Do Others Know You Are Grateful For Them?

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200 words, believe, caring, community, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, encourage, family, friends, generosity, grateful, Gratitude, growing up, happy, joy, kindness, laughter, life, living in the moment, Relationships, thank you, thankful

Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone

Gladys Stern

I think we all pretty much agree that when we are grateful for the things and beautiful people we do have in our lives, we feel richer.

I grew up learning that life is not always fair and it may be one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned. Each time I’ve come face to face with an injustice, I had the important choice of remaining in a state of despair or being grateful for the resources available to me to work through it.

When we are intentional about turning our thoughts away from what we do not have toward what we do have, we are given the strength to endure and overcome our struggles.

Recognizing this truth is a blessing to those who embrace it.

Yet if we just recognize it without speaking our gratitude to those who give us strength, we miss a wonderful opportunity to bring joy to others.

So when someone lightens our load, do we express our thanks to them? When we hear someone say something good about another, do we tell them?

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Is there somebody you should thank today?

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I Want To Be Like That For Someone

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200 words, being in the now, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, encourage, happy, health, joy, kindness, laughter, life, living in the moment, love, memories, peace, Purpose, Relationships

Be someone who makes someone else look forward to tomorrow. ~ Unattributed

Do you know someone who makes you feel like you’re the only other person in the room?

At that very moment you are the most important person in the world?

I’ve been blessed to know a few people like this.

Once, some twenty years ago, I met a couple in their late 50s/early 60s who came to the office I was working at to chat with my boss; a long-time friend of theirs.

During their visit, I was introduced to them. I immediately felt loved by them. We chatted, and when they left, I was sad to see them go.

When they were gone, their aura of warmth lingered and I hoped I would have opportunity to see them again. Later that day, and much to my glee, I noticed that the man had left his wallet on my desk.

I picked up the phone to call and let them know, I could not contain my joy – I would see them again!

I want to be like that for someone

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Have you ever met and liked someone immediately? Who was it?

Celebrate Joy and Grow Through Sorrow

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200 words, change, choice, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dreams, encourage, faith, Fear, gift, grateful, growing up, journey, joy, learning, life, living in the moment, love, meaningful, mistakes, Purpose, Relationships, sorrow

When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate, when life is bitter, say thank you and grow. ~ unknown

What an amazing journey we’re on!

Life is a gift.

Its ebbs and flows.

Its highs and lows.

The connections we make and break.

The joys and sorrows we experience.

Each one of our paths; unique

a combination of choice and circumstance.

Sometimes courageously following our dreams. Inspiring and encouraging others to follow theirs. Take hold of ‘moments of joy’ – treasure them in your heart. They will carry you through the hard times.

Other times we are paralyzed by fear. Making us empathetic and patient with others who are afraid. Embrace every part of who you are.

Rippling effects that change the course of our path, that teach us if we let them. Or haunt us until we are teachable.

Life is a gift.

A beautiful and precious gift.

Don’t squander it.

Don’t take it for granted.

Be grateful for every opportunity given.

Even our mistakes have meaning when viewing our lives in this way.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate, when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.

A Person You Can Encourage

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200 words, caring, community, compassion, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, encourage, generosity, kindness, living in the moment, passion

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. ~ Mark Twain

I have a friend named Chuck who is a street chaplain in Vernon, British Columbia.

He uses the ‘poke’ feature on Facebook to tell those he pokes that he’s praying for them.

On November 25th Chuck’s status update read:

Pray that the Lord would place a person in your life today that you can encourage.

I took it to heart and headed for my temporary part-time job at the mall where I, along with other passionate people, have been working to secure sponsorships for 125 children who live in some of the poorest countries in the world.

While I was there, the mall’s cleaning lady walked by and was sweeping the floor.

A demure woman in her 60s, who is there every day quietly doing her job.

So unassuming, she almost blends into the background; does anyone ever notice her?

I thanked her for keeping the mall clean. She looked at me, her eyes glistening and said, “Thank you so much for saying that.”

I wonder how many of the people I see every day feel unappreciated.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

The Impossible, Massive, Heavy, Looming Task

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“Little by little, one travels far.” – J. R. R. Tolkien

Have you ever had an impossible, massive, heavy task looming in front of you?

A dream so close to your heart that the thought of not achieving it, was unbearable?

I have.

If you’re like me, it can paralyze you if you don’t deconstruct it into manageable pieces.

How to tackle an impossible, massive, heavy, looming task

1. Picture the final outcome. How does it feel? What are people saying about it?
2. What are the top 3 objectives/barriers you need to achieve/overcome?
3. List tasks under each objective/barrier to take you where you need to go.
4. Run it under the noses of people you trust, particularly those who think differently than you.
5. Tweak and modify your tasks.
6. Take them on, one step at a time and start with the hardest ones.

The smallest steps today, combined together, help you chip away at your task. Before you know it, momentum takes on a life of its own and you are well on your way.

Doing something is always better than doing nothing.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Do you have a massive, heavy, looming task?

What small step can you make today?

