This is my Neighbor //

At one of our pit stops on the way to Florida I passed by a stranger who was smoking. She spoke to me as I passed by. I don't usually associate with smokers by choice, but I saw her as my neighbor, not a smoker and I wanted to love her. I chose to stop and talk to her. We talked for awhile. It was good. I want to love all of my neighbors. Some of those neighbors will make lifestyle choices that are offensive to me, but it doesn't change the fact that they're my neighbor.

I read that Starbucks CEO was quoted as saying that if you support traditional marriage Starbucks doesn't want your business. My immediate reaction was offense. I was thinking, "Really? You want to cut that much of your market out of the picture? Okay. Lets see how you like losing that many customers." But spite isn't loving. If I walked past Starbucks with a judging scowl on my face every time I passed it, what would that accomplish? Starbucks hasn't persecuted me, they've merely offended me. Since we are supposed to love our enemies, people that use us and persecute us, I bet we're supposed to love our minor offenders too.

The baristas at Starbucks are my neighbors and they may not even be aware of what their CEO said. There are people who work there that do support traditional marriage, as well as ones who don't, and both are my neighbors. I want to love them. I choose to. So while some people may choose to buy their coffee somewhere else and whisper bitter words about Starbucks, I will continue to go back. It isn't about the coffee or the CEO's political views, I just want to love the people. Regardless.

///

In Jesus' day, Jews did NOT associate with Samaritans, and men did not associate with women unaccompanied, and teachers of the law did not associate with people known to be sinful. Jesus knew all of this when he chose to pass through Samaria. There He met a woman He knew to be living a sinful lifestyle. There He told her what He knew of her. There He, the Savior she knew would come one day, had come to her. There He offered her what her heart yearned for, life abundant. And the disciples marveled but did not question. (John 4)

At the temple, the scribes and Pharisees brought before Jesus a sinful woman. There Jesus revealed to all of their hearts what He knew of their sin. There Jesus remained with the woman after all the others had departed. There He offered her what her heart yearned for, forgiveness. And I'm sure the disciples marveled but did not question. (John 8)

Jesus' love compels Him to provide the way for us to live with Him. Only one repentant of the sins they know they are guilty of can desire what He offers, can accept what He freely gives, can welcome the Spirit in to change their ways. "From now on sin no more." (John 8:11)

As Jesus did, we meet people where they are. We offer them what Christ's love in us compels us to offer, what their hearts yearn for: forgiveness and abundant life and, yes, hope even for you! We testify of the benefit of giving up your old way of life, with all it's sins, and allowing The Lord to enter in and make us more like Him with every passing day. Draw near! Do not hinder them. For in drawing near to Him you see your desperate need for Him. In pressing into Him you find life abundant.

Neighbors Abroad // widows and orphans, India

In India alone there are reports of 45,000 children missing each year.1 They Go Missing for Many Reasons Some are abducted by strangers and placed into forced labor, like Nadish. Others are trafficked and exploited in the sex trade. Still others are sold to families to work as domestic help. Some 44 million orphans and runaways are living on the streets not knowing of the danger that awaits them.2 India is not the only place India has close to 13 million children younger than 15 in its workforce—more than any other country in the world. Some estimate the real number is closer to 100 million.3 That's five times the population of the state of New York. In Thailand, almost 1 out of every 10 children between the ages 10 and 14 are working rather than going to school.4 In Bangladesh, an estimated 27 percent of children ages 10-14 are working in a variety of hazardous occupations.5 In Sri Lanka, one of the most physically punishing forms of child labor is the fishing industry, which keeps the children in slave-like conditions and far from the public eye.6 UNICEF estimates that 4,500 children from Bangladesh are trafficked to Pakistan each year. Thousands more are sent to India and the Middle East. How can we stop this? Gospel for Asia is working among South Asia's most endangered children.   Delhi Street Children's Home You can give toward rescuing children on the streets, teaching them about Jesus and His love and reuniting them with their families. Rescue a child from the streets of South Asia ► Bridge of Hope You can sponsor a child in Asia and provide an education, the love of Christ, clean clothes, food and medical care. Sponsor a child in Asia ► Notes: 1 National Human Rights Commission, http://nhrc.nic.in/ 2 ChildLine India, www.childlineindia.org.in 3 ChildLine India, www.childlineindia.org.in 4 U.S. Department of Labor, International Labor Affairs report. 5 U.S. Department of Labor report 6 U.S. Department of Labor, International Labor Affairs report. Next we have the story of Sarojini, a widow with a sickness she couldn't afford to treat.  Click here or on the banner to read Sarojini's story. For over 30 million widows in South Asia, life is a desperate struggle for survival. Blamed for their husbands' deaths, they're forsaken by their families, shunned by their friends and despised by their communities. One in four homes in India is home to a widow. 92 percent of India's women age 70 and older are widows. Street begging or prostitution often becomes a way of life. Many are left caring for their children with little help from relatives. In order to provide for themselves and their children, many resort to gathering food from the trash. Some gain income only from selling their bodies on the streets. For those who cannot bear the shame, suicide is their only escape. Because Sarojini heard a message of hope in her time of need, she no longer lives in fear of tomorrow because Christ is her assurance for today. Help more widows like Sarjani by sponsoring a woman missionary. Sponsor a woman missionary ► Finally, if any of you haven't read No Longer a Slumdog yet.  Please order your free copy here. It will change you!

