Dealing with difficult relationships - Speak the truth

I have prepared this piece actually for delivery to my cell-group that’s scheduled to meet on 29 Jan.

Thought I’ll post it here and share it with you. Your comments if any are of course welcome.

The subject matter for Bible Study this month is on “Dealing with Difficult Relationships” but tonight’s topic for deliberation which is Part 2 of our engagement is entitled “Speak the truth” and I am to lead.

Now one may ask what has the topic “Speak the truth” got to do with “Dealing with difficult relationships?” How do they sync? What’s the connection? How to apply it?

These are some of the thoughts I want you to focus on this evening.

You know, many of us grew up in the country from ordinary families and from young we were raised to “speak the truth”. I was anyway. I remember quite vividly that if I ever lied and was discovered, my mother would cane me severely and I would retreat to my little “corner” of the house and cry. That was a long time ago but it left an indelible mark on me.

Truly then to me “honesty is the best policy and it begins at home”. I believe it still does, agree?

When we are honest (with ourselves as well as with others), I tell you we stand tall among our fellow men.

Question is why do our parents want to teach or rather to instill in us this trait, the character trait of “telling the truth”? Now I know why, because in life I believe the character (as in integrity) of a person is everything.

(1) Speaking the truth builds character, agree?
(2) Not only that, “speaking the truth” is the very foundation for building and sustaining good and long lasting relationships.

And the whole of life is about relationships, isn’t it?

So let’s talk a little about “relationships”, yes of the human kind. What is it that makes a relationship tick or stick, and what is it that sours it as in a difficult or broken relationship?

When we know the causes for failure or success in a relationship, then we would know how to deal with relationships, don’t we? This is of course easier said than done.

It’s okay to have difficult relationships, who doesn’t? The important thing is when things go wrong we should ask ourselves, can we do something about them? The answer to that of course is plenty.

The Bible tells us, anything uncontrolled can harm our relationships.

Some of these things are: Anger (Pr 29:11), Drinking (Pr 23:29-35), Lust (Pr 6:26), A Reckless Tongue (Pr 12:18), Ambition & Worldly Desires (Pr 23:4), and even Spending or Over-indulgence (Pr 21:20).

So if you don’t want to harm or spoil a relationship what would you do? We must learn to control our anger, our tongue, and a host of sinful human desires. I think you know what these are.

Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken down walls.” Note in the time this was written, cities were safe only because of their walls. The moment we lose self-control or self discipline, we are actually a city without any protection already.

Self-control, as Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22 is a fruit of the Spirit. Ah, how do we catch it, that’s the problem? But mind you, not one fruit but there are 8 other very useful fruit of the Spirit to catch on too. I think you know what they are.

I think it’s true to say and that is this, we can live “an incredible life” thru’ the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit if we can catch it that is, literally speaking.

God’s spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-disciplined.

It’s no secret people who live by the “fruit of the Spirit” are among other things, more victorious in life including relationships than those who live by the “fruit of the flesh”. Agree?

If you live by the “fruit of the flesh”, you will soon discover that it doesn’t help in building up relationships. In fact I think the opposite will be true.

Let me ask you what then are the “fruits” of the flesh, you know those things that God detests or hates the most? Let me tell you from the Bible,

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Of the traits or sinful human desires which are the “fruit of the flesh”, the Bible tells us clearly to shun or abandon, see 2 Timothy Chapter 3 what Paul had envisaged:

"People will be lovers of
themselves,
lovers of money,
boastful,
proud,
abusive,
disobedient to their parents,
ungrateful,
unholy,
without love (hatred),
unforgiving,
slanderous,
without self-control,
brutal,
not lovers of the good,
treacherous,
rash,
conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Can you see the contrast between the two kinds of lives: (1) lives that are lived by the “fruit of the flesh” as opposed to (2) lives lived and led by the Spirit and what each can do to relationships? Think on it.

