Wow. Breathtaking.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Disney Friends
Things You Do For Friends
Friends are important. And we would do a lot for them.
But sometimes we need a little help to show them how much we care.
Thankfully some Disney friendship experts have inspiration for us:
Go along for the ride
Not many people (or fish for that matter) would drop everything and swim across the ocean to help find a stranger’s child. But as we know, we should all try to be like Dory.
Celebrate birthdays
Flora, Fauna and Merryweather just want to give Aurora the best birthday ever. Any friend would appreciate that. (But we’re not sure if we can beat a cake with that many layers.)
Stick through the rough (and cold) times
Oh LeFou. You might be Gaston’s only true friend, but you sure are a loyal one. We hope you’re okay in that snow.
Prioritize friends above honey
We’re not sure how Pooh denied his rumbly tumbly the sweet satisfaction of a pot of honey. But what a heartwarming tail of friendship. (The pun was unavoidable.)
Chase away unwanted suitors
Always an important task for a friend. Although it might be hard to be as effective as Rajah at fending them off.
Dress in drag and do the hula
Timon and Pumbaa know it’s the best way to distract a person. . . or hyena. (But we hope we’re never in a hyena threat situation.)
Be there for back-up
We all have an Omnidroid in our lives to conquer. It’s better if friends are there to help us, whether they’re supers or not.
Teach a new trick
Expand friends’ hobbies beyond the horizon (obviously we’ve got Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride stuck in our heads).
Show the good and the bad sides
In Kuzco’s case, his bad self is really his heroic life-saving self. But we won’t tell him that.
Do the unexpected
Mike glued together a door made of tiny shards of wood. It’s not what we expected. There were so many splinters. And so much friendship.
Go along for the ride
Not many people (or fish for that matter) would drop everything and swim across the ocean to help find a stranger’s child. But as we know, we should all try to be like Dory.
Celebrate birthdays
Flora, Fauna and Merryweather just want to give Aurora the best birthday ever. Any friend would appreciate that. (But we’re not sure if we can beat a cake with that many layers.)
Stick through the rough (and cold) times
Oh LeFou. You might be Gaston’s only true friend, but you sure are a loyal one. We hope you’re okay in that snow.
Prioritize friends above honey
We’re not sure how Pooh denied his rumbly tumbly the sweet satisfaction of a pot of honey. But what a heartwarming tail of friendship. (The pun was unavoidable.)
Chase away unwanted suitors
Always an important task for a friend. Although it might be hard to be as effective as Rajah at fending them off.
Dress in drag and do the hula
Timon and Pumbaa know it’s the best way to distract a person. . . or hyena. (But we hope we’re never in a hyena threat situation.)
Be there for back-up
We all have an Omnidroid in our lives to conquer. It’s better if friends are there to help us, whether they’re supers or not.
Teach a new trick
Expand friends’ hobbies beyond the horizon (obviously we’ve got Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride stuck in our heads).
Show the good and the bad sides
In Kuzco’s case, his bad self is really his heroic life-saving self. But we won’t tell him that.
Do the unexpected
Mike glued together a door made of tiny shards of wood. It’s not what we expected. There were so many splinters. And so much friendship.
"8 Women Christian Men Should Never Marry"
8 Women Christian Men Should Never Marry
In response I received numerous requests to share similar guidelines for men who are looking for wives. Since I am mentoring several young men right now and have seen a few of them marry successfully during the past few years, it wasn’t difficult to draft this list. These are the women I tell my spiritual sons to avoid:
1. The unbeliever. In last week’s column, I reminded women that the Bible is absolutely clear on this point: Christians should not marry unbelievers. Second Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (NASB). Apart from your decision to follow Christ, marriage is the single most important decision you will ever make. Don’t blow it by ignoring the obvious. You need a wife who loves Jesus more than she loves you. Put spiritual maturity at the top of your list of qualities you want in a wife.
2. The material girl. One young friend of mine was engaged to a girl from a rich family. He saved up money for months to buy a ring, but when he proposed she told him he needed to go back to the jewelry store to buy a bigger diamond. She pushed her fiance to go into debt for a ring that fit her expectations. She wanted a Tiffany’s lifestyle on his Wal-Mart budget. I warned my friend that he was stepping into serious trouble. Unless you want to live in debt for the rest of your life, do not marry a girl who has dollar signs in her eyes and eight credit cards in her Gucci purse.
