Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 2/16/12

We, as a society, are still teaching our young women to love backwards.
The message is boldly promoted on the cover of nearly every women's
magazine. There are tools to find love, tricks to catch it and rules to
keep it. The glowing faces of the toothpick models on the covers hold
the promise of great secrets to be revealed on the pages within.

Romantic love is secondary to real love, not the reverse. When there's
an absence of love within, the void cannot be filled by reaching out
and bringing love to you.

Respecting and honoring the person you see in the mirror, is real love.
Genuine care for the lives of every citizen on the planet, is real love.
Gratitude for the things we receive from the earth and concern for
the environment, is real love.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule: parents who nurture
the spirit of their children and teach them real love. Even more
heartening are the mentors who share their love and wisdom with
children who do not receive that type of nourishment at home.

Not a single one of us is ready for romantic love until we are truly
living in real love. When we love forward, from the inside out, we do
not seek false romance, which is a needy emotion. We seek true
romance, a love that compliments who we are and everything we
want to become.

 -- Living in love and loving life,
     Terri McPherson

Inspiration On 1/31/12

Time is too slow for those who wait,
too swift for those who fear,
too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice,
but for those who love,
time is eternity. 

 --  Henry Van Dyke
 

Inspiration On 1/23/12

Do you love to be loved, or do you love giving love?

Those who want love, seek love and crave love, will
find themselves in times of great darkness and despair
when that love is absent or they feel it has wronged them.

Those who give love freely, without strings or expectations,
in all they do, live in the sunshine of that love for all their
days.

Life is an adventure when you bring your love to the world.
You are unburdened and free. Like minded people are
attracted by your tenderness and reverence for life. Bias
and bigotry are foreign and unfathomable. Dignity and
respect are your currency, and the more you give away,
the richer you become.

You will never have to look for that kind of love.

It will surround you.

 -- Living in love and loving life,
     Terri McPherson

Inspiration On 1/4/12

In her article, "Turning Sweet Nothings into Sweet Somethings,"
Marjorie Holmes points out some differences between romance
and authentic love:

Romance is seeking perfection, love is forgiving faults.

Romance is flying, love is a safe landing.

Romance is the anguish of waiting for the phone to ring to
bring you a voice that will utter endearments, love is the
anguish of waiting for a call that will assure you someone else
is happy and safe.

Romance is eager, striving always to appear attractive for
each other, love is two people who find beauty in each other
no matter how they look.

Authentic love will find many expressions -- the love of spouses;
the love of friends; the love of families. It doesn't require one
to be "in love," and will likely grow over the years.

Romance is wonderful, but love is essential.

Are you filling your life with love?

 -- Steve Goodier

Inspiration On 1/3/12

Because I have received kindness,
I have been spurred on to be kind.

Because I have caught the smile on another's lips,
I have found myself smiling.

Because I have known the joy of receiving,
I rejoice in giving.

Because I have felt pain,
I know what pity is.

Because I have tasted humiliations,
I know what consideration is.

Because I have seen Christ suffer,
I have had the courage to go on.

 -- Sister Mary Gemma Brunke

Inspiration On 12/26/11

Where does understanding come from when it feels
as if there is nothing left?

It can come from the simple act of remembering.
To remember is to understand. It is not about
gritting one's teeth and forcing oneself to be
more patient. It is actually easier than that.

Do you remember what it was like to be a child?
No parent should ever forget. And to remember
is to understand.

Do you remember what it was like to be a student?
Every teacher should try to remember, and
especially if they feel frustrated.

Do you remember what it is like to be a patient?
Doctors and nurses show more empathy after
they have also spent time in a hospital bed.

Do you remember what it was like to be lonely?
To be first? To be last? To fail? To succeed?
To be afraid? To remember is to understand.

And to understand is to be patient.

 -- Steve Goodier

 

Inspiration On 11/18/11

 . . . I try to share all the things I have learned these past 27 years:
that God loves us more than we could ever dream, that we can love
each other as well, and that when we do so we will have JOY no
matter what struggles we may face or losses we may endure. 

Take some time today then to think about what you can give to life.
You are a beloved Child of God with unique talents, knowledge, and
blessings. You can give this world so much love and do so much to
help others. You can make this world and your soul a little better
each day.

And when you do so you will get what we all truly want out of life:
sweet happiness.

 -- Joseph J Mazzella 

Inspiration On 11/11/11

Dear Lord,
Today we honor our veterans,
worthy men and women
who gave their best
when they were called upon
to serve and protect their country.

We pray that you will bless them, Lord,
for their unselfish service
in the continual struggle
to preserve our freedoms, our safety,
and our country’s heritage, for all of us.

Bless them abundantly
for the hardships they faced,
for the sacrifices they made
for their many different contributions
to America’s victories
over tyranny and oppression.

We respect them, we thank them,
we honor them, we are proud of them,
and we pray that you will watch over
these special people
and bless them with peace and happiness.

In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.

 -- Joanna Fuchs

Inspiration On 10/12/11

Hawaiians have a powerful word for family: 'ohana. In 'ohana,
people matter. And they know it. As Lilo says in "Lilo and Stitch,"
'Ohana means family. Family means no one is left behind - or
forgotten." Families that value closeness work hard to keep
anyone from feeling left behind or forgotten. 

A reader in Hawaii once wrote to tell me that the CEO of
the state's largest banks was considering a run for 
governor. Since he was well-liked, he seemed to have a good
chance of winning. 

But, before filing papers, he changed his mind, stating that
he wanted to spend more time with his family. Not that
elected officials can't be family-oriented, but he reasoned
he needed more time at home than the job allowed.

Ronald A. Young, in the "Honolulu Advertiser," praised the
decision. "No matter what you accomplish in the business
world or the social world," he said, "if you fail 'ohana, then
you have not accomplished much. Failure or success does
not lie in the material wealth you provide them. It is
measured by what of yourself you give to them." 

 -- Steve Goodier 

Inspiration On 09/28/11

We all have the drum major instinct. We all want to be important,
to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. ...And
the great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct. It is a
good instinct if you don't distort it and pervert it.

Don't give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep
feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in
love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you
to be the first in generosity.

 -- Dr Martin Luther King Jr