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.
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?
“As the weeks, months and years roll quickly by, we observe how the world around us widens the separation of people, organisations, countries, opinions, beliefs… all warring against each other. Extreme opposites and deep conflict is being forged. Yes – No, Light – Dark, Good – Bad, Right – Wrong, This – That, Mine – Yours… each side adamant they are correct!
So who is correct, which side do we choose, which way do we go?“
It’s interesting that I was reading her blog right after relishing the words of Wm. Coffin and Joanna Macy in Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat’s book, Spiritual Literacy. They quoted Coffin and Macy who wrote:
Yes, we ARE radically interdependent. The actions of each of us has an effect on the rest of us. And there ARE absolutes. There IS right and wrong. And when we see things headed the wrong way:
hate vs. love
dark vs. light
bad vs. good
wrong vs. right
destruction vs. enhancement
falsehood vs. Truth
broken vs. working/productive
criminal vs. just
immoral vs. ethical/principled
… then we know it is time to step up to the plate and do what we can. Do you think, “The problems are too big; who am I to make a difference?”
If so, just look at Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenager who is leading global protests demanding action on climate change.
Greta was quoted as saying,
“We will do everything in our power to stop this crisis from getting worse…”
God bless her! Today’s Bozeman Chronicle carried this article about her:
