A PRAYER FOR THOUGHT

"In memory of my mam and dad"

I found this prayer among my late father's belongings, and thought I might share it with you.

LORD, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will some day be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody: helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it at all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end.
Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience.
I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessing cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint-some of them are so hard to live with-but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen.

"Smiling"

Smiling is infectious
you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today
I started smiling too.

I walked around the corner
and someone saw me grin,
When he smiled, I realised
I had passed it onto him.

I thought about the smile,
and then realised its worth-
A single smile like mine
could travel round the earth.

So if you feel a smile begin,
don't leave it undetected:
Start an epidemic quick
and get the world infected.

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