Donald Trump wanted to paint the White House. He called three contractors to ask for their quotes.
The Chinese man offered 3 million dollars. The European, 7 million. The Indian, 10 million.
Trump asked the Chinese man: “How did you quote 3 million dollars?” The Chinese man replied: “One million dollars for paint, one million dollars for labor, and one million dollars for profit.”
Trump asked the European. He replied: “3 million dollars in paint, 2 million in labor, and 2 million dollars in profit.”
Trump asked the Indian. He replied: “Four million for you. Three million for me. And we’ll give three million to the Chinese guy and ask him to do the painting.”
The Indian got the contract.
Smart guy and it’s all about the profit! 🤣🤣🤣
I’ve read many books but I can’t pin down one book I’ve read more than any other. I go from book to book, once finished they either stay in my mind for a while or they escape to never never land!
Reading a book two or three times is not my thing. I used to have a book obsession but even then I never went back to the same book over and over again. Once read, it was imprinted on my mind if it was a good book and if not, I can’t remember what it was about!
Too hot for this bothersome question. So I’m not going to let it bother me! Next question please…..
Yes, I would say I am. I’m learning as I go along and it is a necessity to keep doing that. I don’t think that anyone can say that they’ve stopped learning because then life comes to a standstill. It is about learning, taking the lessons we learn along the way and putting it to good use.
I’ve learned how to be patient and it is a learned virtue. As a young child, it was a hard thing to do. It took time, effort, and practice to bide my time and not to let impatience rule the day! I am still learning. Letting go is another lesson that needs a lifetime to perfect. I’m better at it but nowhere close to letting it roll off my back like water off a duck’s back. I’m better at it now than I was a few years ago.
Accepting life’s nuances takes a lifelong to learn as well. Mostly, to accept what is dished out and to learn to go with the flow. I’m getting better at NOT looking at whatever comes along as the “end of the world” scenario but learning that this too shall pass and it usually does without too much stressing on my part.
My answer to the question is that I’m a lifelong learner. Just when I think I have a handle on something, along comes something else that I never expected!
I’ve acquired many habits that have contributed to my well-being ever since I’ve been on this journey of self-improvement. I love walking, working out, meditating, relaxing, and taking time out for myself. However, if I have to pin down one habit that has improved my life the most, it would be writing.
Writing is something I do everyday. The WP prompts help me to vent, to bring forward what I’m thinking about, to bring forward things that bug me, and to think outside of the box. Some days I have lots to say and on other days nothing! It doesn’t matter, it is a way to bring forth all that is hidden deep within and a way to look at those issues more deeply.
Sometimes it helps to see them more clearly and at other times, I get solutions to rectify problems and to move forward with a clear path in mind. It is not always easy but it is better than doing nothing. Some days, I feel great after venting about something that has been bugging me and I hope that some of what I put out there helps someone else who is on the same path and struggling to find a path forward.
Writing has definitely worked to improve my life for the better. Life doesn’t seem as hard as it used to and I feel like I have a “friend” I can turn to when the clouds move in and dim the lights. This is one habit that I will keep on doing because it doesn’t cost anything, just time and thinking on my part. Both are doable and the rewards outweigh what I put into it.
Daily writing prompt
What’s one habit that has improved your life the most?
It was hands down the time during the breakup of my marriage. I didn’t know “HARD” until then. I was caught between a rock and a hard place and there was no escaping the pain, the confusion, the insecurities, and the feelings of loneliness that followed.
The adulterous affair he had tore our marriage apart but I think it started way before that. Success got to his head and arrogance did the rest. The problem was I was still caught up in being his wife and mother to our little boy. I didn’t see it coming. When it did I was broken beyond belief. Should I walk away? Can we mend what was broken? What about trust? Can I ever trust him again? That last part gave me the answers to my other questions. I couldn’t and without trust we were going nowhere. Divorce was next on the line. It was a very painful time because I believed in forevers and “forever” was lying in pieces around my feet along with my broken heart.
The thing that got me through the ordeal was my little boy. I saw the pain every time he looked at us. His world was changing and he wanted it to remain the same. However, there was no going back. I became his rock in more ways than one. His father was off and running. Any woman was fair game and we were left on the backburner or rather as an afterthought.
I took on the role of mom and dad and I stood by my boy like a lioness guarding her cub. Did it lessen his pain? I don’t think so but it did help him to know that he was loved and no matter what I was there for him.
The “angel” walked in after that and slowly but surely, I learned to stand back up again. No, I wasn’t fully healed, that took a long time and I couldn’t love him like he wanted. Every time he got close, I shut the door behind me! The thing about him was that he had both feet in and wasn’t about to leave. He stayed until it was his time to go. He showed me there is better out there. The kind of love that doesn’t take you for granted, the kind of love that doesn’t buckle at the slight suggestion of a storm, and the kind of love that didn’t ask but was willing to give selflessly. The sad thing, I wasn’t ready to accept it at the time.