3. The diva. Some macho guys like to throw their weight around and pretend they are superior to women. Divas are the female version of this nightmare. They think the world revolves around them, and they don’t think twice about hurting somebody else to prove their point. Their words are harsh and their finger-snapping demands are unreasonable. Some of these women might end up in leadership positions at church, but don’t be fooled by their super-spiritual talk. Real leaders are humble. If you don’t see Christlike humility in the woman you are dating, back away from her and keep looking.
4. The Delilah. Remember Samson? He was anointed by God with superhuman strength, but he lost his power when a seductive woman figured out his secret and gave her man the world’s most famous haircut. Like Delilah, a woman who hasn’t yielded her sexuality to God will blind you with her charms, break your heart and snip your anointing off. If the “Christian” woman you met at church dresses provocatively, flirts with other guys, posts sexually inappropriate comments on Facebook or tells you she’s OK with sex before marriage, get out of that relationship before she traps you.
5. The contentious woman. A young man told me recently that he dated a girl who had serious resentment in her heart because of past hurts. “Before I would propose, I told my fiancee she had to deal with this,” he explained. “It would have been a deal-breaker, but there was a powerful breakthrough and now we are engaged.” This guy realized that unresolved bitterness can ruin a marriage. Proverbs 21:9 says, “It is better to live in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” If the woman you are dating is seething with anger and unforgiveness, your life together will be ruined by arguing, door-slamming and endless drama. Insist that she get prayer and counseling.
6. The controller. Marriage is a 50/50 partnership, and the only way it works is when both husband and wife practice mutual submission according to Ephesians 5:21. Just as some guys think they can run a marriage like a dictatorship, some women try to manipulate decisions to get their way. This is why premarital counseling is so important! You don’t want to wait until you’ve been married for two weeks to find out that your wife doesn’t trust you and wants to call all the shots.
7. The mama’s girl. It’s normal for a new wife to call her mom regularly for advice and support. It is not normal for her to talk to her mother five times a day about every detail of her marriage, including her sex life. That’s weird. Yet I have counseled guys whose wives allowed their mothers (or fathers) total control of their marriages. Genesis 2:24 says a man is to leave his parents and cleave to his wife. Parents should stay in the background of their children’s marriages. If your girlfriend hasn’t cut the apron strings, proceed with caution.
8. The addict. So many people in the church today have not been properly discipled. Many still struggle with various types of addictions—to alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medicines or pornography—either because we don’t confront these sins from the pulpit or we don’t offer enough compassionate support to strugglers. Jesus can completely set a person free from these habits, but you don’t want to wait until you’re married to find out your wife isn’t sober. You may still be called to be married, but it is not wise to tie the knot until your girlfriend faces her issues head-on.
Your best rule to follow in choosing a wife is found in Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Look past the outward qualities that the world says are important, and look at the heart.
"Ten Men Christian Women Should Never Marry"
10 Men Christian Women Should Never Marry
I have always believed God is in the matchmaking business. If He can do it for my daughters, He can do it for you.
Today I have several single female friends who would very much like to find the right guy. Some tell me the pickings are slim at their church, so they have ventured into the world of online dating. Others have thrown up their hands in despair, wondering if there are any decent Christian guys left anywhere. They’ve begun to wonder if they should lower their standards in order to find a mate.
My advice stands: Don't settle for less than God's best. Too many Christian women today have ended up with an Ishmael because impatience pushed them into an unhappy marriage. Please take my fatherly advice: You are much better off single than with the wrong guy!
Speaking of “wrong guys,” here are the top 10 men you should avoid when looking for a husband:
1. The unbeliever. Please write 2 Corinthians 6:14 on a Post-it note and tack it on your computer at work. It says, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (NASB). This is not an outdated religious rule. It is the Word of God for you today.
Don’t allow a man’s charm, looks or financial success (or his willingness to go to church with you) push you to compromise what you know is right. “Missionary dating” is never a wise strategy. If the guy is not a born-again Christian, scratch him off your list. He’s not right for you. I’ve yet to meet a Christian woman who didn’t regret marrying an unbeliever.
2. The liar. If you discover that the man you are dating has lied to you about his past or that he’s always covering his tracks to hide his secrets from you, run for the nearest exit. Marriage must be built on a foundation of trust. If he can’t be truthful, break up now before he bamboozles you with an even bigger deception.
