Tribute to my friends
  
 
  Nearly after forty three years of my existence, and about forty years of recognizable consciousness, I take pride to look back into my life and the moments that I have spent with so many people who have today made my life so beautiful.

There were so many people who came into my life, some of whom have left me to only become better individuals. There were others who just came into my life to become my friends. There is one thing that can never be denied on this day: “Each one has made a difference to my life…some knowingly and some unknowingly. Some times I haven’t met them, or seen them, or heard them, but somehow their lives touched mine and things were never be the same again. Each one have left an impression on my heart, which I shall carry through all my life...”

In as many years as my memory takes me, I have come across people of so many kinds. Some of them being introverts and hidden, while others being extremely outspoken and overly frank. I wonder how many people would be blessed to have people as friends from so many religions as I do. Each one lives his life in the way he feels most comfortable with.

With all these people that I have met, I realized that the ones that I admired the most were the ones who searched the most in life. There are people who are contended in all that they have, there are those who are never. The ones who are contented, needs no more. Always happy with the way this World functions, have no regrets and no complains. They truly realized the flaws in their existing environment but do nothing to solve it. They are contented with them and learn to live with them.

The second categories of people are the ones who are not contended with all that they have. They strive hard to get more. They often realize that they are short of time. Time had been their biggest enemy. All that they learn is to struggle.

The final category of people is the ones that I dearly associate myself a lot with. The ones who feel that “Every tear comes only to wash your eyes for a clearer vision”. They show lots of grit and determination to come out of every small battle that they face. They don’t necessarily compete with others but rather they always compete with themselves. They set targets to beat their previous best. Sometimes they do get them, but at times they fail. Nevertheless they don’t give up the fight just because they lost one.

It’s fair enough to say that I have met my share of people. It’s a honor to have met them. There shall be times that I shall fall, there will be times that I shall rise…but whatever may be the situation, I dearly hope that these people stay with me at all times to lend a helping hand to get up as always. I salute each one of you…. peace and love Barbara

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I received this from a friend who had a choice to make. It said that I had a choice to make too.

I've chosen. Now it's your turn to choose.

The story goes that some time ago a mother punished her five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset when the child used the gold paper to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her mother the next morning and then said,
"This is for you, Momma."

The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over reaction, but her anger flared again when she opened
the box and found it was empty. She spoke to her daughter in a harsh manner.

"Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something
inside the package?"

She had tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Momma, it's not empty! I blew kisses into it until it was full."

The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around her little girl, and she begged her forgiveness for her thoughtless anger.

An accident took the life of the child only a short time later, and it is told that the mother kept that gold
box by her bed for all the years of her life.

Whenever she was discouraged or
faced difficult problems she would open the box
and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a Golden

box filled with unconditional love
and kisses from our children, family, friends
and GOD. There is no more precious
possession anyone could hold.

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 A Day of Battle

My child you have seen great beginnings of good things that I am
bringing into your life. However, now you stand amazed that things seem
to be more messed up than ever before. Do you not know that with every
possibility of a victory there is just as great a possibility of the
enemy coming into your life to try to abort that victory?

You are in a war, my child.  I have given you the tools to win that
war, but you must never think that you are walking into a victory
without a battle to fight. Your enemy knows exactly where you are weak
and where you have been defeated in the past. He will try those things
again until you overcome the temptation to just sit passively by while
these things go on. You say to Me, "How, Lord, have I been passive?
For I have done all that I know to do". And yet, My child, you have
not warred with the weapons of the Spirit, and you have murmured and
complained while the enemy has come in like a flood to try to destroy
your future.

This time, I say, rise up into the power of the Spirit and take authority
over your enemy and watch him flee on all sides. Know that you cannot
win this war with anger at those who have come to frustrate the plan of
God.

You must walk in peace, love and forgiveness in order to make full effect
of the armor that I have given you. This day is a day of battle, and the
peace that you have longed for must first begin with you. It begins when
you have confidence in Me, even when things around you look a mess.
Know, My child, that there is nothing impossible for Me. I can work with
your praises. So praise Me and begin to sound the alarm in the Spirit so
that I can do this good work in your circumstances that I have begun.

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CLOUD DANCING

(a poem about inner healing)

ONCE I WALKED UPON THE EARTH

SO SMALL NO ONE COULD SEE

I SLEPT ON LEAVES AND UNDER STONES

AND FOLKS WOULD STEP ON ME.

I SPENT MY LIFE IN HORROR

THAT SOME WOULD LOOK AND LAUGH

OR TAKE MY TINY OUTSTRETCHED HAND

AND BREAK MY HEART IN HALF.

EACH DAY I SHRANK A SMALLER SIZE

WITHIN MY HOLLOW HOLE

UNTIL MY EYES WERE ALL WERE LEFT

AND A TINY BIT OF SOUL.