Now let me ask you 2 simple questions about another character trait which is “to speak the truth” or in essence “honesty”. (1) What does the world say about “honesty” and (2) What does the Bible say?

You all must know the stories of (1) Napoleon and (2) the story of late of Tiger Woods. What lessons can we learn from them?

Let me ask, what is the cause of each of their downfalls? I think a lot has got to do with “character”, more so than with circumstances or people.

“People”, “circumstances” and “self” govern our lives, don’t they? Of these 3, I think “our own-self” is our greatest enemy and most destructive, true or not?

Too often it is our pride, our stubborn ego, the “I must win attitude” which is the stumbling block to what could otherwise be a good and happy relationship.

Let me ask, “Of all the people you come in contact with, who gives you the most trouble?” D L Moody (one of the greatest evangelist of the last century) had said, “Actually, I have the most trouble with myself.” Any surprise?

Napoleon was reputed to have said, “Able was I ere I saw Elba” and these:

“If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing.”
“Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.”
“History is a set of lies agreed upon.”
”The surest way to remain poor is to be an honest man.”

Do you believe him? Hope we don’t go “bonkers” thinking about it. Many people in the secular world of course agree with him. That I think is the world’s view of “honesty”.

Napoleon was a sort of “hero” in his day but his success didn’t last long. The momentum of power, of greatness was not sustainable. I think he died in exile, a failure? So was Hitler, to name another world “hero”. Why?

You know, worldly success (wealth, fame and power) acquired or achieved out of deceit or dishonesty or vide ungodly means the Bible tells us, can never last. What God has not sanctioned, God will surely scorn or frown upon. The end result is always disaster, tragedy or disappointment.

So as Christians be careful when pursuing or gathering up your so-called “nest-eggs” while going up the ladder of success. In the end, God brings all the arrogant and dishonest men down on their knees, agree?

The Tiger Woods story - Another lesson about character?

This is what the good Pastor & a famed Speaker & Trainer in Leadership, Dr John Maxwell had said recently and I quote:

“Tiger's story is a cautionary tale about character. All of the momentum you build through decades of hard work and dedication can be erased if you do not craft the character to support it.

Character is forged daily through the decisions we make. It comes from within and cannot be purchased.

Be diligent about working on your character so that you become a person worth following and someone worthy of harnessing the momentum of success.”

They did a survey of 1,300 senior executives in America, asking what was the most important characteristic in a person. Out of 17 options, integrity was chosen by 76 percent as the top quality to have.

Indeed, integrity or an honest character is everything. Without it, all is lost. Honesty of course breeds trust, and trust is very important in a relationship.

Now, let’s see what the Bible in particular what the Book 1 Samuel teaches us on how character, and in particular honesty and integrity can literally make or break a person.

In the Book of Samuel is the story of 2 men, i.e. Saul and David, the character of each, so diametrically different and how they played out.

Saul was tall and handsome, the 1st chosen king of all Israel but he was not a good king. He glorified self more than he honored God. He heart was full of envy and he couldn’t stand anyone better than him. He disobeyed God and when things went wrong, he blamed others. He made promises he could not keep. He succumbed to living by the “fruit of the flesh”. The Spirit of God left him. The Prophet Samuel had to confront him on a relationship that had gone bad.

On the contrary, David was a man of faith in God. He wrote Psalm 23. He knew who his God was and what his God could do for him if he trusted in Him. Remember how he slew Goliath single-handedly with only one sling-shot.

David was a humble and quite insignificant shepherd boy, the youngest among the 8 sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. Small in stature, young and innocent, but God saw what He could do. Why chose him and not anyone of his bigger and physically stronger brothers? His character and integrity must have stood out for him. It was said that when he was called and was anointed by the Prophet Samuel to be the next king, the power of the Spirit of God came upon him.

Despite what Saul did to him, David had always respected Saul while he was alive as the rightful king and never once did he retaliate. That spoke loudly to me of the power of “self-control” and what it could do. This greatness is a virtue, a virtue I believe that was entrusted to him by God.