3. The playboy. I wish I could say that if you meet a nice guy at church, you can assume he’s living in sexual purity. But that’s not the case today. I’ve heard horror stories about single guys who serve on the worship team on Sunday but act like Casanovas during the week. If you marry a guy who was sleeping around before your wedding, you can be sure he will be sleeping around after your wedding.
4. The deadbeat. There are many solid Christian men who experienced marital failure years ago. Since their divorce, they have experienced the Holy Spirit’s restoration, and now they want to remarry. Second marriages can be very happy. But if you find out that the man you are dating hasn’t been caring for his children from a previous marriage, you have just exposed a fatal flaw. Any man who will not pay for his past mistakes or support children from a previous marriage is not going to treat you responsibly.
5. The addict. Churchgoing men who have addictions to alcohol or drugs have learned to hide their problems—but you don’t want to wait until your honeymoon to find out that he’s a boozer. Never marry a man who refuses to get help for his addiction. Insist that he get professional help and walk away. And don’t get into a codependent relationship in which he claims he needs you to stay sober. You can’t fix him.
6. The bum. I have a female friend who realized after she married her boyfriend that he had no plans to find steady work. He had devised a great strategy: He stayed home all day and played video games while his professional wife worked and paid all the bills. The apostle Paul told the Thessalonians, “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either” (2 Thess. 3:10). The same rule applies here: If a man is not willing to work, he doesn’t deserve to marry you.
7. The narcissist. I sincerely hope you can find a guy who is handsome. But be careful: If your boyfriend spends six hours a day at the gym and regularly posts closeups of his biceps on Facebook, you have a problem. Do not fall for a self-absorbed guy. He might be cute, but a man who is infatuated with his appearance and his own needs will never be able to love you sacrificially, like Christ loves the church (Eph. 5:25). The man who is always looking at himself in the mirror will never notice you.
8. The abuser. Men with abusive tendencies can’t control their anger when it boils over. If the guy you are dating has a tendency to fly off the handle, either at you or others, don’t be tempted to rationalize his behavior. He has a problem, and if you marry him you will have to navigate his minefield every day to avoid triggering another outburst. Angry men hurt women—verbally and sometimes physically. Find a man who is gentle.
9. The man-child. Call me old-fashioned, but I’m suspicious of a guy who still lives with his parents at age 35. If his mother is still doing his cooking, cleaning and ironing at that age, you can be sure he’s stuck in an emotional time warp. You are asking for trouble if you think you can be a wife to a guy who hasn’t grown up. Back away and, as a friend, encourage him to find a mentor who can help him mature.
10. The control freak. Some Christian guys today believe marriage is about male superiority. They may quote Scripture and sound super-spiritual, but behind the façade of husbandly authority is deep insecurity and pride that can morph into spiritual abuse. First Peter 3:7 commands husbands to treat their wives as equals. If the man you are dating talks down to you, makes demeaning comments about women or seems to squelch your spiritual gifts, back away now. He is on a power trip. Women who marry religious control freaks often end up in a nightmare of depression.
If you are a woman of God, don’t sell your spiritual birthright by marrying a guy who doesn’t deserve you. Your smartest decision in life is to wait for a man who is sold out to Jesus.
Touching
But Why Does She Get Babies?
Some days are easier than others. Some days I wake up and life is filled with sunshine and my husband is wonderful and my heart is content.
And then comes the day when the teenager is pregnant, the baby is being raised by a grandmother, and the mother who doesn’t want to be bothered aborts.
Those are the days when I pound my fists into my pillow, when I cry out the unending question into the dark red walls of my bedroom, “Why, God? Why does she get babies? Why?”
It’s agony. This screaming monster inside that claws to control my thoughts, my voice, my actions.
Why does the one who misuses your gift, get it? Why does the one who would treasure it, not? What part of that makes sense in your all-knowing mind? I can’t resist pointing. I can’t resist speaking into the shadow that seems to be consuming my heart. “What about her, God?”
And the phrase brings to mind another person who spoke similar words. His name was Peter. Rock. He was often short-tempered and rash. He probably spoke rapid-fire questions and wondered what was wrong with God’s all-knowing mind. Especially when Jesus told him about the death that would come to him. A death where Peter would stretch out his hands and be led where he did not want to go. And afterward, Peter saw another disciple—the one that Jesus loved— and he said, “Wait, what about him?”
