Count to Ten

COUNT TO TEN

We Are Born With Ten Fingers

Surprise! This is not about counting to ten to calm your temper. It has a much happier meaning.

I have a new reason for you to count your ten fingers. Of course, you can count your toes if you wish, but fingers are easier.

When I was fighting cancer in 2007, I discovered something that medical articles are acknowledging today: Being thankful is a positive part of being healthy.

When it comes to being thankful, no one can do it for you; it’s personal. But your example of being thankful can encourage others to do the same.

Thanksgiving Day comes once a year and is celebrated in many ways. For some it’s a big family holiday. Others look forward to a church or community dinner. Football games reign on TV. But many forget to give thanks of any kind.

Just Be Thankful--No List Needed

It’s really not hard to be thankful. You don’t have to think about it for hours. You don’t even have to make a list. Just sit calmly and count silently to ten, using your fingers to keep track.

Is there anything that makes you smile? Anything that brings you joy? A very special memory? Anyone you are thankful to have in your life? Any personal gift or talent you like to share with others?

When I was growing up, many churches had a service on Thanksgiving Day. In fact, I helped organize a few of them. But now days most people are left to give thanks on their own.

Sunrise and Sunset Show God's Faithfulness 

Old One Hundred, (Psalm 100) reminds us that it is important to give thanks to God. Even just one verse can turn our thoughts in the right direction: The LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations (Psalm 100:5, NKJV).

That’s three things out of ten. Keep on counting!

Be Glad We're Not Copies

BE GLAD WE’RE NOT COPIES

There Is No Variety Here

I know we’re physically the same. Regardless of color or culture, we all have five basic senses. We hear, see, taste, touch and smell.

In Infant and Preschool classes, I learned that our body is called a trunk. From it grow appendages like arms, legs and head. I’m glad we’re alike in those ways.

What intrigues me most is the differences in our personality traits. Some people call that temperaments. There was a time when I researched it. My favorite author, then and now, is Florence Littauer.

There Is A Lot Of Variety In These Tags

She wrote a book called *PERSONALITY PLUS, How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself. 

Humans have enough common characteristics to create four different temperament charts. Then Florence continues to explain how each temperament varies due to endless combinations of strengths and weaknesses. 

I’ve been reading the Book of John. Chapter twenty really intrigued me with its description of three people who came to check on Jesus’ tomb.

Sunrise Can Be Enjoyed By Early Risers

Early in the morning, Mary of Magdala arrived first. When she saw the open tomb, she was shocked. Her immediate reaction was to run and tell Peter and John.

When they heard her report, both men took off running. John outran Peter, but when he got to the tomb he only bent over and looked in.

Peter came running up and barged on in to see for himself what was there. John followed him in.

Matthew Henry, Bible commentator, noted that John could out-run Peter, but Peter out-dared John. Not only that, perhaps John motivated Peter to run faster, while Peter’s boldness gave John more courage.

I’m glad we’re not simply copies of one another. Our differences make life interesting. They even encourage us to grow and spread our wings.

Calmness Has A Beauty All Its Own

Yes, I know differences also cause anger and disagreements. But there’s a characteristic available to ALL temperaments: Self-Control.

If you have worked on developing that trait, I’m sure you've seen how it leads to tranquility.

*PERSONALITY PLUS, How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself, Florence Littauer, Fleming H. Revell, Grand Rapids, MI, 1992.

Other personalities material by Florence Littauer is available from CLASServices.com or www.thepersonalities.com