Chapter 7, Page 31, Book 15

Are you a SNIOP? Someone who is Sensitive to the Negative Influence Of Others? 

Zig Ziglar

July 31 - Being sensitive is a wonderful thing, except when it's not. ...

To be sensitive is to feel the thoughts and hearts of others as only you would want yours felt. 

Author Unknown

What Highly Sensitive People Do

 They feel more deeply.

They're more emotionally reactive.

They're probably used to hearing, Don't take things so personally, and Why are you so sensitive?

 It takes longer for them to make decisions.

They are more upset if they make a  bad or wrong decision.

They cry more easily 

The list goes on and on, but we all get the idea of who and what they are like.  I know a few that fit this picture, but although they are highly sensitive, it’s not everyone that can be sensitive to what others need. Everything has a good side, and a bad side. The bad side of being sensitive is that it causes us to take a lot of things personally that we shouldn't.

Being supportive and sensitive to others is to not invalidate their feelings by belittling, diminishing, rejecting, judging or ignoring them.  Being sensitive is a good thing, in part, because it allows us to be sensitive to the hurts and needs of others. It is the sensitive side of our spirits that allows us to show and feel compassion to the hurts of others. Sensitive people are needed in the hurting world we live in today.

THINK before you speak. Ask yourself if what you are going to say is:

 T = True

 H = Helpful

 I = Inspiring

N = Necessary

K = Kind

Put the accent on the sense in sensitivity

Chapter 7, Page 30, Book 16

 I see the moon, the moon sees me

The moon sees somebody I want to see 

 So, God bless the moon and God bless me 

 And God bless the 'Somebody' I want to see…

July 30 - Love, a connection that defies distance

I have a large family and many of them live far away.  There are also a few of my loved ones who have died, but no matter who or where they are,  I feel as if my loved ones are always just as close to me as my heart because it is there that I keep them.

My mother loved robins and each time I hear a bird chirp, I think of her.  The sight of a butterfly, the feel of a breeze or raindrops, or the scent of flowers often remind me of a special someone. The pink glow of sunset or perhaps the warming oranges of sunrise is one of my favorite times to send a thought on the wing of a prayer. And knowing that we can all see the sun, the moon, and an array of twinkling stars when we look to the skies, the monthly full moon is a special time to connect with our loved ones, or the first star you see each night, knowing that they, too, are gazing into the night sky and sending love. 

So many little things remind us of those we love and help keep us connected.

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight

 Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight ...

song by James Horner, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, which originally appeared in the 1986 animated film An American Tail 

Chapter 7, Page 29, Book 15

A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. 

Leonard Nimoy 

It would be great if we could preserve our memories by sealing them in a jar to have on view when ever we want.  For me pictures do just that.  One picture can say a thousand words when it opens up a corner in my mind full of memories.

My grandmother had a fruit cellar where she put all the bounty from her garden sealed in jars and place on the shelves.  I can still remember them and the coolness of the cellar.  When you opened up a jar of pickles or beets, you could taste the freshness straight from her garden.  

But those jars didn’t fill themselves.  It took a lot of TLC.  That is the way it is in life.  If we want to preserve some good memories we need to take the time to love, to give others some tender loving care.

One thing about having lots of good memories is that you have to make them happen .  All the little things in life that make life worth while turn out to be great things when done with love.

Memories help us to manage time past, enhance time in the present, and provide continuity and meaning for times to come.

Chapter 7, Page 28, Book 15

Do you wish the world were better?
Let me tell you what to do —
Set a watch upon your actions, keep them always straight and true;
Rid your mind of selfish motives; let your thoughts be clear and high;
You can make a little Eden of the sphere you occupy.

Do you wish the world were wiser?
Well, suppose you made a start —
By accumulating wisdom in the scrapbook of your heart;
Do not waste one page on folly, live to learn, and learn to live;
If you want to give men knowledge, you must get it, ere you give.

Do you wish the world were happy?
Then remember day by day —
Just to scatter seeds of kindness as you pass along the way;
For the pleasures of the many may be oft times traced to one,
As the hand that plants an acorn shelters armies from the sun.