// Written by Cari Poweziak, Gospel for Asia

Purchase with Intention // Spring Break

Swoon-worthy wish list items for Spring Break.
Currently in Florida soaking up the rays. I am so happy to be here in a land of sand and salt water, away from snowed-in hills for a few days! If I had planned ahead a little more, these are items I would have wanted to bring along...

1. TOMS Maverick Sunglasses // 2. Sseko "Sail Away Package" sandals with three straps // 3. Altar'd State Peach Pop Maxi Dress // 4. She Does Justice polka dot scarf from the spring collection // 5. Better Life Bags "Cyndi" tote

TOMS helps gives sight to those in need with every pair of sunglasses purchased.
Sseko employees girls in Africa to enable them to go to university.
Altar'd State brand items "give back" a portion of each purchase to feed, clothe, shelter and educate kids around the world.
She Does Justice supports a different organization each month with 10% of each purchase.
Better Life Bags hires unemployed women in their city in MI and supports entrepreneurs overseas.

Be back soon!

According to the calendar spring has begun. We are loading up and heading south for a week or two to soak up some sunshine in the hopes that, by the time we have returned, it will look and feel more like spring here at home. If you don't hear from me much until April, that's why.

Source: thefullerview.tumblr.com via C on Pinterest

The Global Orphan Crisis + Summit 9

Several months back I started a twitter account. Connecting with ministries and organizations, as well as individuals with hearts for advocacy, has been inspiring and encouraging and moved me to action. Through one connection or another I met Diane Elliot. She has written a book called "The Global Orphan Crisis". She sent me a copy and I have been digging into it.

Friends, do you remember a long time ago when I began blogging about my passion for the least and my study of circumstances for vulnerable children worldwide? I called it Project: Awareness and I was scheming to make a booklet about it. I have long since given that up and pursued other forms of advocacy and awareness raising. However, Diane's book is the book I would have loved to have written! It practically IS Project: Awareness but with years worth of personal experiences and insight that I certainly don't have (yet!). The writing style is easy and inviting, the information is straight forward and comprehendible, the message is inspiring and heart-breaking and hope-filled. If you're looking for a book that addresses both the major and the minor issues facing children today, as well as a detailed look at the needs in First, Second and Third World countries, I highly recommend it.
I do not get any financial compensation for saying these things. As someone with a passion for advocacy and a heart for the least, this book has been a tremendous asset of knowledge. You can order your own copy on Amazon or, if you're going to the Orphan Summit this year (by the way, early bird ticket prices end in 11 days!) you should swing by the Moody Publishing booth and meet Diane.

And since we're talking about it, let me tell you a little about the Orphan Summit. Like me, you may have heard of it before and just never made it to one. Each year I know more people who will be there, both ministry representatives and conference attendees. I am convinced that it is the most fantastic conference for people who are passionate about orphan care!

