INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES TO GET YOU THROUGH FAMILY GATHERINGS

Many of us dread the less than inspirational family gatherings during the Christmas holidays. Sadly, Christmas is portrayed in the movies as an opportunity for dysfunctional families to air their dirty laundry and work out their frustrations.

Perhaps a cousin, aunt or uncle tossed about a few demeaning words or insulted you last Christmas. Those lingering memories of hurt feelings certainly make you less excited about getting together with your loved ones for yet another holiday round of taking potshots at each other, don't they?

The best advice is to turn the other cheek and let the healing start with you. Don't engage in the verbal exchanges. Let's make a commitment to transform the holidays.

Contribute positive and complimentary comments whenever appropriate and called for. If a negative thought travels through your mind; let it go. Let's take Christmas back to a time of inspiration and closeness that it's meant to be.

Here's an inspirational quotation that can apply to our dealings with family members at Christmas or any time of year.



Your loved ones will forgive you for what you have said
Your family will forget things that you have done
They will never forget the way that you made them feel



The meaning of this short inspirational quote is that feelings live much longer than the actual effects of a pointed remark or action. The message here is that if you have hurt those who love you in the past. There's no time like the present to make things better between you.

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES for CHRISTMAS

I had promised my visitors a series of inspirational messages for Christmas and I have to apologize that family illness has kept me from fulfilling my promise for a few days. However, every occurrence in our lives can have great meaning if you just take the time to look for it. My recent time spent worrying in the waiting room of the local hospital gave me some time for observation and introspection that I would otherwise probably not have had.


The Christmas season is one of the most recognized holidays in the world today. It has the power to transcend both language and cultural barriers and in some instances; religious beliefs. People love to take advantage of this time when even people at war with each other can lay down their weapons and come together in peace. It can also provide a time for personal reflection.


So many people are in search of inspirational messages for Christmas. I’m not sure if they are searching for themselves or if they simply want something to read aloud to their loved ones before sitting down to a celebratory meal. Either is a worthy cause in my book as anytime is a good time to initiate spiritual family rituals that maintain the connection to ideals that are both divine and sacred.


I’d like to share with you a funny Christmas quote about what it’s like not to be a child at Christmas. It’s one that I remember from Erma Bombeck’s writings from a while back:


There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.



That is certainly a negative about not being a kid, but here’s an
inspirational message
for Christmas that reminds us that even if we are old, that we should be childlike in our faith:

LET US KEEP CHRISTMAS


Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
It's poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.



With those inspirational words of wisdom, Grace Noll Crowell reminds us that Christmas can be a time of rebirth. A time when we can regain our faith in ourselves and mankind.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Message for Christmas, Posters Poems and Quotes to find more words that bring meaning to the holidays.

INSPIRATIONAL CHARITY QUOTES

The following inspirational charity quotes remind us that the Christmas season is not a warm and cozy time of year to those who are having trouble making ends meet or don't have the most basic of necessities like warm clothing and food.


Real charity isn't about the tax deduction.


Quotes about charity give us the motivation to reach out and do something nice for a person without expecting anything in return other than the feeling of having been blessed by making a load lighter or a day brighter. Every little bit counts and by working together with each doing his part we can solve so much of what is wrong with our world.

There's nothing wrong with donating funds to charities in order to get a tax deduction, but as the inspirational charity quote says, the blessing is not in the personal gain that you get in tax savings. It's about knowing a child didn't go to bed hungry or that an older person got the medical help that they so desperately needed.

We hear far too much about mis-managed budgets and too little about the good that acts of kindness and the true spirit of giving do to improve the lives of so many people who have fallen on difficult times through no fault of their own. Why should innocent children suffer when a small amount from each of us could provide a meal and warm shoes and clothing? They have done nothing to deserve such fates.

Here is another favorite of many inspirational charity quotes that I would like to share with you. The early snowfall that we enjoyed today brought it to mind:


An act of kindness is just like an early snow - it beautifies everything it touches.


