MomOpinion Matters.Com
365 H20 Moments Of The Day!

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Link: PREFACE: Why Heart, Humor & Optimism

Day 111/365

Heart: Heart of the Matter
When we think Heart of the Matter, we think about what is most important, the crux, the essence of any issue. 

But why Heart of any Matter?
Could it be that Heart will forever remain the most important influence in our lives, the crux of our well-being, the essence of our spirit and soul?

Without Heart we would have nothing to live for,

and that is the Heart of the Matter.

 

 Day 110/265

Humor:

If A Dog Could Change a Light Bulb!
Afghan:
 Light bulb? What light bulb?
Australian Shepherd: 
Put all the bulbs in a little circle ...
Beagle:
 Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I ate was a light bulb?
Border Collie:
 Just one? And I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.
Chihuahua: 
Yo quiero Taco Bulb.
Cocker Spaniel:
 Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.
Dachshund:
 I can't reach the stupid lamp!
Doberman Pinscher:
 While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.
Greyhound
: It isn't moving. Who cares?
Golden Retriever:
 The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're worrying about a stupid burned-out light bulb?
Hound Dog; 
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Irish Wolfhound:  
Can somebody else do it? I've got a hangover.
Labrador: 
Oh, me, me!!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb!!! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I?
Mastiff:
 Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark.
Malamute:
 Let the Border Collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy.
Pointer: 
I see it! There it is! Right there!
Rottweiller:
 Go Ahead! Make me!
Shitzu:
 Puh-leeez, dahling. I have servants for that kind of thing.
Toy Poodle:
 I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.
Cat:
 You need light to see?
Tonka: I second that! Finally, something a cat and I have in common!

(source link: http://www.jokesclean.com )

Comments to margo@MomOpinionMatters.Com

 

Day 109/365

Optimism: 

I dream of a better tomorrow...
when chickens can cross roads and not have their motives questioned! - Unknown

 

Day 108/365

Heart: Hanging out with my graduate school kid—watching videos, laughing in the kitchen, walking Tonka, and eating out in the neighborhood. Last month of summer; of having everyone home; of not having to keep my cell phone close by all the time…

A full heart does not come often.  It is a moment, or several moments in time, when our hearts are truly at peace and full of joy. Having such moments is a blessing—never to be taken for granted, or to be forgotten.  This summer will go into my memory chest.

May all parents have such moments. They not only settle in our hearts, they collect in our children’s hearts as well. See Collecting Memories

 

Day 107/365
Humor: And the Moral of This Story Is...

 Tonka, my dog, likes to eat outside.
 But it is boiling hot.
  He will not go outside in the heat.
  Therefore he will not eat
 because his bowl is inside 
and he hates eating inside unless it is raining.
  We have a stare down.
  He has a choice.
  Eat inside or not at all.
  The stare down continues.
  He ups the anty and goes to the biscuit jar.
  He knows he gets treats inside, not outside
 because outside, he might bury them.
  He noses the jar, paws my leg and noses the jar some more.
  I pretend I am busy because I want him to eat dinner not snacks.
  My husband comes home.
  Tonka fills him in on what is going on with soulful-I’m starving to death, please feed me-looks!
  Of course my husband opens the biscuit jar and gives him some on his way to the refrigerator to munch on some cheese
  My son (home for the summer) then comes down stairs to watch TV in the kitchen.
  Tonka paws him, noses the jar and my son says-Oh you want some treats? Give me paw-the left-now the right-good boy! Here!-
as he goes for the cabinet with the pretzels.
  I continue to look busy waiting for the pasta to boil, as I nibble a little of the left-over dip.
  Then I catch Tonka staring me down.
  Oh really, Mom! No snacks before dinner!!????
  I lose.
Dinner is ready.  
I take the biscuits and put them in Tonka’s bowl along with his food.
  He eats.
  I ponder putting pretzels and cheese and dip on the table.
  We eat.
  Lo and behold? Everyone finishes their food!
  Moral of this story?
  Well there are several:

Do not ever nibble in front of a dog!
Hide the biscuit jar!
As long as one is hungry, one will eat.
  Stay hungry my friends!

 

Day 106/365

Heart:Heart is sometimes where the sadness is, and that is a gift.

My mother died 4 years ago.  Today is her birthday, and all day I keep visualizing sending her beautiful birthday cards, whimsical presents, and wondering how she still managed at 90 to look no older than 70.  We spoke every day.  And each morning when I called, she would answer—Good-morning my darling!
I miss her still,  so much.
But part of having a deep Heart is feeling the fullness of sadness.  It is a far greater  blessing to feel the fullness of tremendous loss, than to feel the emptiness of little difference. And, to truly miss the times one has spent with a loved one, sit with a mental scrapbook full of memories, and look around at the treasure trove of mementos than to remember lost opportunities, abandoned bonds and broken trusts.
So, yes, I miss my mother still so much.  I would give anything to hear her say-Good morning my darling!  But that I have the memories I do to be sad about, I am most grateful.
It does, in the end warm my heart

Day 105/365

Heart, Humor & Optimism: Toy Story 3 (Bring Kleenex!)

 A note of Warning:

There a is a segment of TOY STORY 3 that could be scary to young children. Not all the toys are freindly-one is actually a very dark character--psychologically damaged by loss and separation--not a good script choice (in my opinion). Cannot say more without giving plot away.

The ending, on the other hand, is very moving and wonderfully  hopeful. And yes, everyone in the movie theatre cried-even college age boys!!!!!!

 

Day 104/365

Humor: Donald Trump On The Oil Spill

'What's with all these engineers! We don't need an engineer, we need a plumber!'

Saturday-Sunday June 19, June 20

DAY 103/365

Heart, Humor & Optimism

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL!! 

SENDING YOU AN E-CARD!

