Inspirational Short Story, Female Fantasy Art, Relaxing Music

What matters?. . . Only the flicker of light within

the darkness, the feeling of warmth within the

cold, the knowledge of love within the void.

-- Joan Walsh Anglund

Inspirational Short Story, Female Fantasy Art, Relaxing Music

If we were lost at sea, surrounded by darkness pierced only by one distant blinking light, we would follow that light.

As we followed it, it would become clearer and brighter until it brought us safely to land.

Sometimes when we're depressed, we feel as though we're lost on a dark sea.

But there is always a flicker of light for us.

It may be prayer, or the love of a special friend.

When we see that light, we need to move toward it. Whatever brings us hope is like that flicker of light. The more we seek it, the clearer and brighter the light will become.

When we are cold and our bodies begin to numb, we must keep moving. Movement will keep us alive.

When our emotions are numb, we need people or things or places that will warm our hearts.

When no one else is around, hot baths or a favorite treat can bring the warmth of our own self-love into our lives when we need it the most.

Friends are people who help you

be more yourself, more the person

you are intended to be.

-- Merle Shain

Sometimes a teacher, sometimes a neighbor, almost always our moms and dads

encourage us to try new activities or to improve our schoolwork, sports, drawing, or gardening.

Because they are our friends, they want us to be the best we can be.

Not everyone knows how to be a friend.

Some people only criticize, and never praise.

People who never encourage or praise us are usually unhappy with their own achievements.

They don't mean us harm.

Perhaps they just need a friend, too.

Not only do we each need friends to help us grow, we need to be friends to others.

To encourage and praise those who need it will help us in return.

There is surely a piece of divinity in us,

something that was before the elements. . .

-- Sir Thomas Browne

One definition of divinity in the dictionary is "supreme excellence." It also means "god-like character" and "divine nature."

Doesn't that describe someone we love? When we are in love with someone, we see only the best of that person -- it's impossible to see anything else. That person is "divine," we say, perfect for us, because he or she loves us and is lovable.

Each one of us has a part that is divine. We see it occasionally in others, and they see it in us when they love us.

We can draw on that divine part of every person for strength and hope and courage and faith and love.

There is wonderful, mysterious beauty in all of us, even when we behave badly.

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10/25/2024

Dividers from Teaapot's Graphics (dead link - 12/30/2005)