And Jesus said, “What’s that to you? You must follow me.”
My heart slows. My questions stop. Jesus answered Peter that day, but he also answered me.
“Why does she get babies?” I asked.I must get up, take up my cross, and serve Him. I must give glory and honor to God. What is it to me, who receives the gift of children? It is not my call, not my right, not my business.
“What’s that to you? You must follow me,” He answered.
Peter was the rock that God built His church upon. Peter, who died a criminal’s death, though innocent. Whose wife was martyred as well. Peter, who had to give up and give up and give up. When he pointed and questioned, Jesus answered him straight. What’s that to you? You follow Me.
And I’m the girl who loves God and wants to serve Him. And so far? I cannot bear a child. Nor have we been able to adopt. I’ve been asked to give up and give up and give up. And when I point and question, Jesus answers me straight. What’s that to you? You follow Me.
The answer echoes around me. It closes in and leaves me quiet and humble. It turns out that I’m not God and I don’t get to pick, and low and behold, it’s not even my business.
My business is simple: To follow Him.
And your question, friend? Jesus answers yours as well.
Why does she get a husband who actually works at their marriage? Why does she have a husband who is faithful? Why does she get a husband at all?
Why does she get a job that she loves? Why does she get to stay home? Why does she have extra spending money?
Why does she have extended family that helps her? Why does she have a mother who cares?
Why does she have good health? Why… Why…
“What’s that to you?” He says, “You follow Me.”
"Toy Story"
The True Identity of Andy's Mom Makes 'Toy Story' Even More Epic
But this is Pixar, and it stands to reason that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the Davis family (Andy's last name).
In order to understand who Ms. Davis really is, we have to start with something seemingly simple: a hat.
In the picture below, you see Andy's cowboy hat that he plays with throughout his childhood. Study it closely.
We don't think about it because most of us are normal human beings with things like jobs and tax exemptions. But I want you to take a quick journey with me: Andy got this hat from his mom.
In Toy Story 2, young Andy Davis left for summer camp, and his mom held a yard sale. "The Chicken Man" found Woody in one of the boxes (he was trying to save a fellow toy) and pleaded with Ms. Davis to sell him because Woody is a collectible from the 1950s.
Ms. Davis refuses, acknowledging that Woody is "an old family toy." Not that much time has passed between the Toy Story movies, but we know that Andy has had Woody since Kindergarten, according to Mr. Potato Head. Andy's 6th birthday is in the first Toy Story, which makes him 7 or 8 in this movie. Woody doesn't seem all that old in comparison.
Further, Woody has no recollection of who he is. Many have suggested that this is because he was owned by Andy's father, who is never mentioned in the movies. Molly is a baby in the first movie, which means Andy's father either died or walked out not long before the movies started.
A reasonable assumption is that Andy's mom gave Woody, his father's toy, to him on his 5th birthday. After all, she gave him Buzz Lightyear on his next birthday. If Woody had been a new toy when Ms. Davis gave him to Andy, then he would know exactly who he is was, which is unlikely because he is so rare.
Now, back to the hat. I believe Andy received the hat from his mom, as well. There's another instance in the movies when this hat is shown:
That makes Emily the same age as Andy's mom, who had him in the 80s. They also have the same hat, except the white lace on Andy's hat is missing, but you can clearly see where it once was. There's even a faded mark:
We know that Emily donated Jessie and her other "cowboy" accessories as a teen, so wouldn't the hat be included? If you watch closely, the hat isn't in the box. The box isn't even big enough to hold it.
We do see that Emily has short, auburn hair. It almost looks like...
Now you may be wondering if Emily/Andy's mom noticed that Andy suddenly had a toy she once had as a child. Think of it this way: how would you react if you saw that your kid had a toy that looked like one that you had? You probably wouldn't assume they're the same, even if you're in a Pixar movie.
The theory is that in a twist of fate, Emily (Andy's mom) loved a cowboy toy but gave it away during her adolescence. Her son would grow to love a cowboy toy as well, in a weird way that resembles the strong love she once had. She passed the hat down to him, and as destiny would have it, Andy would one day receive Jessie, as well. This would redeem his mother's abandoning of her, making Emily's story come full-circle.