LINK TO E CARD: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

 

Thursday June 17

Day 102/365

Heart/Optimism: To the Mama and Papa Bear in all of us! 

Don't worry, this film has a happy ending!

Link: The Bear Movie

Monday, June 14

Day 101/365

Heart:
God bless the heart of our veteran.
God bless the heart of man’s best friend.

 There are a few perks to living in Washington DC-one is free museums and another is a free daily newspaper called Politico a by-partisan review and analysis of all the goings on in government.
On Monday, June 7, an article caught my eye by
Representative Henry Brown  called ‘BUGETARY PRESSURES PROMPT CREATIVE VA PROGRAMS
This brought together two issues I care about. Veterans and Dogs.
As more soldiers return home with mental and physical wounds, the need to improve and expand VA services intensifies every day,’ says Representative Brown. One of the more creative ways, is a program he discovered in Palo Alto ‘ in which veterans with post –deployment mental health issues help train assistance dogs for placement with other veterans recovering from combat related physical disabilities.’ To borrow a phrase from my husband and son (usually in reference to techie stuff!) how cool is that?

Representative Brown goes on to state that this is a win-win because ‘veterans confronting mental health battles benefit from the sense of responsibility, normality and stability that the dog-training program provides.
Meanwhile, veterans who are physically disabled benefit from receiving well-trained assistance animals. And the dogs have a good time too.’
(I think Tonka would love this!)

Representative Henry Brown who served on the House Committee on Veteran Affairs and is now a ranking member of the Sub-Committee on Health , was so impressed with the success of this program that he introduced the  Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act which passed the House.

I know Tonka would greatly approve.  Anything that can bring the unconditional heart of a dog together with the fragile heart of a human is more than a win-win.  It is a most powerful antidote for any illness-mental or physical.  
God bless the heart of our veteran.
God bless the heart of man’s best friend.

 Day 100/365

A Nation's Heart: Memorial Day

In Memory...In Gratitude...In Admiration...In Support...

With a Nation's Heart, God Bless (Margo@MomOpinion Matters)

Day 99/365

 Heart:

Daily Om: May 26, 2010
The Soundless Center
Silence of the Heart

It takes a sensitive ear to tune in to the silence of the heart, it can offer us profound experiences if we listen.
Silence of the Heart
We spend a lot of time attempting to put the feelings in our hearts into words, to communicate to others our passions, our emotions, and our love. Often we are so busy trying to translate our heart's roar into language that we miss the most profound experience the heart has to offer, which is silence. Every poem arises from this silence and returns to it. When all the songs have been sung, the soliloquies delivered, the emotions expressed, silence is what remains. As each wave of feeling rises and falls back into the silence, we have an opportunity to connect with the vast, open, powerfully healing wisdom at the soundless center of our hearts.

Our hearts may seem noisy and tumultuous so much of the time that we do not even associate them with silence. It takes a sensitive ear to tune in to the silence of the heart, but it is there in each one of us, so close and so large that we do not even notice it. We can begin to become aware of it in the same way we become aware of the negative space in a still life, the background of a photograph, or the open sky that contains the sun, clouds, moon, and stars. We are accustomed to tuning in to objects and sounds that are one-pointed, solid, and three-dimensional. Seeing and hearing the apparently empty space that contains these sounds and objects takes a little practice.

We can bring our awareness into our hearts by simply breathing into the general area of our heart. The first thing we may notice is feelings like joy or sadness and physical sensations like tightness or tenderness. We acknowledge these as we continue to breathe and focus, listening attentively. We surround these feelings and sensations with breath and recognize that they are contained and held in an immeasurable substance like water or air, intangible, ineffable, but utterly real. This is the silence of the heart, and the more we listen for it, return to it, and accept it, the more we bathe and purify ourselves in the soundless center of our being.
Silence of the Heart/Daily Om

Day 98/365

Humor:

DOG RULES
    1.    The dog is not allowed in the house.
    2.    Okay, the dog is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
    3.    The dog is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture.
    4.    The dog can get on the old furniture only.
    5.    Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture,but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.
    6.    Okay, the dog is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.
    7.    The dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.
    8.    The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only
    9.    The dog can sleep under the covers every night.
    10.    Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog.

From "My Dog is the World's Best Dog" by Suzy Becker

Day 96/365

Heart:

On Sunday, off a coast in Italy, an American mother drowned

trying to save her 12 year-old son knocked into the water by a giant wave. 

She did manage to save him before she died.

This sacrifice has happened many times before.

It will happen many times again.

A mother’s heart is like no other.  

It's power is truly fierce, and boundless, brave and selfless. 

It is, in the end, our child's life line.

 Day 95/365

Heart: If this doesn't make you cry tears of joy...

Link: Soldiers surprising their children

 Day 94/365

Humor: A naked dog for a naked lady.
--Gypsy Rose Lee

Day 93/365

Heart, Humor & Optimism:

Ode to the Journey towards High School Graduation

Heart: Ready?  Here we go my love!  I will lead you.  Do not be afraid.  You will not get lost.  My heart is attached to yours, like a rope.
If you fall, it will pull you up. If you drift, it will hold you fast, and if you are afraid, it will draw you close and give you strength.
I shall carry you until you can stand on your own.
I shall hold your hand until you find your balance. I shall stay beside you until you feel ready to walk ahead. Here we go!
I have bought along enough love, and laughs and faith for the two of us.  Do not worry.  Here we go!
We will take pictures of moments in time, and send postcards along the way,
and put together an album of remembrance when our journey is ended.
I am ready.  Here we go, my love!

Humor: Look! A bridge! It will take us safely across the currents. We can look out and below.
We can lean over and watch the water churn, swirl and punch the nearby rocks. Tomorrow will bring calmer winds.
But until then, let's take in the view and laugh at such aqua Kung Fu imagining the waves having a very bad hair day fighting the enemy!
 
