Family Time

Ciao, 
I love finding quotes that seem to really speak to me.  I can be a very introspective person. Always trying to figure out why I think certainly things, how things make me feel, etc.   Basically trying to find those qualities that are uniquely mine.  


During my daily "quote"  travels, I came upon this one and it spoke volumes to me.  And, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't share it with you. 


  "No matter what you've done for yourself or for humanity; If you can't look back on given love and attention to your OWN family, what have you really accomplished?, Lee Iaocoa 

My mind then started to drift into thinking about the different styles of families these days.  I went onto the web to look for photographs that enhanced the meaning of the quote.  I soon found myself laughing at my labels for the different types of families the clip art best depicted.  Hope these bring you some laughs too!

The Rockstar Family 

The Gym Going Family 

 Single Parents @ The Park 

I brought myself back from the daydream I seemed to have derailed to.   Family, pre-derailment topic that was on the table.

"We need to start saying, " I love you" out loud more often, rather than just thinking it.  When given a change, be an attentive listener, putting down your magazine or turning off the TV and/or computer screen while someone is talking to you.  Make time to sit down and engage in conversation -- actual sentences back and forth - not grunts and nods as you , or they, dash out the door or look back over a shoulder.  Make eye contact.  Tell a joke.  Make yourself, and those around you, laugh.  Have fun.  Be a kid again.  Lighten up!  Give yourself a compliment"

"Your Turn:  Today, start by saying, "I love you" and expressing appreciation to your friends and family members as the most important job and priority on earth.  After all -- it very much may be".

 As I've mentioned many times, I adore reading.  My inspiration and quotes for the chat today came from the book, Good Morning, 365 positive ways to start your day by Brook Noel, author of The Change Your Life Challenge.  I highly recommend this book if you find yourself in need of positive messages and/or just need a gentle reminder.

MsPhotoShooter  xoxo

Real Love

I just downloaded an app on my iPad called, "The Love Dare ~  Day By Day".   The words and reminders about how to live life are very valuable.   Many people think of the Love Dare as a book for marriage based on the movie, Fire Proof.   However, I believe these words of wisdom can be used with any kind of relationship.  Even if you are the only one living/acting  this way, it will still improve the relationship by 50%.   


To me, personally, life is all about family.   There is nothing I would put before the health and happiness of my family.   I honestly love from such a geniune place.  There have been times in my life when I have been hurt because I love so openly and put my heart out there for all.   I'd rather be hurt than to go through life being any different.   I also believe strongly in forgiveness.   People make choices and/or behave based on where they are in life and what they know.  If they knew better, they would act better.  I believe people deserve second changes if they are genuinely sorry and want to make amends.  Life is way to short to hold in anger.   

Loving God and others is what life is really about.  No matter who you are or what you do, it comes down to whether you'll live a life of love or not.  And there is a vast difference between the two.   One is PRICELESS... and one meaningless.

Love is the most important ingredient to any meaningful relationship.  It is fundamental to true significance.  Your quality of life is directly tied to the amount of love flowing in you and through you to others.   Love is infinitely more valuable than riches, fame, or honor.

The absence of love leaves a devastating void.  When it is not present, your spirituality becomes superficial, your benevolent deeds self-cetered, and your sacrifices insincere.

Prayer:  "Lord, teach me what real love is and make me a loving person." 

I lift my friend to YOU !

Casting Crowns – Prayer for a Friend

J:    May he someday find peace with his spirituality and realize he needs to know your love. 

C:   May she continue on this spiritual and life changing journey.  May she know that through your love and guidance that she will find the perfect path to achieve her dreams.

B:   May he someday realize how much he is loved by me and that family relationships are important in the grand scheme of things.  May you watch over him and keep him safe.  

J:   May he continue to find the strength and health to take care of,  F,  and may his life burdens be light so he can enjoy these later years.

F:   May she open her heart and mind to asking for help so,  J , doesn’t have to take it all on and he can enjoy his own time left on this earth.  My she embrace her medical conditions and act accordingly to improve her life.  