Obviously God liked David. Why, because he listened and obeyed the voice of God and that made him a very important person in the history of the Bible. One could say he is a giant amongst God’s great heroes, more has been written about his life in the Bible (other than our Lord Jesus) than any other person of God that we know of.

You know, one of the reasons why I believe the Bible is to be believed, the inspired word of God, is this fact that God has been dead honest with us in his word.

Look at how the great men and women of the Bible, the so-called “heroes” of the Christian faith were portrayed in the Bible, from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob to Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon; they were heroes alright but their lives were not lives that were lived without sin. On the contrary we can probably recall the times and name the event that these “heroes” have grieved God’s heart.

God could have with-held all those incidences of wrong doing from us, incidences that didn’t augur well for “heroes” and their like, but he didn't. Why is God then telling us all these?

I can think of 2 reasons. (1) That we learn lessons from them. More importantly (2), it reveals to us a side of God, a trade mark of His character i.e. an honesty and integrity that’s beyond reproach, that’s God’s character. He had to tell, no matter how hard it was.

Aren’t we glad that we have an honest God? So then if God is honest with us, it is natural that He expects us to be honest with Him too, see?

“Honesty” or as a whole, “integrity" has the power to build trust, and “trust” is what fuels a relationship. I ask you if no trust exists, what relationship does one has.

Trust is the very foundation for every (good & long lasting) relationship that we are going to have in life and honesty breeds that trust.

I am re-emphasising what you all already know. It’s good to remind ourselves every now and then, lest we forget what honesty can do.

Speak the truth. Transparency breeds legitimacy.

Someone had said that credibility is a person’s currency. With it, he or she is solvent; without it, he or she is bankrupt.

Whether we like it or not, this life is actually a life of relationships. Why, because I believe that no man (or woman for that matter) is an island.

Therefore, how we handle relationships is very important. You can say our happiness and success in life depended very much on it.

In conclusion, let me say this, let us always have the courage to speak the truth even though the truth hurts, but speak it with a loving kindness and show it, i.e. with a love and a kindness that's genuine.

Last but not least, my advice is: “say what you mean, and mean what you say always”.

You know what Billy Graham had said when asked how he wanted to be remembered.

“That I was faithful to what God wanted me to do, that I maintained integrity in every area of my life, and that I lived what I preached.”

May that inspire us, God bless.

The thought that matters

This is my first “message” of the New Year, the 112th one so far.

And I must say it’s great to be back after witnessing some of those fireworks at the dead of night last night which ushered us into a brand new year!

Whether those displays of fire-power had beaten last year’s, I am not so sure.

Nonetheless, it was a magnificent celebration! Why all that rattle and dazzle, I wonder? Does it mean anything?

Some of us believe that the bigger and the louder the “bang” we make at the start of New Year’s Day, the more successful the incoming year will turn out to be. I wonder but who wouldn’t want to have a more successful year that’s ahead?

We made it, didn’t we? Into 2010 I mean.

Aren’t we glad that the best and the worst of 2009 are now behind us?

To many of us it seems like a big leap forward, isn’t it? And to some perhaps it is a new dawn and a new hope.

Whichever, I hope our “batteries” have been recharged and we are ready to face 2010 with renewed vigor and enthusiasm that will propel us not only at the start but hopefully will continue to sustain us throughout the rest of the year.

Here are some of the New Year greetings I have received from my friends. I think they are very nice and I want to share them with you in this “blog”. They all mean well and I feel blessed.