You are Finding your bearings.  I'll show you a trick.  Don't look down.  Look straight ahead.  Keep your eyes focused up the path and you won't get stuck.  I will be right there to encourage you to keep going forward even when the fog rolls in and you can see nothing.  It will clear.  It always does.  And then the sun will grant you a much farther and brighter view.  It always does...      

And while we walk, my homework will be to present you with a road map of Values and Principles so that you may have a Moral Compass.
And while we walk, your homework will be to grapple with choices, and do battle with decisions so that you may grow Moral Courage.

Optimism: The views are more panoramic, but the climb has become steeper. You can now see a little tip of the summit. But you have to reach it in time. You need to cover a certain amount of distance per day and complete many tasks along the way. We're both tired And you're anxious about making it to the top. You look back You're a long way up. This part of the journey is taking a lot more effort. You want to sleep. You want to relax, but you can't. You will encounter some unexpected wind, and rain and will have to keep going. Your body will keep growing, and your mind will keep expanding, and you will have to stop more often to refuel, and a lot more is now expected of you and the pressure is on, and you're huffing and puffing towards the top, and I'm there at each rest stop to cheer you on, and tell you I have no doubt you can do this... no doubt.
 
Congratulations to us!  We did it! Take a look out and beyond!
I told you the view was wonderful. I told you it would stretch as far as you could see!. I knew you would make it! See all the way down behind at where we started? And look at you! You've grown heart and soul. You've grown Humor and Optimism. Yes, I'm crying, for this journey has now ended and I must say good-bye but still with so much joy and with such a peaceful heart forever attached on a string to yours.
And while not near, never far . .. never far.(From H20 to Go! Growing Emotional Resilience & Navigating Through Childhood  with Hear, Humor & Optimism by Margo Judge)

Day 91/365

Optimism: Good times always follow bad. Margo@MomOpinion Matters

Day 90/365

Humor: “Dogs need to sniff the ground; it’s how they keep abreast of current events. The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late-breaking dog news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard.” – Dave Barry (Humorist and Author)

Day 89/365

Optimism:

When you get to the end of your rope tie a knot and hang on.
- Winston Churchill

 

Day 82/365

Heart: Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with those who are reckless with yours.  Mary Schmich

Day 81/365

Optimism:

...When you were born, you were crying
and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end,
you're the one who is smiling and everyone
around you is crying.(Author Unknown)

Day 80/365

Humor:Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home. (Phyliss Diller)

 Day 79/365

Heart:

One of the greatest gifts we can give another human being is to act as their guardian, to hold space for them. (Anonymous)

Day 78/365

Humor:
I have six locks on my door all in a row.  When I go out, I lock every other one.  I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.  ~Elayne Boosler

Day 77/365

Heart: Notes From The Big Apple.

It is crowded.  Full of tourists.  I pass by 42nd street on my way to an office.  I pretend I am new to the city and look up instead of straight ahead.  I wonder what I would think if I had never seen skyscrapers, or huge neon signs.  I wonder how I would feel amongst throngs of people pushing past.  I especially look at the children and think: I cannot wait to take my grandchild/children to New York.  I cannot wait to revisit it with their wonder. I am and always will be a New Yorker at heart.  I cannot wait to share that part of my heart 

Day 76/365

Heart & Humor?

FOR  THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PETS, THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
FOR  THOSE THAT DON'T, IT IS A TRUE STORY.    
The  following was found posted very  low on  a refrigerator door.
Dear Dogs and Cats: 
The dishes on the floor with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. 

The other dishes are mine and contain my food.

Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate does not mean that it is suddenly your food,

nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
   
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.
Racing me to the top of the stairs is not the object. 
Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this.

Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. 

Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. 

It Is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. 

I also know that sticking tails straight out

and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space that you are taking up,

is nothing but sarcasm.
    
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom!
If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut,
it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn  the knob or get
your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit
through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -

canine/feline attendance is not  required.
    
The proper order for kissing is:  Kiss me FIRST, then go smell
the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.
    
Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:  
(1) They live here.  You don't.      
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.      
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.      
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters 

who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly. 
Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:    
(1) eat less
(2) don't ask for money all the time,  
(3) are easier to train,    
(4) normally come when called,      
(5) never ask to drive the car,     
(6) don't hang out with drug-using people;       
(7) don't smoke or drink,        
(8) don't want to wear your clothes,      
(9) don't have to buy the latest fashions,     
(10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and     
(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children ...

Day 75/365
Heart:
H  is for Holy
E  is for Eternal
A  is for Affectionate
R  is for Righteous
T  is for True
God Bless and God Bless our children twice!
Day 74/365
Humor: Moments In Time and the Heart, Humor & Optimism, therein-
From H20 to Go! Part II-Margo Judge

AND LIKE??!!!!
I had to get more dog food,
and so Tonka and I went to the pet store-
it’s his favorite place to roam around off leash,
and I bought some new toys,
and everyone wanted to pet him,
and then,  we had to take an elevator back up to the entrance,
because I had two huge bags of food,
and Tonka wsn’t sure about the elevator,
and I had to bribe him with treats,

Then it was lunchtime
and so I decided we could eat outside,
and we sat near this young college couple talking
and  he was telling her about like his ex-girlfriend,
and why like he’s not with her anymore,
and the girl sitting with him was like,
so like you haven’t seen her at all?
and like he says, no way!
and then he says, like,
well, except she called to tell me like she was getting married,
and like she invited me to the wedding,
and then the girl sitting with him says,
so then like you have seen her!
and like he replies,
yeah, I went to the wedding and all,
like I felt that would be a nice thing to do,
and she replies,
then like why did you tell me you haven’t seen her,
when like you have?!

