“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)
||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:
||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?
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!
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
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
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.
“I talk and talk and talk, and I haven’t taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week.”
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
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
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
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. . .
“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!
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
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.