By Ella Wheeler Wilcox 

July 28 - To love others makes us happy.

The good we do today becomes the happiness of tomorrow. 

To be better, wiser and happier takes a whole lot of loving.  

Love means that everything is right with the world. Love and only love. Love means that you are content within your own heart and in the presence of the person that you love, who fills your day and makes you stronger and wiser, and gives you the confidence to go out into the world. Love is just the most beautiful, joyous feeling.

Pierce Brosnan

Try not to wait for the perfect moment

Enjoy the moment and make it perfect !

The joyful people are those who are generous and kind,
The miserable people are those who are selfish and unforgiving.

The problem solvers are those whose lives are powered by faith and optimism.
The problem people are those whose lives are drained by doubts and pessimism.

The winners are those who learn to take full responsibility for their actions.
The losers are those who blame others for their failures.

I'm stronger because of the hard times,

 wiser because of my mistakes, and happier

because I have known sadness. 

Chapter 7, Page 27, Book 15

There is a destiny that makes us brothers:
None goes his way alone:
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back onto our own.

Edwin Markham

July 27 - you are my destiny

You mean the world to me…

All the decisions you have made throughout your life have brought you to where you are today. That’s powerful, when you think about it. In other words you manage your life by the decisions you make.


Sow a thought and you reap an action;
sow an act and you reap a habit;
sow a habit and you reap a character;
sow a character and you reap a destiny. 

Anonymous

If you let others make decisions for you, then you’re giving them the key to your destiny. That key is yours! You were born with it. It is your way to take charge and take control.

It's the actions you take when no one is watching
and the kindness you share when there is nothing to gain
that shows the depth of the love in your soul.

Chapter 7, Page 26, Book 15

You have to take
the good with the bad,
smile when you’re sad,
love what you’ve got
and
remember what you had.
Always
forgive but never forget,
learn from your mistakes
but
never regret,
people change,
things go wrong,
just remember,
life goes on.

Love doesnt give up just because someting goes wrong or because your feelings are hurt.  God is in charge, so those who love just keep on loving.

Anonymous

July 26 - Love is not a quitter

Hope is not the closing of your eyes to the difficulty,
the risk or the failure.
It is trust that if I fail now, I shall not fail forever.
And if I am hurt, I shall be healed.
It is a trust that life is good and love is powerful.

Do not lose hope in those who have lost hope.

I can and I will... Watch me!

The best way to encourage others may be to just be near.

Anyone can slay a dragon, he told me, but try waking up every morning and loving the world all over again. That's what takes a real hero.

Brian Andreas

Chapter 7, Page 25, Book 15

You can fall in love at first sight with a place as well as a person.

Alec Waugh

July 25th - it was love at first sight

There are places we fall in love with.  We fall hard and we fall fast.  

I remember a house I fell in love with.  I’d occasionally pass by it on my way to somewhere else.  It was on a street I used to cut through on my way to the bank, the grocery store, to the dentist and the doctor’s office.

I drove by it many years and fell in love with it.  The house was surrounded by big trees and had lots of shade on hot sunny days.  It had a little balcony over the front door with a flag pole mounted on it and I could just imagine standing there watching the flag flying in the breeze.

It had a sun room off to the side that was lined with many windows and I often thought how nice it would be to sit inside and watch life go by.

How hard it is to escape from places. However carefully one goes they hold you — you leave little bits of yourself fluttering on the fences — like rags and shreds of your very life. 

Katherine Mansfield

How I wish I had pictures to show you, but sadly I don’t.  I can still see it all right there in my mind.

As it turned out we bought that house and lived there for 17 wonder filled years.  I miss that house that I fell in love with, but the memories that were made there will never fade away.  

We laughed and loved there and raised our family and had so many hopes and dreams.  It is unforgettable.

Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming!

Joseph B. Wirthlin

The pictures today are of a house in a museum I visited.  It was built inside a building to preserve the contents.  A house inside a house.  I loved the feeling it radiated.  A pioneering spirit of the times when people were building a new country.

