"What have YOU given, today?"

Hi everyone.  I want to keep it on a light note this week.  Encouragement.  Many people are going through very difficult situations and times in their lives right now.  Some are having financial difficulties.  Some are facing forclosure of their homes.  Some are having problems with their children being disrespectful and disobedient.  While others are dealing with husbands or wives or other relatives.  Some have family in nursing homes.  While others are facing emotional difficulties, feeling lonely, left out and afraid.
We may be one of the ones going through right now.  Sure, we can sit back and feel sorry for ourselves, because lets face it, we tend to be really good at that.   But it has been found that when you step outside of your own circumstances and help someone else, in any way that you can without expecting anything in return, that it always seems to strenghten you, and it will most definitely lighten your burden, encourage you, and make you feel like you can go on a little further in this life.  Like YOU really can make it.

So here is the question,

How can YOU help?  What have YOU given today? How have YOU reached out to help a fellow brother, sister, or some other needy soul today?  Did you  lend a hand to someone, today?  What have YOU said to encourage or lift someone up today?  Who did you champion or defend today?  Did you rally round them, make them feel special, needed and necessary, lift up their confidence level?  Did you support or cheer on someone today?  Did you help to improve someones existance today?  Who have YOU blessed, no matter how great or small, today? Did you pay it forward today, maybe pay for someones groceries at the grocery store?  Or put money in their parking meter?  Did you bear anothers burden, today?  Who were you strength for, today and not asked for anything in return?

Now, tell us what YOU did, today.

Take Time Now!

So, I was watching the funeral services for the late Whitney Houston, may she rest in peace, and serveral things totally amazed me.  First, I saw more mega stars gathered together in one place, for one common purpose than I have seen gathered together for any reason, in a long time.  Albeit, it was not the best of circumstances, but the point is, that they were there.  All personal issues or disagreements put aside for that one common cause.  Then, everyone suddenly remembered their spiritual backgrounds. 
So many were quoting scripture, and some even went into a worship mode.  Wow!  And, one of the Mayors wanted to lower his flag half staff, like for the death of military personnel, fallen hero or a Presidents.  But what amazed me the most was all of the wonderful alcolades and praise that Ms. Houston recieved, and thats all fine and well, but she will never hear them.  Hundreds of people proclaimed their love, devotion and admiration for her, but she will never know.  Tears were shead by millions.  But she will never know.  Now, this may sound harsh, but why is it that it takes an event like "Death" to bring us together, and make us remember who we are, and who we came from?  And, how much greater would it be if someone cared enough to come or go, and check on those we say we love?  How great would it be if we treated people this wonderful when they are still alive?  And how much more awesome would it be if we told people everyday, how very special they are to us, or how much they mean to us, while they can still hear us?  While they can still appreciate what they hear?  Maybe, it would help them through the more difficult times in their lives if we took the time to reach out a hand and help in some kind of way.  We know the crys for help when we hear them, but many times we chose to ignore them.  But what it we told them that you do matter, and I do care.  I know what you're going through.  I feel your pain.  I see your struggles and your private battles.  That you mean the world to me.  And my life without you would be empty.  I'll fight for you.  I'll stand in the gap for you.  They can't hear you when their dead.  They can't see the beautiful flowers then.  By them some flowers now.  They can't hear you sing to them then.  Sing them a song now.  Even if you think its corney.  Tell them now that you appreciate them.  Take time now.  Because then, no one will hear except Jesus.

So guess what?  All of the above is the question.

Now, tell me what you think.

'RELATIONSHIPS PART II"

Ok, we got some really good comments about "Relationships" and how if your best friend developes a serious relationship with someone else it may be best to back off and allow that relationship to blossom, but, another felt that until that relationship is sealed with a ring and an "I do" then its still up for grabs.  Someone even said that they felt that all of them should still be able to be friends, as long as it was ok with both parties.  And that is all fine and well. 
Many people however, get into relationships because of a feeling, or because of the way someone may look.  Do they really count up the cost?  Many times, no.  So consequently, they end up attaching themselves to someone that is either not on the same level as they are, or that is not their spiritual equivalent.  Those relationship don't last very long because they are not able to manage the conflict in their relationship that will without a shadow of a doubt come, and they blame the other person, instead of looking at themselves and standing on what God's word says.  So, here is the question.  Again, it will be multi-facited.

In Jewish culture, as with many other cultures, it is a priority to date and eventually marry a partner that has been raised with the values and traditions of that culture.  Knowing this, does that even matter to you?  When looking for a person to possibly date, what attracts you to that person?  What characteristics/strengths do you look for in a person that makes you want to give your time and attention to them?  What types of relationship would are you more likely to get involed with or not get involved with?

1.  Interfaith (Different religions)
2.  Interracial (Differnt ethnic backgrounds)
3.  Intergerational (An older or younger person)
4.  Online (Someone you met online)
5.  Long Distance

Do you have a type and are you willing to step outside of that type and maybe go for personality instead of what your norm is?  What would your ultimate soulmate be like?

Now, tell me what you think.

"RELATIONSHIPS"

Ok, we're going to lighten things up a bit.  Since Valentine's Day is the following week, February 14th. to be precise, we will discuss a subject that should be easily palatible (or easily to swallow).  "Relationships!"  In part I, will discuss "Friendship" relationships, and how having a friend, a true friend, is probably one of the most important and healthy things that you can do for yourself.  Why?  We will find out.
In part II we will discuss the other side of relationships, LOVE!  But first, let us define "Friendship." 

Dictionary.com defines friendship as, The state of being a friend; harmony, accord, understanding and rapport, with another individual. 

After interviewing a young lady and young man about friendship they defined friendship as, having someone you can trust, someone you can confide in, someone you can rely on, someone you can use as a sounding board, someone who's there, someone who has your back, someone who respects you, someone who understands you, someone who makes you laugh, someone who lifts you up when you are down, someone who has goals to achieve and come into agreement with you to achieve your goals, someone who will not lie to you but will always tell you the truth even when it hurts.  A friend will not sit back and watch you make mistakes or knowingly allow you to make mistakes, but will try to help to guide you in the right direction.  A friend is wise, real, honest and true.
Sometimes friends may have strange relationships that others may not understand.  I mean being brutally honest with each other, but they understand each other, and they get along with each other.

When I asked the young lady why she thought it was important to have a friend, she replied, "Because when you feel lost, like the whole world is against you, it's always good to have someone to talk to, to help talk you out of things sometimes that maybe you should not be doing.  Someone to be there for you.  And if I did not have a friend, I don't know what I would do."

So, here is the question,

Is it possible to have a true friend, or are they all just associates?  Is it possible for a man and a woman to be close best friends?  Can you be brutally honest with your friend, and still be friends?  How did your relationship with your best friend change when THEY got into a different serious relationship?  And, lastly, give shout outs to your best friend and let them know how much they mean to you.  This can be done annonymously if you'd like.

Now, tell me what you think.