Return to Motivational Inspirational Charity Quotes Posters and Poems to see our latest entries.

INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTMAS STORIES - REAPING THE REWARDS

Feeling the benefits from inspirational Christmas stories seems to get more difficult each year. The sadness and nervousness from the evil in the world is so overpowering that for many Christmas represents little more than crowded shopping malls, financial challenges and dysfunctional family members. Add to that the feeling of pressure from gift obligations and how could we be surprised that many view the holidays with a sense of dread and foreboding.

If you are among the many that view this the most beautiful time of year in this way I recommend that you plan a quiet moment of stillness and repose in order to ask yourself .. when did the true meaning of Christmas escape me? And better yet, how can I rediscover the spiritual feelings of the times when the holidays were filled with positive, joyful experiences, family feelings and happy times? How can I bring back the spirituality that should be part of Christmas?

EXPLORING THE PAST

Once we are adults, each of us has our own memories of Christmases past. When December comes around, we tend to revisit those memories with their joy or its pain as we recreate and relive the season. We take a moment to examine our beliefs, our expectations and touch upon remembered disappointments by ignoring positive inspirational Christmas stories that are uplifting only to wallow in the negative memories of the past. But we are also offered the gift of new consciousness with each yearly rebirthing of our spiritual selves. We have the option to accept and make good use of this gift or to practice the mulling of old experiences that hinder our soul’s growth.

CHOOSE THE POSITIVE RATHER THAN NEGATIVE

Focusing on the stressful aspects of the holidays will snuff out the power that the magic of Christmas can work in your life. if you allow yourself to be manacled by the power of negativity instead of the power of positive thinking, you are insulating yourself from what what is good and holy. In this season we are reminded by the birthing Christ that we have a choice about priorities and where you choose to place your energy. Will you focus on seeking inspirational Christmas stories and accept the boundless love that this holiday offers you or be left feeling alone and lacking. Make a promise to yourself to search for uplifting moments or better yet create and share them with others.

WHERE TO LOOK FOR INSPIRATION

Finding inspiring images and acts often takes nothing more than to train yourself to see the good in people and your surroundings. Tune out the evening news and read a book filled with inspirational Christmas stores that will allow you to escape the turmoil of the day rather than to bring it into your home. Join a charity group that offers aid to those less fortunate to see good works in action. Form a shell around your spirit that only allows positive thoughts to grow and prosper.


REAPING THE BENEFITS

To create a visual promise, perform a personal candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the promise that you are making to yourself to eliminate feelings that keep you from your joy. Immerse yourself in meditation and a moment of quiet prayer to query your higher self on ways to offer your loved ones inspirational Christmas stories that are personal and real. While deep in prayer, affirm the courage to be open to a new way of thinking about gift giving and the holidays. The illumination of spirit you experience from this simple exercise may amaze you, but they will also bless you. Where your mind goes, often the condition of the body follows. The magic may bring peace to areas that were previously tender and aching. By embracing the inner peace this season offers, you invite the magic of Christ’s love to lift you up.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Christmas Stories, Posters, Poems and Quotes to find stories that focus on what's good in human nature.

SHORT INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES ABOUT LIFE

There's nothing like getting straight to the point. Short inspirational quotes about life have a way of simplifying its many twists and turns with just a few words. Here is a quotation that seems in tune with what's going on in the world today

If you want to make life easy, make it hard.
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Quotes


What Goethe had on his mind at the time he penned or spoke these prophetic words is anybody's guess. And as with most quotations, the meaning is subjective. After watching the international markets behave more like a roller coaster at an amusement park than what should be normal in business, I would say that these words of wisdom indicate that when times are hard simplification takes place.

During times of prosperity and plenty, we have so many choices. There is the option of spending a day doing whatever might bring you happiness or give you pleasure. When money is scarce and there are difficulties in providing the most basic of a family's necessities, the choices are often made for us.

Note that in the short inspirational quote that he indicated life would be made easy when life is hard. I take this to mean that the need to wrack our brains over what to do in any given set of circumstances may be taken out of our hands during times of trouble.