When we got home,
I sat down to look through mail with the word ‘like’ swimming through my head
And I began to panic that if my son, who does NOT speak like that,
because every time he started to in Middle School,
I’d make him repeat what he was telling me without the word “like”
So anyway, if his wedding ceremony were to go something like this-
Like do you take this man...
Like do you take this woman...
and like if there anyone here who can show just cause
like for why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony,
let them like speak now, or like forever hold their peace--
I would think-
Do I really want my future, adorable, four year old grandchild saying,
Grandma, like Happy Birthday?
Or,
Look Grandma! I like learned how to write 'like'!!
And I can use it like in ten different sentences!!!
-No! No! No! 
I WOULD HAVE JUST CAUSE!!!  
Then phone rang!  
Thank goodness!! Like that was scary!
Margo@MomOpinion Matters

Day 73/365
Optimism:
Comedy is acting out optimism-Robin Williams

Day 72/365

Humor:
All my life, I always wanted to be somebody.  Now I see that I should have been more specific. 
~Jane Wagner, The Search For Intelligent Life In The Universe, performed by Lily Tomlin

Day 71/365

Heart & Optimism: Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  

Day 70/365

Humor: Whoopie Goldberg Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih7lI2IhJao

Day 69/365

Heart:  One of the hardest things in life, is having words in your heart that you can’t utter-James Earl Jones

Day 68/365

Optimism: Teaching is the greatest act of Optimism-Colleen Wilcox 

Day 67/365

Humor: You know you're a dog person when you and the dog come down with something like flu on the same day. Your dog sees the vet while you settle for an over-the-counter remedy from the drugstore! (anonymous)  

Day 66/365

Heart: A Dog
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
-- Author Unknown

Day 65/365

Optimism: Martin Luther
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.

Day 64/365

Heart: All Children come into the world with a Heart of Gold.

It is our job to keep their hearts polished and shining.

Day 63/365

Humor:"Why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on Earth."
Will Rogers.

Day 62/365

Optimism: Next year The Academy Awards will be funnier and more creative-come on guys! You've got all the tech and talent you need!

 

 

Day 68/365

Optimism: Teaching is the greatest act of Optimism-Colleen Wilcox

Day 67/365

Humor: You know you're a dog person when you and the dog come down with something like flu on the same day. Your dog sees the vet while you settle for an over-the-counter remedy from the drugstore! (anonymous)

Day 66/365

Heart: A Dog
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
-- Author Unknown

Day 65/365


Optimism: Martin Luther
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.

Day 64/365

Heart: All Children come into the world with a Spiritual Heart.

It is our job to keep their faith warm and strong.

Day 63/365

Humor:"Why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on Earth."
Will Rogers.

Day 62/365

Optimism: Next year The Academy Awards will be funnier and more creative-come on guys! You've got all the tech and talent you need!


61/365

 Humor: Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin hosting the Academy Awards (I hope!)

60/365

Optimist: Day-dreamer more elegantly spelled.

 

59/365

Heart: My little dog -- a heartbeat at my feet.            
--Edith Wharton.

 

58/365

Humor: Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window!
-- Steve Bluestone

57/365

Heart: Tree of Heart=Tree of Life

Day 56/365

 Optimism: Every blade of grass has its Angel

that bends over it and whispers,

"Grow, grow."(The Talmud)

Day 54/365

Heart:
May the world always be connected by
its humanity, and desire for peace,
and may the spirit of the Olympics
continue beyond the closing ceremonies.
They were moving and awe inspiring!

Day 53/365

Optimism: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” - Albert Einstein 

Day 52/365

Humor:Planet of the Teenagers

[Our] family has spent the year continuing its departure from the Planet of the Teenagers.  Slow and at times uneven, the withdrawal proceeded without major incident.  Indeed I believe future anthropologists will see in teenagers the same three conclusions the great historians saw in the Visigoths:  First, we don't know where they came from.  Second, we don't know what they wanted.  Third, we don't understand why they failed to develop a written language.  (Part of a Year of the Tiger News Letter from a Friend in the Far East) 

Day 51/365

Optimism:Be an optimist -- at least until they start moving animals in pairs to Cape Canaveral.(anonymous)

Day #50/365

Heart: Joannie Rochette had ours and we cried as one.

Day 49/365

Optimism: If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you

                    (Calvin Coolidge)

Day 48/365

Humor: So true! One never needs their humor as much as when they argue with a fool. (Chinese Proverb)

Day #50/365
 
 
Heart: Joannie Rochette had ours and we cried as one.
 
Day 49/365
Optimism: If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you
                    (Calvin Coolidge)
Day 48/365
Humor: One never needs their humor as much as when they argue with a fool.(Chinese Proverb)
 

  Day 47/365

 

Optimism: Thinking Like An Olympic Athlete:
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;
An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Winston Churchill
 

Day 46/365

Heart: Family

 

Day 45/265

Optimism: Tribute to the Olympics: 'It Ain't Over Till It's Over!'

(Yogi Berra)  

Day 44/365

Humor?
Unemployed?  There were 473,000 more of us just last week!
Well, forget building Bridges and Roads-It's taking too long!
(see Day #33/365 of  365 H20 Moments Of The Day!)
Way too much snow anyway!  
Snow!  That’s it!
We could fight enemy potholes and save cars!
Obliterate snow banks that make lane merges suicide missions! 


Liberate alleyways so that fuel and garbage trucks and other supplies could get through! 


Do community building and put pedestrians back on sidewalks,
make paths passable to buses, and drugstores and supermarkets,
and clear parking spaces so others could put away their ghastly lawn chairs!
Obviously, we have to suggest this to our Government!!!!!
Hello? Anyone there? Can you see me waving behind the snow bank!!??

