Menu: This week's tasty bits. Click an item to view!
Entrée: A Special
Occasion - Author
Unknown
Back to top
My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. "This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me. "Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion."
I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister's family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn't seen or heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special.
I'm still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life. I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event-such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market if I like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends. "Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what my sister would've done had she known she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I'm guessing - I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry, because I put off seeing good friends with whom I was going to get in touch someday. Angry, because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write - one of these days. Angry and sorry, that I didn't tell my husband often enough how much I truly love him. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
About the author:
Like many other stories from the Internet, the attribution of this touching story cannot be verified...
Main Course: Fill 'er
Up!
Back to top
Martin Luther King, Jr. was often jailed in the process of raising the consciousness of the world, as were many who walked that path before him. On one occasion, the Baptist ministers in a southern town were fearful to march beside him. He would, after all, move on after stirring up the people, and they would be left to pay the price of thinking differently about the rights of people of all colors, they thought. Nothing would change down here, so why bother?
What might have happened had he written letters to them, chastising them for not standing beside him in what he believed was right? He could have written venomous letters to them about not backing him in the public eye, calling them cowards and traitors to the movement. It was a crucial time in the Civil Rights Movement, and their show of support would have certainly helped.
He did write the ministers from his jail cell, but not to make them feel bad about their choice. He wrote to them about the love in his heart for all people, forgiving the ministers while understanding the reasons for their choice to stay home. He asked them once again for their help, and this time he got it. He took Luke quite seriously when he wrote, "release, and ye shall be released." (Luke 6:37)
His heart was abundant with love, just as the apostle Luke said it should be, and it worked.
What is the abundance of the heart? Luke said that what's in there will be returned in great measure. If there is an abundance of love in my heart, I will have a greater measure of love returned to me. It is the abundance of the heart that causes me to be who I am. And, that is why Luke teaches that if I forgive people who have not been gracious to me, I will have "a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over." The measure I give will be the measure I get back. (Luke 6:38)
So, it can't hurt to take a few moments out of every day and see what's in there. For "the good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth that which is good." I would do well to remove ill will, anger, resentment and every other bad thing that there is too much of in this world. Then, I can fill 'er up with love, and spread it around.
And get it back, in great measure.
Michael Rawls, Friday's Inspiration © 2003
Second Helping: Listen
for Heart Whispers by Nancy
Bishop
Back to top
What if you started to listen for what your heart whispers to you? How might your life be different if you followed your heart? The answers may not make sense to the rest of the world and the path may not look like one that anyone else would want to follow. The point is that when you are living an authentic life, you are making your own path. The path begins when you take steps to move forward in your life.
Your heart is always calling you, in your dreams, or it may be what is keeping you up at night. You will also feel its urging in your waking hours. Dare to follow it, dare to believe in yourself, for that is where your power lives. It is when we choose to ignore the heart’s gentle calling that it begins to get louder. Sometimes there is so much static in our lives it keeps us disconnected from our hearts and then it takes a huge crisis or event to get us to pay attention, change our ways, or move in another direction.
Remember our hearts need “soul food” to keep our spirits healthy and strong. What is your particular brand of “soul food?” Is it music, colors, art, poetry, connections with family and friends, adventure, bird songs, flowers, dancing?
Discover the “soul food” that feeds your spirit. Pay attention to those things that send goosebumps up and down your skin, or make the hair on the back of your neck electrify with excitement. Have a reserve of “soul food” so that you never suffer from a hungry heart.
Don’t forget to check in with your heart on a daily basis. Ask for it’s guidance and assistance then quietly listen for your heart whispers.
About the author:
Nancy Bishop is a Life Coach and Inspirational Writer. Her "special-tea" is to work with women who want to find more time, energy and abundance for the things that really matter in their lives. She also publishes a free monthly newsletter! Visit YourLifeYourWay.com to find your cup of tea, and contact her to get things brewing. She can be reached at 603-357-4597 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Eastern Tea-Time) or click here to email Nancy.
Soup to Nuts: From the feedback
button
Back to top
Plato99 exercized his option this week. He wrote, "InboxInspirations - unsubscribe me!" When I asked him for any parting comments, his reply was, "You do a terrific job. I am just being forced to cut back on my e-mail consumption to get some meaningful work done. Thanks. :)"
InboxInspiration started out in the same way that Friday's Inspiration did - a small group with whom I wanted to share my thoughts. It continues for the very same reason as Friday's Inspiration does - There is a part of me that has a need that F.I. and I.I. fulfills. In other words, I do it for me, and share it with you. If it works for you, fine. If not, that's o.k., too. Thanks, dear subscribers, former subscribers and warm, caring friends. It is my privilege to be accompanied by you on this Path - none of us meet by chance. Back to work, Plato!
