Grown-up Girlfriends Part 4

Okay,

In this chapter, we learn that every relationship is different. For each relationship, we achieve different levels of intimacy. The levels of intimacy are:

· Cliques
· Facts
· Opinions
· hopes and dreams
· feelings
· faults, failures and fears
· legitimate needs

Reading further, I learn that not all friends are on the same level. Nor should they be. Each relationship can serve different purposes for different people. The more intimate levels are harder to maintain, but more substantial.

To be more clear, the authors used the basket analogy to illustrate. Putting all friendships in one basket makes the relationship too stressful for both of you. Also, it doesn't give the friendship a chance to shine. Because you are too busy trying to make everything perfect. For example, I will highlight the most intimate stages of friendships. Baskets one and two.

In basket two, you have five to twenty friends . You talk beyond the surface with these friends. You share opinions and facts, often moving between levels.

Basket one holds one to four friends . These are your closest friends. You share your hopes and dreams. These are your friends of the heart; although they require the most time and trust, they are the most rewarding.

People With Disabilities are getting the recognition they deserve!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

Let me start this post by saying I'm sorry it's so late. I was able to spend the day enjoyably, surrounded by family. Besides the continuous worry over househunting, we were actually able to take a break from it all and spend time together . For example, we headed out on Saturday for a adventurous trip to Cedar Point. It was truly just that -an adventure! Both coming and going ..

On to today's post, I really don't know how to explain it, but I think the link explains itself. Take a look..

http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/05/25/hows-your-news-to-mtv/

Reflections on my current situation

Okay,

So lately I've realized strange circumstances causing me to reflect back on the changes have been in my life. I thought I would share just one of these with you. I came upon this post while I was simply searching for new material to talk about, but it ended up being just what I needed for the day. You know what they say God always provides us with the while we need rather than what we want. After all, he knows us better than we know ourselves. It's trusting in the relationship that's the hardest part.. That goes without saying.

Unlike people, God's promises last. People may have the best intentions, but they are prone to make mistakes. For more information on why God's promises are everlasting, see one person's view at:

http://lifefaithdisability.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/god-in-your-desert/

Encouragement: Blessings From Readers

Okay ,


Today is starting to look up, thanks to my readers. As you know, moving is turning out to be a difficult change for me. Leaving my friends, the life I created for myself here etc. Anyway, I was feeling down yet again. But thanks to a reader who commented on my page, I was forced to look back on a earlier posts. That post featured inspirational quotes from famous people such as Helen Keller. The quotes that impacted me the most today were as follows:


6. No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.
8.When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us
9.When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another

That being said I just wanted to let you know your comments do mean a lot to me. They remind me why I do this blog and are such a big encouragement like a unexpected sunshine on a rainy day. Just to know I am reaching some one makes all the difference for me on my rough days. So thank you.

Living the dream, despite a disability

Everyone,



I hope everyone enjoyed my words of wisdom from last week. I forgot to pre-post on Friday, I'm sorry. My trip was eventful, starting with the birth of my second niece, Rebekah Lee and continuing with our various househunting adventures. As time goes on, I have become more convinced that events like these serve as "transitions" as we maneuver through the many different stages of our lives. These not only challenge our thinking and our way of life, but help us to mature as adults. In the end, the move does have family oriented goals, but I can't ever forget who I am and what I want from it...or I will forget myself and my dreams for the future.



Anyway, sorry for the ramble. These are just occasional thoughts that I have to get off my chest. I'm sorry also for posting this a day late, it's just that I have been overcoming a cold since I returned. As a result, I am not feeling very creative. But I was able to find this little gem of wisdom on the Internet. I thought it appropriate since the Olympics is coming up. The video features an unlikely runner trying his best to live a normal life, and accomplish the impossible despite the pessimism of others.

Please take a look:

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&vid=8d590c86-01b9-4f62-9cc8-b08c2fd59e02&fg=rss&from=im_m_35-49

Encouragement: Truly Loving Someone

Hello,

Here is installment number two for this week. This post was brought to you by my Google alerts. One of the links offered in my e-mail was related to the importance of truly loving someone with a disability. The author has a interesting and worthy prospective on the issue. Please feel free to take a look.

The website can be accessed at:http://lifefaithdisability.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/outdo-one-another/

Important message on the Pledge of Allegiance

Hello everyone

Over the next week, you will notice some interesting posts. This is because I will be out of town. My family and I are headed to Virginia to accomplish a variety of tasks. The first and most important, I may actually be there for the birth of my second niece, Rebecca Lee. We may be also looking at houses.