Chapter 7, Page 24, Book 15

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

 Antoine de Saint-Exupery

July 24th - love harmonizes

If I see everyone as family...
it becomes easy to remain loveful.

Focus on compromise and collaboration, harmony will be restored

When conflicts arise, we need recognize that those with differing views are not out to get you, but merely approaching things from a different point of view. The best remedy is to seek to find points of agreement and work together to build compromise.

You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note. 

Doug Floyd

I have lots of fond memories from when my children were young and one of those was our family council.  We’d gather around the dining room table and talk about what ever problems each one had that week.  From the oldest to the youngest everyone was invited to express their views and ways to solve the problems.   Not every problem had a solution, but I was always amazed at what my children came up with.  

Harmony is pure love, for love is a concerto.

 Lope de Vega

It was one way I tried to make sure that the children realized that a family is a unit that works together for the good of all.  It’s sad that we all can’t sit down and discuss problems with each other.  One thing I’ve learned is that what I can’t think of, someone else can.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Mahatma Gandhi

Chapter 7, Page 23, Book 15

The traveler sees what he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see.

G.K. Chesterton

July 23rd - love to travel

A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia. 

Author Unknown

When we view life with traveler’s eyes  we do not simply focus on what we hoped or planned to see, as a tourist might. Instead, we set aside preconceived notions and expectations. We soak in the experiences of the present moment.

Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.

Ernest Hemingway

I like to think that I journey through each day as a full participant, engaged deeply with the world and open to new lessons, new insights.  To be  utterly transformed by everything I encounter, I walk with traveler’s eyes along the blessed and sacred journey of life.

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears.

Cesare Pavese

Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come.

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.

Henry Boye

The pictures today are from a little trip to the Ohio River last summer. It was beautiful!.  Some days my life runs smoothly like a gentle river. Other days, I may compare it to white water rapids.  Regardless of the circumstances, I  know this, too, shall pass.

Chapter 7, Page 22, Book 15

Love is not blind - it sees more, not less.  But because it sees more, it is willing to see less

 Rabbi Julius Gordon  

July 22nd - love sees beauty

Life isn't awful.... It's Awe Full.
You've just got to look at it right.

From one of my morning reflections this week :

Natural beauty shines forth on a clear summer day. When I look at the world with loving eyes, I see God expressed in all things.  I  can see the radiant light of God in all of nature from the plants to the animal kingdom. Grass flows in a sea of green across lawns and parks. Flowers burst in colors as radiant as a fireworks display. Trees stand tall, clothed in lush leaves and gentle blossoms. God is in the flight of the robin and the pounce of a squirrel.

There is beauty in nature and in every person. It is in the laugh of a child, the twinkling eye of a friend, and the smile of a stranger. I see beauty in and around me. Beholding God’s glorious creation, my heart is filled with love and gratitude.

When I read this reflection,  I knew I had to share it as it expresses so well how I feel about summer.  These July days have included a lot of rain but there have also been lovely ones that just radiate beauty everywhere.

Loving people live in a loving world.
Hostile people live in a hostile world.
Same world.

Wayne Dyer

I’m so thankful for the ability to see it all.

For the beauty of the earth,
   For the beauty of the skies,
For the Love which from our birth
   Over and around us lies:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise.
For the beauty of each hour
   Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
   Sun and moon and stars of light:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise.

Christian hymn by Folliott S. Pierpoint

Chapter 7, Page 21, Book 15

Let me be a little kinder, Let me be a little blinder To the faults about me; Let me praise a little more, Let me be, when I am weary; Just a little bit more cheery, Let me serve a little better Those that I am striving for. Let me be a little braver When temptation bids me waver, Let me strive a little harder To be all that I should be; Let me be a little meeker to the brother that is weaker; Let me think more of my neighbor and a little less of me. 

Author Unknown

July 21st -  With a little help, I can love a little more

Because we have love in our hearts, we are hopefully kinder, praise filled , cheerful, striving, and meeker.  Thinking about others more than we do ourselves.  But I know that I need a little help now and then and prayers are often said towards that purpose.  

We all have wants, needs and desires. These feelings indicate what we value most. But, sometimes, wants, needs and desires come into conflict, and we must decide where to invest our time and attention. It’s our choice.

