Loving One Another

Archive for the ‘friendship’ Category

Footprints in Your Heart


True Friends - footptints

 

A friend sent this card
with “Your friendship means the world to me”
written on the inside.

 

She wrote,
“I can feel your footprints
in my heart everyday.
Do you mind is I
walk all over your heart, too?”

view of sand dunes

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

Those footprints are not just ON my heart,
they are IN my heart.
I feel her love deeply.
It keeps me buoyed on days
when I might otherwise be feeling down.

 

I subscribe to “Someone Cares” cards from Guideposts.  I love these cards because they always include a pertinent scripture reference, an uplifting message, and a pertinent story on the back of each.

This last mailing of Guideposts’ cards had the message
I used in my last post,
“Whenever we’re together,
and even when we’re not,
warm and caring thoughts of you
make me smile a lot.”

Guideposts “Someone Cares” cards are available
at shopguideposts.org/someone-cares-greetings.
I highly recommend them.
They are unique and special.
When I open the package of 12 every 6 weeks or so,
the cards call out the names of friends
for whom I feel that card would be most appropriate.

The back of this particular card
had a wonderful story on it
– written by Lisa Bogart:

“When my best friend came to New York to visit me, I wanted to pack all the sights, food, and fun I could into our four days together.

On the first morning, we took a 10:00 train into Manhattan. We walked crosstown, hopped on the subway, and headed uptown to the Cloisters… then to the Metropolitan Museum of Art… farther downtown to my favorite barbecue place… window-shopped and gawked at the towering buildings. Finally, we took a train home at 10:30 that night.

My friend was pooped and asked if we could stay closer to home the next day. When she came down for breakfast, she had her knitting with her. She suggested we sit on the patio and knit for awhile. I put on a pot of tea, and we spent the morning catching up and renewing our friendship.

We went on a few more adventures before she left, but it was that quiet time together that I remember best. It makes me smile and feel close to her even when we’re miles apart.”

Do you have a special friend who has left footprints in your heart? Why not send a card to them today letting them know you are thinking of them in a special way? Sending snail-mail cards does not have to be a “lost art.” Keep it alive with your footprints today!

Thinking of you

I love you, dear WordPress friends.
You leave your footprints in my heart
each time you visit and leave a note.
God bless you!

Jan sends cheers!

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

friendship, happiness, Love, mental health, Sharing, writing

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God Hears


Yesterday when I Googled my symptoms, if you read my blog you know that Google said I just need more flowers.

I was busy asking for prayers for healing from this “bug” that attacked my throat and brought on coughing and sneezing spells.

But, God knew Google was right. He sent a friend with flowers!

Fragrant orange sage in sunflowers

There’s nothing so fine
as a friend who comes bearing flowers
right when you need them most!

Friends answer your prayers to God!

 

A message to my friend:
I am thinking of you
in a special way.
Whenever we’re together
and even when we’re not
Warm and caring thoughts of you
make me smile a lot.

Friends penetrate the “Veil of Illusion”

 

Friends are in my heart
I ‘m on a “Friends” kick this week
Because I need them!

Where would we be without these?
We all need them – – – all the time!

 

God bless our friends!

 


Thank you for visiting.
Your comments and “likes”
make me feel so much better!
You’re an answer to prayer.

See you again soon, dear WP Friends.

Category:

Family, flowers, friendship, God, Gratitude, Haiku, health, Love, Poetry, prayer, Serving One Another, Sharing

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Google Your Symptoms


I sniffle and sneeze –
I cover cough and hide my wheeze;
No one needs these bugs.

My husband had it.
He generously shared it.
Thanks a lot, dear Bob!


Told my FaceBook friends-
They offered lots of advice:
Gargle. Honey. Rest.

I have tried them all.
The drippy nose continues.
Please pass the Kleenex!

Friends offer to help.
Invitations are declined.
Don’t want to spread this.

Snuggle up in bed
With the friend who doesn’t care
If you sneeze on him.

My TazE loves me
Whether I am sick or not.
Her kisses are free.

Sometimes I wonder
Where my dog gets all of them.
Wonder who’s kissing her now…

Photo by Ana Francisconi on Pexels.com

Hah!
Stay healthy, my friends.
Let your best friend comfort you.

Hang in there!!
Send prayers and flowers!
See ya later.

