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~~ Deborah's Diamonds ~~


A diamond in the dark is still a diamond ...
but when light dances upon its face...
glorious beauty celebrates.







Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hosility,
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 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.

~ Author Unknown ~





I have been entrusted with three diamonds.
Precious and priceless.
Gems such as these were never meant to be hidden away from view.
Give them every opportunity to shine.
Be dazzled by their brilliance.
Polish them with praise.
Admire them.
Guard them well but refrain from blocking the light intended for them.

This page is dedicated to my gems:
My daughter, Tiffany 16 and my sons, Jake 13 and Cody 9.
All My Love
Mom




Teach Me ~~ Artist ~ Beth Yarbrough ~


If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again


If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger-paint more, and point the fingers less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.
By Diane Loomans
from Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patty Hansen







 When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake just for me,
and I knew that little things are special things.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night,
and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked....
and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.
~Author Unknown~
from A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1997 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Hanoch McCarty & Meladee McCarty







A hundred years from now,
it will not matter what my bank account was,
the sort of house I lived in,
or the kind of clothes I wore.
But the world may be much different,
because I was important in the life of a child.







~~The soul is healed by being with children.~~





A Reminder To Us All

Have you heard these words said? Were they said to you? Have you said them?

"How stupid can you be?"
"You're worthless"
"You're useless"
"You can't do anything right"
"You'll never amount to anything"
"It's all your fault"
"You're ugly"
"You're too skinny"
You're fat"



Verbal abuse is very hurtful.
Although most physical scars heal, verbal scars forever stay in your heart.
They never truly go away.
Words spoken echoing the past,
can bring emotions flooding back from as far away as your childhood.
They could have been spoken by a parent, teacher, minister, friend, classmate, teammate
neighbour, babysitter or even a stranger on the street.
We are all responsible for what we do, say, think and feel.
Let's be responsible and think about how what we say can have
a lasting effect in another's life
and make it something we would be proud to admit
instead of part of someone's painful memory.
~ Walkcontra ~





Copyright Mary Engelbreit


A REAL HOME

A REAL HOME is a playground.
Beware of the house where no rough-housing is allowed and no cries of glee are heard.

A REAL HOME is a workshop.
Pity the child who is unfamiliar with wrenches and hammers, knitting needles, thread, screwdrivers and saws.

A REAL HOME is a forum.
Honest, open discussion of life's great problems belongs originally and primarily in the family circle.

A REAL HOME is a secret society.
Loyalty to one's family should mean keeping silent on things that are the family's business and no one else's.

A REAL HOME is cooperative.
Households flourish in peace when the interest of each is the interest of all.

A REAL HOME is a school.
Many of life's most important and lasting lessons are learned here, both early in life and later on.

A REAL HOME is a temple.
Where people are loved and respected and where life is appreciated,
in the recognition that life in all its parts is a gift of God,
with our family being our personal and most precious gift.

Is your home, A REAL HOME?
~ Author Unknown ~









Why God Made Hugs

Everyone was meant to share
God's all-abiding love and care;
He saw that we would need to know
A way to let these feeling show.

So God made hugs ~~ a special sign,
And symbol of His love divine,
A circle of our open arms
To hold in love and keep out harm.

One simple hug can do its part
To warm and cheer another's heart.
A hug's a bit of heaven above
That signifies His perfect love.
~Jill Wolf~






Hugs For All Reasons

Hugs are versatile. Hugs help relieve pain and depression, make the healthy healthier, happy happier, and the most secure among us even more so. Hugging feels good, helps overcome fears, eases tension,and can even miraculously vanquish a boo boo.They can make an impossible day seem possible. It can provide stretching exercise if you are short, or bending exercise if you are tall. They require no special talents or equipment. They are a completely renewable resource. Absolutely recyclable anywhere on the planet. Here is a short lesson in hugging.

Hugging 101 by Deborah L.

#1 The A-Frame Hug
Often called the "hello" or "goodbye" hug you stand facing each other, arms wrapped around each other's shoulders,sides of heads pressed together (or almost) bodies not touching below the shoulders.This is often a brief hug and entirely appropriate for more formal occasions or unpracticed huggers.

#2 The Back to Front Hug
Also known as the "waist grabber".The hugger approaches from behind wraps their arms around the others waist and gives a gentle hug.This is a happy, supportive hug.This is generally used by those in fairly close personal relationships..not recommended as an introductory hug.

#3 The Cheek Hug
This hug is so versatile it can be used when both participants are standing,one standing, both sitting,you get the idea.This is a very tender, loving hug. Sides of your faces meet and you take a deep breaths. Within seconds both feel quiet and relaxed.The cheek hug often stirs feeling of kindness and peace.Cheek hugs are often used with children perched on our laps, or a silent "I understand" or "I'm sorry".

#4 The Heart Centred Hug
This is for practiced huggers only. If not a practiced hugger repeat hugs one through three until they are second nature to you. Then you are ready for the highest form of hugging.Direct eye contact is made as the two participants face each other.Then arms are wrapped around each other's shoulders or backs. Heads often come together...careful not to bonk.Full body contact results.The hug is firm but gentle.It is a potent hug made of pure love from the heart.

My advice..practice them all...often.
{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}





Please visit this link.
If you have kids..go and hug them after you read this.




Twenty-Four Things to Always Remember,
and One Thing to Never Forget

Your presence is a present to the world.
You're unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You'll make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal, your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem,
the heavier it gets.
Don't take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot...goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life's treasures are people...together.

Realize that it's never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have health and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.

And don't ever forget...
for even a day...
how very special you are.

Author ~ Collin McCarty ~