AND AS I LAY BENEATH THE LEAVES

AND LOOKED INTO THE SKY

I WONDERED WHO HAD MADE THE WORLD

AND WISHED THAT I COULD DIE.

SOMEHOW WITHIN MY BATTERED SELF

I SENSED A GROWING HUNGER

TO REMOVE THE SHELL, MY SELF MADE HELL

AND DWELL IN THIS WORLD NO LONGER.

I LONGED TO LEAVE MY WORLD OF LEAVES

AND STONES AND FEAR AND HORROR

AND VENTURE FAR INTO THE STARS

AND FIND A NEW TOMORROW.

AND SUDDENLY IN A FLASH OF TIME

I FOUND MYSELF ENCUPPED

WITHIN A HAND (UNLIKE A MAN)

AND GENTLY LIFTED UP.

UP TO THE CLOUDS WHERE I HAD SEEN

THE BIRDS SO FREELY FLY

AND THERE I STOOD UPON THE BREEZE

AND WATCHED THE WORLD GO BY.

"ARE YOU THE MAKER OF THIS WORLD?"

I SHYLY ASKED IN AWE

"YES, I HAVE MADE THIS LITTLE THING

AND YOU MAY HAVE IT ALL."

THE MAN, (UNLIKE A MAN) TOLD ME

AND KISSED MY TROUBLED BROW

"YOU'VE BEEN AWAY SO VERY LONG

BUT YOU HAVE COME HOME NOW."

"IS THIS MY HOME?" I QUERIED HIM

"WHAT OF MY LEAVES AND STONES?"

BUT HE JUST SMILED AND POINTED DOWN

TO SHOW SUCH THINGS WERE GONE.

"ALL FORMER THINGS ARE GONE AWAY

BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE NEW

I'LL TAKE YOU FROM THAT LONELY WORLD

AND MAKE MY HOME WITH YOU."

AND WHEN I'D DANCED UPON THE CLOUDS

AND ECHOED LAUGHS AROUND

HE TOOK ME IN HIS GENTLE HAND

AND SET ME ON THE GROUND.

TO MY SURPRISE I'D GROWN IN SIZE

THE WORLD SEEMED SMALL AND FAIR

NO HORROR LURKED BEHIND THE TREES

BUT LIGHT ABOUNDED THERE.

AND INSIDE MY HEART, I FELT A GLOW

I FELT A PRESENCE DWELL

THE MAN, (UNLIKE A MAN) THAT CAME

AND TOOK ME FROM MY HELL.

HE PUT ALL THINGS BENEATH MY FEET

AND RAISED MY HEAD UP HIGH

HE HEALED THE BROKENESS IN ME

THAT MADE ME WANT TO DIE.

HOW DID HE CHANGE THE WORLD SO FAST?

I GAZED AROUND TO SEE

BUT THEN I SAW THAT THE WORLD HADN'T CHANGED

THE CHANGE THAT OCCURRED WAS IN ME.

NO LEAVES AND STONES AND HURTS FOR ME

NO POOLS OF TEARS AND SHROUDS

THE EARTH CAN'T KEEP ME BOUND AND TIED

NOW I CAN DANCE ON CLOUDS!

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My view on certain things in life..
 

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What's right?

What's wrong?

Seem's that not many know

anymore these days!

Mothers and Dads

leaving for work each morning,

Leaving Kids at home in pain.

Money rules the day!

Sometime's it seems there's no other way!

Prositute's on the street,

Lost soul's if you were to ever meet.

Pimps leading the way,

giving them no choice but to stay.

Teacher's bound by rule's!

Student's who think they rule.

Sometime's there just to score!

Alway's they seem to want and need more.

Priest that only speak the word,

While molesting chidren!

Then sent off  when caught

to get a grip,

But coming back again

Another child,

another pain,

hidden behind a robe.

Well I say NO MORE!

Father's cheating on wives,

Mother's cheating on Father's,

an endless circle

of deceit.

"In love" with whom-ever they meet.

Grandparent's moved to nursing homes

left, forgotten, abused.

But who's to see?

Who care's?

Surely not the family

their never there!

I care!

 I care for the parents that are

forced to work

endless hours to make ends meet.

Their children?

Our future!

Feeling all alone.

The drunk on skid roe,

his eyes have lost their shine.

Just one more drink,

That's all thats on their mind.

The teachers,

with hands bound tight!

Trying to teach with all their might.

The prositute out on the street.

Long ago who had forgot how to feel.

Going through life as if nothing is real!

The pimps,

who should be bound and tied.

Dicks cut off and shoved in his eye!

The priest,

who attack our children,

then hide behind the cloth!

They too,

 should have to pay the price!

No one can tell me

 they don't know what's right!

I look around me and think,

Oh God when?

Will you call your children home again?

I think its soon.