Day 43/365

Heart:
I wrote your name in the sky,
but the wind blew it away.
I wrote your name in the sand,
but the waves washed it away.
I wrote your name in my heart,
and forever it will stay.
- Jessica Blade - 
 

Day 42/365

Optimism: Sing out everyone to

'Oh, the sun will come out...'
Oh, the snow will all melt-tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow,
it's all gone-
Just thinking about-tomorrow
makes me brave with drivers who are horrors
come what may...
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow,
you're only a snow melt away!   

Day 41/365

Humor:  Lawn Chair Pledge
'We Lawn Chairs of America are proud to have been called into  service; to have been dug out of basements and attics and back closets; to join forces, and line the streets of communities across this great nation; and to protect and defend, at all costs, the rights of our owners to have their parking spaces available when they return home.  We may be tattered and old, on our last leg or seat, discolored or scratched, but we serve proudly, unashamed of our appearance, with only this pledge in mind-
Not sleet nor snow, nor dark of night, will keep us lawn chairs from the fight!'(MCJ)

Day 40/365

Heart: Happy Valentine's Day!
May your heart beep, thump, flutter or burst for someone or something!
margo@MomOpinionMatters

Day39/365

Optimism: Wishful Thinking?? I will find a plowed parking space
Day 38/365
Humor: Small children almost never misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said - Etienne Marchal  
Day 37/365
Heart The Heart of the Matter:
To get to the Heart of the Matter as a baby– you cry
To get to the Heart of the Matter as a teenager-you shout
To get to the Heart of the Matter as a parent–you listen...
Margo@MomOpinion Matters  

Day 36/365
Optimism: That even with white out conditions, 45 mile an hour winds, blowing snow,
and grass buried deep beneath 30 inches of snow
Tonka will find a spot to pee and poop before a tree branch falls down on my head!
 
Day 35/365
Humor:
“Humor helps us to think out of the box. The average child laughs about 400 times per day, the average adult laughs only 15 times per day. What happened to the other 385 laughs?” (anonymous)

Day 34/365
Heart: Love is waterproof
Day 33/365
Humor: Help Wanted Ad:
 Job building road or bridge not too far from home-need to pick up kids, get groceries, fix dinner-of course, never built a bridge or road before – suppose they will train me-do they pay for that or do I?---will need much warmer clothes-will have to buy those really good, but expensive high tech gloves & foot things that keep from frost bite on the bridge, or sun tan lotion #150 to keep from getting skin cancer & bright orange whatever so I don’t get hit by a car putting all the cones along the road---will they train me to operate a rig? Who pays for that? I suppose I shouldn’t worry. Building bridges & roads might be fun--when it isn’t raining, snowing, blowing or sweltering & maybe my kids will help me buy a very cool lunch box tool box! 
Day 32/365
Heart: A child is born with A Heart of Gold.
Our job is to polish it...every day.(MomOpinion Matters)
Day 31/365
Optimism:
   :http://arran.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/optimism_2.jpg

Day 29/365
 Heart: God did not create woman from man's head, that he should command her, nor from his feet, that she should be his slave, but rather from his side, that she should be near his hear. (Hebrew Quote)
Day 28/365
 Optimism:A person who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the man doing it.(Chinese Proverb)
Day 27/ 365
Humor: I can never get away with feeding my broccoli to the dog.(Joanne Age 10)
Day 26/365
Heart:The Heart of the Matter is this:
Our Humanity ensures that we will reach out to others;
Our Humanity ensures that we will assist our brethren;
Our Humanity ensures that we will protect our innocent;
Our humanity ensures that we will bless our children.
May all children be so blessed by us…always and forever.

 All Content On This Page:

Copyright, 2009
By MomOpinion Matters (TM)
All rights reserved.
All material on this website protected.
Permission granted for reprinting with
Attribution to Margo@MomOpinion Matters (TM)

 


 My New Year's Resolution:
To post One H20 moment per day for a year- no matter what!--
365 days of Heart, Humor and Optimism.
*Daily Heart, Humor or Optimism (H20 to Go!)

 

 Monday November 29

Day 125/365

Optimism:

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.
Maria Robinson


 

A Quoted Thanksgiving Message to Share:

November 25, 2010


Being Truly Thankful
 Beyond Counting Blessings:



"Often when we practice being thankful, we go through the process of counting our blessings, acknowledging the wonderful people, things and places that make up our reality. While it is fine to be grateful for the good fortune we have accumulated, true thankfulness stems from a powerful comprehension of the gift of simply being alive, and when we feel it, we feel it regardless of our circumstances. In this deep state of gratitude, we recognize the purity of the experience of being, in and of itself, and our thankfulness is part and parcel of our awareness that we are one with this great mystery that is life. 

It is difficult for most of us to access this level of consciousness as we are very caught up in the ups and downs of our individual experiences in the world. The thing to remember about the world, though, is that it ebbs and flows, expands and contracts, gives and takes, and is by its very nature somewhat unreliable. If we only feel gratitude when it serves our desires, this is not true thankfulness. No one is exempt from the twists and turns of fate, which may, at any time, take the possessions, situations, and people we love away from us. Ironically, it is sometimes this kind of loss that awakens us to a thankfulness that goes deeper than just being grateful when things go our way. Illness and near-miss accidents can also serve as wake-up calls to the deeper realization that we are truly lucky to be alive. 