And much like Emily, Andy also grew tired of his toys and moved on. He also gave them away and let them go.
And that, ladies and gentleman, is the true story of Andy's mom.
(This post originally appeared on jonnegroni.com)
Jon is also the author of The Pixar Theory, an award-winning theory about how all of the Pixar movies exist in the same universe and tell one, cohesive story. Yeah, it's about as ridiculous as it sounds.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Whale or Mermaid?
Someone shared this with me...it's not my photo and I didn't write
this. But...I absolutely love what this woman wrote. So well done!
Please read; it's quite enjoyable and share.
A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"
The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:
"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.
Mermaids do not exist.
But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?
Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.
At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.
We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "
Do share if you care.
Someone shared this with me...it's not my photo and I didn't write this. But...I absolutely love what this woman wrote. So well done! Please read; it's quite enjoyable and share.
A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"
The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:
"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.
Mermaids do not exist.
But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?
Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.
At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.
We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "
Do share if you care.
A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"
The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:
"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.
Mermaids do not exist.
But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?
Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.
At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.
We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "
Do share if you care.
Someone shared this with me...it's not my photo and I didn't write this. But...I absolutely love what this woman wrote. So well done! Please read; it's quite enjoyable and share.
A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"
The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:
"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.
Mermaids do not exist.
But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?
Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.
At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.
We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "
Do share if you care.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Unbroken
To those who suffer from depression and anxiety;
Some know all too well of the inner hell that is severe depression and anxiety. Some days it hurts just to wake up and find that you survived the night. Some days you just want to cry and you can't stop yourself but that's ok because sometimes crying helps you make it through. You just feel so alone like you're the only one in the world who's ever felt this way, that no one understands. But you're not alone. No matter how alone you may feel, there are others, and people who can sympathize. The struggle is real. Being diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression It was sheer terror for me when antidepressants were mentioned. I felt that I had to take them just to feel 'normal' like everyone else. I felt that they would change me. But someone told me once, "it's just a prescription. Like a person needs glasses, or a diabetic needs their insulin, this is no different. It's just a prescription." No matter how broken you feel, it will be ok. Just because your brain doesn't produce as much serotonin as everyone else's, so what. Just because you constantly worry about things to the point of shaking, so what. You're human. Not a one of us in this world is perfect, and it's your flaws that make you beautiful and who you are. I worried that people would leave because of my condition at the time and some did. But the beautiful part: it meant they never should have been there in the first place. If they can't handle you at the worst they do NOT deserve you at your best. Everyone has their troubles. So never think your broken, because honey to me, it's beautiful.<3
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Emotionally Strong
15 Things That Emotionally Strong People Don’t Do
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There is a particular aspect of mental strength
that is the deciding factor of whether or not you will have a good
life. There are many levels to mental strength and all are needed to be
successful and happy. The one particular area of mental strength that
has the greatest impact is that of emotional strength.Emotions are, of course, a part of our psyche, yet nevertheless, can be distinguished from the remainder of mental qualities because they most directly influence our physical body. They affect the way our body functions and they drive every single one of our actions. Without emotion, we would have no reason to act, to do anything with ourselves.