“A New Year..
A New Start…
A New Chapter….
A New Beginning…..
Forget the BAD
Cherish the GOOD…I sincerely wish you and your family a very Blessed New Year.”
~Oh

“Wishing you a Happy New Year. May you become a more prolific blogger in 2010.”
~OKL

“May you and your family be blessed with things you pray for, granted the things you wish for, and rewarded with things you work for. May you have the gift of excellent HEALTH, LOVE, PEACE OF MIND, and GOOD SPIRIT. Cheers for the new and successful 2010!”
~Johnny

“May the Lord anoint and empower you to soar on wings of eagle. May the New Year bring abundance of peace, love and joy.”
~LY

“May you have a Great and Blessed 2010!”
~JJ

“Wishing you and your family a Blessed and Meaningful 2010.”
~Edmund

“To David, God Bless You and Family too. Have a blessed year.”
~Aaron

“Happy New Year! Just thinking of you. God bless”
~KC

“Happy New Year! May God bless you all richly…”
~FVS

“Hope you have a wonderful New Year. Happy Holidays! We wish you more adventures.”
~Helen & Jim Schwent

“Happy New Year! Remember to exercise (walk) at least once a week. Don’t quarrel with your sweetheart and be generous to say I Love You.”
~Doreen

“Success is not the key to Happiness. Happiness is the key to Success. If you love what you are doing you will be happy and successful. Have a Happy and Successful Year ahead!”
~Koh

“My wish for you in 2010: May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts; May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills; May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips; May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words ....may 2010 be the best year of your life!”
~Tan

Well, need I say anymore? Thanks to all of you my friends. You have made my day!

May God be with you always!

Let's relax, sit back and enjoy as Jeff Majors sings this beautiful Hymn, the words of which are taken from the well-known "Psalm 23". Thanks to "BlAtlnOgAp" for sharing it with us.

Yesterday's gone, tomorrow's new year's day

Stephen Hawking posted this thought provoking question some time ago to challenge all of us to seek a solution.

I think what he asked is still relevant today.

The question he asked was this and I quote:

"In a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?"

Think on it as we conclude this year (2009) with either a loud bang or a soft whimper and if you have a solution to it write to me.

I will close with this well known oldie, a song much loved by guys of my generation.

The sweet clear voice is from Mary Ford and the guitarist Les Paul really needs no introduction.

The song is entitled "Vaya Con Dios"(May God be with you). Cheers and Happy New Year!

2009's almost gone

It’s almost time to say goodbye to the year 2009. It has come and gone before our very eyes!

To some of us, we wish it could stay longer for one reason or another but to many it’s good riddance that the year is finally coming to a close. Whatever desires, time certainly waits for no man.

We had our good times and we have had bad times in 2009 too. As we reflect on these aren’t we glad that for better or worse, we are still alive and kicking?

Time actually doesn’t forget but time will certainly heal.

Even in our darkest day in 2009, there must be something good that we can extract from it. What is this “good”? Can we find it in the midst of life’s rumble and tumble?

Someone did say and I totally agree, “Life is tough but if you have the ability to laugh at it you’ll have the ability to enjoy it.”

You can’t undo anything you’ve already done, but you can face up to it. You can tell the truth. You can seek forgiveness. And let God do the rest.

You know, forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.

Indeed, you are richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven.

And if you haven’t done any of these, it is still not too late to do it. Just let your selves go. You are actually a bigger person than what you think!

Let’s embrace 2009 for the last time as we bid it adieu and let’s welcome 2010 with a big and cheerful heart.

Indeed, tomorrow is brand new day!

Though no one can go back and make a new start, but anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. What’s keeping us?

Happy New Year everyone and God bless.

Here's Westlife with an inspiring song entitled "Flying Without Wings", the music-video is courtesy of "Gawjus 109". Sing along with the lyrics and recharge the human spirit in you.

The 12 days of Christmas, does it mean anything?

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.

“The twelve days of Christmas.” Remember that one?

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge which won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

This week, I found out. The story goes…

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So (believe it or not) there is your "history" for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone!

This animated video-clip made by "chrispradeep" about the 12 days of Christmas is unique and worth viewing. Thanks to Chris for sharing.

Christmas and the real Jesus

Christmas is nigh and let me ask you when Christmas time is here every year what does Christmas actually mean to you? A time to enjoy and a time to reflect on what you have achieved so far and perhaps on what you couldn’t too?

