April 03, 2024

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BG’s Positively Speaking

Step Up, Step Over, Step Forward

Most of us have experienced travelling along a road after a very heavy storm and coming across debris strewn across our path. Downed trees, branches, patio furniture, and garbage containers have impeded our progress, causing us to step out of our vehicles and clear a way forward for ourselves.

If you have yet to notice, life does the same thing. As we pursue our goals and dreams and live, we experience “the storms of life .”It’s no accident that we refer to them as “storms .”The difference is that the debris from these storms can be emotional, psychological, financial and occasionally physical.

At these times, we need to “STEP UP” and meet the debris head-on. Don’t let ourselves be stopped by the disappointments, setbacks, hurts, pains, losses and challenges that life has dumped on us. Nobody ever said that life was easy. We need to “STEP OVER” the junk strewn about us. If our dream has died, get a new one! Don’t keep looking back. It was once said, “There is no future in the past.” We must “STEP FORWARD” into a new future; the past is ending, but our future is just beginning. When we “STEP UP,” “STEP OVER,” and “STEP FORWARD,” we allow the conditions that surround us to change and give us the breakthroughs that we need to go forward with life.

We all have a cross to bear; it is not meant to weaken us but to strengthen us, to enable us to meet the challenges that our new future holds. We should not get wrapped up in the “If onlys” and “What if’s” of the past; we need to take charge of our future and…

Step Up, Step Over, and Step Forward… Life Is Continuing

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It’s All In How You Say It!

An Italian businessman goes to Indonesia for a business trip. He didn’t like Indonesian food, so he asked the hotel concierge, “Is there a restaurant serving Italian food?”  The concierge says, “You’re lucky, sir. A new pizza restaurant just opened, and they deliver.” The businessman gets the restaurant’s number, returns to his room, and orders the pizza. 30 minutes later, the delivery person shows up with the pizza. He opens the box and checks the pizza. Suddenly, he starts sneezing uncontrollably. Calling after the departing delivery person, he asked, “What did you put on this pizza?!”  The delivery man bows deeply and says, “We put just what you ordered, sir. Pepper only.”

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Where in the world

Can you name this famous landmark? Its towers played home to an equally renowned fictional character.

(Answer at the bottom of page)

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Bubba and Bobby Joe

Bubba and Bobby Joe rented a boat and fished in a lake every day. One day, they caught 30 fish. Bubba said to Bobby Joe, “Mark this here spot so that we can come back right here again tomorrow.”

The next day, when they were driving to rent the boat,  Bubba asked Bobby Joe, “Bobby Joe, did you mark that there spot like ah tole ya?” His friend replied, “Shore nuff, I put a big ole ‘X’ on the bottom of the boat.”

“You fool! Now, what we gonna do if we don’t get that same boat today?!”

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Editors Quote Book

“Have you ever noticed that anyone going slower than you is an idiot?
And anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”

—George Carlin

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Trivia Quiz

(Click Question For Answer)

 

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Your Horoscope

For Amusement Only

ARIES (March 21- April 19): A positive remark makes you feel good about yourself. To receive more positive praise, keep the attitude that earned it.

TAURUS (April 20- May 20): You are losing the support you need. A small change in how you approach people will make a big difference.

GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Evaluate your direction, adjust where needed, and get back on course. Loosen up a bit.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):  That new relationship may reveal some pleasant surprises. Give it time; you never know what will happen.

LEO (July 23- August 22): Your team needs re-energizing. Organize something special and bring them together as a team.

VIRGO (August 23- September 22): Your social life takes a sudden boost. Enjoy the activity. A new friend will step into your life.

LIBRA (September 23- October 22): Being a parent takes a lot of love and patience. You give your family an abundance of both.

SCORPIO (October 23- November 21): A short break is required; you need to recoup your energy. Take it now before you need longer.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22- December 21): Offer your services without worrying about compensation. Remember that “what goes around comes around.”

CAPRICORN (December 22- January 19): Don’t spend extra money foolishly. Look at turning a hobby into a profitable side hustle. You never know.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): There are always “Doubting Thomas’s, “just go with the flow. Don’t worry about those who don’t want to go along.

PISCES (February 19- March 20): Hang onto your seat. Physical activity increases, so prepare yourself for a wild ride. It’s an exciting time.

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The Pastors Mother

An older woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the steps. “Where would you like to sit?” he asked politely. “The front row, please,” she answered. “You really don’t want to do that,” the usher said. “The pastor is really boring.” “Do you happen to know who I am?” the woman inquired.”No,” he said. “I’m the pastor’s mother,” she replied indignantly. “Do you know who I am?” he asked. “No,” she said. “Good,” he answered.

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Movie History — Limelight, 1952

Limelight is an American comedy and drama movie written, produced, directed, and starring Charlie Chaplin. It is based on Chaplin’s short novel Footlights. Chaplin also composed the music.

Chaplin plays a washed-up comedian who saves a suicidal dancer, played by Claire Bloom, from killing herself, and both try to get through life. When released, critics were divided; it was boycotted in much of the United States because of Chaplin’s alleged communist sympathies and flopped. However, the film was re-released in the United States in 1972, including its first screening in Los Angeles. This allowed the twenty-year-old film to be nominated for the 46^th Academy Awards, where Chaplin won his only competitive Oscar for the best musical score.

Today, the film is regarded as one of Chaplin’s best and most personal works and has a cult following.

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Fashion Greeting

Frank hadn’t been to a class reunion in decades. When he walked into this latest one, he thought he recognized a woman over in the corner, so he approached her and extended his hand in greeting, saying, “You look like Helen Brown!”

“Well,” the woman snapped back, “you don’t look so great in blue, either!”

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The Last Word

Some day, all of your current problems will seem easy.

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Where in the world (Answer)

Notre Dame de Paris (“Our Lady of Paris”) is a testament to history and faith. This celebrated cathedral is famous for its French Gothic architecture and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Constructed between the 12th and 14th centuries, it has witnessed countless historical events, wars, and revolutions. Its breathtaking stained glass windows, elaborate stone carvings, and soaring spires reaching over 100 meters have captivated millions worldwide. After a catastrophic fire in 2019, the cathedral has been undergoing an extensive restoration. It is expected to be fully open again by December 2024. The fictional resident was Quasimodo, the disfigured and hunchbacked bell-ringer. Every year, millions of tourists from across the globe flock to this architectural marvel.

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