catnipoflife

Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties, Breathe the breath of life, Savor life to its fullest!

Unusual Friendships

Friendship

Friendship is the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring all right out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful friendly hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping and, with a breath of comfort, blow the rest away.” ~Dianh Mulock Craik (1826-1887)

friendship

affection, affinity, alliance, amity, attachment, benevolence, closeness, concord, familiarity, fondness, friendliness, good-fellowship, goodwill, harmony, intimacy, love, rapport, regard

To me, there is a very strong word reflected in the quote that does not appear in the list of synonyms for friendship:

comfort

abundance, alleviation, amenity, assuagement, bed of roses, cheer, cheerfulness, complacency, contentment, convenience, coziness, creature comforts, enjoyment, exhilaration, facility, gratification, happiness, luxury, opulence, peacefulness, pleasure, plenty, poise, quiet, relaxation, relief, repose, rest, restfulness, satisfaction, snugness, succor, sufficiency, warmth, well-being

Do you see any synonym of comfort that does not lie within the boundaries of friendship? Where would we be without friends? The need to reach out to someone is ever present whether in times of happiness or despair. These are definitely the times and places where hugs are universal!

Within friendship, there indeed abides comfort!”

If these pictures are true representations (never can tell with the capabilities of technology today), why is it humans have such difficulty coexisting?

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Stormy Times

Throughout life we encounter experiences that bring on tears of happiness but all too often those tears are tears of sorrow. While catnipoflife strives to share thoughts of inspiration on life’s beautiful reflections, it is also necessary to sometimes pause in refection of the stormy times in life. Like the firey nature of a storm, the atmosphere may suddenly appear bleak and often dark but never without the shining rays of hope.

Recently there have been several bloggers who have shared ‘stormy’ times within environments of either family members, friends or both. Prayerful thoughts are sent to each of them.

♥***♥***♥***♥***♥

May you always find the light within and
have the courage
. . .
the courage to accept, the courage to bear the sorrow, the courage to show strength to others, the courage to carry on but most of all, the courage to believe. For though the world may at times appear dark, you have the light of the gospel, let it be a beacon to guide your way throughout the long hours of each day.

To each person who reads this message, take a few moments of silent prayer for those who seek and need your support during dire times in their lives. I just did!

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Personal Reflection: To my Husband

***************

As you lay weak and weary in the hospital bed. . .

i take your hand

i take your hand
to ease the pain
lend comforting words
for hope to remain

i watch you sleep
restful it seems
questions surmount
nightmares or dreams?

that impish grin
the one i do adore
implies a dream
perhaps of the seashore

a time together
jumping waves, kicking sand
moseying along
side-by-side, hand-in-hand

suddenly the grimace
followed by a shout
grabbing sheets, drawing knees
imply nightmares about

what is it that lurks
in the shadows that bind?
are you searching, seeking
erasers of the mind?

gasping for breath
a soft whisper in your ear
reassures the moment
you know you’re still here

ever so cautiously
struggling to see clear
a soft kiss on the cheek
lets you know i’m near

. . .watching and waiting ’til you are able to come home again.

***************

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To all Fathers. . .

“I talk and talk and talk, and I haven’t taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week.”
~Mario Cuomo

A true father is a hero
In a special sort of way
He’s always there for comfort
Throughout the night and day

He picks you up
Gently when you fall
He’s there to help
Whenever you call

Questions always arise
Answers he’ll always know
Agreement comes and goes
Sometimes yes, sometimes no

He sees you make mistakes
Helps you overcome fear
Provides encouragement
Every day of the year

He’s full of wisdom
More than you know
That reality sets in
As you grow and grow

His heart is filled with passion
Passion for love and life
With eyes forever watchful
Protective during strife

When you least expect it
He’ll catch you by surprise
You’ll know what’s in his heart
You’ll see it in his eyes

©2012 catnipoflife

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Inspiration: Solitude

the nightingale glides across a twilight sky

a symbol of love and longing in flight

it exhales in a melodious love song

shattering the solitude of the night

~catnipoflife

Since ancient times birds have been considered a connection between heaven and earth. They are known to reach deep into the heart and the soul through symbolism and spirituality. For some cultures, their symbolism is one of immortality, while some myths declare every bird in the world representative of a departed soul. Birds have been immortalized in art throughout the world and in Christian art, birds often appear as saved souls. They also provide inspiration for remarkable stories written in both prose and poetic meter offering time for solitude within deep repose.