Category:

Animals, Family, flowers, friendship, Giving, Haiku, health, Life's Challenges, Love, pets, Poetry, prayer, Serving One Another

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Tender Place


In today’s Daily Guideposts, contributor Shawnelle Eliasen shared a special moment she had with her “near adult son.” Even though they had experienced some growing gaps and family hurts recently, he invited her to come into the living room and listen to his latest musical creation.

Shawnelle wrote,
“This invitation was everything…
Finally my son invited me into a tender part of his life.
The place where music lives
and creativity runs free.
A gentle place.
A place of peace.”

She thought back to the days when he was young. When his fingers first curled around a pencil and later around a steering wheel. She thanked God for those fingers that now played the beginnings of an original song – and invited her to come along.

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Where is your gentle, peaceful, tender place?
What or who shares the place where your creativity runs free?
Who might you invite to enter – to join you there?
Someone who’d love to share your company in that place.

Think about it.

Open your tender place
and let extra love come in.

Thanks for visiting
my “Tender Place” here on WP.

See ya later.

Category:

contentment, friendship, happiness, Love, peace, Sharing

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7 Habits of Effective Lovers


Loving is Connecting.
Blogging is Connecting.

My blog, “Loving One Another” is all about how to love, encourage, and inspire one another. Cristian Mihai of “The Art of Blogging” says we need to be able to express in 6 words or less why we blog and what we blog about.

I answered his query saying,
“I spread love and inspiration daily.”
That’s six words.

I augmented my answer by adding,
“I plan to inspire, inform, entertain, and encourage.”

I find pictures to enhance my messages.
And I am inspired by other bloggers’ messages.
Hopefully we shine on one another.

If we want to shine, to inspire and encourage others, to be unconditional, effective lovers, are there some tips we need to keep in mind?

Yes, I believe there are habits that lovers of people, lovers of animals, lovers of nature and of God, need to develop. I think they include these SEVEN HABITS OF EFFECTIVE LOVERS:

1. Listening with Intent

Effective lovers perk up their ears and really hear the voices, the sounds, the cries and laughter, the heart of everything around them.

2. Seeing non-judgmentally

Effective lovers look for the best in others. They see what they’re looking for. They see the person, animal or object as the Creator intended them/it to be. They imagine perfection, wholeness, beauty. They bring out the love that’s embedded in what they see.

3. Feeling with Compassion & Empathy

Effective lovers feel what others are feeling. They are compassionate and empathetic … not sympathetic. They don’t look at someone or something and say, “Oh, I feel so sorry for you/it.” They try to put themselves in the others’ shoes. They look for solutions. They offer real help. They fertilize the dying bush or bring the parched animal a drink.

4. Reaching Out

Effective lovers extend a helping hand without being asked. Their “feelers” are out looking for ways to help. They have a servant’s heart.

5. Taking Time

A habit effective lovers develop is the act of taking time for others. Whether it is visiting a friend who’s sick, caring for a pet while its owner is away, watering a garden, going to a nursing home, building a birdhouse or helping to complete a project, the effective lover is ever ready.

6. Praying

Knowing your own power is limited, knowing we’re all imperfect mortals who need divine guidance, effective lovers pray for others, pray for world peace, pray for endangered species and help in times of disasters and seemingly insurmountable struggles. Effective lovers reach for help beyond themselves.

We know our own limitations, and we know our own weaknesses. We know we do not always exhibit the kindness, patience and gentleness that effective lovers need. So, we ask for divine guidance and help from the One who strengthens us.

7. Tenacity

Effective lovers have staying power. They are tenacious. They are in it for the long haul. They are not quick to let go. Instead, they continue to love through thick and thin.

Like this beautiful spider web that is covered with snow, but hanging on for dear life as the wind howls outside my sanctuary, this web has a job to do. It will capture any insects that survive the storm … it will provide food for the spider that created it. It hangs on and fulfills its given purpose.

Substitute “children” in the message above
for “friends” or “spouse”
or “pets” or whatever fits for you.
What is your purpose that you are living to fulfill?

Being an Effective Lover involves listening, seeing, feeling, reaching, taking time, praying, and being tenacious… and it’s worth all that effort because you know:

“What you bring into the lives of others comes back into your own.”

Do you agree with these 7 habits or qualities
for “Effective Lovers”?
Do you have others you might add?