Emotions are our greatest motivators. Unfortunately, they can motivate us to act in any direction, even the wrong one. For this reason, emotional strength is essential. There are countless situations that emotionally strong people avoid and many actions they never take. Here are 15 of them:
1. They Don’t Beg For Attention
Needing attention is directly linked to emotion. Those who feel the need for recognition only find themselves experiencing feelings of worth when others make them feel needed; it’s as if these people are uncertain of their value, or if they have any ounce of self-worth. Feeling unsure of your worth is a self-fulfilling prophecy; if you don’t know you matter, then no one will ever believe you do.2. They Don’t Allow Others To Bring Them Down
Emotional strength requires resilience. This world is filled with haters and trolls. There are jealous eyes lurking around every corner. The unfortunate truth is that often the people who hold us back the most are those closest to us. Getting rid of these people is often the best solution, but also the most difficult. If you can quietly remove these people from your life, that’s one fewer bridge burned and much less of an emotional trigger.3. They Don’t Hold Grudges
If you’re holding a grudge, then you already care more about a situation than you should. If a person apologizes genuinely, forgive him or her. If this person doesn’t apologize, then don’t interact with him or her, but don’t hold grudges. People with whom you seek to alienate and hold grudges against take up too much of your mental energy, doing more harm than good.4. They Never Stop Doing Their Own Thing
Emotionally strong individuals do what they do because they love doing it. They don’t plan on slowing down or stopping for anyone who deems their happiness inappropriate.5. They Never Stop Believing In Themselves
Those who love themselves and understand themselves — those who aren’t afraid or proud to be themselves — never doubt themselves. You amount to your own self-worth, not a shilling more.6. They Don’t Act Like Jerks
People are mean. But we wonder, why? Being a jerk is only good as an intimidation factor, and if you’re trying to intimidate people, then you better be a negotiator by profession; if you’re intimidating just for the sake of it, you’re obviously overcompensating for a lack of confidence. Do you also drive a very large automobile, perhaps? I hear they make pills for that.7. They Know Better Than To Let Just Anyone Into Their Lives
The emotionally strong are emotionally strong for a reason: They don’t expose themselves to people who break down their defenses and crush their morale. Most people in the world are lost and will be more than happy to take you along with them. Don’t let an awful acquaintance ruin your happiness.8. They Aren’t Afraid To Love
If you’re afraid to love, you don’t have enough confidence in yourself. You obviously think you can’t be in a lasting relationship, but only in one that is doomed for disaster. You don’t want to get hurt again because getting hurt really sucks. There is no reason for you to get your heart broken again because you are awesome. If things don’t work out, it’s not you. It’s the two of you together. Unless, of course, you are an awful human being; in that case, it is you.9. They Don’t Lie In Bed Dreading The Day Ahead Of Them
The best part of your day should be the moment you wake up and realize you’re still alive. We take life for granted too regularly.10. They’re Not Afraid Of Slowing Down
Emotionally strong people aren’t in need of constant action and excitement. They don’t need to run around all day and keep moving in order to avoid their demons. They appreciate a slow moment because it brings them closer to what it feels like to do nothing but living, breathing. This is not to say that they don’t enjoy excitement in their lives, but they aren’t junkies and are more than happy to just go for a walk and smell the roses.11. They Don’t Do Things They Don’t Want To Do
We all do things that we don’t love to do, but we should never do things that we don’t want to do. The emotionally strong understand that and almost always manage to figure out a way to focus on what they love, which allows them to figure out what they need to do, in order to do what they love. Although they may not love every second of it, they like doing what they are doing because it’s bringing them one step closer to what they would love to do.12. They Have No Problem Saying “No”
If you can’t say “no,” you will get abused. You’ll be considered a pushover and no one will ever ask you for your opinion or take it seriously when you give it. Saying “no” reminds people that they don’t have control over you.13. They Don’t “Forget” To Give Back
We’re not too busy or too poor to donate our money and/or time. We don’t forget, either. Some people just choose to ignore our responsibilities as human beings. The stronger you are emotionally, the more you come to appreciate others and life itself. You give life more worth and you begin to empathize with those who were dealt a bad hand.14. They Don’t Feel The Need To Fit In
The stronger you are emotionally, the more independent you become. You don’t feel the need to fit in because you fit in where it matters: the world. People form smaller social groups that are often skewed and unhealthy. Wanting to fit in doesn’t say much more than “I’m afraid to be myself.”15. They Don’t Forget That Happiness Is A Decision
Most importantly, the emotionally strong have learned to understand the power their brains have over both the mind and body. They understand that emotions are reactions, not reactions to direct physical causes, but to the way we perceive those causes. In other words, our emotions don’t reflect reality; rather, our emotions reflect the way we interpret reality. Understanding this gives us near-full control of our emotions and, therefore, our lives.Reality Check
A Reality Check For All Girls Who Say “I Have The Best Boyfriend Ever!”
By
By all means this 100 percent makes your boyfriend the best, because he followed your instructions to buy you tickets to a concert he would rather die than attend. He is the best because he did exactly what you wanted him to do, exactly as you told him. He listened… like a dog.
Who wants a dog as a boyfriend? No one.
A man is what all of you fabulous, hardworking, independent, incredible women should want. You shouldn’t have to deliver instructions and you shouldn’t have to expect roses twice a year on Valentine’s Day and your birthday.
Flowers, if they are even something you admire, should come without purpose and without needing a reason. An argument is not an occasion for flowers, although our twisted society has made it acceptable for a man to be wrong and use flowers as his apology rather than the words “I am sorry.”
