Two Are Better Than One
Have you ever really thought about it? At times you can feel so alone in this cold and cruel world. I heard an older gentleman talking just tonight about how people just do not care for their fellow man any more. He said they do not love, they do not care for, and they do not value another human being’s life in the age we are living in today. How incredibly sad and heart breaking! His words echoed my thoughts just a few short months ago, though, as it was what I was feeling at the time.
There are plenty of people in this world that will let you know in a single minute that you are not important to them. They will tear you down so fast with the words that come out of their mouth. Their attitudes toward you also speaks volumes.
I want you to know, though, that you DO matter … to me … to God … to your friends and family, even if they fail miserably at times in letting you know this very important fact.
You DO matter … and you are loved more than you can ever imagine.
God loves you with a completely unconditional love.
We, as humans, often times place restrictions and conditions on our love. Why is that? Well, if you do this or that, you’ll have my love … no, it should not work this way. Love should not be based on any condition or any thing you do … love just IS! And it is so beautiful!
Nothing could ever compare to the love you receive from your family and friends.
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)
Often times we are busy pushing those away from us that just want to show us love. If we allow the love, we set ourselves up to be hurt. When we open ourselves up to love, that is when we are most vulnerable. While all of these things are true … love is worth the risk involved.
Allow someone to enter into the chambers of your heart, to love you, and to help you up today, for two are better than one.
To Write Love On Her Arms
Today’s post will be different than what you may be used to, but it is a message that is begging to be heard. This is something that millions of people every where are struggling with, and I feel very strongly that people need to know about a website entitled To Write Love On Her Arms. This non-profit organization was formed in 2006 by Jamie Tworkowski. It began as an attempt to tell a story and a way to help a friend. To Write Love On Her Arms (also known as TWLOHA) is a movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicidal thoughts. The sole purpose behind TWLOHA is to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
I first learned about TWLOHA through one of my friends who was struggling with self-injury. TWLOHA really helped her to see the brighter side of things. She reached out to TWLOHA and got help. She is now a year into recovery, and I am extremely proud of her and happy for her. TWLOHA helped her beat her depression and focus more on the positive in life.
On the TWLOHA site, there are help lines to call if you need help right away. TWLOHA helps millions of people all around the world. It helps by telling individuals that they are not alone. There is always someone willing to help at any time of the day or night. TWLOHA helps to show that your story is important. They works to let people know that it is okay to be honest and that it is okay to ask for help.
TWLOHA sells shirts, hoodies, bags, bracelets and posters. With each purchase, the money is donated to helping bring a message of hope and help to the world.
If you or someone you love is struggling, please know that you are not alone and that it is okay to ask for help. It truly is! That is the bravest thing you can do is reach out and ask for help. Please know that recovery is possible. It is possible to change and start again. Never lose hope. There are many people in the world who are struggling with things similar to what you are struggling with.
Hope is real.
Help is available.
Don’t give up.
If you need someone to talk to, I will do my absolute best to help you. I give you my word.
Below I have listed a few hotlines to call. Please know that the call is anonymous to the best of my knowledge.
Please don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
Your life is precious and worth living.
- Suicide Help Hotline: 800-273-8255
- Self-Injury Hotline: 800-366-8288
- Eating Disorder Hotline: 800-845-2211
- Depression Hotline: 888-771-5166
- Addiction Hotline: 866-721-5756
- Gambling Hotline: 800-522-4700
Memories of The Way We Were – Part II
Not too long ago, I wrote a post entitled Memories of The Way We Were. I spoke of how I was scanning in pictures for a family from some very old scrapbooks and photo albums, some dating back to 1918! At the time of that writing, I had no idea that there would be a Part II … until this past week! I was called back to this gentleman’s house to scan in letters – boxes and boxes of letters! And these letters told great stories … heart touching stories … some even heart wrenching stories.
Berlin ,1953
Imagine seeing that little piece of history laying right before you! These particular letters were written in German, and oh how I wish I could have read them. I can only imagine the stories that they offered from that point in time.
Among the letters were documents from this gentleman’s time in the war. There were forms that he had to complete prior to enlisting, and then there were the necessary forms after enlisting such as a will. One would not think of a teenager needing a will, but the military made sure that all of their bases were covered. The gentleman’s history and physical were among the forms in the file, as well as “official” paperwork from the government. Confidential, privileged, top secret information … laying right there at my fingertips. It was absolutely amazing to me.
As I told in the previous post, I know the family, although I clearly did not know this gentleman as I wasn’t even a thought back in 1953. Having worked with the family for almost ten years, though, I have come to know the names that I saw in some of the files and on the documents. I’ve come to know the gentleman in pictures and now in letters. Beautiful handwritten letters on the finest of paper that money could buy.
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