Just as the body needs oxygen to live, the soul needs love to thrive.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Galatians 6:2

Chapter 7, Page 20, Book 15

Tell me I'm clever, Tell me I'm kind, Tell me I'm talented, Tell me I'm cute, Tell me I'm sensitive, Graceful and wise, Tell me I'm perfect - But tell me the truth.

Shel Silverstein

July 20th - The way of truth and love has always won

There is greatness within you that can only be reached by being honest about who you are. Let go of the pretenses, and let that greatness shine through.

Oh the messages we send...There is a story of a doctor who tried to place a stethoscope on a little girl's heart, telling her that she wanted to listen to it.

Oh, no! the little girl protested. My heart is in my back.

Where did you get that idea? the doctor asked.

Well, when I do something good, Grandma pats me on the back and says, 'Bless your little heart.'

Grandmas always seem to give their hearts to their grandchildren, but we need to remember how they perceive the truth.

As endearing as this story is, the little girl misconstrued the truth of where her heart was.  Sometimes without meaning to, we can cause others to believe something that isn’t true.   Our words and our actions are so important.

You have a unique and valuable perspective to offer the world. Be honest, without compromise, about what matters to you, and bring your own special treasure to life.

Ralph Marston

It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving

Chapter 7, Page 19, Book 15

Life is but a Dream
A boat, beneath a sunny sky
Lingering onward dreamily
In an evening of July

Children three that nestle near,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Pleased a simple tale to hear

Long has paled that sunny sky;
Echoes fade and memories die;
Autumn frosts have slain July.

Still she haunts me, phantomwise,
Alice moving under skies
Never seen by waking eyes.

Children yet, the tale to hear,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Lovingly shall nestle near.

In a Wonderland they lie,
Dreaming as the days go by,
Dreaming as the summers die;

Ever drifting down the stream
Lingering in the golden gleam
Life, what is it but a dream? 

Lewis Carroll

July 19 - love is what dreams are made of

Having the wisdom to know that life is but a dream does not mean that we ignore living.  Achieving our dreams isn't just about relying on your own instincts, we also need support from those around us.

I’ve got rhythem, you’ve got rhythem

We need to be with people whose hearts beat with the same rhythm as ours or else, we are are out of tune.

Who could ask for anything more...

 Everything has a rhythm. The universe has a rhythm. The planets in our solar system have a rhythm. The earth has a rhythm. The seas have a rhythm. The four seasons have a rhythm. Our bodies have a rhythm. Our heart has a rhythm.  Can’t you hear my heart beat?

You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.

Walt Disney

Our dreams are our dreams alone until you find people to share it with.  A strong support system is crucial to being successful no matter what your goal is. Just like how a bridge can’t stand by itself, it’s harder to make a dream a reality on your own.

Love is what dreams are made of.

Anonymous

Chapter 7, Page 18, Book 15

Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, Remember me to one who lives there, He once was a true love of mine.

Simon and Garfunkel

July 18 - Thyme to love

In Medieval times, the herbs mentioned in the song represented virtues that were important to the lyrics. Parsley was comfort, sage was strength, rosemary was love, and thyme was courage.

According to the language of herbs, Thyme brings with it the meaning of AFFECTION.

I think that it is truly all about THYME.  Thyme that we take time to love.

As we live in a fast paced world we rarely stop and take a break and do something that we really love. We tend to forget to appreciate, to laugh and to care that we take for granted the many good things we have in life. Don’t let time pass without connecting to your loved ones or to your own self as well.

Make Thyme to Live,

to Laugh

and to Love!

Chapter 7, Page 17, Book 15

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

July 17 - LOVE REJOICES

We may not always have something to be joyful about but, whenever I find myself with a bad attitude, I try to remember this verse.  Even in the midst of situations that are depressing and negative.  It’s our choice; no one can force us to be in a negative mood if we don’t want to be. Our attitude depends on our mental focus which depends on our choice. The choice to rejoice often must go deliberately against how we feel. 

