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I don't know why this analogy came to my mind the other day, but I think friends are like a pair of shoes. They come new and sparkly, shining their personality and ready to be there at your beck and call. You are the same way in return. You appreciate their new and friendly personality, thinking your friendship will never be the same. You cherish the shoes, you took time to save up for the shoes, you appreciate the shoes, and maybe the shoes become a wonderful friend.
But then...the shoes start getting worn out or you have had the shoes for a long time. Either the friendship changes, the shoes grow old, or new and bright shoes come along. Are you going to hold on to your old shoes? I try to the best I can, because sometimes those shoes are my favorite. They are reliable and even though they don't always sparkle and shine, they still are my best shoes. I still love them just the same. I still invest in them to keep them happy and try to be there for them.
However, I have found that other shoes in return may want new sparkly shoes when you hit your low point. They aren't there for you...they vanish all of a sudden, don't stick around when you need advice, clam up and don't tell you what's wrong. Or, they get mad at you over silly things. I don't understand why this happens. Why don't shoes want to stick with other shoes that are true and reliable?
But maybe, just maybe...there a few jems that stick around through thick and thin. They stick with their favorite shoes. These shoes I am proud to call my friends, because even though these shoes may be worn and faded, they are lasting and loyal. They are always there when you need them. You are there for them in return.
Just like shoes, I think friendship is a two way street. You wouldn't go walking around with just one shoe, right? Well, that is why you need both shoes. Both shoes walk together, talk together, and help support each other. This makes sense because if something is wrong with one shoe...then you help get the other shoe fixed.
Otherwise, friendship is difficult. Friendship is hard. And friendship requires work.
Lately I have found that I have a lot of shoes in my life. Shoes that are peppy, happy, down, sad, mad, unloving, selfish, polished, perfectionists, loyal, faithful, you name it. Now...I realize that all friendships last if you make the effort. But sometimes I don't understand that just when you want to polish your shoes...they break off and leave. They don't want to stick around.
All I know is, no matter the mistakes I have made, no matter how hard I try to keep my favorite shoes around, some may not want to stick around in return. I guess I just need to be at peace with that. I guess I need to learn that I can only do my best and the rest is up to those reliable shoes that I once had. I just get tired of finding new shoes when I love my reliable shoes so much. Why do the reliable shoes get up and leave when I have been a faithful friend? I know they may be going through something hard sometimes, but if only they would reach out to a helping hand!
I am thankful for my closest and dearest shoes. I will forever love them, whatever their decisions in life may be and whatever they are going through. I do have a few shoes that love me for who I am and know that I try my hardest to be there for them in return. Like I said, friends are like a pair of shoes. In the end...which shoes will you be there for? Will you forgive? Will you love deeper, trust more, and hope more? I will certainly try even though it is hard when the trust is broken. I hope you will too.
Tags: Friends Are Like Shoes swalk1955
Sometimes, when all our doubts, fears and insecurities wrap
ourselves up, we always come up with the idea of "I wish I
was somebody else." More often than not, we think and
believe that someone or rather, most people are better than
us.- when in reality, the fact is, most people are more
scared than us.
You spot a totally eye-catching girl sitting by herself at
a party, casually sipping on a glass of Asti Spumanti. You
think to yourself, "she looks so perfectly calm and
confident." But if you could read thru her transparent mind,
you would see a bunch of clouds of thoughts and you might
just be amazed that she's thinking "are people talking about
why I am seated here alone?... Why don't guys find me
attractive? …I don't like my ankles, they look too skinny…
I wish I was as intelligent as my best friend."
We look at a young business entrepreneur and say "Wooh… what
else could he ask for?" He stares at himself at the mirror
and murmur to himself, "I hate my big eyes… I wonder why my
friends won't talk to me… I hope mom and dad would still
work things out."
Isn't it funny? We look at other people, envy them for
looking so outrageously perfect and wish we could trade
places with them, while they look at us and thinks of the
same thing. We are insecure of other people who themselves
are insecure of us. We suffer from low self-esteem, lack of
self-confidence and lose hope in self improvement because we
are enveloped in quiet desperation.
Sometimes, you notice that you have an irritating habit
like biting off your finger nails, having a foul mouth, and
you – of all people, is the last to know.
I have a friend who never gets tired of talking. And in most
conversations, she is the only one who seems to be
interested in the things she has to say. So all of our other
friends tend to avoid the circles whenever she's around,
and she doesn't notices how badly she became socially
handicapped – gradually affecting the people in her
environment.
One key to self improvement is to LISTEN and TALK to a
trusted friend. Find someone who you find comfort in opening
up with even the most gentle topics you want to discuss.
