August 20, 2025

BG’s Positively Speaking

Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones

One thing we all have in common is… ‘We all face challenges in life!’  Mostly when we least expect them. Hurdles that seem to have only one purpose;  stopping us from moving forward. No matter where we are in life, we’ll face challenges.  The key lies in how we respond,  do we see them as “stumbling blocks” or “stepping stones”. Viewing challenges as stumbling blocks will hold us back from reaching our full potential. Our energy and resources will be consumed with “What’s next?” leaving us unable to overcome them.

In my senior years at school, I did a lot of cross-country running, very challenging in the hilly moorland countryside surrounding our town. At first, I looked for all those “stumbling blocks” that could impede my progress, rocks and large stones in fields, hilly climbs, dilapidated stone walls, streams, barbed-wire fences, fields with cattle (and the occasional Bull), along with the usual piles of cow dung. This preoccupation with ‘possible’ challenges, would consistently place me in the back of the ‘pack’.

Starting my second year I adopted a different attitude. I thought of those obstacles as “stepping stones” to get where I was going. It didn’t take long to realize that each time I overcame a “challenge” I grew, I increased my knowledge and became more positive. Once a challenge was overcome, the next time I faced it I already knew how to. With this knowledge I was soon in the top ten pack and sometimes in the top three. I had applied the philosophy that winners use, without really knowing it, and moved forward.

Life is like that, we need to see all its challenges as “stepping stones” to realizing our future. They are not there to defeat us, they are meant to help us gain knowledge, strength, confidence and prepare us for our future. One question to ask yourself………………

Is this a Stumbling Block, or a Stepping Stone?

Merry Christmas To You

”Merry Christmas to you, Mary Christmas.” That’s what the former Mary Young hears during the holiday season, after she married Brian .  ”It was meant to be,” Mary Christmas told her local newspaper. ”God has a sense of humour. What are the chances that it would ever happen?” She has found, however, that she is not alone. Mary Christmas, while working at Ancestry.com, discovered there are as many as 100 other Mary Christmases in North America alone. ”The last name of Christmas has its origins in Wales,” she said, ”It was given to people that were born on Christmas Day.”

This Weeks Video

A Helping Hand: This short video contains several lessons that we all need to be more aware of. It shows us that fame, fortune and status does not protect us from falling down, just ask Robert Downey Jr. When we find someone who is down we need to offer them a hand and encouragement. We need the courage to accept a helping hand. It teaches us that what goes around comes around. The good that we do will be returned to us, sometimes without our knowledge. Click on link below to view video.

The Impatient Shopper

A woman was waiting in the check-out line at a shopping center and getting quite impatient. Her arms were laden with a mop and broom and other cleaning supplies. By her actions and nasty tone, it was obvious she was unhappy about the speed of service. When the cashier called for a price check on a box of soap, the woman remarked indignantly, “Well, I’ll be lucky to get out of here and home by tonight!” “Don’t worry, ma’am,” replied the clerk. “With the wind picking up outside, and that brand new broom you have there, you’ll be home in no time.

Brainteasers

Test your mental sharpness with these brainteasers.
(Hover or click for answers).

Frozen Pond

It was the middle of winter when Clyde and Sam decided to build an ice skating rink in the centre of their pasture. A shepherd happened to be leading his flock nearby and decided to take a shortcut across the frozen field. But the sheep were afraid of the ice and wouldn’t go onto it. The shepherd became frustrated and began tugging them along to the other side. “Look at that,” said Clyde. “That guy’s trying to pull the wool over our ice!”

Named In Honour

Peekaboo Sweet came into a lot of money because of her lottery win. Rather than spend it on herself, she showed a lot of character by donating it to a local hospital. The primary facility the hospital needed was a retrofit of the Intensive Care Unit, so in her honour, the hospital board is going to name the new unit, “Peekaboo, I.C.U.”

Editors Quote Book

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”

—Babe Ruth

Trivia Quiz

(Click Question For Answer)

Bonus Video

Here’s a bonus video dedicated to quiz question number 7.  Egyptian honey found in the tomb of king Tutankhamun, over 3000 years old and still edible today, made from extinct flowers that existed during the period.

Your Horoscope

For Amusement Only

Aries Mar. 21 – Apr. 19:   A vacation will bring you to a crossroad in your life. Choose wisely the direction you decide to take.

Taurus Apr. 20 – May 20:   It’s time to give credit where it’s due. Be appreciative of one who has been a positive influence to you.

Gemini May 21 – June 20:    Don’t be looking for perfection. Enjoy life as it unfolds and accept things as they are. Relax, have fun.

Cancer June 21 – July 22:   Romance could be soured by idle gossip. Don’t believe all that you hear. Seek out the truth.

Leo July 23 – Aug 22:    Be creative with your plans. Find new ways to celebrate and enjoy the Summer with family and friends.

Virgo Aug 23 – Sept 22:      Look deep inside yourself for the answers you are seeking. Seek out some spiritual counselling to heal your heart.

Libra Sept 23 – Oct 22:  Steer clear of those who don’t have your best interests at heart. Wrap yourself in the security and love of family.

Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 21:   Pay attention to the home front. Take care of the small details that make a difference. Little things mean a lot.

Sagittarius Nov 22 – Dec 21:    Get stuck into a new project. The time is favourable for a high degree of success. Be enthusiastic.

Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 19:   Long term benefits will develop from a serious discussion. Pay close attention to information that is told to you.

Aquarius Jan 20 – Feb 18:   You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time. Small pleasures often bring most joy.

Pisces Feb 19 – Mar 20:   Don’t draw attention to your worthy contributions. People will appreciate them even more because you said nothing.

I Want Chocolate Ice Cream

A man approaches an ice cream van and asks, “I’d like two scoops of chocolate ice cream, please.” The girl behind the counter replied, “I’m very sorry, sir, but our delivery didn’t come this morning. We’re out of chocolate.”  “In that case,” the man continued, “I’ll have two scoops of chocolate ice cream.” “You don’t understand, sir,” the girl says. “We have no chocolate.” “Then just give me some chocolate,” he insists. Getting angrier by the second, the girl asked, “Sir, will you spell ‘van,’ as in ‘vanilla?'” The man spells, “V A N.”  “Now spell ‘straw,’ as in ‘strawberry.'”   “OK. S-T-R-A-W.”  “Now,” the girl asked, “spell ‘stink,’ as in chocolate.” The man hesitates, then confused, replied, “There is no stink in chocolate.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!” she screams.

In Case You Were Wondering!

If you have ever wondered ‘Who was the first Baby boomer?’ well here’s the answer….

The ‘Baby boom’ period officially ran from January 1, 1946 to December 31, 1964. It was named that by U.S. officials to describe the explosion in births following world war II. It was soon adopted by other countries to describe the same explosion in their countries. The first recorded birth was Kathleen Casey Kirschling, just after midnight on January 1, 1946. in Philadelphia.  In Canada the baby boom years were 1952 to 1965 and the first birth for that period is not easily defined. The dates for other countries show some differences from the US. Dates. Contrary to popular belief the ‘boom’ was not caused by frisky fighting men returning from the war, although they did play a part in it. Instead it was a period of time when the birthrate increased beyond a predetermined level. Many other demographics came into play including increasing prosperity and the desire to return to “Normal” life.

The Last Word

You may not know EVERYTHING
But… you can learn ANYTHING… if you want to.