"The Christian Alliance for Orphans’ annual Summit has become the national hub for what Christianity Today recently called, “the burgeoning Christian orphan care movement.” Summit IX on May 2-3, 2013, at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN is expected to draw 1,800 to 2,000 pastors, grassroots advocates, organizational leaders and church ministry heads. Alongside more than eighty workshops, the unforgettable plenary sessions will include David Platt, Randy Alcorn, Michele Bachmann, Bishop & Donna Martin, and other global leaders. Summit inspires, equips and connects for adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry."

Amazing, right?! Check out the workshops for the Art, Advocacy and Orphan Care track here. Guys, if I can get the finances in place, you better believe that I will be at this year's Orphan Summit. If not, I'll try again next year. The connections you'll make and the wisdom and encouragement you'll take away from this event are incredible. If you will be there, let me know. I would love to meet you!

The Way They Loved Me //

Can I make a confession? I talk about loving my family and my neighbors, but I don't always do it. Yesterday, I really didn't. We were having a normal day, when my parents got home from work and mom made lists of spring cleaning that each of us needed to accomplish before we leave for vacation. Somewhere between that and gathering together as a family (why is it that a family meeting seems to send a memo to everyone to feel inconvenienced and annoyed?) to view our route to Florida and discuss ideas for our time there, I melted down. It was like out of nowhere these feelings of anger and stress boiled over and not knowing what to do with them I just let them boil over. Now, I've been angry and stressed a lot of times since I was fifteen, but I haven't had a full-blown melt-down (that I can recall) over nothing since then. I'm embarrassed to say that I, as a 20 year old girl, really lost it. Dad steered clear to let me cool off, the kids yelled out warnings when I was around (as if no one else had noticed that I was in a mood), and mom tried to help by asking me what was wrong. It wasn't until then that I realized it was probably just hormones. Instead of saying that, I just started thinking of all the things that could possibly be irritating and stressing me out. Talking it out was not what I needed though so when she pushed for an answer, I spat one back and then put on my super irritated tone to assure her that I knew exactly what she was going to say and so she needn't say it. When she did anyway, I stormed up the stairs shouting back for her to stop. Yes. I did that. It was ugly... and I am so not proud of it. Then I fumed in my room for awhile while I tried to figure out what in the world was wrong with me and how I was ever going to recover from such a childish display. After a few minutes I went back downstairs, I got through most of my to-do list, hugged my siblings, avoided eye contact with my folks and slipped right back into my up-beat, normal (read: sane) tone for the rest of the night and hoped no one would remember what had just happened. Today I apologized to my folks and they forgave me and assured me nothing I could do could make them love me less. That is love. Love endures all things... Even irrational, hormonal outbursts from your adult child? Yeah. Even that. Thank Jesus!

Mom teasingly admitted that she had told the kids she thought about leaving me at home while they went on vacation after my melt-down. And I don't blame her. I would have too. But that isn't love. Recalling the shameful sins I've been forgiven for, that's rejoicing in my iniquity. Love rejoices in the truth. In the lovely. In the praiseworthy. But I am so guilty of rejoicing in the iniquity of others. On a day that I have been easily provoked (also not what love does) by my siblings' behavior and I just really want to give myself a break (because I've had to deal with that provoking behavior for a few hours), even if we've moved on from it, I bring it back up to poke at it. Somehow looking at other people's mistakes makes us feel like we are pretty great. But that is self-seeking -- and selfishness is not love. Love is building up others. Love is forgiving others for the hundredth time. Love is mercy toward others that are afflicted by sin, just like I am. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

Don't focus on the 'why' of loving, let's just soak in the 'what' that love is. In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins. 

Sacrifice. Love is a forgetfulness for self, and a 110% care for the blessing of another, regardless of the cost to self. Don't focus on how you're ever going to be able to love like that. Just soak in the unarguable,  everlasting FACT that that is how our God loves us -- every moment. Tantrum, melt-down, stomping-up-the-stairs moments too. Soak that mercy in. Soak that ceaseless forgiveness in. Soak that encouragement in. And herein lies the 'how': No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us! By this we come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we abide (live and remain) in Him and He in us: because He has given (imparted) to us of His [Holy] Spirit. And [besides] we ourselves have seen (have deliberately and steadfastly contemplated) and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son [as the] Savior of the world. Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God. And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him. In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world. 