We do not have to wait to be shaken to experience this state of being truly thankful for our lives. Tuning in to our breath and making an effort to be fully present for a set period of time each day can do wonders for our ability to connect with true gratitude. We can also awaken ourselves with the intention to be more aware of the unconditional generosity of the life force that flows through us regardless of our circumstances."
(From
Daily Om  www.dailyOm.com )

 

On this Thanksgiving, thank you to all my readers here at home, near and far—for your company and your support.My tracking tells me I have readers in various countries so-
Danke! Merci!  TODA RABA! Shukran! Dank je wel!   Xie xie in pinyin!  Dōmo arigatō! Jabahut acha, shukriya! Kamsahamnida!
Спасибо! teşekkür ederim!
Please excuse any mistakes in translation! My heart is in the right place! And if I left you out, please let me know so I can thank you too! For those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving may it be a joyous one with those you love and as always, God Bless our children twice!

Margo@MomOpinionMatters.

 

Monday November 22

Day 124/365
Love: Toddler Style
My 3 year old french kisses her dog! There is some pretty heavy petting going on here! Not sure I want to leave them alone in a room!
(As told to me by the mother of a toddler)
 
Monday November 15
Day 122/365
 
Monday November 8
Day 121/365
Humor: International Regulation Wizard Style
"What are you working on?" said Harry.
"A report for the Department of International Magical Cooperation," said Percy smugly. "We're trying to standardize caldron thickness.  Some of those foreign imports are just a shade too thin----leakages have been increasing at a rate of almost three percent a year---"
....unless some international law is imposed we might well find the market flooded with flimsy, shallow-bottomed products that seriously endanger----"
(From Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, ch 5)
 
Monday November 1
120/365 Days
Love:
Dear God
I bet it is very hard
for you to
love all of
every body in
the whole world
There are only
4 people in our whole
family and I
can never do it.
-Nan
(From Through the Eyes of a Child

 

 

Monday October 23

Day 119/365

Perspective leads to Optimism:

Quoted FromDailyOM
today@dailyom.com
October 20, 2010
Shifting the Mood
Attitude Follows Perspective

When we feel supported, it is easier to open our heart and minds when needing to look at a situation differently.
We all have days when we are faced with chores, errands, or responsibilities that we don't want to do. At times like these, it's easy to get into a bad mood and stay in one as we tackle these tasks. However, given the fact that our bad mood will not change the fact that we have to do these things, and will most likely make things worse, we could also try to shift our attitude. Many wise people have pointed out that it is not so much what we do as it is how we do it that makes the difference in our lives.

It's important when we're facing something that's really hard for us, whether it's doing taxes, paying bills, or visiting a challenging relative, that we lovingly support ourselves through the process. The more supported we feel, the easier it is to open our minds to the idea that we could change our way of looking at the situation. In truth, most of the chores we don't like doing are intimately intertwined with our blessings. When we remember this, we feel gratitude, which makes it hard to stay in a dark mood.

We can shift our attitude by considering how much we love our home as we clean it and how lucky we are to have a roof over our head. Any task can be transformed from a burden to a necessary aspect of caring for something we love. All we have to do is shift our perspective, and our attitude follows shortly behind. (Quoted from DailyOM,Com)

 

Monday October 18 2010

Humor:

"You couldn't fool your mother on the foolingest day of your life if you had an electrified fooling machine."
(Homer Simpson)

 
Monday October 11 2010

Day 118/365

Optimism: It comes From Perspective

 

"From a Distance, Mountains Remind Us of How Small We Are, Which Often Comes As a Wonderful Relief.


Mountains have always captured our imaginations, calling us to scale their heights, to circle and worship at their feet, and to pay homage to their greatness. Mountains can be seen from thousands of miles away, and if we are lucky enough to be on top of one, we can see great stretches of the surrounding earth. As a result, mountains symbolize vision, the ability to rise above the adjacent lowlands and see beyond our immediate vicinity. From the top of the mountain, we are able to witness life from a new perspective-cities and towns that seem so large when we are in them look tiny. We can take the whole thing in with a single glance, regaining our composure and our sense of proportion as we realize how much bigger this world is than we sometimes remember it to be. 



 

Mountains are almost always considered holy and spiritual places, and the energy at the top of a mountain is undeniably unique. When we are on top of a mountain, it is as if we have ascended to an alternate realm, one in which the air is purer and the energy lighter. Many a human being has climbed to the top of a mountain in order to connect with a higher source of understanding, and many have come back down feeling stronger and wiser. Whenever we are feeling trapped or limited in our vision, a trip to our nearest mountain may be just the cure we need.



 

There's a reason that mountain views are so highly prized in this world, and it is because, even from a distance, mountains remind us of how small we are, which often comes as a wonderful relief. In addition, they illustrate our ability to connect with higher energy. As they rise up from the earth, sometimes disappearing in the clouds that gather around them, they are a visual symbol of earth reaching up into the heavens. Whether we have a mountain view out of our window or just a photograph of a mountain where we see it every day, we can rely on these earthly giants to provide inspiration, vision, and a daily reminder of our humble place in the grand scheme of life."(From: From DailyOm.com)

 

Monday October 4 2010

Day 117/365

Optimism: 

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

 

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

(Dr. Seuss-Oh The Places You'll Go!)


Day 116/365 of Heart, Humor & Optimism

Heart: Dumbledore Speaking to Harry Potter:
“ …If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love.  He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark.  Not a scar, no visible sign…to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever…"
(From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowlings)


 

Day 115/365 of heart, Humor & Optimism

Optimism: We've All Had Days Like This!

But Harry Potter did find his way and so will we!
‘There were a hundred and forty-two staircases at Hogwarts: wide, seeping ones: narrow, rickety ones; some that lead somewhere different on a Friday; some with a vanishing step halfway up that you had to remember to jump.  Then there were doors that wouldn’t open unless you asked politely, or tickled them in exactly the right place, and doors that weren’t really doors at all but solid walls just pretending..."
(From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Chapter Eight)



Day 114/365
Heart & Optimism:
We can use the power of  Heart;
We can overcome adversity;
We can vow never to be destroyed...
We did it on 9/11.
May Heart & Optimism abide daily
in our lives and in the lives of our children.
   


