Three Steps to Remembering

Here’s the short version.  Try each of these four approaches and see how it goes for you.   Then keep reading the rest of this page for more details, too.

1. Read the info you want to remember.
2. Speak that info aloud to yourself.
3. Listen as you hear yourself speak.

1. Listen to someone speaking.
2. Write down what you want to remember.
3. Speak it aloud to yourself sometime soon.

1. See something.
2. Write down what you want to remember.
3. Speak it aloud as you write it.

1. Say something you want to remember.
2. Write down what you said — take notes.
3. Read what you wrote down.

Smile at yourself for being smart.  You can remember it.  You’re doing good ! 

        Let’s get more details here.  

It’s a good idea to have a small tablet with you, in your pocket or in your purse.  So handy to jot down some key phrases or key points of info, like when you’re hearing someone speaking.  Later, when you have some time read through this info and add any details, like fixing your spelling, so your notes are more helpful. 

When you’re reading something and find something important or interesting maybe you can underline key words or phrases if it’s your book or your magazine.

When you’re out and about and notice something interesting or unusual if you’re alone you can speak aloud to yourself some info, some key words, etc. 

You can encourage yourself.  Say,  “I AM doing better.  I CAN do better.  I’m glad that I am improving these skills.”         + + +

                          

            by Elaine Hardt ©2020

Bringing YOU Up-To-Date

So what’s it like to move in June ?

     is it fun, but necessary to do ? 

Well, looking back a few months now . . . 

     I wouldn’t recommend it to you.

First, there’s downsizing,  oh my,

     Who would have predicted this for me !

Who knew all our stuff would be so much !

     Try to box it up in three days and see !  

Well, then came those nice firemen movers,

     and off we went fifty-two miles away.

So nice to see the cute townhouse rental,

     We live in this small place today. 

Take a new look at the stuff over here,

      Some we may never really use,

Sell, donate, give to our kids and friends,

     Now the challenge is ours to choose.

So, our advice to you, our friends ?

     Don’t wait till your husband is eighty nine;

Think ahead, plan accordingly,

     Take time for fun, this suggestion is mine. 

Of course, we have much to be thankful for . . . 

     every day we talk to God in prayer;

and we pray for family, friends, and neighbors,

     not neglecting those politicians we share.

                      + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2019

“I will tell everyone about Your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim Your saving power,
for I am overwhelmed by how much You have done for me.”

Psalm 71:15 NLT

A Little Unhappy Today

Am I gonna give up ? 

or keep on tryin’ ?

Will I do something good ? 

or settle for cryin’ ?

Will I use my head 

and start prayin’ ?

Talking to God, 

confessin’ and sayin’ . . . 

Yes, I’ll read Your Word, 

I surely will heed;

Your promises and blessings 

I do really need !

Any suggestions from you

whatcha think I should do? 

                                                           by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Smile at Someone?

Here’s something that doesn’t cost you any money, doesn’t take up any of your time, doesn’t need to be planned ahead in your Daily Plan Book. 

The best part is what it does for you.  It helps improve your awareness.  It gives your busy mind a happy break from the stress of your day.  And, at the end of your day it gives you a pleasant memory, (which is good exercise for your brain.)

So, what is this marvelous, magical, mysterious event that doesn’t even use your muscles or your speech either?  It’s a simple smile.  

At the grocery store: smile at that old gent who is riding on one of those “electric chairs” as he’s up and down the aisles shopping.  At the bank: smile at the teller who is counting out some $20 bills for your check.  That acknowledges that she’s doing an OK job for you.

At the mall:  smile at the half a dozen people you pass.  Probably each one will glance your way without smiling.  But you are the kind-hearted person who smiles at them, though they don’t deserve any attention from a stranger.

Walking out to the mailbox across the street smile at the young boy on his bike who’s no doubt on his way home from school.  That acknowledges that even at his young age he’s noticed by a grown-up person such as you.  He might even smile back. 

What different kinds of smiles come to mind?  When the kids in fifth grade were asked this question their answers ranged from “pleasant” and “friendly” to “uppity,” to “silly,” and “amused.” Take a look in the mirror and see what kind of smile you’d give to a stranger on the bus or in a store.

Kind of fun to think about it; see what bright ideas you come up with.  See if you can smile at somebody today.   + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Those Four Words

     A real accomplishment for Antonio at the age of seven!  Looking back on it these years later he explained his grown-up understanding to the teen boys in the class he taught.

     “Our assignment in second grade Sunday School class was to memorize and then one at a time recite the Lord’s Prayer in front of the whole congregation at a Sunday morning service.  Standing alone on that stage in front of all those people was scary.  But mom and dad had drilled me for days, and now I had a little bit of confidence.”  

     He continued, “Maybe that’s how you feel when you’re about to take a test at school, but at least you were sitting down, just writing answers on a piece of paper.”  

     The boys smiled and nodded as Antonio went on, “We all thought we knew what we were saying, but now I have lots more in my head and in my heart.  The one biggie I’m going to tell you about today is four words there next to the end. ‘Deliver us from evil.’  Jesus brought it up in the 68 words of the prayer that He taught His disciples one day. 

     “Those four words and especially the word ‘evil’ informs us that evil is real. What is evil?”

     Antonio paused and the boys spoke up . . .