True Friendship...

What does it really mean to have a true Christian friendship?  I have learned over the past few weeks how it feels to be alone, yet lifted up by wonderful and amazing friends that have given unconditionally to our family.

In John 15:13 it says, "Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends".  Jesus' love for us is unconditional, sacrificial, and never selfish.  By valuing what your friends need the most, you are well on your way to love like Jesus.

Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times"....sure a true friend does.  They pick up the phone to make sure you are okay during times of loss, sickness, sadness, or just to see how you are doing.  They don't necessarily want anything from you in return, and are always willing to listen...knowing all along that they may need your shoulder someday also.  In a true friendship, you build each other up.  You receive strength, encouragement, and love.  They listen when you talk, they cry when you cry, and they laugh when you laugh. "As iron sharpens iron, one man (or in my case woman) sharpens another."Proverbs 27:17.

This blog today is being written after sitting at choir practice, watching the new friends I have met, and with one special "old" friend (and her hubby) that I "got" in my divorce from my ex-husband...we actually laugh about this all the time.  I have studied about relationships...real relationships...I have read articles about when we surround ourselves with people of like minds we begin to think and act alike.  How do your friends influence you?

Do you feel like they are bleeding the life out of you, or are they laying down their life for their friends?  We have had the opportunity the past two weeks to be in need of help from our friends, some just a gentle reminder that they are there, others the fact that they asked off work to attend a funeral was unforgettable.

Tonight I want to say thank you...

Thank you for being there when I needed you, and even when I didn't
Thank you for being there through the good times and the bad
Thank you for being the one to encourage my sadness and my happiness
Thank you for catching me before I fell down
Thank you for wiping away the tears when I was crying
Thank you for cheering me up and making me laugh
Thank you for the great memories
But mostly thank you for being you!!!!!

You all know who you are, but most of all I hope this encourages you to thank your friends and remember that sometimes when they need you the most, you need them too.  I am praying for all of you...my friends, because yes, it is not often I ever admit this, but I need you too!

If I had to do it again....

If I only had five minutes more
The things I would have shared
The thank you's I would have said
I never got to tell you how much you meant to me
Or that you were the best father-in-law,
Better than any man could be.
The last time I talked to you
I wish I would have know
I would have said I love you
And held your hand alone.

If I only had five minutes,
I would give you one last hug
I would not complain of cooking you a well done steak
Or frying you a piece of chicken
I would tell you we won't like living without you
And tell you that I will miss you
More than you would ever know.
I would pick you up and take you to where ever
you would like to go.

Before we knew it
You were standing at heavens door,
Now God has called you
To drink pepsi at the Pearly Gates.
It is time to get your wings
To leave this world of pain behind
And all of heavens angels are singing
Because you have arrived.

I have had two angels fall in my lap
That would make me laugh when I was down
To fix my heart and made me smile
You have wiped my tears with your gentle hand
I knew that no one would ever understand
But you said it would all be ok.
You showed the love that never dies
Yet you have gone ahead.

I know will see you again
So be waiting for me to come
Just be patient, my friend,
The best is yet to come.

We love you, Poppy....

I can't really express my words for this wonderful man that left a legacy longer than I could ever express.  I am so grateful to be part of his family...

The habits of happy people!

What makes you happy?
First of all, money is not in the equation, it does have an influence, but let's remove this factor.  According to David Myers, a professor of psychology and author of The Pursuit of Happiness: Who is Happy and Why?, "We are social animals.  We come with a deep need to belong.  So people who have close, supportive, intimate relationships with others are more likely to report themselves as really happy people".

I received today the Phoenix Focus (the alumni publication from the University of Phoenix) and an article in the magazine was about happiness.  It suggests these 12 tips for a happier life:

1. Count your blessings.  Be aware of all the good things in your life and express gratitude for what you have.
2. Cultivate optimism.  Make an effort to see the upside of a situation and surround yourself with positive people.
3. Avoid social comparison.  This is a tough one in our aspirational culture, but it's well worth cutting down on how often you dwell on your problems and compare yourself with others.
4. Practice acts of kindness toward friends and strangers.
5. Nurture your relationships.  Don't take your friends and family for granted.
6. Do more activities that really engage you.  This increases what psychologists call the "flow" state where you're totally absorbed in what your doing.
7. Savor life's joys.  Go over them by wither writing them down or thinking and talking about them.
8. Commit to your personal goals.  Pick at least one significant goal and devote time and effort to pursuing it.
9. Develop coping strategies.  Practice ways to get through or get over stress or trauma.
10. Learn to forgive. Letting go of old hurts and resentments frees your mind and heart.
11. Practice religion or spirituality.  Research shows people who do so are happier.
12. Take care of your body. Exercise, meditation, and laughing all count.

Now when I read this the very first thing that jumped out at me was to count my blessings and to practice religion.  This comes from a secular school that at no point during my studies (even in a religion class) implied there was any faith at all!  The excitement flooded me when I read this because of the 1000's of people this may have gone to!  All of the alumni at UOP receive this!!!!  Wonder how many read it?  

The bottom line is that happiness is a choice.  One of the quotes in another article discussed approaching life from a point of abundance rather than a point of lack.  How many of you all approach happiness, life, or business this way.  A quote I found in the internet that explains my IPhone....

"I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love, and abundance.  Then whenever doubt, anxiety, or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal and soon they'll forget my number".  If we make it a habit to think happiness, abundance, and love then maybe it is true...doubt, anxiety, and fear may eventually forget my number....

I pray each of you had a blissful holiday season and am excited to see what 2012 brings for our family.