I call him “my angel” because I truly believe that he was sent in to help me find my way again. He got me through the “the hard years” and just when I was finding my feet again, he left. His job was done.
Daily writing prompt
What’s a chapter of your life you’d title “The Hard Years” — and what got you through it?
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Time to put those items into practice. The hardest, as far as I am concerned, will be the last one. I do overanalyze everything to the point that I start out with something small and by the time I finish with it, it has been blown to gigantic proportions.
I’m biased where this book is concerned since it is mine! It is a children’s book and it has some very good reviews. I think it deserves a sequel because violence is not what it is about. One reviewer called it a classic in the making. It takes children back to gentler times when dreaming was a wonderful thing to do and also to a time where anything was possible.
The sequel is finished and it has been accepted by the same publisher but I’m not going to go with them. Let’s just say that I was NOT too happy the first time around. This year has been a busy one and publishing a sequel does not seem to be on the agenda for reasons I will explain later.
About the Book
In The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie, author T. J. Mueller takes young readers on a wild and colorful journey into a world full of imagination and wonder.
Honey and Hubie set off on an exciting adventure together, exploring the unknown and discovering that the greatest treasure of all is friendship. Along the way, they meet magical characters, face challenges, and learn what it truly takes to hold onto the bonds that matter most.
This enchanting tale blends fun storytelling with a heartfelt message, making it a perfect read for children who love make-believe worlds and meaningful lessons.
Hmm….too early to think that hard! I just got up and my mind is still trying to catch up after a restless night but I’ll give it a go.
Ebenezer Scrooge comes to mind. This timeless tale has redemption built into it where the villain is concerned. The grumpy old miser with a heart as cold as stone couldn’t get into the spirit of Christmas no matter how hard he tried and since he couldn’t get into the spirit of things, he decided that everyone should be as miserable as he was.
However, his saving grace came in the form of some serious soul searching which led him into the past, present and future. He was finally able to let the warmth of the season touch his soul and everyone turned out for the better because of it.
The message was clear. “It is never too late to change.” The Charles Dickens’ classic throws the light on human connection and that benevolence and generosity are more important than Scrooge’s hostile attitude. The timeless classic goes to show that even the most negative of personas has the ability to change and for the better.
“Bah! Humbug!”
Well, the mean and miserly character changes from being miserable to being generous and kind.
That folks is a good ending to a fabulous tale, don’t you think?
A long time ago when I was doing my armchair traveling, I came across pictures of this faraway land and it kept me captive. I told myself that one day I will visit this gorgeous place and even live there.
Life had other plans! I would travel the world experiencing life in some strange and wonderful places but I never made it to Switzerland! I lived in Asia and then I met my German ex and life got turned on its head. We fell in love, got married, and I got pregnant. He wanted to move back home, to a tiny little village that time forgot. Sometimes you can hear a pin drop.
I’ve raised my son here, learned to speak the language fluently, got divorced, and am learning to live here on my own. I think I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. It’s not perfect but it is perfect enough for me. If you’re a writer, this is a dream place. It is quiet so that you can hear yourself think. The fields are gorgeous and some days you may think that no one else exists! There is very little to do here but that’s okay for a recluse like me. I love the peace and quiet. The people take some getting used to, they are set in their ways and they are way too conservative. However, when you get to know them and they invite you into their circle, that’s right “invite” you in, you’ve made it and you are treated like one of them. It is how I feel now.
I’ve been to many places in the world but if I could live anywhere in the world, I would pick this one. Why? It feels like home and there is this certain something about this place. Perhaps, it is the mixture of old and new or the smiles and waves that tell me I am welcomed here, but most of all I like the feel of safety that this place gives me. It is almost crime-free and you CAN leave your doors open at night but that’s where I draw the line!
I’m not there yet and I don’t think I ever will be. I have a German friend who leaves all the windows and doors open throughout the day and through the night! He says, “there is nothing to worry about!” Hmm…from his mouth to God’s ears!
I’m in a perfect place, one that works for me and that right there is the important part.
Daily writing prompt
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I think a little chaos is actually good for us and for the soul. It helps to shake things up and it helps to make a boring and mundane life a little more exciting. It also helps to show that you are alive and kicking!
However, in my case when chaos shows up it comes to stay for a while! I can’t seem to get rid of it and when it does show up, it wears a smile when it looks at me and brings a suitcase as well!
“Life is nothing without a little chaos to make it interesting.” Unknown
I would say that a little chaos is good but when it keeps showing up and does a gleeful dance, it’s time for it to go!