Love is not rude. It is not self seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  When it boils down to it, I would say that to have a bad attitude is a waste of time.  

The body heals with play.
The mind heals with laughter.
And the spirit heals with joy.

I’m not saying I’m perfect.  Far from it, but I’m working on setting my attitude straight and striving to love more each day.  I need to have that joy in my life that aways hopes and perseveres.  Negative attitudes not only drag us down but those around us too.  

No qualifiers, no exceptions, no ifs , ands, or buts, love bears up under anything and everything that comes.  

Rejoicing helps prevent us from grumbling and complaining.   Rejoicing in all things helps us ward off self pity.

Rejoice always !  Walk in love.

Chapter 7, Page 16, Book 15

Family Reunion - July 2015

Connecting with those you know love, like and appreciate you restores the spirit and give you energy to keep moving forward in this life.

 Deborah Day

July 16 - Life Without Love Is Lifeless

Love restores our hope, removes fear from us.  When we restore something we bring back into existence, to bring back to an original or normal condition.  There have been many times my hope has been lagging and because of that my spirit is sagging.  Restoration was needed to set things right, to make me whole again

Life is a journey…take a friend with you 

Love is one thing that renews us and keeps us going for the long haul.  Without love we are nothing.   A life without love would be meaningless: nothing: without value and without substance.

Loving is the main purpose for living

The cure for all ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word 'love.' It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life. 

Lydia Maria Child

Chapter 7, Page 15, Book 15

Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle.

Marianne Williamson

July 15  - Love is a miracle

True love is night jasmine, a diamond in darkness, the heartbeat no cardiologist has ever heard. It is the most common of miracles, fashioned of fleecy clouds -- a handful of stars tossed into the night sky. 

Jim Bishop

In reality everyhing around us is a miracle if only we can learn to see and recognise these miracles.  I’ve learned that by living your life as if everything is a miracle, every moment becomes something to savor and live in awe of. You naturally get to feel great appreciation and gratitude for your life, knowing that you are blessed with such miracles all around.

Love is the great miracle cure. Loving ourselves works miracles in our lives.

Louise L. Hay

Love is much greater than what we feel romantically. It is what makes us sing, dance and makes us human.  In the grander scheme of things, nothing else truly matters. The size of our homes, bank balances, the beauty of our loved ones, the speed of our car, all those things pale into insignificance when we face the miracle of love.

Love Others Today: God has strategically placed you where you are right now. Be a light that shines in the darkness.

There are so many simple things we can all do on a daily basis to bring more love into our lives. Together we can all make this an even more beautiful and miraculous world than it already is.

Remember: 

If you don't believe in miracles...
perhaps you've forgotten...
You Are One.

Where there is great love there are always miracles

 Willa Cather

Chapter 7, Page 14, Book 15

A heart is made of wishes and love makes those wishes come true.

July 14 - If wishes were kisses

 If kisses were the water I would give you the sea,
If hugs were the leaves I would give you a tree,
If love was time, I would give you eternity.

There are many types of kisses. There’s the kiss you give your children. There’s the kiss you give your sister…There’s the kiss you give your spouse!...A kiss is an expression of love and affection. 

Kisses kept are wasted;
Love is to be tasted.
There are some you love, I know;
Be not loathe to tell them so.
Lips go dry and eyes grow wet
Waiting to be warmly met.
Keep them not in waiting yet;
Kisses kept are wasted.

Love

 One word that's worth a thousand pictures. - Inspired by Psalm 85:10 

Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.

This verse says that these seeming opposites have met together. They have kissed each other.  As friends and lovers do; as they do who have been long separated; as they do who, after having been alienated and estranged, are made friends again.

Mercy and truth have met together. They are not strangers no matter how far apart we separate them.  Truth reveals the nonnegotiable facts of life and will not compromise. Truth shines light on reality and does not care to hand out sunglasses. The greatest love affair with the greatest kiss is when righteousness kisses peace. 

A kiss is never just a kiss.  

We are blessed with peace through our faithfulness and Love. May we share this peace,  be humble, caring and loving in all we do and say, and share our hope with all.

Sending lots of Love and Kisses your way today !