Messages From My Friend
“Messages from My Friend” is an ongoing collection of real-life experiences about "Making even one life breathe easier", by resolving the daily challenges of: Family, Relationships, Cultural Issues, Inspirational Experiences, and Joy & Loss, while searching for the “True North” of our heart.
My friend's experiences are augmented by the writings of: Shakespeare, Kipling, Emerson the Books of the Bible, "The Book of Virtues", "The Breakthrough Effect", "The Seven Seasons of the Man in the Mirror, "The Quotable Lewis", "Things That Matter", "The Book of Joy", "The Greatest Generation", "1776", "Signature in the Cell", "Let There be Light", "The Purpose Driven Life", "The Traveler's Gift", "When in Doubt, MAKE BELIEF", etc.
The websites listed under "Other Sources" on the Navigation Bar also provide additional insights & inspiration.
This website's purpose is to open minds, soften hearts, and touch souls to "Make even one life breathe easier", through the common denominator of shared experiences, that often requires "Treating the Imposters of Triumph and Disaster, just the same." (paraphrased)
ONE Blog Post Per Each Category is published at the beginning of each month.
EACH blog post (Starting June 2020) has an "Embedded YouTube MUSIC VIDEO" which enhances the Theme of the blog post Message
- You can access All the Previous blog posts Per CATEGORY by simply "Scrolling Down" after reading the current month's blog post under a Category
- You can access All of a Previous Month's blog posts Per MONTH by "Clicking" on the desired month under the "Archives" section on the right of the Home Page.
- You can access All Current Month's blog posts by "Clicking" on "Read More" after the brief summary below.
The "MOST POPULAR" Posts are listed to the upper-right: simply "CLICK" on the Post's Title.
ALERT: PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED blog posts have been Updated & Enhanced with Music Videos, Pictures, and Edited Prose to combine for an Enjoyable & Enlightening, Experience. PLEASE TAKE A NEW LOOK at the Enhanced Blog Posts, and Enjoy.
"COMMENTS" are welcome and easily made at the end of each blog post. Thank You.
September Recent Posts
Family
A Family’s Enduring Friendship with a Stranger – For over a decade, a stranger played Santa Claus for my friend’s family on Christmas Eve. The stranger would call a week before his visit, to prepare a “Naughty & Nice” list for each family member. It was an incredibly wonderful evening. Then one year, the stranger called to say that he was transferred to another state. However, a few years later, my friend heard his named called while walking through a local restaurant. It was “Santa”, but… (Read More)
Relationship
The Relationship Between Mothers & Sons – A group of distraught mothers approached my friend after their Church Bible Study Session. They were at wits end with their sons. They all wanted to protect their sons from the consequences of their sons’ reckless behavior. But, their sons ignored everything the mothers tried to do or say.. So, they asked my friend for help. A week later, my friend gave them a letter with the following Time-Tested Solutions… (Read More)
Culture
Lessons Learned from the Movie, “the Upside” – A monumental collision course was set in motion when a Paraplegic Billionaire hired a shiftless ex-con to be his personal physical Care-Taker. The ex-con never took care of anyone, but himself, (letting his wife & son fend for themselves). The arrogant, self-made Billionaire never relied on anyone, for anything. Something had to give as these 2 opposing forces collided. The unexpected result was… (Read More)
Joy & Loss
“The Breakthrough Effect” – My friend met with 2 of the authors of the book, “The Breakthrough Effect”. The book is about the real-life experiences of 17 abused women who overcame horrific obstacles to “Breakthrough” to a fulfilling, productive life. My friend summarized the main “Breakthrough Principles”, as described by the author, who… (Read More)
Inspiration
Life’s Two Major Tasks – The 1st task is to build a container, an identity. The 2nd task is to find contents to fill that container. The 1st half is about DOING. The 2nd half is about BEING. In the 2nd half, we jettison the futility of our Desires, the fragility of our Cultural values, the seduction of Ambition, and the illusion of Security. Instead, we… (Read More)
True North
Art – The Portrayal of God’s Creation, Forgiveness, & Reconciliation with Man - Michelangelo’s magnificent Sistine Chapel’s portrayal of the “Creation of Man” captures the essence of Man being made in the Image & Likeness of God. Rembrandt’s poignant painting of the “Prodigal Son” captures the essence of God’s unilateral, unconditional Love for His progeny. Combined, both paintings express… (Read More)