Abide. Abide in His love -- in Him -- and His love will abide in us. Consider this your invitation (I'm considering it mine) to essentially take a long bubble-bath-soak in the love that God has for you (and for me) every single day, so that you and I CAN love our family and our neighbors. As to the 'why' of love... if you've really been soaking in His love while you've been reading this, you'll already know that the 'how' and the 'why' are wrapped up in each other: Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another.

I don't always love like that, and I am not always loved like that. But yesterday, when I was truly unlovable, my family were longsuffering. And that's the way they loved me.

// Bible passage excerpts from 1 Corinthians 13 & 1 John 4, Amplified Version //

This is my Neighbor //

All month I have been trying to make a habit of loving the person in front of me. It has been shocking and humbling to realize how often I fail to even recognize the person in front of me because I am so caught up in myself. Loving the person in front of me is a way to practice recognizing and loving my neighbor. This past week alone some of my neighbors have been: my best friend from childhood who came to stay, my fellow leaders for the youth group mission trip, the waitress who served me at the Nucleus, a friend having a hard day, children waiting to be adopted in China (last week's Sevenly cause), a family in Colorado that I had a dream for, bloggers I read, other writers I met on Twitter, my mom's co-workers, the barista in our Target Starbucks, fellow drivers on the road, the employees at Half Moon Tea & Spice and Charlotte Ruse, and my little brother who has been trying my patience. Guess who else? You. You are my neighbors, dear readers. Let me encourage you to begin to recognize and love the people in front of you today. They're everywhere!

// images from Pinterest //

Let's see more "Gotcha Day"s happen!

Bringing Zi Home from Stephanie Bernotas on Vimeo.

"Man has made orphanages for children, but God made the family for children."

// orphanjustice.com //

"Many children in Asia are orphaned due to deformities, diseases and disabilities.

Because of circumstances beyond their control, precious children like her are rejected, shunned, and unaccepted."

Help Them ► www.sevenly.org/GreaterCalling

Today through Sunday, your purchase of a limited edition tee from Sevenly helps give grants through Show Hope to families adopting from Asia.

She Does Justice // spring scarves

She Does Justice has released their spring line of scarves! 

We are leaving on vacation in a few days and the coral striped scarf is calling my name. It would be the perfect pop of color for our days at Epcot. How about you? Which one do you like best? It's hard to choose...

To see more options or make a purchase click here. 

To see how others are wearing #SheDoesJustice search the hashtag on Instagram!

Stepping Inside

I used to think that gyms were only for people who were already in shape and at their best. It was intimidating just to think of going into a gym, let alone participating and striving to grow myself. I wanted to get toned and I needed the accountability and motivation that community brings so I, along with the rest of my family, got signed up for a gym membership. A trainer toured us through the facilities and demonstrated how the machines that we were interested in worked. Armed with the clothing we found appropriate and the confidence to navigate the facility, I dove in. Once I had developed a routine and become more at-home in the gym I began noticing the people more. Expecting to see only people who were in the best shape of their lives I was surprised to realize that only about 25% of others working out were in great shape. Most people were out of shape, but they were there, they wanted to be healthier, they were getting in shape.

One day as I was riding a bicycle machine it occurred to me that the gym is similar to the church. Believers and non-believers alike can be afraid to step into a church building because there's a belief that everyone at church is a super Christian and if you aren't spiritually fit then you don't belong there. At the gym the people who are fit don't make those who are not feel unwelcome, they know that we "belong" there as much as they do. Sometimes in the church we contribute to people's feeling that they don't belong with us. Lets be sure we don't. None of us has earned or was born spiritually fit, it is a gift worked out in our lives through faith and obedience -- both of which we only have as a gift as well. The gym is for people who need to get into shape an then maintain and grow their fitness. The church isn't a building or organization, it's a group of people who've been saved from their helpless and hopeless state and filled with the Spirit who brings abundant life. The only way any of us is spiritually fit is because we've allowed The Lord to come in and to have His way with us moment by moment.. and anyone is welcome to do that! So let's welcome others in.

