All of us have thousands of acquaintances. There are plenty of people around who want something from you, or just want to be in your sphere.
Bring people into your life who will be there when the shit hits the fan. The going gets tough? They don’t run away. They stay.
The friends who will tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear are a real treasure…
This morning I was honored to give a tribute to a good friend of mine who died. His service was a meaningful experience, and I felt special to be asked.
Spend time with the people in your life who are important to you. You never know when they will leave you…
Timing is everything. God’s timing is perfect, even when I don’t agree with it or like it. But I don’t think He needs or wants my input!
Let’s look at the timing of human interaction. When you have to deliver a difficult message to a friend, the timing of your delivery is key to their receiving and listening to the message. A message given at the wrong time often falls flat, while a message delivered at the right time is well-received.
When you find yourself in this situation, remember that it might be a good idea to wait until the mood is right. Life isn’t always a good time…
Everyone wants to be seen and heard. All of us are equally important in the eyes of the Creator.
When you meet someone new, or when you are engaged in conversation with someone you know, see through to the heart of the person, not just what you see on the outside. Allow them to know they are valued…
Families carry generational traditions. Keeping up with family history is part of our identity. We want to know where we are from.
Generational maladies are alive and thriving, too. Abuse, addictions and poverty are cycles that, when repeated, further ingrain the evil into our DNA. These cycles can be broken. If you were abused by your family, you know the pain it inflicted on you. Why anyone would want to carry the abuse into the next generation is beyond my comprehension.
The hard, yet simple truth is, these unhealthy cycles can be stopped. You must be willing to think differently. Seek help if necessary. Be the agent of change…
Families can be difficult. We don’t get to choose the family we are born into. Nor are we offered the opportunity for a new selection once we are born.
Our name is the first foundation of our identity. If we do something that we get notoriety for, we either bring honor or shame to our family’s name and reputation. These “honors” can go on for generations.
Abuse is a familial malady that lasts until someone puts a stop to it. That, too, can last for generations.
No matter the family we are born into, our sole obligation is to be the best person we can possibly be. We have a choice…
Trigger’s have meaning beyond being part of a gun. Triggers are something that create an unexpected emotional reaction. They can be events, situations, or even people.
A personal trigger for me is lying. I was lied to as a child, so this one runs deep in me. When I hear a lie, it does something to me I can’t describe. I get angry, disgusted and hurt all at the same time. I get over it, but my ability to trust the person who lied has been compromised.
Think about your own personal triggers. Then commit to understanding where they come from. Be ready, because you will gain insight into yourself…
I went to a restaurant the other evening. I love to people watch. Restaurants and airports are a Mecca for me.
A married couple sat down a few booths away. They were probably in their 50’s, attractive and well dressed. After the server took their drink order, the couple hardly made eye contact with each other, choosing to look around the restaurant at other sights rather than their spouse. I felt a slight sense of sadness for a moment. It was as if they were there by themselves.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to try to reconnect. Focus on the good in your relationship. It’s there or you wouldn’t have ever gotten together in the first place. Make it a daily effort. We are better together…
When we were children we played games with our friends. The only requirements were to have some fun and maybe learn something. We were taught to play fair, try to win, but don’t win at someone else’s expense.
Adults play games, too, but the stakes are different. Adult life is a higher responsibility than childhood. Cutting corners for a quick victory is a shallow victory. Playing with people’s emotions is a dangerous game. Yet people do it anyway.
Take the rules of game play back to your childhood days. Do your best. Play hard and try to win, but even if you come in second place, maintain your integrity. Always…
Life is rarely black or white. There’s a lot of gray area. This is partially due to different perspectives. Something that might appear to be one way could be misinterpreted by our emotional state of mind.
Many people on dating sites say they are looking for “the one.” Why only one? Perhaps you could be friends with someone without a romantic connection.
Thinking that things are all or none could cause you to overlook some of life’s best opportunities. Be open minded. Be flexible. If “the one” comes along, you will have gained so much more along the way because you were adaptable…
seekinggracedotcom 