Tell me!

God Bless You!

See ya tomorrow

Category:

friendship, Giving, God, Life's Challenges, Love, prayer, Serving One Another, truth

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Sunshine Shines on WordPress


My blogging friend, BigSkyBuckeye, was nominated for the Sunshine Award. In the process of accepting it, he was asked to nominate eleven other bloggers. I was #11 – Yay!

Thank you, Richard, for the affirmation. In your acceptance, you were told to publish the rules – and you asked your nominees to pass them along.

The Sunshine Blogger Award Rules:

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog so others can find them. Thank you,  https://bigskybuckeye.com/2019/10/05/sunshine-blogger-award/
  2. List the rules and display an award logo on your blog post. (Here they are … and here it is)

sunshine-blogger1.png

3. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you. (I will do that now… see below)

Questions:

  1. Name one person who always finds a way to inspire you: Derrick in BC
  2. How has blogging benefited your life? It has given me a way to find a group of friends world-wide who read my daily messages and inspire me to share the positivity in my life.
  3. Do you like to experience nature?  YES! If so, what is one of your favorite activities? I love four-wheeling in the Rocy Mountains n our ATV with my hubby, my dog, TazE, and our friends.
  4. How important is family to you? Extremely! I am blessed with a terrific son, a darling daughter, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, a sister, six loving in-laws and their children, a wonderful niece and her family… ah, Gof is good! That reminds me, my church family is such a blessing, too. Brothers and Sisters in Christ enrich my life… Important is putting it mildly!)
  5. What is your favorite season of the year? Springtime. Why is it your favorite? It seems to spell newness and rebirth. I love the freshness. It feels like “Beginning again” – and it contains Easter, my favorite holiday.
  6. What month were you born? July
  7. If you could visit any place in the world for the first time, where would you want to go? Maine and Nova Scotia. They are on my “Bucket List.”
  8. Who is one of your most favorite authors? Bob Goff: “Love Does”
  9. What is something which you have a great deal of passion for? Two H’s: Honeybees and the Holy Spirit
  10. Share a favorite verse of Scripture or an inspiring quotation. John 3:16
  11. Tell us one interesting facet about yourself. I was “Tammy Tiger” the University of the Pacific’s first female mascot – after it changed from C.O.P. to U.O.P. – and my band director was disgusted that I did that. He said, “Anyone can wear a costume and run around the football field,  but you’re my first chair clarinetist… not just anybody can do that!” But, what he didn’t know was, the costume for Tammy Tiger fit my 5 foot frame… not just anybody could fit into that either!

4. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and notify them by commenting on any of their posts. (This will be done tomorrow)

5. Ask the nominees 11 new questions (I need have time to think about that!)

Thank you, BigSkyBuckeye!!

beating-heart

 See you tomorow.

 

Category:

Awards, blogging, friendship, Gratitude, Love, Sharing

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For the Love of Raptors


Loving each other
Includes the birds of the air.
We love our raptors.

Bridger Bowl – east of Bozeman, MT

The Bridger Raptors
Are celebrated each year
At this Festival.

The birds displayed here are in captivity
because they’ve been damaged somehow
and would not be able to survive
in the wild on their own.

Wonderful surprise –
Look at who I encountered:
Our ATV Buds!!

Don, Barb, Caroline & Chuck

What a great surprise!
They were right there on the deck
Enjoying birds, too.

I decided to
Have a bit of fun with Bob.
Here’s my new boyfriend!

Don & Jan … Good buddies!

I showed this photo
To Bob, and told him “Tough Luck!
I have a new friend!”

Jan & Bob

Always the good sport.
He looked to find the foursome.
“Great to see you, Buds!”

Should we take the “M-Hike” up the mountain?
Uh, no… let’s let THEM do it!
Let’s go home
and drink a toast
to our beautiful raptors!
Steak, quinoa & a great wine…
Life is good!

Here’s a toast to birds…
A toast to fillet mignon…
To Scott for great wine!

Continue Learning

We came home with a book that will continue to help us learn more about our raptors. Do you have raptors in your part of the world? What’s your favorite bird? I’m fascinated by bald eagles. We actually see them in our area. What bird that fascinates you do you see in your area?

Photo by Flickr on Pexels.com

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Animals, friendship, Haiku, Living in Harmony, Love, nature, photography, Poetry, respect

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