Neighbors Abroad // mother of nine, India

When Sneha asked Rajeshri about her past life, Rajeshri's face darkened. Sneha, a Gospel for Asia woman missionary, had reached out to Rejeshri at her lowest point, near death, but Rajeshri had faced many other difficult times too. 
Rajeshri, a mother of nine, endured a nightmarish life with her cruel husband for more than 35 years. She patiently suffered -- until he brought home his mistress. The woman wouldn't allow Rajeshri to touch anything in the house without permission and prohibited the children from attending school. Rajeshri and her children felt like prisoners in their own house. Humiliated, Rajeshri decided to leave. Three of her adult children had already moved out, so she and her remaining six children relocated from their village in the mountains to the bustling capital city. Through the help of a childhood friend, Rajeshri started a manual labor job at a construction site and rented a small apartment. As she and her family gradually adjusted to their new life and community, Rajeshri was able to start sending her older children to school. It was hard work to pay the rent and provide food, clothes and her children's school fees, and to make matters worse, Rajeshri had weak health. Despite the hardships, though, Rajeshri considered her life a thousand times better than what she'd left behind. She didn't know things would soon fall apart. One day, Rajeshri woke up and was unable to get out of bed. Pain engulfed her whole body, and she shivered with cold. One daughter brought her some medicine for a fever, but Rajeshri couldn't even raise her head to swallow it. She was no longer able to work, and though she visited many doctors, the remedies they prescribed had no effect. Her friend brought a sorcerer and then a witch doctor, but neither succeeded in healing her. Three months slipped by. "It seems to me that I am going to die," Rajeshri told her friend one day. "If I die, who will look after my children?" Rajeshri's friend finally went to the right place for help. She brought two Christian woman, including GFA missionary Sneha, to pray for Rajeshri. They told Rajeshri that Jesus loves sick people and makes them well and that when He came to earth, He healed the sick, raised the dead and died on the cross to save all humanity. Sneha and her co-worker prayed for Rajeshri and promised to visit often. Filled with hope by their words, Rajeshri started to attend church with her friend's help. After a few months, she was completely healed and able to begin working again!
Today, Rajeshri has found new life in Christ. Because she experienced Jesus' love through the miracle of healing and the care demonstrated to her by Sneha and her fellow missionary, Rajeshri chose to follow Him. Now she participates faithfully in church activities, grateful for God's work in her life.
Thank you for helping send missionaries like Sneha to bear the light of Christ to women oppressed by darkness. As these servants lift up the name of Jesus, women like Rajeshri are finding new lives full of hope and purpose.

// Testimony from the February issue of 'Harvest', Gospel for Asia's newsletter. Sponsor a woman missionary and continue the work of encouraging our sisters in Asia here.

Influence Network Link-Up

Last year, through a series of rabbit holes I followed in the blogging world, I discovered The Influence Conference, a faith-based bloggers conference. I signed up, drove to Indiana, met a bunch of new and wonderful women and learned so much. I loved being in sessions, taking notes and applying tips I learned later. I loved watching relationships blossom as new friends were made in as short as three days. I loved getting a few days free from all other responsibilities to totally focus on one thing that would make me better at what I do. What I loved the most about the conference though was the overwhelming sense of being welcome, being wanted, being an important part of community, having others want to spur you on and help you fulfill your purpose -- all because of our common thread: sweet Jesus. It was a testimony, a living and breathing one, of Christ's love fleshed out.

I'm heading back to Indiana again this fall for the conference. I am excited to see the girls I met last year (you want to meet them too? Well sure! Natalie, Arielle, Amanda and Danielle) and to meet face-to-face with the ladies I have come to know online in the past year. The lovely thing about being an online community as well as a "real life" one is that we don't have to wait to get to know each other! The Influence Network has been up and running for a month or so and the community can be found right there, in the forums and the online classes. It's fantastic! I have taken one class so far and loved it! It felt as personal as having a one-on-one talk with the speaker, even though there were more than twenty people attending the class. It also had the community feel of a small group sharing hearts and caring about each other, thanks to the discussion column. You find new and "old" friends in the classes, you discover people with similar passions and opposite giftings, you make connections and build bridges with ladies who can help you or you can help.

