Lyra Synesio - Appetizers for the Soul: Positive Thoughts to Begin and End the Day

APPETIZERS

__________________________

POSITIVE THOUGHTS TO BEGIN
AND END THE DAY

Synesio Lyra, Jr.

Copyright 2012 by Synesio Lyra, Jr.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,
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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5699-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5700-7 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012911158

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WestBow Press rev. date: 07/25/12

CONTENTS

To Louise Kline Lyra

(My wife since September 21, 1968)

With Much Love and Appreciation

Although additional names could easily appear on this list, I preferred to limit myself to only a few whose involvement was truly decisive in preparing this small volume for print:

To Donna Holland, my first contact at West Bow Press whose kindness in providing needed information, and genuine encouragement, led me to choose this company as my publisher.

To Maggie D. Webb-Conrad, who aided me through all the steps leading to the completion and publication of this book, as assigned by West Bow Press for this purpose.

To several more at West Bow Press, who diligently labored in their respective areas, to ensure this projects successful delivery.

To Michelle Tornatore () for her typing and organizing this material.

To Israel Luna, for his photography of the authors image.

To countless friends, both in the U.S. and overseas, who suggested and encouraged the publication in book form of these thoughts originating from my heart and mind.

To the members of my family, whose incentive and understanding motivated me into writing, most especially my wife Louise, to whom this small volume is lovingly dedicated.

To God Almighty, from Whom all blessings flow, and without Whose aid nothing in my life could ever be achieved.

Several years ago, I started developing the habit of recording ideas which frequently enter my mind at different moments of day or night, and under varied circumstances. They all address issues related to important aspects of common sense, daily living.

As a necessary aspect of carrying this habit, I ve been collecting these short reflections on paper napkins, behind used envelopes, on small pieces of paper, when they come, as well as in special notebooks secured for that purpose. I early learned that thoughts are fugitive and need to be apprehended very quickly, lest they vanish completely from my mind.

Through the years many of these thoughts have been utilized as springboards for articles, have been cited in lectures, in other forms of public speaking, as well as in counseling sessions I still conduct. More recently, many have been recorded as my status on Facebook, as well as daily posts on Twitter, for the benefit of my correspondents.

On account of recommendations from several readers and friends, I decided to make them available in book form, as positive thoughts to begin and end the day, spread throughout an entire calendar year. The reader, however, is free to choose the preferred format for reading them whether all at once, or twice each day, or what appears for an entire week or month.

My sincere desire is that they may be sources of inspiration, of encouragement, and of incentives to common sense living. Hopefully each thought will be amplified and lived out in the experience of every reader.

Intentionally, theyre being presented here as random thoughts on a variety of issues that every individual encounters in frequent interactions with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others which seldom may cross our paths but who can still be objects of our positive posture.

These Appetizers for the Soul are offered with the prayer and hope that God may meaningfully apply them to the specific longings of each readers soul!

AM Room for improvement is the most important component in the architecture of any life. You can secure it from your Builder and Maker!

PM God never postpones the outpouring of His blessings; they always follow His divine schedule and appointment!

AM You need to discard the excess baggage in your life in order to appropriate the essential things that will lead you on!

PM Dont get stuck on yesterday; each new day you are challenged to take constructive steps forward!

AM God planted a smile in your heart. Be sure its appropriately on display!

PM Many of lifes greatest lessons are only learned in suffering, but what you learn in peace and tranquility is no less meaningful!

AM The most valid, rewarding, and enduring experiment of faith anyone can successfully attempt, is to believe in God implicitly for everything!

PM Allow no one to put you down for things you cant perform. Concentrate in the areas where God has gifted you, and excel in all you attempt!

AM There is a sleeping beauty within you that needs to rise up and radiate on your face, words, and deeds!

PM An examined life is graded daily with appropriate incentives and rewards; the unexamined life will often produce failing grades!

AM On account of Gods grace, you are entitled to far more than you deserve, or think possible for you!

PM Avoid insisting on being the executor of Gods will for somebody elses life!

AM If you seek short-cuts for doing what is right, failure can occur, and your full satisfaction may not be attained!

PM Lifes difficulties are not intended to defeat you, unless you choose to feel and remain vanquished!

AM Each new day offers new opportunities for cheers, far more than tears. You are daily surrounded by blessings you may not even recognize!

PM If you desire to change the milieu where you operate, the first step is to change yourself!

AM The lessons that life would teach us, come not only once but many times, and in different ways!

PM Humans are fragile, and in process of perpetual becoming, needing continual repairs even while the edifice of their life is being erected!

AM Dont maintain dormant what is intended to be dominant in your life experience. Your continued joy and personal triumph partly depend on it!

PM Ideas may survive or die, but in either case their consequences are inevitable, whether for good or for ill!

AM In making right decisions, theres no time for delays!

PM Never place limits on your faithfulness and persistence in any situation. Although many people tend to give up too soon, may you not be one of them!

AM Wayfarers are people on the move, who know their destination. Whenever a stop is necessary, theyll quickly know when, where, and how to proceed, as conditions improve, and other obstructions wont impede continued progress!