This saying has more to do with keeping our minds at peace than it does with pleasure. Having your decisions made for you is not always fun but we can find wisdom in this short inspirational quote nonetheless.

INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTMAS QUOTES

I think the best way to kick off the month of December is with some inspirational Christmas quotes. Even in the best of times, words of wisdom with deep spiritual meaning might help to protect the fragile human spirit and perhaps if we pay close attention to what the author says; the money in our bank accounts.

It seems that every magazine and newspaper that comes in the mail or is dropped on our driveway starting the day after Thanksgiving is filled with page upon page of advertisements for the latest toys, gadgets and equipment. The headlines shout at us in large, colorful holiday fonts that we have very little time to make our way to the malls or stores before Christmas. The countdown alone is enough to rack your nerves and make take leave of your senses and need the peace that inspirational Christmas quotes offer.

For this reason, words of wisdom and good old fashioned common sense are especially crucial. Christmas lists are an excellent way to keep up with the endless gifts that we need to buy. It would be sad if we forgot to purchase something for a friend who is always there for us or a person who goes out of their way in their job to do something thoughtful.

We never know who may have family problems or trouble lurking behind the cheerful wave or the enthusiastic greeting. People have a way of hiding their difficulties to avoid passing their worries to casual acquaintances. During the holiday season these burdens can sometimes get the best of even the strongest individuals. For that reason, I have chosen the following inspirational Christmas quote that reminds us that the best gifts are free if we only took the time and trouble to share them with others.

PRICELESS CHRISTMAS GIFT RECOMMENDATIONS

The gift of forgiveness to your enemies
The gift of tolerance to your opponents
The gift of your heart to a faithful friend
The gift of service to your loyal customers
The gift of charity to all that you encounter
The gift of a good example to the children
the gift of self respect to yourself.

Based on a Christmas quote by Oren Arnold

If we can give one gift listed in the above inspirational Christmas quote perhaps your actions will be motivational to others and a trend will be set in motion. Thoughtful acts can be viral by nature. The chain reaction you put in place can only serve to make our world a better place.

Return to Motivational Poems,Posters and Inspirational Christmas Quotes to read more famous as well as original Christmas sayings and quotes.

INSPIRATIONAL BIBLE VERSES

I love inspirational poetry and quotes but there inspirational Bible verses, in my opinion, are the foundation that the best poems are built on. Some of my favorites are about God's wisdom. Wisdom is not a word that gets the credit it deserves. Somehow over the years it sounds like something pertaining to elderly people and we all know how age-phobic Americans are these days.

When a family member wants to share wisdom with the young people, you can practically see them become fearful of their mortality. However, after seeing reports of people trampled on Black Friday in their urgency to get at some gadget that will be cast aside and filling up our country’s already overflowing landfills a few week’s after the New Year’s holiday I felt we could use an update on making good decisions.

The Bible advises us to not turn our backs on wisdom. It states that this sacred knowledge is not only crucial to our well being but worth everything that we have if that is what it takes to get it. Yet we ignore, avoid and even make fun of those who offer inspirational Bible verses and wisdom to us at little or no cost.



Proverbs 4:6-7,

"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."




People of today desperately need to return to a respect of common sense or wisdom. We are guilty of allowing ourselves of being far too impressed and influenced by the bad behavior and teachings of television and movies and too little by the wisdom offered to us in the Scripture and by older more experienced people who have made mistakes and lived to tell the tale.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes for more inspirational Bible verses.

INSPIRATIONAL FAMILY POEMS

After a day spent with kin that are seen once a year or less, family poems have been coming in by the dozens. Some are sad poems about empty places around the dinner table expressing sadness at the loss of loved ones who had passed away since the last gathering. The lines are poignant reminders that we should respect and appreciate our loved ones while they are still with us.

How sad that we take for granted that there will always be another opportunity to tell important people in our lives how much we treasure and appreciate them. One of the most touching poems that I read this morning was written by a young person who had recently lost several family members in an accident.