Day 112/365

Optimism:

Optimism is almost impossible to self create.  Something needs to inspire hope in us. Someone, somewhere, at some point has to tell us he/she believes in us, is willing to show faith in our abilities and offer us the confidence to grow. 

 

The most dangerous time in any young person’s life is when there is no ‘something’ and no ‘no one; when the unforeseen becomes a crash, and it hurts too much to get back up: when hopelessness sets in and there is no sense of future. And, when stuck in a moment in time, there seems to be no way up and forward.

That is why children need a light, a hand, a suggestion, and encouragement in taking that first baby step forward--overcoming a fear, taking a risk, dealing with a disappointment. getting past a rejection or failure. That is how they build Optimism.

School/college begins soon. We cannot forget how important Optimism is in our children’s lives. Optimism fuels motivation and without motivation they cannot truly survive, overcome and achieve.

 

So, I offer some inspirations, compliments of my aunt Rozie*  who gave me much light and many giggles!

This too shall pass.
With God all things are possible.
No chance is last chance saloon!
As long as there’s a captain, there’ll be another ship!
Nu? So you think this never happened before to anyone but you??!!

Actually, those sayings work for us too! *

*My aunt-Roz Relin- was the first female account executive in televion advertising and won an award for her Pepsi commercial with Harpo Marx. She worked on Lucky Strike and Chock Full O' Nuts  to name a few. She would have loved 'Mad Men'!!!!!! 

 
Day 25/365
 Optimism: If mom says "no," she means it. If dad says "no," it means maybe. (Joseph Age 13)
 Day 24/ 365   Humor:

The young always have the same problem - how to rebel and conform at the same time.  They have now solved this by defying their parents and copying one another.  ~Quentin Crisp

Day 23/365
 Heart: Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day. (Kid Quotes)
Day 22/365
Optimism:
Come on, you can make it.  come on you can do this! Do not fall in.  Come on keep going! You're going to make it. You will be rescued!
(Me-talking at the television to the dog caught in the Los Angeles Flood Waters yesterday.)

Day 20/365

Heart: May Haiti’s children hold dear to God’s heart, and may their spirits warm with love and hope.

Day 19/365 

Humor: Virtual Phone Rage
Thank you for calling about the Forever Knife. If you'd like to order one Forever knife for 12.99 plus shipping press 1. If not press 2
I press 1
Thank you (After credit card info etc) We are sure that you will want to add a second Forever Knife for just an added shipping charge of 6.99. If you would like to order a second Forever Knife for just the shipping cost press 1.  If not press 2.
I press 2. I do not want a second Forever Knife.
We understand. But today we are also offering a box set of Forever Knives for the same price as one Forever Knife--you only pay shipping and handling. Would you like to take advantage of this great opportunity to own 4 knives for the same low price?  If yes, press 1.  If no press 2.
I do not want the box set for added shipping.  I want one knife. I firmly press 2.

Are you sure you do not want to take advantage of this offer. You might want to reconsider and consider friends or family.  They make great gifts. Press 1 for Yes.  Press 2 for No.
This time I BANG the No!
Just for today and because you are a valued customer (Valued?? They never heard me before!!!) we are offering you a reduced price for the Forever Knife-it will only be 7.99 plus shipping and we will add the box set for just an additional 3 dollars plus shipping. This is a terrific offer only for today.  Why don't we go ahead with this offer? Press 1 to take advantage of this special reduced price offer. Press 2 to decline.
 I press down the 2 with all my strength! NO!
We are going to give you an opportunity to reexamine this offer. We are sure if you think about it you will want the box set of Forever Knives and for only additional shipping and handling we will add another complete box set!  You will now have 8 Forever Knives for the low price of 15,99 plus shipping and handling. Why don't I go ahead and process this order.
If you agree press 1.  If not press 2.

This is now war!
I PUNCH the 2 on the phone and find myself swearing as only I would behind the wheel of my car alone, when no one could hear me--I WANT ONE F----G KNIFE!!!!! ONE, ONE!
We understand your hesitation. (Hesitation? Do I sound as if I am hesitating!!??) We are going to give you one last opportunity to own 2 boxed sets of Forever Knives for the low price of 12.99 a box plus shipping. Are you sure you would not like to take advantage of this special offer just for today? If you would like to take advantage of this offer press 1.  If not, press 2.
I am now STABBING the 2- and SCREAMING --NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
All of a sudden, out of breath, leaning over the table, I hear-
Thank you for your order. Has she given up? Finally? It will take 5-6 weeks to receive your order Do I hear a cryptic tone? Suddenly I wonder what this virtual predator would have sounded like had I ordered 8 Forever Knives??!!.
Good-bye the voice says most officially. Do I hear the white flag, finally?
YES!!!!! Ahahh! You didn't win! I didn't cave!
Good-bye, I reply most sweetly. Have a great day!
The TV is on. I see Forever Nightlights. Forever Nightlights?
Bring it on!

Day 18/365

Heart: At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love. 
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Day 17/365
Quintissential Optimism:
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,
but by the content of their character. 
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Day 16/365
Optimism:
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted,
every hill and mountain shall be made low,
the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed
and all flesh shall see it together. 
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Day 15/365
Quintissential Optimism:
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia,
the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners
will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.

Day 14/365 Humor: Pigeon Impossible! This a fun video!Click

Day 13/365 Heart: Humanity’s Savior. it is amazing Heart’s capacity to expand and  warm in times of tragedy, and crisis.

Heart is truly humanity’s greatest savior.

May the many hearts around the world beating in sympathy for Haitians send warmth and support to all affected.

Day 12/365

Optimism: A Prayer for Miracles.  May there be many in Haiti.