J:   May he someday come to peace with his childhood and open his heart to being loved. May his children someday learn the truth and be reconnected with family that was taken away from them many years ago. 

E:   May you watch over him as he grows up.  Give him strength that he needs to be a child of divorced parents and to always know he is loved unconditionally and the divorce had nothing to do with him.  May he also realize how much joy he has brought to my life that never existed before him.

M:   May you watch over him as he goes through treatment for his cancer and help lead him into remission.   

G:   May she find the strength to take care  for , M , both physically and emotionally, during this difficult time and may they have many more years together.

J:   May he someday come to realize all members of his team have  value in their own way.  

D/J:   May they understand the hurt they caused by their actions and be patient while others recover from it.  May they find peace within their hearts and let go of their  hatred.

S:    May he someday understand that being a good father is not measured by how much money you give your kids.  Instead, may he realize they would prefer quality time with him and to know  that his love is genuine and unconditional.   

M:   May she find comfort in knowing she has become such a wonderful, spiritual, and gracious women.  May her family and friends realize how much she loves them and their importance in her life.  May she be blessed with improved health and vitality for her remaining years. May she realize her potential and follow her dreams.  

These friends I lift up to you !

Amen !

Prayer For A Friend lyrics

Lord, I lift my friend to You, I've done all that I know to do

I lift my friend to You

Complicated circumstances have clouded his view

Lord, I lift my friend up to You

I fear that I won't have the words that he needs to hear

I pray for Your wisdom, oh God, and a heart that's sincere

Lord, I lift my friend up to You

Lord, I lift my friend to You

My best friend in the world, I know he means much more to You

I want so much to help him, but this is something he has to do

And Lord, I lift my friend up to You

'cause there's a way that seems so right to him

But You know where that leads

He's becoming a puppet of the world, too blind to see the strings

Lord, I lift my friend up to You

My friend up to You

Lord, I lift my friend to You, I've done all that I know to do

I lift my friend to You

Adele

To be young and oh so talented.  Adele, she is an inspiration to all.  She is not the perfect weight, but she is perfect for herself and that is all that matters.   She is such a role model to other young girls.  Be yourself, imperfect at your best. Believe in your dreams and don't let anyone stop you.

Take a look at this video and you can't help falling in love with her.  

Great Book & Powerful Message

My daughter and I went to the Family Christian Store the other day and I found this book (shown above). After only reading the first couple of pages, I felt like I was meant to read this book.  It's powerful message made me stop in my tracks and think about my life.  I'm a firm believer that God puts perfect situations/people/etc.. in our path to learn a particular lesson at that moment in time.  As they say, "When the student is ready, the Teacher appears".   So true in my case.  

This book spoke right to my heart.  In fact, I was so impressed that we ran out the very next day to get a copy for my daughter.  I plan to highlight passages that have special meaning to me and I knew she would want to do the same. 

I know God has a plan for us.  We need to appreciate where we are in life, because we are exactly where we should be at this perfect moment.  

"God's choices for you on this leg of the marathon was by design.  

That's why you're here.  In this position.

Facing this project.

Married to that man.

Involved in that friendship.

Dealing with that issue.

Living in that neighborhood.

Spearheading that committee

Participating in that activity.

Mothering those children.

Living this life". 

Sunday Morning

I love Sunday Mornings... I feel refreshed after having been to church the night before.  Church certainly makes me feel centered and content.

Today, my beautiful daughter and I went to our local Starbucks to have our coffee.  We ordered some delicious drink concoctions with whip cream to go with our tasty blueberry scones.  We sat in the comfortable leather chairs and out came our books, laptops, etc.

Yep, she is one of those that had the special order
Extra Carmel on that Frappacino ! 

It took me a few moments before I could relax and focus on my book with all the energy surrounding me.  The after church crowd had arrived for their Sunday refreshments so the place was hopping.  The Barista working seemed amped on caffeine and was trying to keep up with all the orders coming in.  The orders of triple pump this, double cup that, extra hot or iced that, and extra carmel on that Frappacino.   Oh Boy !

Wise Words

Very wise words...