A MOTHER'S LOVE

1.  History presents us with many stories of women of great qualities and courage.  They were willing to stand out above the norm and respond to their voice,, guiding and prompting them to speak out for Truth and Liberty.
2. Countess Markievicz comes to mind.  She was an aristocrat, well educated and in a position where she could live a life of ease.  Why bother with the pains and woes of others?  She made her choice to stand with the Freedom fighters of Ireland, which almost cost her death; subjected to imprisonment and degraded for stepping out of line. A true hero.
3. Then we have in bygone days, Saint Brigid, another woman who cared for her people and worked to establish a spiritual and caring future for the people of Ireland.
4. These great ladies enthrall me, and yet the woman that I am thinking of with heartfelt love and gratitude is my mother, who worked hard to provide a comfortable home for her husband and eight children.
5. I only really got to know her as a person, when she became ill and had to spend time in hospital. I was young and my thoughts were centered on why did she have to stay away from us?  Surely, the doctors could make her well again?
6. Her journey through pain made me realize how difficult it was for her, saying  goodbye to us when we came to visit and hiding her tears.
7. What a joy when she came home again. I learned to appreciate and believe that a mother's love is the best love in the whole world.
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MOTIVATION

 The power of Motivation is an amazing encouragement.  Once we feel motivated to do something, we step away from our fears and insecurities.  We can and we will succeed.

It is a good thing to know how to become motivated, and recognize the barriers that might prevent us from being true to ourselves, and follow our dreams.

For me, the lives of the Saints and People of Vision help me to see beyond myself, and to aim at stretching whatever talents I believe I have.

Perhaps a good guideline can be found in asking the question:  What do I want to do, to achieve, to move forward in life?

If we have a talent for something, whatever it might be, put it on the top of our List! This will motivate us, and no worries.  We may not be able to succeed, or become a Rocket Scientist, yet can always reach for the Stars!

VULNERABLE

 Being vulnerable is not a choice one would make with deliberation, and yet each time we allow ourselves to love, we become vulnerable; open to being hurt. 

We open our heart to someone we care about, and enter into their world. This is a wonderful thing to do, to share our inner self with another.  However, take care.

How we look at life can be different to how others see things. Dialogue and patience is needed so we can learn to understand and grow in love.

This is what courtship is all about, learning to be comfortable in another person's world. We are so unique, each one of us, with the ability to become compatible with another, and to learn the greatest of all lessons, the ability to love.

LOVE WEAKNESS

 We live in a World of activity and creativity, which is wonderful and enjoyable. Each one of us will be guided by our interests to develop ourselves, according to whatever talents we possess.

Of course, we will be adventurous at times, and maybe even surprise ourselves at the knowledge that comes our way, especially in our younger years.

As we grow older and hopefully wiser, especially as regards our purpose in life, we develop spiritually.  Our belief in the Presence of God becomes a guiding Light in our lives.

This is a wonderful state to find ourselves in, yet, not without a price.  If our awareness of God is to grow, we must become less in our own eyes.

A simple solution, provided we love to be weak.  When we develop a love for weakness, God will be our strength! 

UP or DOWN

At certain times in our lives, difficulties come. Perhaps because of our limited ability to understand the comings and goings of others, or because we depend on help from others, which doesn't come, at least not in the way we expected.

In truth, it is our own weaknesses and shortcomings that trip us up!

All of these challenges, unexpected or expected, help us to make a choice,  do I want to look UP or DOWN?  There is such power in our ability to choose.

Being an UP person I can choose to be positive and see the benefit of adverse challenges.  This is my PLUS!  After all, who wants to be DOWN?

We are created for GREATNESS! 

VALENTINE'S DAY

Today is Saint Valentine's Day, a very special day for sending cards and messages to those we care about.  Of course, it has become a commercial day for card shops and yet, it is such a lovely gesture to put in writing what one feels in their heart.

Especially now, with lockdown, there are so many people who crave for a chance to meet up with friends and re-unite their friendships.  Perhaps for those who feel settled in a good relationship, the need might not be too strong.  However, go ahead, be a fool for love!

So, to all those I know and to all those I don't know, and to the world at large, I wish you a bright ( don't mind the weather) and happy Valentine's Day! 

A SAINTLY PERSON

It can be a wonderful encouragement to read about a Saintly person, someone who was always willing to go the extra mile, and give even when it hurts.

Perhaps, in today's world, we meet such people, and we don't call them saints and yet, they are so loving and caring, and able and willing to help, when help is needed.

This got me thinking about the idea of sainthood, and how acceptable it would be to become a saint. No talk of halos or spiritual images, just a wonderful common sense to know how to care for others, and show the world that goodness and love will always triumph!

We are shortly coming into Valentine's day, and already the shops are full of cards decorated with beautiful red hearts, and messages of love, and who wouldn't want to receive a Valentine card? Emotionally, we love to be loved.

On another thought, there are teams of people, nurses and doctors showing the very best kind of love by saving lives. Perhaps we could send them Valentine cards?

Love is so wonderful, not dependent on emotions or feelings, yet totally open to caring for others.