Attitude, Giving, Inspiration, Life, Love Stories, Meaning in Life, Random Kindness, Reflection, Touching Story, Unconditional Acceptance, Unconditional Love

Smile

bk
December 13, 2006

Smile

A beautiful and touching story on Unconditional Acceptance and Love. A gentle reminder for us to always remember to treat our family, friends, associates and strangers with Unconditional Acceptance and Love. As what is mentioned in the story, “we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed.”

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called “Smile.”

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reaction. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say, hello anyway … so, I thought, this would be a piece of cake, literally. Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonalds, one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch … an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible “dirty body smell” and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was “smiling”. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, “Good day” as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally deficient and the blue-eyed gentle man was his salvation. I held my tears … as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, “Coffee is all Miss” because that was all they could afford. To sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something, and they just wanted to be warm.Then I really felt it … the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me … judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Thank you.” I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, “I did not do this for you … God is here working through me to give you hope.” I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son.

When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, “That is why God gave you to me honey … to give me hope.” We held hands for a moment and at that time we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given that we were able to give. That day showed me the pure Light of God’s sweet love. I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in “my project” and the instructor read it … then she looked up at me and said, “Can I share this?” I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonalds, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn … UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to Love People and Use Things – Not Love Things and Use People.

Photo Credit: {N}Duran
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Appreciation, Attitude, Daily Blessings, Gratitude, Life, Reflection, Thankful

I am Thankful

bk
December 12, 2006

I am thankful

I am Thankful:

For the Wife
Who says it’s hot dogs tonight,
Because she is home with me,
And not out with someone else.

For the Husband
Who is on the Sofa
Being a couch potato,
Because he is home with me
And not out at the bars.

For the teenager
Who is complaining about doing dishes
Because it means she is at home,
Not on the streets.

For the tax I pay
Because it means
I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party
Because it means I have
Been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug
Because it means
I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work
Because it means
I am out in the sunshine

For a lawn that needs mowing,
Windows that need cleaning,
And gutters that need fixing
Because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining
I hear about the government
Because it means
We have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot
I find at the end of the parking lot
Because it means I am capable of walking
And I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill
Because it means
I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church
Who sings off key because it means
I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing
Because it means
I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles
At the end of the day
Because it means I have been
Capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off
In the early morning hours
Because it means I am alive.

And finally, for too much email

Because it means
I have friends who are thinking of me.

– Author Unknown

Photo Credit: pastormacsann
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Relationship, Romantic Tips

Sending Flowers To A Woman Could Make You A Better Romantic

bk
December 12, 2006

Actor Matthew McConaughy is widely accepted as one of the most romantic male figures in Hollywood. He’s known for being kind and gentlemanly to nearly everyone he meets and even saved a woman’s life by giving her CPR. But, for all his charm and style, does he know that the simple act of sending flowers to the women in his life could boost his image even higher?

Men sometimes struggle with showing the women in their lives, be they women he’s interested in romantically, friends, or relatives, how they feel. Many men find the words just too difficult to say, so they try to make it clear with actions. Flowers make an excellent gift choice for any woman.

Rebecca Cole, host of the Discovery Channel show Surprise by Design and floral expert, says that any time is the right time for sending flowers to a woman. In fact, research indicates that 96 percent of women love the surprise of an unexpected gift of flowers. “Guys should know that they don’t have to wait for a special occasion to give flowers. Make an occasion by sending flowers to the woman in your life, just because. They’ll never forget it,” says Cole.

Of course, you want to know that you’re sending the right thing to express your true feelings. Your florist can help, but in the meantime, here are a few tips:

* Flowers for a New Romance: When a relationship is new, it can sometimes be difficult for a man to let a woman know she’s special to him. Cole suggests a passionate arrangement of flowers in reds, oranges, golds, and hot pinks. Don’t forget to add a card with a personal message.

* Flowers for True Love: Even an established relationship needs a touch of romance now and then. To show his romantic side, a man should make it a point to remember what kinds of flowers were used in the wedding ceremony, or what he gave her on a first date, and other flowers from special occasions. Then, to let her know how important those events were to him, too, he can send her an arrangement including those kinds of flowers, which will have an enormous impact.

* Flowers for Female Relatives: Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters are just as important as any romantic interests in a man’s life. To remind these special women of their importance, Cole suggests sending flowering plants or garden-style arrangements.

* Flowers for Female Friends: Female friends enjoy receiving flowers from their male friends and colleagues even when there’s no romantic link. To let a female friend know he’s thinking of her, Cole suggests a bouquet with a very natural, just-picked feel.