Indeed, it is a time of celebration, a celebration of life, the good and healthy life that God has blessed us with if we are indeed the lucky ones for we must remember there are still many who are in pain or are struggling to make ends meet and for these there will be no celebration.

It is also a time of giving and for many a time for forgiving too.

Christmas conjures up a picture of Father Christmas, Christmas tree with multi-colored lights, sledge rides in the snow and perhaps Christmas songs ringer and linger longer in our ears more than anytime of the year!

It’s the holiday season and big sales are on in every shopping centre that you can find.

It’s also bonus time. To the employee, a time of great expectation but to the bosses or the businessmen, Christmas time can be a big challenge and a headache too, isn’t it?

But is that all Christmas is about? We know it is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but how many of us really know what is the significance of this birth?

It is hope that the world not only remembers Jesus’ birth but more importantly what he came to do. There is a solemn side to Christmas but alas, does the world care?

I hope we will take time to reflect, to remember Jesus for who he is and also for what he had done. Get to know the real Jesus real close, not what the world has generally made him out to be.

The Bible tells us because of what he had done, man can expect to live forever even after death in fellowship with God the Father, our Creator.

What a beautiful hope, a wondrous love and boundless grace that's being held out to sinners like us. That’s the Father’s love for all of us, incomprehensible but true!

So as we celebrate Christmas with thanksgiving, let us give a thought to Jesus, the Son of Man who gave his own life for the lives of his “friends” and the Bible again tells us we are his friends if we follow him.

Indeed, what greater love is there than this that a man is willing to lay down his own life for a friend?

If your life is not right with God, shouldn’t you make it right this Christmas? Go to a church, experience forgiveness and get God’s blessings. It’s never too early nor too late.

To all my readers and friends, I wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year

Cheers!

I hope you like this catchy number from Boney M entitled "Mary's Boy Child" the music-video courtesy of "Klonproduct".

Life is not always fair

Life is not always fair for if it is, it isn’t life at all.

Because life isn’t fair there lies the endless challenges and motivation that probably keep men and women reaching for the stars!

However, there is some consolation perhaps in the knowledge that the mass of men (and women too) actually lead lives of quiet desperation. Only that most of them are not telling.

You thought you’re damned but consider this: there are many people out there who are actually worse off or more damned than you.

So, when your chips are down don’t despair. Consider this: There is always someone somewhere in a more worrisome situation than you.

Someone once said, “We are born wet, naked, and hungry. Then things get worse.” Didn’t it?

Indeed that’s probably true for most of us but when the worse is over, there will always be something better to look forward to. As they say, there will be sunshine always after the rain!

The key to success in this life is you’ll have to chase after your dreams vigorously if not passionately, after all a man reaps what he sows.

That’s the way it is with life. The advice is: don’t stay permanently in the rut if ever you’re caught in one.

Consider what these wise men and women have said about life.

“Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”
~Mark Twain

“My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.”
~Cary Grant

“There is much in life that doesn’t have to be done instantly. There are phone calls that don’t have to be returned immediately. There are many difficult problems and decisions that actually improve when they are left to simmer a little while. The rhythm of life is intricate but orderly, tenacious but fragile. To keep that in mind is to hold the key to survival.”
~Judge Shirley M. Hufstedler

“Life is not a 100-yard dash, but more a cross-country run. If we sprint all the time, we not only fail to win the race, but never even last long enough to reach the finish line.”
~Joseph A. Kennedy

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say,” “I used everything you gave me.”
~Erma Bombeck

It’s alright if we didn’t make it in life. In the end, it’s not how much we have but how well we have lived; not how long it is but how good it is, are what matters.

I conclude with this often quoted prayer that’s found from an inn in Lancaster, England:

“Give us Lord, a bit o' sun,
A bit o' work and a bit o' fun;
Give us all in the struggle and sputter
Our daily bread and a bit o' butter.”

