Mail Bag

By Mail Bag

Welcome to this month's gleanings from our mailbag! What a treat it is to find gems among all the garbage and unsolicited offerings, most of which are begging for offerings or plying their wiles for your money one way or another.

Most of us are aware these days of the 'phishing' emails that try to imitate some bank, credit unit, savings or credit card to get you to give them your information supposedly to 'update' your account. However many of you out there may be really excited to know that sooner or later this year, there really will be a small amount of money received from the IRS, even if you normally don't owe anything and haven't even filed a return because the thought is that it will strengthen the economy. This makes you a direct target for those who will phone you saying they need to verify your name, social security number, bank name and routing code so the money can be deposited in your account. Please don't fall for this. It is NOT the way the refunds will be processed. Even if they call them rebates because you've 'always paid your taxes on time' or some similar remark, do NOT share your personal info. This is how people lose everything left in their bank account, and sometimes also their identity, allowing your info to be used to set up accounts or purchases with your money.

Such goings on made the following ever so much more pleasant to read through. Had to share it with our readers out there.

Grant me the strength from day to day
To bear what burdens come my way.
Grant me throughout this bright New Year
More to endure and less to fear.
Help me live that I may be
From spite and petty malice free.

Let me not bitterly complain
When cherished hopes of mine prove vain,
Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage
Some fair tomorrow's spotless page.
Lord, as the days shall come and go
In courage let me stronger grow.

Lord, as the New Year dawns today
Help me to put my faults away.
Let me be big in little things;
Grant me the joy which friendship brings.
Keep me from selfishness and spite;
Let me be wise in what is right.

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye.
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.

Anonymous

I am passing this on to you because it definitely works, and we could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace.

Dr Phil proclaimed, "The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started and have never finished."

So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates.

You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now. Pass this on to those whom you think might be in need of inner peace.

But the favorite mailbag offering has to be this practical solution:
"Click on this link to clean your computer screen!"