Many inspirational family poems recommend that we do everything we can to solve our family problems with love and understanding. If there is a need to be the bigger person and admit our shortcomings for the greater good and to promote peace then by all means pray about it and ask for guidance on the best way to get the job done. There are no guarantees that we will have the chance if we continue to procrastinate and allow the misunderstandings to divide and separate us.

Here is a short poem on family members and how we take them for granted.


We took the time today to welcome the casual guest
Yet neglected to shower love on the ones who love us best
Perhaps the wisdom to do better comes after searching east and west
For love to compare to those who loved us first and best.

The message in this inspirational family poem is that no matter where you travel or how many relationships you may form, you will never find love and acceptance to compare with that enjoyed early in your life. The love of God was first, then your mother and father’s. If you are lucky, you may have had a devoted grandmother and grandfather to add to the list. This family poem indicates that we should show our appreciation to God and family before casual acquaintances.

Return to Motivational and Inspirational Family Poems, Posters and Quotes to find more poetry written by our visitors.

A Short Thanksgiving Poem

This short Thanksgiving poem may give children as well as many adults a new perspective on what Thanksgiving is about. In the United States of America, the kids are given pictures of cornucopias and the Pilgrims to color. They are told the story of the Pilgrims and how they came to the New World to enjoy religious freedom which is an excellent story of faith.

Many families have a tradition of going from person to person around the heavily loaded holiday table giving each an opportunity to state one thing (or more) that they are thankful for. However, it's my belief that we are drifting too far away from WHOM we are thankful to. We should give the credit to our Maker not pat ourselves on the back for our accomplishments.

Here is a short Thanksgiving poem that emphasizes the importance of the Lord's hand in our health and well-being.


VOICES OF PRAISE

Father, we come to you today
With voices raised with praise and thanksgiving
Happy to be in good health, bodies whole and strong
Appreciate of your love and Grace
And understanding, in this world we're living,

And though, we are less than perfect
We love and want to please You it’s true
We pray and ask Jesus, for courage each day
To be, what we should be, for ourselves as well as you

So we come unto you most humbly
In Jesus Name, we pray
To give our thanks
For another year with your love raining down upon us each day.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes for more Thanksgiving poetry to share with your children.

THANKSGIVING POEMS

I thought that this week should be devoted to inspirational Thanksgiving poems perhaps with a bit of humor thrown in from time to time. You only have to look around you this time of year to feel the peace that God intended for His children to enjoy. The crops are in, the wood is cut and the long nights enjoyed in a cozy home filled with family and friends is the best place on earth to be any time, but even more so when the chilly winds start to blow.

However, not everyone is blessed with good luck in their work right now. And there are people who are in danger of losing their homes through no fault of their own. We can only pray for those in need and find some direction in the word of God. Please enjoy the peace in the words of this short Thanksgiving poem that reminds us of all the things we do have to be thankful for in our lives.

WE GIVE THANKS
For the food from our gardens that now have been reaped,
For a job well done and our plates that are heaped,
For the sun and the rain whose necessity is known,
For the family and friends and the harvest brought home -
We give thanks.

For our luck and our skill and the richness of land,
For the strength and the wisdom of Our Father’s hand,
For the good that our churches and schools have taught,
For the devotion and affection their teachings have brought -
We give thanks.

For our family home that’s filled with love that is blest,
For each bird that flutters confidently leaving the nest,
For our nation with bounty stretched from sea to sea;
For our country whose known as “The Land of the Free” -
We give thanks.

There are religious Thanksgiving poems, short poems for children and funny turkey Thanksgiving Day poems that share thoughts from a turkey's point of view. No matter what your favorite style happens to be, whether it's rhyming words or stories please share them with your children and teach them early to appreciate the gifts that each day and season brings into our lives.

If you have a few Thanksgiving poems that you have written yourself or a favorite that you'd like to share with us, please send it and we'll include it in our series of poems of thanks.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to find more poetry and quotations of spiritual encouragement.