How many different birds can you match with their key word significance? Here are just a few. . .

The most renown bird in America is, of course, the  Bald Eagle. As our national bird, it bestows freedom and courage to look ahead being forever watchful. It signifies strength while conveying powers and messages of the spirit. Special significance is placed upon the Eagle and its feathers by Native American Indians often becoming an iconic symbol and tribal logo.

The eagle or one of these below just might be your inspiration for tomorrow. . .

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Inspiration: Inner Voice

“If a bird is frightened, or simply interrupted, as it sways and sings on a bough, it simply moves to another bough and keeps on singing.”

As I was listening to a radio program this morning, a similar scenario immediately caught my attention. The more I thought about it the more it became a puzzle piece of life. How many times has concentration been snapped apart and the melody or rhythm of the moment broken? We connect, disconnect, connect, disconnect throughout our daily routines as interruption after interruption ultimately becomes aggravation.

Eventually our inner voice cries out, “Enough!”

Next time one of life’s interruptions catches up to you, think about the bird and let your inner voice just keep on singing!

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Messages in the Wind. . .

“Simple messages are potent. Stay tuned in. . .” ~catnipoflife

Gentle whispers of the wind
Echo of days gone by
Unveiling nostalgic thoughts
Within a windswept sigh

Walking along the seashore
Sunbeams radiate warmth
Soaking into the bare skin
Any day, any month

Strands of tousled hair
Crisscross about the face
Swirling, twirling wisps
Completely out of place

A sudden short burst of wind
Forces a swift brush of the hand
Providing view of a sea gull
Standing proudly upon the sand

First there’s only one in sight
Then, out of the blue more and more
Massing along the shoreline
As they’ve done many times before

Assembling in loose flocks
Together as companion and friend
Side-by-side they stand
Decoding messages in the wind

Gentle breezes, whirling gusts
Boast of a whisper-quiet hue
Don’t miss a single moment
What does the wind say to you?

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Reflection Upon the Water

In water, one sees one’s own face but reflection goes much deeper than simply looking upon the water’s surface. Have you ever thought about the depth of that reflection? How deep does your reflection go, physically and spiritually . . . into the heart, mind, body, soul? Beyond the depths of imagination, into optical illusion, can one experience reflection upon the water.

The mind is a gallery of reflection: Open it through life-changing lens. ~catnipoflife

When you look upon the water, what do you see?

“The brightest light moving away from us, unless it be reflected, is darkness to us.” ~Author Unknown


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Inspiration for the Soul

pinterest-logo“Whatever you want in life, start today. Not tomorrow – today. Let it be a small beginning – a tiny beginning. Your happiness depends on starting today – every day.”

Need nourishment? Visit my new Pinterest board, Daily Soul Food!

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Funny Cats

Since I have titled this blog catnipoflife what could be more appropriate than beginning the day with Funny Cats. We can quip all day about their antics, find hundreds (perhaps thousands) of quotes and last, but not least, know the cat provides the best ‘antidote‘ for a bad day. [Yes, I know I said antidote, instead of anecdote. It fits! THE cat can counteract or neutralize any unpleasant feeling or situation.]

                       If you love cats, smile! (You are their protector, defender and friend.)

If you don’t, smile for those who do! (They are the ones who protect, defend and befriend.)

The point is. . .Think about all the quips, quotes, antidotes (anecdotes, if your prefer) and

                                 Smile the whole day through.

 

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