With war's so near,

and people loosing everything

even their fear!

We need to make a stand!

Help protect our homeless

unloved man!

Learn to love,

not skin,

but the man that dwell's deep with-in.

Teach him once again how to pray.

Be with our children,

take time to watch them in play.

Be there when they need to talk!

Help them learn to walk the walk.

Stand behind our teachers,

and let them teach!

Give them the tools they need to reach

those gifted,

and those in need,

Maybe somehow they can plant a seed!

Unite as ONE!

Give it our all!

Wake up!

Pull the pieces together

Learn to care

Reach out in love

Staying in constant prayer

Because one day

The master WILL call!

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DON'T MESS WITH MOM
 

The Childs Comments and Thoughts

My son came home from school one day,
with a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
to put me in my place.

"Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today,
The 'Children's Bill of Rights.'

It says I need not clean my room,
don't have to cut my hair
No one can tell me what to think,
or speak, or what to wear.

I have freedom from religion,
and regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,
and I sure don't have to pray.

I can wear earrings if I want,
and pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,
get tattoos from head to toe.

And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
with the marks on my behind.

Don't you ever touch me,
my body's only for my use,
not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.

Don't preach about your morals,
like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
And it's illegal too!

Mom, I have these children's rights,
so you can't influence me,
or I'll call Childen's Services Division,
better known  as C.S.D."
 

Mom's Reply and Thoughts

Of course my first instinct was
to toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
made me think a little more.

I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.

Next day I took him shopping
at the local Goodwill Store..
I told him, "Pick out all you want,
there's shirts & pants galore.

I've called and checked with C.S.D.
who said they didn't care
if I bought you K-Mart shoes
instead of those Nike Airs.

I've canceled that appointment
to take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. is unconcerned
so I'll decide what's best."

I said "No time to stop and eat,
or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
to make your own sack lunch.

Just save the raging appetite,
and wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
a favorite dish of mine."

He asked "Can I please rent a movie,
to watch on my VCR?"
" Sorry, but I sold your TV,
for new tires on my car.

I also rented out your room,
you'll take the couch instead.
The C.S.D. requires
just a roof over your head.

Your clothing won't be trendy now,
I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
will buy me something neat.

I'm selling off your jet ski,
dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights',
It's in effect today!

Hey hot shot, are you crying,
Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
instead of C.S.D..?"

Send to all people that have teenagers or have already raised teenagers, or have children who will soon be teenagers or those who will be parents someday OR ANYONE WHO'D JUST GET A LAUGH .   I love this One!!!

from a MOM
(Mean Old Mother.)

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~*The Spectator*~

I rest by a path going nowhere
That comes from somewhere,
I don't know where I'm going
Or how soon I'll be knowing.

I've been here most a lifetime
With no clear thought in mind
Of where life's path may lead
Or if it's the direction I need.

I reflect on the path I've been
But can't recall where or when
I decided to rest and meditate,
Before traveling on to my fate.

If I knew what waits at life's end
Perhaps I'd sooner begin again,
Journeying to a known conclusion
Without helter-skelter confusion.

Life's path is dim in any direction
After years of profound reflection,
It's unclear if I should continue
Or observe from my present venue.

Once I knew life's path to take,
The journey a simple one to make
But life's story is now an illusion,
Blurred images of utter confusion.

Many travelers have walked past
So many I feel I'm the last,
Silently they stared dead-ahead,
No sound was made or word said.

I watch them on life's path traveled,
My mind is completely unraveled,
I'll be a spectator of life from now on,
Reasons to join the journey are gone.

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A ROSE THAT GOD CREATED

 God created the rose in the likeness of a woman.  The rose represents her beauty.  The stem represents her strength.  The petals are soft as her delicate skin, the fragrance so pure and so sweet.  The leaves represent her arms outstretched, always loving and giving and for perfection---He made her heart of pure gold.  Thank you God for making me a woman......

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully.   Before it blossomed, he examined it.  He saw a bud that would soon blossom.  He also saw the thorns, and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?"  Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died.  So it is with many people.

Within every soul, there is a rose.  The "God-like " qualities planted in us at birth, growing amidst the thorns of our faults.  Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects.  We despair, thinking nothing good can possibly come from us.  We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies.  We never realize our potential.

Some don't see the rose within themselves.  It takes someone else to show it to them. 

One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others.  This is the truest, most innocent and gracious characteristic of love - To know another person, including their faults, recognize the nobility in their soul, and yet still help another to realize they can overcome their faults.

If we show them the rose, they will conquer the thorns.  Only then will they blossom, and most likely, blooming thirty, sixty, a hundred-fold, as it is given to them.

Our duty in this world is to help others, by showing them their roses and not their thorns.  It is then that we achieve the love we should feel for each other.  Only then can we bloom in our own garden.

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