Even a guy like Matthew McConaughy can boost his romantic appeal with a bouquet of beautiful flowers. But, you don’t have to be one of the nation’s leading romantic figures to let the women in your life know you care. Your florist can help you order the right flowers for any person on any occasion.

———— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— –
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers (http://www.wesleyberryflowers.com/), a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. His shops provide flower delivery worldwide through http://www.flowers-worldwide.net/ and Flower Delivery Express (http://www.flowerdeliveryexpress.com). Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at http://www.800wesleys.com/

Relationship

Nurturing A Healthy Relationship

bk
December 8, 2006

Most relationships are fleeting–the salesperson, the waiter, the bus driver–all of them are in our lives for mere moments. But what makes life really worth sticking it out for is the longer relationships, the ones that last months, years, or lifetimes.
 
The simplest definition of the word relationship is a connection between two people. It often includes the feelings of one person toward another. This can be a romantic relationship, a business relationship, or parent-child relationship. All three tend to be important in all of our lives.
 
Most people fail to understand what a relationship really means. Many cannot distinguish a strong relationship from a pallid one. This lack of knowledge is why many people fail to have successful relationships.
 
A good relationship reveals itself in a person’s life. The person you see humming at work is likely enjoying a solid partnership. But do not expect that everyone you meet will have a relationship with you, because there are some who enter our lives for only a few minutes.
 
Self-awareness of the relationship itself is a skill most people must still learn. To avoid hurt and frustration, become good at “reading” your relationships; not obsessing on them, but rather learning to see the relationship itself as a living creature.
 
To help you achieve your goals with your partner here are 10 tips that may help you build and maintain a strong and successful relationship:
 
1.  Continue to learn new things that will help improve your relationship. Learn to take personal growth seriously. You may find yourself astounding your partner.
 
2.  Shared kindness is important to make a relationship work successfully. The term “give and take” is very applicable because it always takes both.
 
3.  Realize that both passionate love and conflict are not final outcomes but are simply phases on the journey of love. Disappointments and arguments are means for curing and improving for both partners.
 
4.  Discover new methods to communicate that will make your discussions protected and private. This encourages honest sharing.
 
5.  Always tell your partner what you need and how you feel. No one can read your mind, not even your own partner, so let your partner know when you feel bad about something and why you feel that way. People will not get the contentedness that they want without first getting connected or involved with someone intimately. They tend to enjoy being with someone who shares all their achievements and failures in discussion.
 
6.  Have an occasional heart to heart talk about what you both like and what makes you two feel love. This way you will learn more each time about what make your partner happy.
 
7.  Consideration is also highly important in a relationship. It was not only June Cleaver who felt that being considerate of others’ feelings was important.
 
8.  Avoid things that will not be helpful to or might harm the relationship. Some people treat their partner worse than they do strangers, and do things they know may hurt a partner. If you want your relationship to work, then work it yourself.
 
9.  Listen to the things your partner is saying. And appreciate things that your partnering does for you no matter how small. Why not say “thanks for doing dishes”? Or “thanks for cleaning the bathroom” to your partner. Little appreciative moments go a long way.
 
10.  When you wake up in the morning, promise to try removing guilt and disapproval things that often creep into a relationship. If there are times you did not keep your promise, accept it and apologize to your partner.
 
These ten tips may seem self-evident to some, but lucid advice to others. Take what you can and remember that the ups and downs of relationships are almost always better than the flat highway of loneliness that some people face. Nurture your relationship and it will nurture you back. It only takes a few minutes a day to put a little effort into it, and the rewards can be magnificent.

About The Author: Mary Smith writes for several web sites, including http://pathbreaking.com/ and http://easy-healthy.com/

Attitude, Relationship

Are You Ready For Marriage?

bk
December 6, 2006

Pretty good information on getting your mindset ready for marriage. Marriage is a life long partnership. It does not happen by chance but by making things work. Resolving any issues before marriage is one good start to life long happiness.

One of most important decisions you make in life is who you will marry and when you are ready for marriage. From the time women are young, most dream of a perfect wedding.

Many young girls, and even grown women, become obsessed with the fancy wedding, the dress and the perfect honeymoon. However, the wedding is just the start of a what will be a daily process of making your marriage work. Before you start picking out your centerpieces, you need to take some time to ensure that you are ready for marriage. Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you decide to get married.

Are you in a stable financial position? There are no set guidelines for what you should have accomplished financially before you get married. However, many couples find that one of the key arguments after they get married is finances. If you are in a lot of debt, it might be wise to clear some of that up so that you can go into your marriage with a better financial standing. It is also crucial that you and your partner have several conversations regarding money. You should decide whether you will want to use a joint account or maintain separate personal accounts. You should be completely honest about your debt situation. While you might be embarrassed by your large credit card bill, it is much better to own up to it now, rather than when you are trying to be a vehicle or home.

