Honey, I Love You

From a friend of a friend,
this is imperatively true,

not just for me and you,
of the truths below penned,

that in the end of the end,
the very end of our days,

will our children say the last thing they heard whispered,
from our lips to their ears,

Was "Honey, I love you."

*Just last night I watched Sofia dance, and took her in my arms, telling her I love her not just because she's my daughter, but for who she is as a person, already amazing in my eyes at just 5 years old. She turned to look at me dead in the face, her eyes absorbing every word I was saying.

Even my grandmother, the last grandparent I have still living, says, "Adam, I love you" before we hang up.

Love just creates more love, and the love we are giving our children will allow them to give more to their own worlds in the future. And the future DOES get better, when we better the NOW.

You can't tell me the world is not a good place. It's not perfect by any means, yet there is so much perfection in the emotion of love itself. It CAN conquer darkness, and CAN overcome overwhelming pain.

Great lovers CAN be great fighters, fighting for what they love in life! And those you express your love for often will express theirs for you right back!

When we are young

And covered in love

We completely believe

We are gifts from above

- Adam Stuart


From: Odyssey Spirit ~~Chris tina~~
Date: Aug 25, 2007 4:39 PM


EXPRESSINGS OF LOVE


Nancy Devlin
Newhouse News Service



Some parents find it difficult to express love for their children in outward displays affection. They assume their children know they love them even when they do not say it in words.

These parents reason that the children see how hard they work to feed, clothe and educate them. They assume their children understand that these sacrifices are made because they are loved.

Parents may not see the need to put their feelings into words like "I love you very much and care about you," or to give a big hug and kiss when they see the children.

It is unwise to assume that children are secure in the knowledge that you love them. Parents who make such assumptions are in danger of being totally overwhelmed when in later years their child says, "I never knew how much you cared. You never told me. All of those years growing up, I felt you did not love me." Or, even worse, "I never felt loved."

Children need to experience affection directly. They cannot guess at your motives – that is too abstract a concept.

Expressing love to children in words, hugs and kisses is difficult for some people not only because of their temperaments but also because they were brought up without these things. They have no model for outward expressions of love and do not know where to begin.

Start with Words

You can begin by saying encouraging words to your children when you interact with them. Make a conscious effort to communicate something positive: "You look nice this morning, Jane. That's a good color for you," or "We really enjoyed being with you today." This is particularly valuable when parents and child have engaged in some pleasant activity. Let your children know that you are aware of them and concerned about how they feel.

If you do not give hugs easily, you might begin by just putting your hand on your child's shoulder or gently rubbing his back. Some people are afraid of rejection and hold back. Try to overcome this feeling and work up to little and then bigger hugs.

Children might initially say "ugh" and hold back, but most like it and will come to look forward to a show of affection from family members.

Eventually, you may be able to add words like "I love you very much" or "You're a great kid, and I'm glad I'm your dad [or mom] to the hug.

Another way to work up to spoken words is to begin with writing. Some parents put notes in their children's lunch boxes that express affection or encouragement. When your child goes away to camp or visits a relative, write notes telling her how much she is loved.

Another opportunity not to be missed is when children go away to college. You can send hugs by mail. There are wonderful cards that express emotions you may not be able to. Every time you go by a card store, look around; you'll find cards that express how you feel. Send the cards often for no particular occasion. Your children will get the message of love.

You do not need to wait until Valentine's Day to show your children affection. That comes around only once a year.


— Nancy Devlin, Ph.D., is a practicing child psychologist.

post by : Odyssey Spirit ~~Chris tina~~

In Our Now, Forever

In Our Now, Forever

In your eyes I am moonlight dancing,
In your laughter, children at play,
In your arms, the sun rising,
In your kiss, dreams brought to day.

In my eyes you are stars burning,
In my laughter, everyday joy,
In my arms, destiny's yearning,
In my kiss, my Helen of Troy.

In our complexity we are simplicity,
In our separation, together,
In our touch, electricity,
In our now, forever.



© bartoluciano

This is a beautiful piece of art that I feel compelled to pass on. The photos are by Odyssey Spirit and the poem by Bartoluciano. Enjoy their gifts.....fully. They have them for a reason. After all, we are forever only really in our NOW.

Allow it to put you in this moment of love, and look at the images that play in your head. They are the clues to what you're really looking for, what you're still fearful of, if you're living in the present but emotionally detached, or still living in the past and creating more of what you don't want by living in an overly emotionally reactive state and afraid of the future.

So many people won't make it to the end of this day (@160,000). Be brave, step forward into the moments of today, into the light of all the opportunities and possibilities that exist, waiting for your vision, your heart and your talents to create THE POSSIBILITY into A REALITY.

Be it a new song, a poem or a story, a child protected, an adult enlightened, or humanity more confident and less frightened. You are a human being, who is being asked by the world to be a human BEING. And today is your day to do it. No one else has your unique gifts as only you can uniquely give them.

Forgive yourself and others for the pain of the past, setting them down for now or letting them go entirely. Set healthier, more empowering boundaries for yourself to keep the painful actions from continuing in your life, and allowing only positive thoughts and actions in.

Today is your day. Be brave. Be the real you. The one that came to this world unafraid. If today is your last, please let it end with your face in the sun, arms held out high to the side, not seeking acceptance from your fellow man but giving assistance to him through the explosion of the gifts inside of you.

Explode your best self upon the world. We need you.