know that burying their head in the sand will age them more quickly.
If we are not receptive to progress we will suffer from paralysis. Again most of the people that dislike change (often times me included) combat progress with criticism and negativity. Such behavior is harmful to everyone, but mostly to the person with the negative thoughts and words, because they create harmful stress hormones within their bodies. They cloud their judgment with an uncooperative or stubborn demeanor.
To hope for things which we cannot see is trust in a power higher than ourselves. If we could hope for things that will bring us peace for all of eternity we could better handle the changes occurring in our lives and the present day world. Often, however, we cannot remain hopeful, especially in the unforeseeable future, without the encouragement of others. Personally I have benefited greatly from the encouragement of others. It’s so easy to lose hope without positive and kind words. Simply listening to the evening news can crush one’s optimism. The world is tough enough without the naysayers pooh-poohing us. So surround yourself with positive people, remain hopeful and keep moving upward and onward.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Mark your calendars for the “open to the public” weekly Bid Euchre Tournament held at the Bunker (below the Vets Club, 106 South Center Street) every Thursday at 7 p.m. with weekly prizes.
Fall Back: Don’t forget the time change on early Sunday morning. Turn your clock back before going to sleep Saturday evening.
Sunday, November 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Lions Club will hold their “All You Can Eat” Breakfast with pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee and juice. Later on Sunday, consider attending the 2017 Annual Gospel Sing from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Greenville’s St. Clair Memorial Hall. Admission is a free-will donation with all proceeds going to the Cancer Association of Darke County.
This Sunday the Boy Scouts will pass out yellow plastic bags for their annual fall food drive. They will pick up your donation Saturday morning. Make sure you have your donations in a visible location before 9 a.m. or drop your items off in one of the church drop boxes.
Mark your calendar because Christmas begins next weekend: Friday, November 10 is the Hometown Christmas Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. in Versailles and Santa will be at the Eagles Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 11. Also Saturday the EUM Church holds their Holiday Boutique from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., located on Sater Street, Greenville and next Sunday, November 12 the American Legion Auxiliary will hold their Chicken Fry starting at 4 p.m.
Happy 92nd birthday to Arthur Curtis, also birthday wishes to Fr. Ron Haft, Rev. Billy Graham, Elaine Winner, Caroline Schutz, Susie Derr, Oliviah Smith, Shelby Smith, Larry Overholser, Chris Jones, Brian Holzapfel, Don Yagle, Rob Noggle, Dan Buxton, Paul Luft, Kay Camacho, Tom Magoto, Raquel Bulcher, Lori Cordonnier, Kim Constantinides, Kalyn Justice, Tim Magoto, Griffin Riegel, Kaylynne Minnich, Emily Phlipot, Carly Graves, Darlene Wiford, Donna Subler, Marlene Schmitmeyer, Joy Morris, Mary Miller, Sundra Bey, Marge Harman, Diane Elsas, Jennifer Ward, Karen Oldiges, Mary Francis, Danielle Keiser, Sharon Henry, Melissa Stewart, Jerry Pequignot, Ron Schulze, A.J. Bey, George Stuck, Jim Trittschuh, Randy Monnin, Stacy Weymer, Amy Schoen, Marcy Roll, Kristy Earick, Christy Hunt, Judy Magoto, Susie Keihl, Marcy Roll, Cindy Shadoan, and Kent Monnin, as their birthdays approach as well as, anniversary wishes to Angel and Shane Borchers (17), Traci and Jeremy Cordonnier (21), Dawn and Tom Petitjean (24), Janet and Donald Pothas (25), Stephanie and Ken Swallow, Diane and Bob Magoto (42), Carol and Phil Borchers (45), and Diane and Jim Grillot (46).
Congratulations to Colleen McKnight, owner of “A Soothing Touch” as she relocates her business to 57 W. Main, Versailles.
Please give your supportive and healing prayers to the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Gary Batty, Ed Bulcher, Jane Huber, Mary Margaret Fullenkamp, Aiden Meyer, Sylvester Meyer, Earl Gigandet, Madison Berger, Anthony Gehret, Terry & Donna Black, John Magoto, Lois Magoto, Phyllis Oliver, Tim Bayless, Pooch Barga (VHCC), Chris Apple, Ruth Wirrig (VHCC), Wilma Heiby (VHCC), Carl DeMange, Rosie Cordonnier, Miriam Harman, Jack Monnin, Mary Batty, Norma Magoto, Betty Kremer (VHCC), Denny Grilliot, Beverly Brown, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Mary Barga, Anabelle Subler (VHCC), Julia Billenstein, Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Dan Monnin, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard (VHCC), Samantha Smith and those not mentioned by name who are recuperating, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers.
Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Dorothy Redmond (88) also remembering and keeping in our hearts the lives Mike Geise, Richard Broerman, Jerome Schmitmeyer, Patricia Pax, Elvia Lewis, Daryl Plessinger, Luther “Squeek” Strobel, Catherine Studabaker, Luke Jutte, Marjorie
Lyme, Adaline Knapke, Margery Browder, Thelma Clark, Bud Treon, Lucy Monnier, Red Kremer, Ernie Monnin, Helen Frantz, Don Canan Bill Graves, Janet Helsel, Flora Neargarder, Merv Schulze, Leo Schieltz, Evelyn Gump, Marilyn Bulcher and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing nears.
“Be somebody who makes everyone feel like a somebody. ~Unknown
“Encouragement keeps hope alive and restores our trust in tomorrow.” ~C. Edwards
“We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
