The Mystery Of Love ( Valentine's Day Special)

Love is like magic

And it always will be.

For love still remains

Life's sweet mystery!!

Love works in ways

That are wondrous and strange

And there's nothing in life

That love cannot change!!

Love can transform

The most commonplace

Into beauty and splendor

And sweetness and grace.

Love is unselfish,

Understanding and kind,

For it sees with its heart

And not with its mind!!

Love is the answer

That everyone seeks...

Love is the language,

That every heart speaks.

Love can't be bought,

It is priceless and free,

Love, like pure magic,

Is life's sweet mystery!!

MY FRIDAY STORY : VALENTINE’S DAY AMBUSH

Valentine dinners with my parents became a thing of the past once I was old enough to date and crushes ran hot and cold. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, more than likely I wasn’t missed those evenings anyway!

Still, before heading out for the evening I always received a sweet card, possibly a small gift of sorts, and upon returning home later; I indulged in my fair share of whatever home-made, mouth-watering dessert Mother had prepared for the occasion. Typically it was a layered cake baked in heart-shaped pans, a scrumptious treat she served each year and I’m proud to say those special pans are now in my possession.

My senior year in high school, was under siege on Valentine’s Day with a storm blasting its way across the plains. School was dismissed early and “puppy love” dates were cancelled. After a few years without my presence for the evening, I’d be celebrating with my parents. Amazingly, it came to be an event that left a picture perfect imprint in my mind and an unsurpassed sentiment in my heart.

Mother had prepared Dad’s favorite meal for dinner but as the storm intensified she began to watch the clock and pace the floor.

“I’m really getting worried. With this weather I knew your Dad would be a little late getting home, but not this late!” She busied herself keeping dinner warm determined not to burn anything, but continued her march to and fro glancing out windows for headlights.

As a self-absorbed teenager, I continued with my phone conversation until I heard the door open and Mother wailing, “Oh, where have you been? I’ve just been worried sick!”

I rounded the corner to see Dad with his arms full of flowers and a box of chocolates. He smiled, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Honey!” Mom threw her arms around him…causing him to juggled gifts while trying graciously to accept Mom’s embrace.

The bouquet of flowers took center stage on the dinner table and we seated ourselves for dinner.I reached for my napkin and spied a small package by my plate that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

“What’s this,” I asked filled with excitement and surprise for Mother had already given me a sweet card and a tiny figurine.

“Just open it!” Dad’s brilliant blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

I ripped into the package lickety-split and could barely speak; it was a new bottle of Ambush cologne, quite a popular and affordable scent for teenagers at that day in time.

“Dad! Did you buy this all by yourself?” I squealed.

“Well, just kind of. It took some help from the clerk—actually it took a lot of help!”

I was stunned beyond belief. A Valentine gift purchased by Dad; Mom always did the shopping. I levitated from my chair to give him a bear hug and big kiss!

“You know I’ve seen that perfume around here forever and figured I could remember the name if I thought about western movies. Ya know how they’re always ambushing one another. Well, everything was fine until the clerk as me what brand…I told her Apache.”

“Apache!” I giggled until tears rolled down my cheeks.

Dad snorted and informed me it really wasn’t that funny at all. The clerk insisted there was no such cologne, while he swore there was. They went ‘round and ‘round until he decided maybe he had forgotten the name—but made it clear he would recognize the smell his daughter seemingly bathed in. That’s when the “misting marathon” began. He wasn't leaving the store without the gift he was determined to purchase.

“It wasn’t long until I started to sneeze non-stop, my nose began to run, and I almost got sick from so many smells. Just when I thought I’d have to take a break outside in the fresh air before continuing, the clerk suddenly hit on it!

“That’s it, that’s it! Thank you for your time ma’am.” He smiled at the clerk and sneezed once again as he charged out the door towards his car through an all-out blizzard.

Never once have I asked Dad what possessed him to buy me a gift that year. Realizing my days under his roof were would quickly coming to an end has always been my suspicion.