Do you know who you are and what are your expectations of your partner? Have you taken some time to feel comfortable with yourself on your own? Have you accomplished goals that you set out to do? Do you feel ready to share your life with someone else? It is important that you and your partner discuss your expectations of the marriage. Will one of you stay at home with the children? Will you have children at all? Where do you plan to live once you are married? These are all things that need to be settled before you sign the marriage license. 

Finally, do you feel comfortable sharing the rest of your life with your partner? If you have doubts, it might be wise to take some time to work through them. Marriage should be a joyous occasion, not just on the day of your wedding but for always. With a little bit of discussion, you and your partner should be able to avoid problems down the road and little happily ever after.

About The Author: Ron Zvagelsky has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2006. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of PlanJam – where you can find and plan things to do http://www.planjam.com/local.php

Attitude, Information, Relationship

Why Men Cheat

bk
December 5, 2006

An interesting article which I read today on Why Men Cheat. Although it is talking about the psychology behind the cheating men, I believe it is quite applicable to the cheating women too. It could be used to improve on relationships if both parties understand each other needs. Remember that relationship do not just happen, we have to make it works.

By David Zinczenko

Of course, we all know that while men and women are both capable of cheating, it’s often the guys who have the biggest problem keeping their belts firmly buckled. And we all know that no matter who it’s with, why it’s done, or where the after-hours canoodling takes place, cheating is-most of the time-the ultimate relationship death sentence. But instead of dwelling on what happens after the cheating takes place, one of the ways to perhaps prevent infidelity is by knowing a little bit about why men stray. I’m not offering them as excuses, merely explanations as to what happens in that brain (and other body parts) of his-in hopes that you might be able to prevent it. Here, the top reasons why men cheat:

To Fulfill His Biology: You know the old anthropological tale. A man’s main job, besides killing the saber-tooth, is to spread his seed in order to ensure the survival of his genetic legacy. It’s a man’s biology to want to wander. Does that mean he should, or that he can’t help it? Of course not. But it does mean that a man is going to have strong-extremely strong-biological urges to knock on the doors of neighboring huts. I have had this argument/ discussion/ conversation with dozens of men and women: Are men predestined to cheat? My answer is no, they’re not-despite their biology. But often times, they do have to fight it. Especially after a pitcher and two shots of Jack.

To Get the Attention: News flash: Sure, some guys cheat because, well, maybe the sexual frequency has slowed a bit, and maybe hot-and-heavy happens at home about as often as Rob Schneider gets nominated for an Oscar. But the truth is that plenty of men who are having regular sex with their partner are also having sex with someone else. Why? Because cheating isn’t just about the sex. Just as a woman who cheats may be seeking more affection than what she’s getting at home, a man often cheats because he’s seeking the attention that he no longer gets at home. Part of the allure of the mysterious woman isn’t just to find out what she looks like naked; it’s that the woman showers the man with flirtations, with seduction, with advances that make him feel like he’s worthy of more than just fixing dents in the drywall.

To Get Out: I know lots of guys who simply don’t have the strength to end it. They may try (“I’m just not happy”), or they may take other tactics to drive a woman away. A lot of guys simply have trouble breaking off relationships because they don’t want to be perceived as that bad guy, the jerk, the insensitive lout who ended something good. So they tiptoe around the issue in hopes that she’ll get so frustrated that she’ll back out first. Well, if that doesn’t work, then a man knows that the only way out is to commit the relationship sin that drives a woman away for good. It’s not right, but it’s what happens.

To Change Up His Play List: Think about what’s on your iPod. You have your favorite songs you play over and over, but every once in a while, you’re in the mood to hear something you haven’t played in a long time. You don’t need to hear it but once every month or so, but still, you appreciate the changeup. Relationships need to be like good iPods lists. You’re comfortable with your routine and you like your routine, but it’s always nice to change things up. What men really want in relationships (and what I suspect women also want) is to be able to take comfort in the routine of a long-term commitment, as long as there are some surprises that make it feel like a new relationship every once in a while. In order to keep the relationship strong, you’ve got to change the songs every once in a while. That goes for in the bedroom and out.

You can Check up his Blog at: David Zinczenko

or check out his book, Men, Love and Sex: The Complete User’s Guide for Women by David Zinczenko

Poems

My Wish For You

bk
December 3, 2006

I wish for you..
Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,

Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm you heart,
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,

Friendship to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence for when you doubt,

Faith so you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
And Love To complete your life.