Thankfully, that doesn't mean my readers have to go without my "words of wisdom" for a week. I can put posts up to be published for a later date. As a result, here is my first installment. I was given this as a forward from a friend. This e-mail highlights the daily significance of those freedoms that we often take for granted. As a matter of fact, many of these freedoms are a issue of controversy right now. One of those being the Pledge Of Allegiance. Here is one presidential candidates view. In the words of John McCain:

John McCain's remarks about the Pledge of Allegiance


In light of the recent appeals court ruling in California , with respect to the Pledge of Allegiance, the following recollection from Senator John McCain is very appropriate:


'The Pledge of Allegiance' - by Senator John McCain
'As you may know, I spent five and one half years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. In the early years of our imprisonment, the NVA kept us in solitary confinement or two or three to a cell. In 1971 the NVA moved us from these conditions of isolation into large rooms with as many as 30 to 40 men to a room.

This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful change and was a direct result of the efforts of millions of Americans on behalf of a few hundred POWs 10,000 miles from home.

One of the men who moved into my room was a young man named Mike Christian.
Mike came from a small town near Selma , Alabama . He didn't wear a pair of shoes until he was 13 years old. At 17, he enlisted in the US Navy. He later earned a commission by going to Officer Training School Then he became a Naval Flight Officer and was shot down and captured in 1967. Mike had a keen and deep appreciation of the opportunities this country and our military provide for people who want to work and want to succeed.

As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of these packages were handkerchiefs, scarves and other items of clothing.

Mike got himself a bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple of months, he created an American flag and sewed on the inside of his shirt.

Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike's shirt on the wall of the cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

I know the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important part of our day now, but I can assure you that in that stark cell it was indeed the most important and meaningful event.

Two perspectives on Mother's Day

Everyone,

With Mother's Day fast approaching, I thought I would focus today's blog on just that. Mothers. I don't know about you, but I don't think I could ever live without mine. I have always loved my mother. For how dependable she is and how she always cares for me. That will never change no matter what circumstances may bring. Over the years, though, I've seen it develop into something different. Something deeper than I ever imagined could happen. A friendship. Today, she not only see me as her daughter. But as a woman with the same dreams and desires as anyone my age.

This idea got me thinking..There are in fact two different ways for me and just about anyone to look at Mother's Day. The first perspective is the most obvious. Taking the day to honor our mothers, for the women they are and the lessons they've taught us. These can be unique among families; for me, the lessons consisted of three important categories.

• Faith
• Endurance
• Perseverance

Growing up in my mother's friendship, I have learned to appreciate my mother's stories. They have taught me much about my family history, helped to explain how I react to things, and explain what traits have been passed down from generation to generation. I have also learned to view my mom as the individual she is. Too often, it is difficult to separate one's position from the individual. Don't get me wrong, she will always be my mother. But she is a woman first and foremost. She has the same types of fears, hopes and dreams that I do. It took me a while to realize this, but once I did.. wow , everything changed. I began to see my mother in a different light. I don't know, how it happened.. but it did. Slowly..

One particular moment I remember is in the day she decided she was going to learn to play the piano. She was so determined. She wasn't going to let anything stop where from accomplishing this lifelong dream. After only briefly discussing this with us, there was a piano in our front room. And to this day, you can hear her practicing her scales whenever possible. She is getting pretty good actually, for as much as we tease her about it. Sorry mom.

On the other hand, I have also began to to view Mother's Day in a more womanly way. Some day, I hope to have children of my own. That's a dream of mine, but if I can't, I realize I have a even bigger opportunity to touch people's lives through the opportunities God gives me in the future. This is exactly what happened to Joni Erickson tada. She was able to touch the lives of so many just through her work with Child Evangelism Fellowship.

For more information on the organization, go to. Http://www.cefonline.com/

The sparrow

Pop quiz..

Do these words sound familiar?

"I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free. For His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me."

This popular refrain as well as complete song was written by Civilla D. Martin in 1905. That song as well and many others remains a constant source of hope and strength for Christians today. Looking further, the lyrics bear a strong resemblance to that of Matthew 10: 29. In this verse, Christians are reminded that nothing happens without God's permission- that's what makes him sovereign. On a personal level, this weekend has taught me that simple lesson. I'm still trying to comprehend why things are happening the way they are, and why I'm reacting to them the way I am. As the result, I think I am going to take a few days to sit back and reflect on my life.

So please don't worry..

You can also go to http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/_/Martin_Civilla_D/?sortby=author
to find other inspirational songs

God go with you,
Debbie.