Photographer: Jessica Scholl of Jessi[capture]

For first-time readers, I am Chelsea Mills. 20yr old girl, brand new home-owner of a darling little fixer-upper in town but currently living at home in our 100yr old family farmhouse in Wisconsin -- one of my favorite places on this green earth. I am homeschooling my 13yr old brother and 15yr old sister while my parents work. I'm also doing design work for my Dad's two companies, blogging in between, retweeting dozens of ministries and organizations that advocate for vulnerable children, posting pics of my new puppy, Barely, on Instagram, pinning as many lovely bits of inspiration as I can on Pinterest, sharing photography of my life on Facebook and selling paintings and prints from right here. Like most introverts I love piles of books to get lost in, a plane ticket to somewhere lovely and new, a camera to get behind and capture my world with, and hours spent in the living room tucked between my family on the couch. Sharing this life of mine with the Lord has led to the development of His own heart in mine resulting in my passion for vulnerable children. I recently went to India to visit orphans and the people I met there and fell quite in love with are seared on my heart for good. If you have time to hear stories and see pictures I would be happy to share! While gifts are not my greatest love language I really delight in giving what I have to people I love (from family to strangers), be it my time and energy or talents and finances. I love fellowshipping and being in community, having people at the farm in the summertime and having customers-turned-friends of my mom's around our table for a meal. I love neighbors, and according to Jesus you are my neighbor! So please say hello, because I want to know you.
See you in September!

Getting to know you //

This post is entirely for the benefit of knowing you more, sweet reader. I know you are out there reading and I want to be introduced! I want to know you! So, I've written out a few little bits of small talk to ponder, with my own answers right below them, and you may choose to answer them or not, but whatever you do I so hope you'll say hello down in the comments. Don't be shy!

--- --- ---

// How close you sit to a window.
If I could light every store and home with just natural lighting I would be inclined to do so. In planes I like window seats. In restaurants I prefer tables near windows. At home I like sitting under our huge farmhouse windows on the couch and letting the light spill over me.

// Whether spring snow delights or discourages you.
I lived in a land of 9 month winters for nearly half of my life. Winter is hard for me to live with so snow storms in the spring really discourage me.

// Whether or not you remember that there's iced tea near the soda fountain and would pick it to with your meal.
I never remember and I so wish I did. As it is I drink water. In the end it's better for me anyway so it's all good I suppose.

// If you'd rather live thirty minutes from town or thirty minutes from the country.
I've lived thirty minutes from town several times in my life and those have been the most lovely times of my life. I wouldn't have it any other way. However, I am moving into town soon and, though my house is darling and in a quaint area of town, I know I'll miss my long drives home so very much.

// Prefer to be an employee or employer?
Employer. I am born and bred to be self employed and entrepreneurial. However I've learned a lot as an employee and being part of a team and being selected for your ability are both wonderful things.

// When it comes to travel we all have dreams. What motivates you to make your travel dreams actually happen?
As much as I want to travel, it's the people I will visit or who will go with me that get me motivated to pay for the trip and step out my front door.

// Get dressed up for the grocery store or not?
Not usually. For errands it's normally only jeans and a coat and some cute flats.

--- --- ---

Let me just take a moment and say thank you to those of you who faithfully follow this blog. Doing life with people is one of the best things in life and I am glad it can happen online as well. You all are part of my community, you're my neighbors, so don't hesitate to drop me a line or even just say, "Good morning!" in passing. I'll be delighted to answer back and call you by name whenever you do! The same goes for first-time readers as well!

Tomorrow will come... be here now

The sun rises and sets, money is made and spent. Time flies but don't focus on that. Give yourself to the fleeting moments in life. Breathe deeply the sorrows and troubles and joys and anticipations that come. Look away from this screen and look into the eyes of your loved ones, and the person behind the counter and the strangers you pass on the street. They're here, in your life, now. Practice savoring. Practice seeing. Practice being. You can keep the memories forever but you can't rewind time, so live it and replay it whenever you want and go on living and remembering and looking and seeing and loving and being. Don't be afraid to live and age and have it all end. Just be here, now. And when you find that now is the end you won't have regrets because wherever you were in your life you will know you were fully there.