Ask questions like "do you think I am ill-mannered?",
"Do I always sound so argumentative?", "Do I talk too
loud?", "Does my breath smell?", "Do I ever bore you
when were together?". In this way, the other person will
obviously know that you are interested in the process of
self improvement. Lend her your ears for comments and
criticisms and don't give her answers like
"Don't exaggerate! That's just the way I am!" Open up your
mind and heart as well. And in return, you may want to help
your friend with constructive criticism that will also help
her improve her self.
One of Whitney Houston's songs says "Learning to love
yourself is the greatest love of all." True enough. In order
to love others, you must love yourself too. Remember, you
cannot give what you do not have.
Before telling other people some ways on how to improve
themselves, let them see that you yourself is a
representation and a product of self improvement.
Self improvement makes us better people, we then inspire
other people, and then the rest of the world will follow.
Stop thinking of yourselves as second-rate beings. Forget
the repetitive thought of "If only I was richer… if only I
was thinner" and so on. Accepting your true self is the
first step to self improvement. We need to stop comparing
ourselves to others only to find out at the end that we've
got 10 more reasons to envy them.
We all have our insecurities. Nobody is perfect. We always
wish we had better things, better features, better body
parts, etc. But life need not to be perfect for people to be
happy about themselves.Self improvement and loving yourself
is not a matter of shouting to the whole world that you are
perfect and you are the best. It's the virtue of acceptance
and contentment. When we begin to improve ourselves, we then
begin to feel contented and happy.
I hope that was useful?
Live, love and laugh
Tags: Confidence, swalk1955
Remember the days when people were sane?
Customs were kept and English was plain?
Polite conversation focused on rain,
and couples held hands along Lovers Lane. Rock was a boulder or seaside sweet,
men opened doors and gave up their seat,
the trains and the buses arrived when they should,
kids were young goats and f****ts meant wood. Couples were wed, then babies were born,
grass was thin green stuff, en mass called a lawn,
Big Mac was a raincoat, too large to fit tight,
old ladies felt safe in the street late at night. Joy-riding was something you did on a sledge,
pot was a vessel for boiling the veg.,
joint was the meat, the great Sunday roast,
junk went in bins not sent in the post. Gay people were happy, bad didn't mean good,
wellies weren't wanged but worn in the mud,
wicked meant evil and cool meant cold,
balls were round objects cricketers bowled. Songs had a melody, books had a plot,
a man in a skirt was always a Scot,
a tart and a crumpet were things that you ate,
and coke was a substance burnt in the grate. Remember the days when people were sane?
Customs were kept and English was plain
Tags: Remember, swalk1955
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MOTHER
Posted On 03/18/2011 10:43:06
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If I could give you diamonds
for each tear you cried for me.
if I could give you sapphires
for each truth you’ve helped me see.
If I could give you rubies
for the heartache that you’ve known
If I could give you pearls
for the wisdom that you’ve shown. Then you’ll have a treasure, mother,
that would mount up to the skies
That would almost match
the sparkle in your kind and loving eyes. But I have no pearls, no diamonds,
As I’m sure you’re well aware
So I’ll give you gifts more precious
My devotion, love and care.
Tags: MOTHER, swalk1955
I went to the church at a quarter past 4
Hoping to see someone, I opened the door
To my surprise no one was there
I looked and I looked but all in despair
So here I was all alone inside
I thought what should I do, ah this I haven't tried
I walked up to the pulpit and stood tall and proud
And began a sermon talking boldly and loud
I shouted at first and then messed up a few lines
I tried then again and talked about signs
"Jesus is coming" I said with a wail
"And signs are showing without fail
Do you see them, now how will you act?
What are you doing to announce this fact?
Oh people Oh people, can you not see?
We need to spread the gospel so they will all be free!"
I said it with authority and I meant what I said
And then I heard a sound, It was Pastor Ted
He looked at me and I looked back
Trying to slip away and out through a crack
I was so embarrassed, I just wanted to leave
Oh the things we say and the things we weave
He walked up to me and shook my hand
And then he asked me if that was all planned?
I said no, that I just got this feeling
And I said that I think our church needs a healing
We aren't doing enough, do you really think
What are we doing, where's the missing link?
Then Pastor Ted said to me, your gonna preach
Oh no not I, who can I reach?
I am only 12 and who will listen to a kid
But the Pastor made me do it and so I did
Sunday came and to the pulpit I went
I have no idea or how I was sent
But I went up there and words came out
First they were soft and then a shout
I shouted out loud what I had wanted to say
I said what are we going to do today
Do we come on Sunday's and then go home
And the rest of the week we are all alone
I'm only 12 but I can surely see
That this church is dead, Oh Jesus set us Free!
