Angelova Boyanka from Bulgaria shows red ball who is boss at the European Championship Final in Torino 2008.
Click to view the video: https://www.flixxy.com/gymnast-performer-boyanka-angelova.htm
No To Climate Totalitarianism
Personal Freedom IS The Greater Good!
Some may not be aware of it but to attain and maintain personal freedom does require that the individual operate ethically and responsibility for himself and others.
Running On Empty
The whole world paused this morning.
Do you know why? Because an 8 year old’s tank was empty.
The boys had already started their school day at their desks and I was preparing to leave for work when I noticed my littlest standing in the bathroom wiping his face.
I paused at the door and asked if he was okay. He looked up with tears silently dripping and shook his head. When I questioned if something happened, again he shook his head.
So I sat on the side of the tub and pulled him in my lap. I told him sometimes our heart tanks feel empty and need to be refilled.
He cried into my chest and I held tight.
I asked if he could feel my love filling him up?
A nod, and tears stopped…
I waited a minute…
‘Has it reached your toes yet?’
He shook his head no…
‘Okay man. We will take as long as you need. Work doesn’t matter right now. School isn’t important either. This right here, is the most important thing today, okay? Filling you back to the top. Is that good?’
*nods*
One more minute…
‘Is your heart full of mamas love now?’
‘Yeah…’
*looks in his eyes* I see it shining in there, you’re full to the top, and you’re smiling!
Y’all. You may not be 8- you may be 28, 38, 48 or whatever- but ALL of us run on empty just like he did. His weekend was so busy and so full and his little soul was just dry!!!
We all have to pause, and take a moment to refill with the good things. Scripture, prayer, sunshine, worship, song, laughter, friends, hugs. Refill your empty, or you’ll find those emotions (tears, anger, snappy words) overflowing with no reason why.
Take a moment. Refill. It’s the most important part of your day!
Paper Airplane – Return Flight
Cody Bret On Love
I Hope You Find A Love That…
This is not only what to look for but also the beingness to aspire to.
I hope you find this.
I hope you find the type of love where there aren’t any mixed signals, just you and your significant other looking at each other across the room and as soon as your eyes meet you can’t stop smiling.
I hope you find a love that’s selfless. The type of person who would do anything for you with no questions asked.
The type of love where someone simply has your best interest at heart.
The type of love where your happiness makes up so much of their own.
I hope you find a love that’s willing to make sacrifices. The type of person who will meet you halfway.
I hope you find a love that’s faithful. Every time you look at them, you know there isn’t anyone that can shake what you two have together.
I hope you find a love that forgives you. The type of person who can see you make mistakes but also helps you to learn from them.
The type of person who can see you at your worst and still think you’re irreplaceable.
The type of person who understands you will never be perfect, but looks at you like you’re the greatest thing that’s ever came into their life.
I hope you find a love that supports you. Someone who not only supports your dreams but wants to see you succeed in all aspects of life.
I hope you find a love that will fight for you. Someone who will always be in your corner.
Someone who will continue choosing you on a daily basis.
I hope you find someone who shows you effort with each day that passes.
The type of person who won’t let you walk away but goes after you if you try to.
I hope you find someone who heals you. I hope you find someone who teaches you that you didn’t deserve what happened to you in the past. I hope you find a love that appreciates you.
I hope you find the type of love that never stops saying thank you. The type of love that even after a long time they are still impressed by what you do for them.
Someone who truly values you for who you are as a person.
I hope you find a love that’s your best friend. Your loudest laugh. Your biggest smile. Your number one fan and your happiest memories.
Because you deserve it.
~ Cody Bret
Another post about strangers – and the elderly
Linda Paice writes:
I thought of this as I was driving home just now and saw an old man walking slowly along the street, then he turned around and started shuffling the other way. I was worried he was confused and lost, so I pulled over and observed him.
After a minute, it looked like he was just exercising as he was going up and down the block, but I wanted to make sure so I drove around to the other side of the road and through my window asked cheerfully if he was exercising. (Cheerfully as I didn’t want to possibly make him feel strange about being checked on due to being old!)
He instantly smiled a warm, friendly smile and walked straight over to my car and said yes he has a heart condition and the doctor said he has to exercise. We launched straight into a great chat, him asking if I live in the neighborhood, proudly pointing out his pretty house, me asking where he was from and that kind of thing. It was so sweet!
As I drove away I was thinking of how he instantly engaged and went from looking somewhat forlorn to so bright and happy to be connecting. I’ve seen this so many times with elderly people. It breaks my heart to think of how overlooked and neglected they can be within society. We’re all busy and rushing about, it’s easy to pass by without considering that, but many old people are desperately lonely.
So, I thought I would post this should it inspire someone to reach out to an elderly stranger or an elderly person they know. Whether it’s a longer visit or just a quick chat – sometimes, if there’s no chance to stop, even eye contact and a warm smile visibly makes a world of difference.
And to be clear, the joy is not one-sided! Old people are the best! So wise, such incredible experiences and stories, and those beautiful old school manners and values. They just melt my heart!
So I’m sending some love out to them!
Your Trace Cannot Be Erased
Quote of the Day
“If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” – Steve Jobs, Entrepreneur (1955 – 2011)
Cutting The Grass
This is my neighbor.
He has no idea I took this photo from my window.
When my husband was deployed, one of the worries we had was about the grass.
Who would maintain the yard?
I could go out there and cut the grass myself, but with everything I had on my plate with the two girls, I wasn’t feeling it.
We could try and find a lawn service, but that still meant me having to make sure it got done and that they did a good job.
I wanted as little additional worry as possible while my husband was deployed.
This is where Steve comes in.
I sent him a text and told him about the deployment. I wasn’t sure if he would say yes, but I asked.
“Could you help cut our grass? He will cut it today before he deploys tomorrow, but it would be great if you could cut it and help me maintain it while he is gone. We can pay you.”
He responded right away that it wasn’t a problem at all and that he would not accept payment. He wanted to help.
I let my husband know, and we both breathed a sigh of relief.
When your husband is deployed, whatever worry you can take off your plate means the world.
Knowing the grass would be taken care of was enormous stress off my shoulders.
About an hour later, daddy was playing with his girls.
He was trying to soak up as much time as possible with them before deploying the next day.
He told them he could play for a bit, but he also had to go outside and cut the grass soon.
Then we heard it.
A mower.
My husband said, “Aliette, Steve is cutting the grass! Maybe he misunderstood that we didn’t need him to help us until next week when I’m already gone.”
I went outside. “Steve, we didn’t need you to start until next week, and he was going to do it today before he leaves tomorrow.”
Steve responded, “I know. But I’m not the one about to leave my family for deployment. He can spend time with his family, and I got it.”
My face swelled with tears.
Tears of worry, gratitude, anxiety, relief all rolled into one.
It all came pouring out on Steve, who probably thought I was a bit overly emotional about grass.
But it wasn’t about the grass.
It was about the gift of time he gave us.
A neighbor stepped up to help when we needed it.
As I came back inside, I thought of Mr. Rogers.
It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
So let’s make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we’re together, we might as well say,
Won’t you be my neighbor?