Loving One Another

Archive for the ‘respect’ Category

Walk Away


Reblogged with permission from Audrey Kletscher Helbling

“Sometimes you just have to walk away… January 9, 2020

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 12:56 PM
Tags: compassion, empathy, listening, thoughts, understanding

An especially bright spot in the heart of downtown Faribault is the Second Street Garden, a pocket garden with positive messages like this one. Minnesota Prairie Roots edited file photo August 2019.

BY NATURE, I AM a quiet observer. Not introverted. But a watcher, a listener, the person who mostly sits back, especially in a room filled with strong personalities.

But that doesn’t mean I embrace overpowering people, especially those who talk over and at others. That type of self-centered behavior bothers me, bothers being a tempered word choice. Lack of empathy, understanding and compassion hurt personal relationships, communities, countries. I see too many people driven by their goals, their agendas, their misinformed/uninformed assessments of others and of situations. Their “I’m right” and “I don’t care if I’m hurting you” perspectives.

How do you fix that on a personal level? The answer: We usually can’t. I’ve learned that unless someone is willing to engage in civil dialogue, it’s probably a waste of time to even have a discussion. I can only control how I react. And sometimes the best way to react is simply to walk away, to let it go, to extract myself from those who are toxic, who lack empathy and the ability to think beyond themselves.

The Minnesota Nice part of me screams, “That’s not very nice!” But the reality is that we all deserve respect. To be heard and understood and loved. Every. Single. One. Of. Us.

THOUGHTS?“

© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

My thought on this blog is that Audrey is so right! As a culture, we seem (in the USA) to be losing sight of common courtesy. We seem to be forgetting the power of mutual respect. We seem to be going down a rat hole… and it’s not pretty!

So, Audrey’s blog spoke to me. We DO have a choice. We do not have to travel down that ugly hole. We can walk away “from those who are toxic, who lack empathy and the ability to think beyond themselves.”

I posted “Walk with Me” a couple of days ago. It was a physical walk around our beautiful neighborhood here in Rancho Mirage, CA. Yesterday Bob & I walked around the beautiful polo grounds in the La Quinta/Indio area.

El Dorado Polo field
The geese at El Dorado Polo field lake
Geese and ducks are plentiful there.
Last time we were here (a year ago), they were planting a lot more palm trees here.
The trees are beautiful, aren’t they?
The geese walked away when they saw us coming!
But they just sat at the water’s edge. So beautiful!
It was a beautiful day for walking. Temperatures in the low 70’s.
As we headed back to Rancho Mirage, we drove into the gathering clouds,but they didn’t bring rain… just a little wind.

Today, I am walking again… but this time, it is around a desert path in Thousand Palms. I send funny little kisses to you… from Snapchat … with a tooth in the way. Oh my!

Thank you, Audrey, for your thoughtful blog. I am taking it to heart. If there are toxic people out there, intent on spreading hate, I am walking again…

… Not around the neighborhood or the lake or the desert, but walking way from hate and disrespect.

You with me?

See ya later!

Category:

blogging, contentment, friendship, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, respect, Travel, writing

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The Intimate Word


John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us,
and we have seen His Glory…
full of grace and truth.”

Meaningful Relationships

Meaningful Conversations
help lead to
Meaningful Relationships.

The grace and truth of “The Word”
are two of the most essential elements
of meaningful conversations.

“The Word” is Christ – His Love – and His Example to us.

The “thinking, talking, and acting”
in faith are essential elements of
meaningful relationships.

The Beekman “Chat Area.”
Conversation area in Ty & Monika’s house

Importance of Intimate Words

Meaningful conversation is not small talk.
It is heart-felt, genuine sharing from your soul.
It’s transparent.
It doesn’t have to be long.
It has to be deep and authentic.
It has to be free of intimidation,
and opening intimate…
knowing it is spoken in TRUST.

Our son, Ty, is exemplary of this:
Smile and Trust –
He shares openly –
We’re so grateful!

From “This Day’s Thought,” an anonymous quote reminds us:

This Day's Smile

“The love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay,
love isn’t love till it’s given away.”

Those moments of honest, intimate sharing are the most precious memories of the season.

Stay Connected

Yesterday we went with Ty, Monika and Sam (our son, daughter-in-law, and grandson) to Amador County, California. Kevin (the one in the black jacket) was a high schooler – and friends with Ty in their teens. Distance cannot keep us from remaining friends with Kevin, his wife, Karen, and their beautiful daughter, Morgan.

Just as we stay connected with them through annual Christmas cards and occasional phone calls, and face-to-face visits whenever we can, we also stay connected with Kevin’s parents. Our honest, open, intimate sharing of life’s joys and struggles keeps our friendship alive and meaningful. It’s a blessing!

Bob with our son, Ty

Family Dynamics

Just as “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we [see] … His Glory… full of grace and truth,” so it is that this son of our flesh, a gift from God himself, dwells among us full of grace and truth. We are so grateful for the way in which he and Monika open their hearts and home to the greater family … and allow us to converge on them en mass!!

I showed you this picture earlier this week. Isn’t it amazing?

We are a diverse group of people, connected by the Love of Christ, the Blessings of the Spirit, and the determination to remain open and honest with one another. It ain’t always easy. It ain’t always purrrdy! But, it is always worth it… and it is what God calls us to do.

Love One Another

I Corinthians … “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always TRUSTS, always HOPES, always preserves.”

