I am just learning the pro's and con's of uploading to fortunecity, please bare with me.
I thought this was too beautiful not to share with you...I hope you enjoy it!!
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The Invitation
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer (a Native American Elder)
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,
if you have been opened by life's betrayals or
have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!
I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own,
without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own,`
if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be
careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself;
if you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithful
and therefore be trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty
even when it is not pretty every day,
and if you can source your life from God's presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine,
and still stand on the edge of a lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes"!
It doesn't interest me to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,
weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done
for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you are, how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me
and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself,
and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
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Children Learn What They Live !
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.
A Parable
Island of Love
ONCE upon a time, there was an island where all feelings
lived. Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all the others,
including LOVE.
One day, it was announced that the island would sink, so
all the feelings repaired their boats and left.
LOVE was the only one that stayed. Love wanted to persevere
until the last possible moment.
When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by in a grand yacht. Love asked "Can you take me
with you?" "No, there is a lot of gold and jewels
and no place for you".
Love decided to ask Vanity, who was also passing by. "No, I can't help
you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat".
Sadness was close by so Love asked for help. "Sadness, let me go with
you?" "Oh, Love, I am so sad, that I need to be by myself".
Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that
she didn't even hear when Love called her.
Suddenly, there was a voice "Come Love, I will take you".
It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he forgot to ask
the elder his name.
When they arrived on the dry island, the elder went his way. Love,
realizing how much he owed the elder, asked
Knowledge "Who helped me?" "It was Time" Knowledge answered.
"Time" asked Love. But "Why did Time help me?"
Knowledge smiled with deep Wisdom and answered.
"Because only Time is capable of understanding how great
Love is".
My Child!
I cannot choose the path that you must venture to�.
Let your heart take the lead in whatever you pursue.
You are my child, my treasure,
It's difficult to let you go�.
Although your journey will be long,
I must let you grow.
If the journey weakens you because of it's demands�.
I'll be walking by your side - reach out and take my hand.
If you ask, I'll promise to walk with you to the end�
But my love will be steadfast as you round the bend.
These are my two boys, and my foster grandson, 2 years old.