Roses, teddy bears, and cupids abound each February creating what will one day be fond remembrances. As for me, comical but precious memories of my Valentine’s Day Ambush are revisited in vivid detail! They reside in a special niche of my heart…the one that’s reserved just for my dad!

If I can SEE it,then I CAN do it, If I just BELIEVE in it

An opportunity presents itself with a bow of hopes and promises. And you know mama always said, "Go for it!". You decide to take it thinking why the heck not?And then the insecure thoughts flood in,what if I don't get it? What kind of impression will I make? How humiliating will it feel to tell others of my misfortune? Then the optimist kicks in, refreshing your thoughts with all your strengths, confidence and ambition that are hidden within you. The whole process is mystifying,nerve-wrecking and fast.It's over. Your fate is in the hands of the judges.
Who will it be?

It wasn’t me. Yes it wasn’t me. I have to repeat saying it to myself so that I may finally accept it. I won’t lie, I felt the pain and all I desired was squashed into a million little pieces and thrown away. No talent here. No personality. Not what we are looking for.
I What an unfortunate being that has no purpose and reason to be living. The thing is, is that everyone experiences these moments. They might not speak of it but they know the feeling. No one likes to lose. Everyone likes to succeed.

The question is what now?
Now you must change your perception. In actual fact you should have changed it long before the opportunity came along. You seem to forget that an opportunity serves as a chance for you to grow. Whether you get it or not there is always room for growth-small or big. Don’t be indifferent to it-accept it. Keep looking and don’t give up on yourself. You are all you have and what a wonderful opportunity it is to be someone. The future holds many more mysteries and may take you through a complete whirlwind of change and new hopes and promises. It’s never the end unless you let it be. Time moves on, the world moves on and you should too. Let go of the feelings that are not helping you reach your potential.

As cliché as it may sound-Everything really does happen for a reason. Even though you might not know the answer now, it will come some day.
It’s an EXPERIENCE which is worth remembering. It is a LESSON worth learning and keeping.

You have many talents and you can be someone great.

Everyone’s road to that point is different, the roads criss and cross or end but new ones will always begin. Nurture your strength and enhance your wisdom and become the best you can be.

WHAT YOU CAN BELIEVE, YOU CAN ACHIEVE

MY FRIDAY STORY - How Do You Love?

Yesterday I broke a crystal vase that was important to me. Someone I love gave it to me, and I was really upset with my clumsiness.

My husband, seeing my distress, was soothing and calm, and said, "Let me see what I can do with this." While I continued to rant at myself, he quietly took the pieces away, worked his magic and made it like new again. When he brought it back to me his face was filled with sweetness, and it occurred to me that this repaired vase was a gift of love.
I began thinking about all the ways he shows me he loves me. Words are nice, but his actions speak volumes, and I'm so very blessed to have him in my life.
I then thought of a woman I know who complains that her husband and children don't love her. She says they never say it, and she feels that nobody cares. However, when I look at her family I realize that there is a lot of love being given. She just doesn't recognize it so doesn't know how to receive it.
When her husband goes to work at a job he doesn't like, so that she can do what she wants, which is stay home and raise the children, that's a gift of love. When her adolescent son offers to pick up something at the store so she won't have to pack up the smaller kids to go out, that is his way of telling her he loves her.
Love is all around us, but we're often like my friend who expects it to come in a specific form. When it doesn't, we miss it and feel unloved.
So this month I'm reflecting on being aware of ALL the ways people show me love, and being happy to receive it in whatever form it's given. How about you?

Growing Your Belief System

Everyday is full of opportunities. Unfortunately, we don't
always see the truth in this. In fact to a large degree
whether we are able to accept this or not depends on our
past experiences -- that is whether or not we can recall a
time in our life where we ventured to try something and
achieved it.

It is through each and every accomplishment that we build up
the belief in ourselves which ends up leading to our
willingness to attempt again, and expand to bigger
challenges which also hold far greater opportunity for
richer rewards.

Friend, make it a point to regularly reconnect with your
life's accomplishments -- both big and small knowing full
well that in doing so you are nurturing your belief system.
Make no mistake, it's your belief system that allows you to
achieve your hearts desire.

It's your life, LIVE BIG!