The A to Z's of Friends A Friend.... (A)ccepts you as you are (B)elieves in "you" (C)alls you just to say "HI" (D)oesn't give up on you (E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts) (F)orgives your mistakes (G)ives unconditionally (H)elps you (I)nvites you over (J)ust "be" with you (K)eeps you close at heart (L)oves you for who you are (M)akes a difference in your life (N)ever Judges (O)ffers support (P)icks you up (Q)uiets your fears (R)aises your spirits (S)ays nice things about you (T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it (U)nderstands you (V)alues you (W)alks beside you (X)-plain things you don't understand (Y)ells when you won't listen and (Z)aps you back to reality A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift A friend is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace And makes the world we live in a better and happier place.!!!!
You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime. -- Dale Carnegie--
((((My Wish For You)))) I wish that the sun will always shine for you, and that your world will always be bright and warm and beautiful. I wish the wonder of life's sweetest moments for you, with hours full of happiness and days when everything goes as best it can. I wish a million great beginnings for you, with a perfect parade of all your dreams come true and happy endings always. I wish with all my heart for your greatest happiness. I wish you nothing but the brilliant and vibrant colors of the rainbows and life's brightest days... because the sun should always shine for you. -Poem by Barbara J. Hall
Sometimes... Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your cyber-friend, neighbor, co-worker, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way. And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things. Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets. Most importantly, if you love someone tell them, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day you live. May sent this to me..Thank you!!
Thank you Dori for sending this!!!! INSPIRATIONS To those of you who have pushed me, thank you. Without you I would have fallen. To those of you who laughed at me, thank you. Without you I wouldn't have cried. To those of you who just couldn't love me, thank you. Without you I wouldn't have known real love. To those of you who hurt my feelings, thank you. Without you I wouldn't have felt them. To those of you who left me lonely, thank you. Without you I wouldn't have discovered myself. But it is to those of you who thought I couldn't do it; It is you I thank the most, Because without you I wouldn't have tried. I'm not sure who wrote this peom, but it is beautiful.
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied ... "Things aren't always what they seem". The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel "how could you have let this happen!? The first man had everything, yet you helped him," she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die." "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I told him to take the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem." Sometimes this is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way we think they should. If you have faith in God, just trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not realize it until much later.""""
SLOW DANCE Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight Or gazed at the sun into the fading night? You better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last Do you run through each day on the fly When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in your bed With the next hundred chores running through your head? You'd better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die 'Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"? You'd better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last When you run so fast to get somewhere You miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry through your day, It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away... Life is not a race. Do take it slower Hear the music Before the song is over. (author unknown)
((((Why Mothers)))) Why are you crying?" he asked his mom. "Because I'm a mother," she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His mom just hugged him and said, "You never will!" Later the little boy asked his father why Mother seemed to cry for no reason. "All mothers cry for no reason," was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry. So he finally put in a call to God and when God got on the phone the man said, "God, why do mothers cry so easily." God said, "You see son, when I made mothers they had to be special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times come from their children. "I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and to take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining. "I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt them very badly. This same sensitivity helps them to make a child's boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager's anxieties and fears. "I gave them a tear to shed. It's theirs exclusively to use whenever it's needed. It's their only weakness. It's a tear for mankind."
""What we have learned the ages"".. I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night"............... Age 6 I've learned that you can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.............. Age 7 I've learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back.............. Age 9 I've learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up.............. Age 13 I've learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up..............Age 14 I've learned that although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.............. Age 15 I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice...............Age 24 I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures...............Age 26 I've learned that wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there............... Age 29 I've learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it............... Age 39 I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it............... Age 41 I've learned that you can make some one's day by simply sending them a little card............... Age 44 I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his need to cast blame on others................ Age 46 I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies................Age 47 I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours................ Age 49 I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone................Age 50 I've learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights................Age 51 I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills................Age 52 I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die........ Age 53 I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.................Age 58 I've learned that if you want to do something positive for your children,try to improve your marriage.................Age 61 I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. Age 62 I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. Age 64 I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you. ..............Age 65 I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision.................Age 66 I've learned that everyone can use a prayer.................Age 72 I've learned that it pays to believe in miracles. And to tell the truth, I've seen several.................Age 73 I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. .................Age 82 I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.................Age 85 I've learned that I still have a lot to learn..............Age 92......
""Heavens Grocery Store"" As I was walking down life's highway many years ago I came upon a sign that read Heavens Grocery Store. When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide And when I came to myself I was standing inside. I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere One handed me a basket and said "My child shop with care." Everything a human needed was in that grocery store And what you could not carry you could come back for more. First I got some Patience. Love was in that same row. Further down was Understanding, you need that everywhere you go. I got a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two. And Charity of course I would need some of that too. I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost It was all over the place. And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race. My basket was getting full but I remembered I needed Grace, And then I chose Salvation for Salvation was for free So I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me. Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill, For I thought I had everything to do the Masters will. As I went up the aisle I saw Prayer and put that in, For I knew when I stepped out side I would run into sin. Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf. Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself. Then I said to the angel "Now how much do I owe?" He smiled and said "Just take them everywhere you go." Again I asked "Really now, How much do I owe?" "My child " he said, "God paid your bill a long long time ago."