I've learned that either you control your attitude

or it controls you.

I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first,

the passion fades

and there had better be something else

to take its place.

I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done

when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything

or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned that sometimes the people you expect

to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry

I have the right to be angry,

but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned that true friendship continues to grow,

even over the longest distance.

Same goes for true love.

I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you

the way you want them to

doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned that maturity has more to do

with what types of experiences you've had

and what you've learned from them

and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned that some members of your family

may not always be there for you.

It may seem funny,

but people you aren't related to

can take care of you and love you

and teach you to trust people again.

Families aren't biological.

I've learned that no matter how good a friend is,

they're going to hurt you every once in a while

and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.

Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned that our background and circumstances

may have influenced who we are,

but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that just because two people argue,

it doesn't mean they don't love each other.

And just because they don't argue,

it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that no matter how you try to protect you children,

they will eventually get hurt

and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours

by people who don't even know you.

I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give,

when a friend cries out to you,

you will find the strength to help.

-Author Unknown-

Today

a new sun rises for me;

everything lives,

everything is animated,

everything seems to speak

to me of my passion,
everything invites me

to cherish it.

~ Anne De Lenclos

Hope is like the sun,

which,

as we journey toward it,

casts the shadow of our burden

behind us.

Samuel Smiles

Acknowledge that you failed,

draw your lessons from it,

and use it to your advantage

to make sure

it never happens again.

- Michael Johnson

In places of darkness,

even a small light can make

an enormous

positive difference.

When the situation

seems hopeless,

that’s precisely when

acting on hope

can turn things

around.

Ralph Marston

"You only need sit still

long enough in some

attractive spot in the woods

that all its inhabitants

may exhibit themselves

to you by turns."

~~ Henry David Thoreau

PRAY-

Almighty and eternal God,

because it was Your will that Your Son

should bear the pain of the cross for us

and thus remove from us the power of the adversary,

help us so to remember and give thanks

for our LORD'S Passion,

that we may receive remission of sins

and redemption from everlasting death;

through Jesus Christ,

Your Son our LORD,

who lives and reigns with You

and the Holy Spirit,

one God,

now and forever.

Amen

-THERE IS ALWAYS TIME-

Does it seem that there’s not enough time?

The fact is,

at the moment,

there is nothing other than now.

Time is something you look back upon

or imagine moving through.

Now is what you have to work with.

No matter how long you think it might take,

what matters is what you are doing about it right now.

Now is when you can make the effort,

and now is when you can have an influence.

Everything that has ever been accomplished

has been done by making use

of a succession of present moments.

You have just as much time

as everyone else

because everyone has this same moment

right now.

Instead of putting off the effort,

now is your opportunity to make it real

and to make it happen.

By making full use of this present moment,

you make the next one more valuable.

Dream big dreams,

then jump right in

and live those dreams.

There is always time,

and it is always now.

~Ralph Marston

- MINI PEANUT TRUFFLE BITES -

2 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts,

as directed on box

1 Cup good-quality dark chocolate chips (6 oz)
3/4 Cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 Cup whipping cream
1 Tablespoon chocolate shavings, if desired

1 Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 16 mini muffin cups with baking spray with flour.
2 Remove pie crust from pouch; unroll on work surface. Cut each pie crust into 16 (2 3/8-inch) rounds; press rounds in bottoms and up sides of muffin cups.
3 Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Remove from pans to cooling racks; cool completely.
4 Meanwhile, in medium microwave OK bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and whipping cream uncovered on High in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until melted. Stir with whisk until mixture is smooth and blended. Cover; refrigerate until thickened, about 40 minutes.
5 Just before serving, use mini cookie scoop to spoon chilled truffle mixture into each pastry cup. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings.