"Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it."
-- Ralph Marston
There are so many people in my life that I appreciate. There are so many people who I feel have really contributed to who I am as a person. People who were in my life a long time ago. People who are in my life now. People who were in my life for a short while. People who have been in my life for as long as I can remember. I feel as though every time my heart beats it is grabbing onto the love that I have for those people. I am so fortunate to have been shown love by so many different people who have each had something to contribute to my life. My life has been very full because of them. I've been reflecting a lot lately on how grateful I am for the many connections that I have made with other people in my life - even those people with whom I have reconnected through social media despite not having seen them in many years. I've also been reflecting on whether or not these people who I value so much and hold so dear in my heart know how grateful I am for their presence in my life. As a culture, we tend not to express our appreciation or affection to people unless we feel that we are very close to them. Even then, we may say "I love you" or "thank you" and give them a kiss or a hug. But it is very rare for people to express exactly what it is about a friend or loved one that they really appreciate - that has really made a difference in their life. I have decided that in order to enrich the lives of the people who I appreciate and love, I am going to express my gratitude to them. I want them to understand that I value them. That I am happy that they are in my life. You never know what tomorrow holds. I don't want a day to come that I regret not having shown my love, appreciation and gratitude to someone who is important to me. I am making this promise to myself today. And if you are reading this, I really appreciate you taking the time to read my thoughts. I am flattered that you care enough about me and value my ideas enough to read them. And I encourage you to join me in expressing gratitude. Let me know how it goes. I'd love to hear your stories!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Greatest of These is Love
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." ~ 1 Corinthians 13
Yesterday the Appeals Court in the state of California struck down Prop 8, which banned gay marriage, declaring it unconstitutional. Several other states are working on legislation that would legalize gay marriage. A spokeswoman for Minnesotans United for All Families said, "There's no reason for government to restrict the freedom to marry." I actually find it very sad that there are people in this country who have found the person with whom they want to spend the rest of their lives who are being denied this basic freedom. Loving others and being loved in return is the very essence of being human. It really is that simple. Imagine a world where love was the common currency we all used rather than fear, hate and judgment. But everywhere we turn, these things surround us. I am a member of the PTA at my daughter's school. At the beginning of the school year, I started a new committee, the Respect Committee, of which I am currently the chairperson. The purpose of the Respect Committee is to help the teachers execute the state-mandated curriculum which was introduced as part of new anti-bullying legislation that took effect in New Jersey in September 2011. But rather than teaching how not to be a bully or how to know if you are being bullied, we are focusing on character education. We are trying to teach the kids to have confidence, to have respect for everyone regardless of who they are, and to be kind, compassionate, tolerant people. We are trying to do anything we can to make a difference in the lives of these children. But its hard. Its hard when you stand on the playground after school and hear parents passing judgment on other parents or even on other children. Its hard to teach a message of acceptance and that our differences should be treasured rather than berated when children are surrounded by messages of intolerance. Like gays not being able to marry. Like a classmate being looked down upon because of how they look or act. Like adults not speaking to one another because they don't see eye to eye. Where is the love in these acts? I have been blessed with a lot of love in my life. Love from family members, friends, teachers, coaches, sorority sisters, neighbors. My cup runneth over. And I will let that love spill freely to those around me, especially my children. But more importantly I want to teach them to give their love to others - freely and without fear. Acts of love fill the hearts and soothe the spirits of other people. There is no more important accomplishment that I can think of than making a difference in someone's day because I showed them love - through a kind gesture, word, hug, kiss, smile. And when you deny someone love, you deny yourself love, as well. You have put a limit on how much love you are willing to let into your heart and soul. But love is limitless. Fear, judgment and hate place these made-up limits on how much love people are willing to let into their lives. Fear, judgment and hate, in the case of gay marriage, is placing limits on how people can show their love. Stop living with fear, judgment, and hate. Open your heart. Be good to people. Embrace who they are instead of criticizing who they are not. Free yourself of limits. Allow peace to occupy your heart. Live a life of love.
Yesterday the Appeals Court in the state of California struck down Prop 8, which banned gay marriage, declaring it unconstitutional. Several other states are working on legislation that would legalize gay marriage. A spokeswoman for Minnesotans United for All Families said, "There's no reason for government to restrict the freedom to marry." I actually find it very sad that there are people in this country who have found the person with whom they want to spend the rest of their lives who are being denied this basic freedom. Loving others and being loved in return is the very essence of being human. It really is that simple. Imagine a world where love was the common currency we all used rather than fear, hate and judgment. But everywhere we turn, these things surround us. I am a member of the PTA at my daughter's school. At the beginning of the school year, I started a new committee, the Respect Committee, of which I am currently the chairperson. The purpose of the Respect Committee is to help the teachers execute the state-mandated curriculum which was introduced as part of new anti-bullying legislation that took effect in New Jersey in September 2011. But rather than teaching how not to be a bully or how to know if you are being bullied, we are focusing on character education. We are trying to teach the kids to have confidence, to have respect for everyone regardless of who they are, and to be kind, compassionate, tolerant people. We are trying to do anything we can to make a difference in the lives of these children. But its hard. Its hard when you stand on the playground after school and hear parents passing judgment on other parents or even on other children. Its hard to teach a message of acceptance and that our differences should be treasured rather than berated when children are surrounded by messages of intolerance. Like gays not being able to marry. Like a classmate being looked down upon because of how they look or act. Like adults not speaking to one another because they don't see eye to eye. Where is the love in these acts? I have been blessed with a lot of love in my life. Love from family members, friends, teachers, coaches, sorority sisters, neighbors. My cup runneth over. And I will let that love spill freely to those around me, especially my children. But more importantly I want to teach them to give their love to others - freely and without fear. Acts of love fill the hearts and soothe the spirits of other people. There is no more important accomplishment that I can think of than making a difference in someone's day because I showed them love - through a kind gesture, word, hug, kiss, smile. And when you deny someone love, you deny yourself love, as well. You have put a limit on how much love you are willing to let into your heart and soul. But love is limitless. Fear, judgment and hate place these made-up limits on how much love people are willing to let into their lives. Fear, judgment and hate, in the case of gay marriage, is placing limits on how people can show their love. Stop living with fear, judgment, and hate. Open your heart. Be good to people. Embrace who they are instead of criticizing who they are not. Free yourself of limits. Allow peace to occupy your heart. Live a life of love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)