“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” – Henry Ford

“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” – Helen Keller

“A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I get by with a little help from my friends.” – John Lennon

“No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.” – Alice Walker

“A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.” – Ecclesiasticus 6:14  Read more... (593 words, 2 images, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)

There are certain things from childhood that just stay with you…When I was a kid, I went to summer camp at the YWCA, where I met all of these wonderful kids that I thought would be my lifetime friends.

We use to sing “That’s What Friends are For” and I guess I really took it to heart lol. Once we hit 5th and 6th grade we out grew the Y, went our separate ways, and lost contact with each other. So much for lifetime friendship right? Maybe not.  Read more... (684 words, estimated 2:44 mins reading time)

5 Simple Rules To Be Happy

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things ‘in order,’ she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

‘There’s one more thing,’ she said excitedly.

‘What’s that?’ came the Pastor’s reply.

‘This is very important,’ the young woman continued. ‘I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.’

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“Fifty percent of all first marriages, 70% of second marriages, 90% of subsequent marriages will end up in divorce,” according to Jennifer Baker of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology.

Marriages are not the only relationships going sour. Many people quit jobs because of a boss or trouble with co-workers. Kids have problems in school getting along with classmates. Bonds between friends and family members are abruptly broken…

Relationships across the board are suffering because we have forgotten the basics of how to treat people.

In looking at our own failed relationships it is often easier to point out where the other person went wrong…(we humans can be so proud and arrogant). The truth is, just as it takes two to tango, it takes two to damage a relationship.

Many relationships go downhill because we expect people to be like us, to handle situations the way we would, to respond the way we would, and/or behave the way we think they should. (we humans seem to like to fix, change, and/or impose our will on others…which again comes from arrogance and pride).

People are who they are. We cannot change or fix them to meet our needs or expectations. We must deal with people and accept them as they are! This does not mean to accept being mistreated, disrespected, or hurt. This means accept the fact that the only person you can change is you. (while you cannot change others, a change in you might inspire, influence, or spark a change in others…hence, “Be The Change You Wish To See In The World”).

Identifying our own areas of opportunity is more important and more valuable than playing the blame game or analyzing the character flaws of others. (We must learn from our mistakes so that we don’t repeat them, but first we must be willing to admit and accept that even we make mistakes).

An important and often overlooked factor in establishing, building, maintaining, and/or repairing a relationship is acknowledging that you are not the only person in the relationship. (we humans have a way of making everything about us).

Relationships involve 2 (or more) people. Relationships are a team effort and if a relationship is to be successful all parties must understand that the I My Me Mine mentality does not fly in any relationship. This does not mean that we should lose our identity or individuality. It simply means that we must take into consideration and be concerned not just for our own self interests but

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Each year I become even more mindful of the fact that people really do come into our lives for a reason, season, or lifetime.

In evaluating my own relationships its very clear who my reasons, seasons, and lifetimes are and vice versa. As we approach Thanksgiving and like everyone else I suppose… I am deeply introspecting, reflecting, and meditating on everything and everyone that I am thankful for. God is Good! I’m very thankful to have crossed paths with such remarkable people throughout my life and I look forward to crossing paths with many more.  Read more... (400 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)