The boldness of a child was heard that day
The congregation knew and they began to say
The child is right, oh Lord help us now
Let us go out and let them say WOW
It took a child to have faith and to be bold
The Lord will use you too as it is told
Spread the gospel in any shape or way
Because Jesus is the same tomorrow, yesterday and today
Tags: I went to the church , swalk1955
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Wake Up
Posted On 03/18/2011 10:09:26
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Every morning when you wake up, you are given another day of life. This gift of life is precious. To say that it’s precious is really a colossal understatement. Being alive is more valuable than anything else that one can own and possess. The greater your appreciation for being alive, the more enthusiastic you will be when wake up each morning. Your Creator gives you life this moment for a reason. Your life is purposeful. Just imagine the enthusiasm you are going to experience when you realize that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is saying to you, "I am giving you life this very moment. Appreciate it."
Tags: Wake Up, swalk1955
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
Tags: Footprints - Touches the Heart, swalk1955
 The Easter Lily. For many, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers symbolize purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life—the spiritual essence of Easter.
History, mythology, literature, poetry and the world of art are rife with stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of the elegant white flowers. Often called the “white-robed apostles of hope,†lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ’s agony. Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress. Churches continue this tradition at Easter time by banking their altars and surrounding their crosses with masses of Easter Lilies, to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and hope of life everlasting.
Since the beginning of time, lilies have played significant roles in allegorical tales concerning the sacrament of motherhood. Roman mythology links it to Juno, the queen of the gods. The story goes that while Juno was nursing her son Hercules, excess milk fell from the sky. Although part of it remained above the earth (thus creating the group of stars known as the Milky Way), the remainder fell to the earth, creating lilies. Another tradition has it that the lily sprang from the repentant tears of Eve as she went forth from Paradise.
The pure white lily has long been closely associated with the Virgin Mary. In early paintings, the Angel Gabriel is pictured extending to the Virgin Mary a branch of pure white lilies, announcing that she is to be the mother of the Christ Child. In other paintings, saints are pictured bringing vases full of white lilies to Mary and the infant Jesus. St. Joseph is depicted holding a lily-branch in his hand, indicating that his wife Mary was a virgin.
The legend is told that when the Virgin Mary’s tomb was visited three days after her burial, it was found empty save for bunches of majestic white lilies. Early writers and artists made the lily the emblem of the Annunciation, the Resurrection of the Virgin: the pure white petals signifying her spotless body and the golden anthers her soul glowing with heavenly light.…
A mark of purity and grace throughout the ages, the regal white lily is a fitting symbol of the greater meaning of Easter. Gracing millions of homes and churches, the flowers embody joy, hope and life. Whether given as a gift or enjoyed in your own home, the Easter Lily serves as a beautiful reminder that Easter is a time for rejoicing and celebrating.
During the Victorian era, however, the very conspicuous stamens and pistils were removed because they were seen as overt symbols of sexuality that might move the congregation to impure thoughts (Sara Williams).
***** Easter morn with lilies fair
Fills the church with perfumes rare,
As their clouds of incense rise,
Sweetest offerings to the skies.
Stately lilies pure and white
Flooding darkness with their light,
Bloom and sorrow drifts away,
On this holy hallow’d day.
Easter Lilies bending low
in the golden afterglow,
Bear a message from the sod
To the heavenly towers of God.
Thoughts on the Easter Lily
Rightly the lily is the flower of Easter. It lies buried in the ooze of pond or stream. There is nothing in the grave of the dead lily that appeals to nostril or eye. But silently the forces of life are working in the dark and the damp to prepare a glorious resurrection. A shaft of green shoots upward toward the sun. This is followed by a cluster of tiny buds. One day the sun smiles with special warmth upon the dank, black ooze, and there leaps into the light a creature of light and beauty; it is the lily, an angel of the earth, whose look is light.
Tags: The Easter Lily, swalk1955
"The gifts of each and every member of Christ’s body are being called forth. Yet there is resistance within many persons to discovering and taking responsibility for their gifts. The first step in assisting people to identify their gifts is to help them become aware of the obstacles that are blocking them from acknowledging and developing their gifts. Five common reasons for avoiding an appreciation of one’s giftedness are: -
False humility. Many have been brainwashed into avoiding praise of our good qualities and abilities. Thus, many deny their gifts…Humility is truth. All persons, beginning in childhood, should be taught to understand that God has blessed them in unique ways and taught to praise and thank God for his goodness. -
We believe a gift needs to be spectacular and unique. With such an expectation, we often overlook ordinary gifts, i.e., listening, evoking laughter and mirth, making people feel welcomed or at ease. While looking for the sparkle and pizzazz of spectacular talents, we ignore our simple gifts that enrich human life. -
Assuming that if one has a specific gift, everyone else must have it too. -
Envying other people is a block to seeing one’s own giftedness. More time is spent wanting what others have than in appreciating and using the gifts one has received. -
The final deterrent is rooted in the many fears that surface when we are challenged to discover our giftedness. The principal fear is that if we acknowledge certain gifts, someone will challenge us to use them. Another fear is of becoming over-committed and overwhelmed."
Tags: Unwrapping, Your, Gifts, from, God, swalk1955
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