Cheers and God bless.

Let's listen to this beautiful hymn entitled "Deeper In Love" sung by Don Moen, the music-video courtesy of "worthlee".

My 100th blog

This is my 100th blog to-date and that calls for a little celebration.

Whether the readership of my Blog has gone up or not since I started to blog in December 2008, it doesn’t matter.

All I wanted was some place where I could just litter my thoughts for whatever they are worth and I think I have found it in this Blog.

It has given me numerous hours of joy and fun in creating stories, selecting music-videos that I like and I must have sipped thru’ literally thousands of quotable quotes to find those appropriate ones that I wanted to mention. Wow, it was painstaking to say the least, at times even exhilarating but it was good.

I don’t know who else I must thank apart from my host, Google’s Blogspot.com for making all these possible. God forbid that I should miss any one out whose credit is due. If I did, please forgive me. I want you to know that it’s inadvertent and not deliberate.

A big Thank You goes to all you good readers too for your patience and support. I hope you have enjoyed reading my pieces as much as I have enjoyed putting them down in this Blog for all to see.

Some day this Blog will have to come to an end. I don’t know when but so long as I have my breath and pen and God helping I will continue writing for as long as my love for it has not waned.

Well, you could say I have been smitten by a love bug for some time; that bug which is “reading and writing” I hope will stay on strong for the rest of my years!

You know, William Makepeace Thackeray once said, “There are thousands of thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up the pen and writes.” Do you know that you could be one of them too?

“The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium.” ~So said one Norbet Platt. This observation is very encouraging.

In conclusion allow me to echo what James Michener had said which is this, “I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.” Just imagine it! You could say I am in love with that too.

Did I say celebration somewhere well I am ready to go? So, I’m signing off but it’s just for now. I’ll be back.

Cheers!

Here's a lovely yet quite poignant oldie sung by Eddie Arnold entitled, "Yesterday, when I was young". Thanks to Khaled Seleem for sharing. Follow the lyrics and enjoy.

The 5 simple rules

This is a rather interesting piece taken from my Scrapbook, the author is not known but the wisdom is worth sharing. I shall post it here. It reads as follows:

Remember the 5 simple rules to be happy.

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start now and make a brand new ending.

God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain; But He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road humps, they slow you down a bit, but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don’t stay on the humps too long. Move on!

When you feel down because you didn’t get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God is thinking of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There’s a purpose to life’s events, to teach you how to laugh more, or not to cry too hard.

You can’t make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to the person to realize your worth. The measure of your love is when you love without measure.

In life there are very rare chances that you’ll meet the person you love and who loves you in return. So once you have it, don’t ever let go; the chance might never come your way again.

It’s better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride.

We spend too much time looking for the right person to love, or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.

When you truly care for someone, you don’t look for faults, you don’t look for answers, you don’t look for mistakes. Instead, you fight the mistakes, you accept the faults, and you overlook the excuses.

Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place. Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older. Encourage others with a demonstration of your love for them.

Have a great and wonderful day, today!

Hi Dolly

Dolly Parton, pic courtesy of snarkerati.com

I love Dolly Parton, dubbed America’s Queen of Country Music. Who hasn’t heard of her?

Did you know that she was born in Sevierville, Tennessee USA on 19 January 1946, the fourth of twelve children? That makes her my contemporary by age but unlike me an unknown, she is a world-class celebrity.

She remains one of the most-successful female artistes in America with twenty-five number-one singles and a record forty-one top-10 country albums.

She is also a hugely successful songwriter, having written more than 3,000 songs and has been inducted (in 2001) into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

She is known for her distinctive soprano, sometimes bawdy humor, flamboyant dress sense and voluptuous figure.

Indeed, her unique natural voice and style is beyond compare. An excellent artiste I must say.

Listen to this selection which I have chosen and you’ll see what I mean. The title of the song is entitled "Letter to Heaven".