N-Spire yourself!® with this no-frills daily email, containing a simple quote from Friday's Inspiration, each Monday thru Friday. Just click the InboxInspirations link to subscribe, or click on the feedback button below, and ask for a one-time email sample. InboxInspirations is part of YahooGroups!
If you would like to express your concerns for loved ones, or yourself, in the form of prayer requests, send them to Prayers@N-Spire.com so we can help share the burden. Good news is welcome too! Write to Abundance@N-Spire.com and let's celebrate together!
Click to send your FEEDBACK to me right now!
Just Desserts: Also Highly
Recommended
Back to top
There have been more than 400 NEW AND UNIQUE visitors to the website during the last month - Thank you for your continued support! Over 500 of our partners on the Internet have graciously recommended visitors to Friday's Inspiration. Please take time to visit the "Highly Recommended" links below.
Emotional Fitness: Take a look at this completely new way of discovering yourself and becoming who you can really be. Free newsletters, and access to the books that will help you to change your life, and the lives of others. Warren Redman runs the Centre for Inner Balancing. You can find him and his latest book, "The 9 Steps to Emotional Fitness" at www.innerbalancing.com.
Bruderhof.com - a community for life. "An international movement with more than 2000 members (and children) the Bruderhof rose from the ashes of the First World War, a time of turmoil not unlike our own. Our basis? Jesus' teachings on nonviolence, love of neighbors and enemies, and faithfulness in marriage - plus a firm conviction that these teachings can and must be practiced in daily life. We come from varied backgrounds - professional and blue-collar, urban and rural, well-heeled and dirt-poor. But such distinctions are unimportant to us. It is Christ, not people or personalities, who holds us together. In him we are all simply brothers and sisters." Visit Bruderhof for an insightful article about John the Baptist, A Man For Our Time by author Johann Cristoph Arnold.
A "No-Cost" eBook! - James Allen's timeless classic, As A Man Thinketh, can be downloaded in eBook form for offline reading. Click here to download your eBook and enjoy this master work from the "father of self-help," compliments of AsAManThinketh.net and Vic Johnson.
Check, Please!: Brought to you
by F.I.'s *Shameless Commerce*
Division:
Back to top
Everyone can make a difference. In the United States over 500,000 children are in foster care because they cannot safely live with their families. Nearly 70,000 National CASA volunteers serve approximately 280,000 of those abused or neglected children every year. Please join the National CASA Association in their mission to make sure every child in need has a voice. A child should have a childhood and a safe, permanent home. 100% of the proceeds from the sales of products and services advertised here will benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children - CASA.
Our Own V-Store: Check It Out!!! Purchase products and services from FI's new *Shameless Commerce* online store, and help us help CASA! Nutritionals, environmentally safe household products for you and your pet, MCI Neighborhood telephone services, magazine subscriptions of every kind, and so much more! Visit the V-Store today!
Personal Creations Message in a Bottle! This unique gift is a great way to say, "I Love You," "Thank You," "Get Well," "Happy Birthday," or any other special message. Your customized Message in a Bottle measures 6" tall and contains sand, shells, a miniature palm tree and paper umbrella (color will vary). Personal Creations will create and insert your personal message (up to 100 characters) and ship it directly to your gift recipient. Regularly $14.95, Friday's Inspiration subscribers can order this unique gift for only $9.95! Send a special Valentine to your loved one ==>Click Here!<== Enter code LOVEBUG and save $10 on purchases of $50 or more!
Does your computer have worms? A good rule of thumb is to never open any attachment file that has an SCR or PIF file type!! Recent MyDoom emails have clogged my inbox, but I know it's no problem. Protect your computer from malicious code through your purchase of McAfee's VirusScan software. Please visit the MacAfee Security Center to do so!
Party's over, go home - The rest of the stuff: Back to top
Your suggestions for inspirational topics and inspiring authors are welcome. Guest Authors are encouraged to submit their article to Articles@N-Spire.com - Article length should be limited to 600 words in any format, and should be on an appropriate subject for our subscribers. Please include a short biography and picture. Absolutely no business or marketing related articles will be accepted.
Friday's Inspiration continues to be visited by inspiration seekers from around the world! Help spread the word about this one-of-a-kind website. You are welcome to invite your friends to join us by recommending this site. They may subscribe by sending a blank email to fridaysinspiration-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Peace and Light,
View My Guestbook