Inspirational Poems of Gratitude

Sundays are an excellent day to feature our friends' inspirational poems of gratitude. The quotes in this simple poetry remind me of how thankful we should be for the basics in life. Our shelter, nourishment and the love of God, family and friends.

A friend of mine who is an inspiring motivational speaker has told me that he starts his day in the spirit of gratitude to God for the beauty and wonder that He shares with us on a regular basis. This information came as no real surprise to me as this person is very spiritual by nature, but I did find it interesting to come to the realization that not only is he given to thoughtful thanks but writes beautiful inspirational poems of gratitude such as the one that you will find below.


GRATITUDE for GOD'S FAITH IN ME

My gratitude to God should come alive automatically
as the alarm clock severs
the threads that held me to dreaming


This is mandatory even on bad days,
even though I’m aware of
what is coming.


Our spiritual leaders teach that
each day we lift up our souls
to God for purposes I can't begin to fathom.


Does he harness them for use in tandem?
Does he borrow them to make music
with his angels?


Lord, I’m grateful that your enduring trust in us hasn’t become worn and unraveled at the seams
like our faith at times
But is renewed again each time we awake
and wipe the sleep from our eyes.
I offer my gratitude to you for the simple fact that I’m alive.


What exactly is the meaning of this inspirational poem? Knowing the author, I believe it is an expression of the wonder at the mysteries of God and how He inspires us to do His works here on earth as well as thankfulness for His love and never ending faith in our possibilities no matter that our faith in Him may ebb and flow.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Posters Poems and Quotes to find more thought provoking poetry submitted by my friends and family members. If you have some inspirational or motivational poetry that you have written, we would love to feature your work on this site if you will leave a comment and your contact information.

Inspirational Poem - Teen Suicide

An inspirational poem or thoughtful words won't save Abraham Biggs, but after reading the tragic story of the loss of Abraham Biggs to suicide, I have to believe that for every teen who kills himself on the internet that there is another that may be searching for peace and solace.

Here's a poem on the subject of teen suicide that offers encouragement for troubled young people to look ahead to a brighter future and to realize that tomorrow is another day.


MOVE BEYOND THE PAIN

Feeling the cold showers of pain
That come suffering the cold dark rain
Deathly feeling of loneliness and shame

Please know that we have all been there before
Where we don't want to feel any more
With a heart feeling broken in half
A mind that is dwelling in the past
Searching for a dark place to hide
Entertaining dark thoughts of suicide

Don't make such a final decision tonight
Tomorrow the sun may shine bright
The ill feelings will go away
Give yourself the option of another day


The darkness in the clouds will part
Life, love and family will mend your heart
Things are never as bad as we fear
Thoughts of self destruction will disappear

In the future you’ll remember that day
And be so thankful that you chose another way

My sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Abraham Biggs.

I hope that our Motivational Inspirational Poems, Posters and Quotes will help to soothe and give you peace.

Inspirational Poems and Quotes

Whenever I feel low, I find that my books of inspirational poems and quotes help me to not only let go of the bad feelings of gloom and doom but to lift my spirits into a better place where I can think clearer and face the future with a clear head. There are times when I find just the right saying to fit the moment, I can pass the rewarding thoughts forward and help a friend who has trouble in his or life or recommend reading materials that can do the trick. We never know what impact a thoughtful gesture or word can have to a person who is hurting and lonely.

I have never considered myself to be a motivational speaker or teacher. Nor am a someone who is capable of writing poems that inspire listeners to reach their goals in life with a smile on their face. However, I have faced my share of hard times and tests of faith and know the value of the written word with an uplifting message during times of hardship and trouble.

My goal is for the funny motivational posters and inspirational poems and quotes in stories and books that I recommend to help visitors to this blog leave their worries behind for just a few minutes and start feel better about themselves so that they can reach a more positive place.

Return to Motivational Inspirational Quotes and Posters to see our visitors' favorite quotations and poetry.