Day 11/365

Humor: When Something is So Nonsensical It's Comical

I go into the supermarket. I buy more than I planned. I am asked if I want a shopping bag.

If so, it will be an extra 5 cents.  All of a sudden, everyone is charging for bags. I ask what the five cents is for?

It goes to the Government.

For what?

To clean up the Anacostia River (Washington DC)

Oh, that is a good cause.

But wait! I look around. Everyone in line is holding some sort of interesting carry all.

Obviously people are smart and frugal. They can bring their own bags and it would appear that very very few

plan to pay the extra 5 cents, no matter how good the cause.

So pray tell, how does the government expect to raise enough money to clean up a puddle, let alone a river??!!

 What were they thinking??!! Oh wait.This is the government. Such logic makes perfect sense!

But still, if they want to bag something, they might want to bag this idea! It'll only cost them 5 cents!

Day 10/365 Heart: What Can Always Melt It? Puppies-any breed, any color, any time, anywhere.

Day 9/365 Optimism: This Too Shall Pass!

Walking Tonka in wind chill of 10 degrees. Playing fetch with Tonka in wind chill of 10 degrees. Trying to get him to come inside from wind chill of 10 degrees!

Day 8/365Humor: Children vs. Pounds-No Contest!

She knocks at my door accompanied by her father, my neighbor, in search of money for children with cleft chins.

She comes with a form.  The form has pictures of all sorts of different cookies I can buy. 

I do not want cookies. I have just bid good-bye to my son’s girlfriend who is an amazing baker and responsible for at least five of my added pounds! 

I am now trying to fit back into my favorite jeans.  But, the little girl looks up at me with those adoring eyes. 

So, I buy 4 boxes, so as not to have nightmares about being Mrs. Scrooge! 

Before she leaves, she adds that she is not responsible for any problem with any of the boxes of cookies which means I cannot ask for my money back even if I don’t like how they taste!

Her father apologies and I start to laugh! I so hope I hate the cookies. Really, really, hate them, I tell him!

She looks up at me horrified! I mean that I could then lose weight.  She doesn’t understand.

I mean that if I like them, I will eat a lot of them and get fat!

But you would be helping a lot of children! 

You’re right.  You're right! You're absolutely right! I will eat all 4 boxes!!

She is thrilled! She is thrilled! She is absolutely thrilled!

My jeans and I have a tearful going away party.

Day 7/365 Heart & Optimism Watching Dateline: ‘Bringing Sean Home.  The Untold Story.’

The David Goldman story of fighting to bring his son back home from Brazil.

Christmas Eve the reunion finally comes.

Love, devotion, a passion for one’s son and in the midst of anguish,

unending determination, patience and faith.

Day 6/365 Optimism: Good Times always follow bad.

A worrisome time, and then late today, some unexpected, welcomed news in time to post.

If it had not come, I would have had to fight worry.

I knew this resolution would not always be easy, and the year has just begun!

Whoever said Optimism was easy!  It is, however, very, very powerful-especially for our children.

Day 5/365 Humor: When cluelessness is so clueless it’s funny!

The sink is full of dirty dishes.

The dishwasher needs to be emptied. I ask my son to please empty the dishwasher so when I get back there is room to prepare dinner

I come back.  The dishwasher has been emptied.  Everything is put away.

The sink is still full of dirty dishes.

I look at the sink.  I look at my son.  He looks back at me totally perplexed!

What? I emptied the dishwasher and put all the dishes and silverware away.

But the dirty dishes are still in the sink. They need to go in the dishwasher!

Oh!

I start to laugh! Just when I think it is safe to come out of Mamahood 101-

my super smart, delightful and loveable son reminds me that that connecting dots has a long shelf life!

Day 4/365 Heart Happiness-: Hanging out in the kitcken with my son watching a late movie and eating cherry pie.

Day3/365 Optimism: Young People have Great Instincts!

MTV Countdown for Woman Artist of the Year.

Lady Gaga came in #1.

Taylor Swift came in #2.

By the time I got to Lady Gaga, I had gone through an amazing array of videos filled with stunningly overt sexuality-

good music but some songs bordering on porn. And I thought-no wonder there is sexting! 

Why would young girls think there was anything wrong with exposing themselves on screen?

Then Taylor Swift in her song, ‘Fifteen’ wearing a simple white dress

talked about what it was like to be fifteen on the first day of high school,

what it was like to have a boy say he loved you,

and what it was like to make the mistake of believing him—

so powerful…no need for nudity, or sexually explicit production numbers --

just talk and perspective and advice.  And, it was #2.

That realization made me believe greatly in the spirit of young people-

that simple and relatable  messages do still get through.

Yes, there is life beyond exhibitionist dancing, and sexual lyrics.

Young people do know that.  They long for it and they will respond to it.

I am extremely optimistic about them and the next generation!

Day 2/365 Humor-The Great Car Tease! Yesterday, after commenting to my son and his girlfriend
that I was so happy with how the car looked after all its body work
my husband remarked that most of the scratches and dents were my doing.
I replied that while I would concede he had an excellent sense of direction,
I was still a much better driver!
He said I had a problem driving out of garage spaces,
I countered that he had a problem backing out of driveways at night.
That was only one night!
Well mine was only was one parking space!
He then added,
Remember when you banged into a car right in front of us?
It was a bump not a bang!
And can you remember one time you didn't fly through a yellow light?
Yes, but with no scratches!
Yes but with 300 dollars for the year owed in fines!
This went on for the entire ride to the movies
and with much shared laughter.
  

 Day 1/365 Heart--watching Tonka in absolutely heaven in the freezing cold.

And I realized how true it is that dogs do smile.  He was smiling at me—as if to say-I love this! 

I am so happy.  And as cold as I was, his smile melted my heart.

And I was happy for him. And that made me feel good.