May the love in your heart reach out in honest, intimate, trust-worthy conversation. May it protect and preserve your relationships. May it be

  • transparent.
  • deep
  • authentic
  • innocent
  • free of intimidation
  • openly intimate, and
  • shared in TRUST.
God Bless You!


Tell me about a relationship
you are keeping alive with
intimate words of love and caring.

Thanks for being a sharing friend.

Bye for now.
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Christmas, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Gratitude, holidays, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, prayer, respect, Serving One Another, Travel

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I Can Do Anything



I posted the video below on my FB page a year ago and reposted it today. Every time I see/hear it, I am moved to tears and inspired to want to go out and make a difference.

One person reaching out to make the world a better place – an inspiration for us all!

Our day will be better
when we make someone else’s day better.
Go out and share your love now.
Make your corner of the world a little bit better
just because you are in it!
Recite after me, “I can do anything!”
Yes, you can!!
You can make a difference right where you are.

Yesterday our friend, Hailey, invited Bob to be her “Guest of Honor” for the day – and come to her school. Her class was celebrating Veteran’s Day by inviting a loved one to share lunch with them. Hailey’s mom took this darling picture of Bob holding the poster Hailey made for him.

I think Ennis was a better place yesterday because of all the people who honored our veterans – and all the veterans who stepped forward to be recognized. God bless them all!

If you are in the USA, what did the people in your community do to recognize veterans yesterday?

If you are from another part of the world, tell me what your country does to honor those who serve (d) in your military to keep your country free and your citizens safe.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Now – what are you going to do today
to make your world a better place?

See ya later.

Category:

Awards, children, friendship, Giving, Gratitude, holidays, Love, respect, Serving One Another, Sharing, teaching

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Speak Kindly


November is here
It’s a month for gratitude
To be your Center

Live with Thanksgiving
First and foremost in your life
Always speak kindly

I’m imagining
A month of only kindness
Make it a habit

Let’s make it a pact
I’m committed to do it
Please say you’ll join me!

Kindness is
Love Personified!

Write in the comments
that you’ll join me in this
Month of Gratitude,
Thanksgiving, and Kindness, okay?
Let’s form a habit.

Have a wonderful weekend.
See ya later.

Category:

friendship, Haiku, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Poetry, respect

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How Gratitude Changes Lives


Gratitude Haiku x4

Live with Gratitude.
Gratefulness changes your life –
Notice little things.

Fill a daily post
In your gratitude journal;
It’s very potent!

Commit to refrain
From complaining or gossip
Or criticism.

Let your decision
To live always gratefully
Enhance every day.

What or who are you grateful for today?
It’s a great habit to repeat those thank you’s!!
See ya later.

Category:

blessings, contentment, friendship, God, Gratitude, Haiku, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Poetry, respect

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No More Us/Them


twitter.com/dalailama/status/1183676726317965312

Category:

learning, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, respect

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Be The Hands


Be the hands of God

Guaranteed to cure

With “Jewish Penicillin”

Bless those who reach out
Beyond themselves to others
God answers through them

Reaching out to help another is a clear demonstration of these “10 simple words — hope, love, care, culture, kindness, faith, knowledge, health, comfort and warmth.” This quote is not mine… but I repeat them here because these concepts mean so much …

Especially today, October 14th, Columbus Day in the USA. Our banks and post offices and federal buildings and some schools are closed today in honor of Columbus. Why?

Because :
“In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue!”

I memorized that rhyme as a kid in school. Why was it important? Well, Columbus purportedly “discovered America” on this day.

But, who Really “Discovered” America?

 

St. Joseph's Indian School

I received this e-mail from St. Joseph’s Indian School today:

“They are 10 simple words — hope, love, care, culture, kindness, faith, knowledge, health, comfort and warmth — but they mean so much … Especially today.“

St. Joseph’s Indian School here in Montana wants you to know it’s not about Columbus! They announced, “Today is Native American Day!”

They continued, “…we want to celebrate in a BIG way! Today we are hosting a special day of giving at St. Joseph’s Indian School. We need 365 people — one donor for every day of the year — to open their hearts and give a gift.

Will you be 1 of the 365?
BE 1 OF THE 365
Some St. Joseph’s students arrive without knowledge of their deep, rich Native American culture. They have spent their young lives more focused on surviving day to day than learning about their ancestors and traditions. 

Today, you can change that by giving a gift to help enrich the lives of young boys and girls with their cultural experiences, education and more. You can see some of the experiences for yourself when you watch this video.

As more people give, more student programs and services will be unlocked. 

At 165 gifts, donors will help unlock regalia for students to wear during powwows. At 165 gifts, donors will help unlock a cultural trip. 

At 365 donors: we will receive a special matching gift offer of $25,000 from a special group of friends who have pledged to support the Lakota students!”

You can join in this effort to recognize, help enrich, and appreciate our Native American friends today. Let’s acknowledge the ones who REALLY discovered America… our Native Americans. They were here long before some white man came to rob them of their land and relegate them to reservations!

I am a faithful supporter of St. Joseph’s as well as the school for our Lakota Natives here in Montana. Won’t you join in?

Be the hands and heart of God!

Philámayaye — thank you— for your kindness.

Happy Native American Day!!
God Bless You.
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

friendship, Giving, Gratitude, Haiku, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, peace, respect, Sharing

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