And that is why I chose to date who I date. He sends flowers from three states over, just because. He comes into my house when I am not home (it’s not creepy I swear) and puts flowers in my room, just because.
He is a great boyfriend.
But do you know what else makes him so great? He says no to me. A word that women often feel means they are dating the wrong person, or is too controlling for them. Well ladies, you’re wrong. Sometimes no is the right answer.
No you do not need another Michael Kors bag.
No we cannot go out to breakfast, lunch AND dinner 7 days a week.
No you should not wear that skirt that shows your butt.
The list goes on, but it a healthy and helpful way.
What made me originally drawn to my current boyfriend was in fact his ability to say no to me, something I was not used to. Now it is something I appreciate and I look to him for guidance in making decisions.
Every relationship has some sort of a routine. Whether it is seeing one another on long weekends, or date night every Saturday, it’s still a routine and to you it’s still special. Hopefully whatever special routine you have is what makes your relationship great and what makes you want to brag.
My brag is this: my boyfriend lays in bed with me at night until I fall asleep (I usually have trouble sleeping), he gets me a glass of water from the filter on the fridge downstairs, lowers the volume on my TV, often puts my nerdy retainer in my mouth, pulls up my covers and kisses me goodnight. He then walks to his car and drives home. This may seem unimportant, unromantic or just basic. But to me it is special. He takes his time to do everything for me and most importantly he makes me feel safe and special.
Your boyfriend’s job is to make you feel good. To everyone that is different, but you should glow when he looks at you, and feel all the cliché warmth when he holds you.
I’m sure many women will disagree, or still consider themselves special to get a cliché bouquet of flowers on February 14 (just like millions of other women), but just think next time you post about “the best boyfriend ever.” Think about how creative and unique whatever it is you are about to shameless brag about? Is it really special, or just another cliché?
And seriously… stop posting pictures of your flowers and concert tickets.
Disney!
10 Disney Characters Who Just Want You To Feel Better
Some characters (cough: the villainous ones) would be happy to see you sad and blue.
Some other (much nicer) characters would do just about anything to
cheer you up and make sure that you are in a good mood. Let’s review.
The Fairy Godmother
You’re looking for a dream come true? No problem. Your Fairy Godmother is all over it, and she can’t stand to see you upset.
Lady
Puppy snuggles. That is all.
Winnie the Pooh
Pooh is all about cheering people up (and eating hunny). His adorable antics can put a smile on anyone’s face.
Dory
You can get through pretty much any situation with Dory’s signature motto: just keep swimming.
Genie
A fancy meal? New clothes? A really awesome high five? Genie has it covered and he’ll do anything to make sure you feel better.
Woody
Woody is ALWAYS there for you. Always. He will never, ever give up on you.
Pascal
Just look at that face. It’s an instant smile-inducer.
Quasimodo
Quasimodo is basically this article. He’s had a tough life but he never lets that get him down, and he never wants you to be down on yourself either. We mean, did you see that scene with the bird? He is all about supporting others.
Happy
It’s all in the name.
Dug
Dug loves you so much and Dug just wants you to be happy and we just want to hug him forever and ever.
Who do you turn to when you need to smile?
The Fairy Godmother
You’re looking for a dream come true? No problem. Your Fairy Godmother is all over it, and she can’t stand to see you upset.
Lady
Puppy snuggles. That is all.
Winnie the Pooh
Pooh is all about cheering people up (and eating hunny). His adorable antics can put a smile on anyone’s face.
Dory
You can get through pretty much any situation with Dory’s signature motto: just keep swimming.
Genie
A fancy meal? New clothes? A really awesome high five? Genie has it covered and he’ll do anything to make sure you feel better.
Woody
Woody is ALWAYS there for you. Always. He will never, ever give up on you.
Pascal
Just look at that face. It’s an instant smile-inducer.
Quasimodo
Quasimodo is basically this article. He’s had a tough life but he never lets that get him down, and he never wants you to be down on yourself either. We mean, did you see that scene with the bird? He is all about supporting others.
Happy
It’s all in the name.
Dug
Dug loves you so much and Dug just wants you to be happy and we just want to hug him forever and ever.
Who do you turn to when you need to smile?
SeAsOnS
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven."
~Ecclesiastes 3:1 <3
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