Friendship…

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Alberta, Calgary, community, Diana Schwenk, dreams, encourage, friends, health, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, living in the moment, Louise Gallagher, meaningful, Relationships, world issues

The language of friendship is not words but meanings. – Henry David Thoreau

Louise Gallagher
Calgary 2014

On Thursday afternoon I was looking forward to meeting with Louise Gallagher of Dare Boldly.

Louise and I first met offline, through our common passion and work with, and for, people who live on the streets.

Back in those days, Louise initiated a yearly Christmas wine and dine between us – a sacred space of sorts – for us to speak frankly and from our hearts about our joys, concerns and desired collaborative vision for the homeless sector and community living in general.

An open and trusting conversation was born that transcended our respective organizations and the common cause they shared.

And it was Louise who encouraged me to start a blog!

After some hits and misses as to where we would meet (restaurants that don’t exist anymore) we settled on Mannie’s on 17th Avenue.

There we fed our bodies with delicious food and wine and fed each other’s souls with our individual stories and dreams.

I always feel encouraged when we meet up to catch up. Inevitably there is something I am struggling with and saying it out loud and learning from Louise that I am not alone in my struggles, or hearing her perspective lifts my spirit and re-energizes me.

This is the gift of friendship. This is the value of community.

But it wasn’t all about us and our offline tête-à-tête. We talked about the value of our online community, particularly the readers we share in the blogosphere and how your insights and encouragements are a blessing to us.

Perhaps your ears were burning Ann, Val, Julie, Lisa, Elizabeth, Ian and I can’t remember who else!!

 ~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Maybe Jess C. Scott summarized it best when she said, “Friends are the family you choose.”

Click here to read Louise’s story on our Thursday meet.

It’s Ok If You Talk Behind My Back

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200 words, caring, compassion, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, encourage, feedback, Goethe, growth, happy, hurtful, joy, kindness, love, Relationships, Say something nice, Talking behind my back

Be generous with kind words, especially about those who are absent. ~ Goethe

In order to ‘undo’ the effects of having said something hurtful, you need to say up to 10 encouraging things.

Even then, another hurtful comment down the road can bring a person right back to the pain of the original comment.

Am I saying we can never be critical or evaluate behaviours?  of course not! Constructive feedback is essential to growth.

We know that being hurt is unavoidable, especially for those of us who have raised children and want so badly for them to find their niche. Getting hurt is part of growing up. It happens.

And when it happens, isn’t it good to have a circle of folks who’ve got your back and want the best for you?

It’s also said that we shouldn’t talk about others behind their back.

I say go for it.

But say something nice!

Because you know what’s better than someone saying something nice to you?

Somebody saying something nice about you, to someone else, and it getting back to you!

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

The next time someone says something wonderful about someone you know – go tell them!

You Are So Much More Than That

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200 words, beauty, daughters, Diana Schwenk, empowering, encourage, generosity, good character, helpful, honesty, image, integrity, kids, kindness, life, love, miracle, self-worth, teens, true to yourself, Who I am

Always remember–you are a fine piece of china. Don’t let anyone treat you like a paper plate. ~ Naomi Campbell

Michaela in the mirror

MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE I was a teenager once, or maybe it’s because I raised a daughter…

…but when I read this quote I thought of women and how we compare ourselves to impossible ideals.

When you look into a mirror, what do you see?

Are your eyes too close together? Too small? Do you have uneven skin tone? Are your teeth crooked? Too yellow? Is your nose too big? Are your lips to thin?

If I looked at you, I’m sure I would see beauty. But you are so much more than that.

When you look inside your heart, what do you see?

Are you true to your word? Are you kind? Are you gentle? Are you motivated by love? Are you mindful of others? Are you helpful? Generous?

You are worthy of respect. You bring value to this world. You are a glorious miracle.

Don’t let anyone ever tell you different.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

 Are you a fine piece of china or are you a paper plate?

Being Aware is Half the Solution

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A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of. ~ Nelson Mandela

photo credit: iamwilling.com

Yesterday I googled ‘Mandela quotes’  and the quote above jumped out at me. Why? Simply because I have a passion for community.

It got me to thinking though. Do I really live my mission to relate with, promote and speak community wherever I am?

For the most part I think I do because it’s such a big part of who I am.

As a boss I strove to empower and encourage my team.

As a mother I strove to do the same for my daughter.

As a friend I also do this.

But what about my neighbour, the cashier at the grocery store, the random encounter with a distraught stranger?

If I’m being honest, it’s more ‘hit and miss’  in this arena. It seems less automatic for me.

But all is not lost. Being aware is half the solution.

I commit to being more intentional about all facets of community.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Are you living your mission?

Difficult Things, Impossible Things

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Difficult things take a long time, impossible things a little longer. ~ Andre A. Jackson

You have a dream, a vision of what can be.

Image by Kaiser.net

Some folks who mean well will believe in you, in your gifts and share your vision of the future.

They may even come alongside you to help bring it to fruition.

Others who also mean well may try to reason with you, they’ll tell you it’s too difficult, maybe impossible.

This often comes from a place of genuine concern, they want you to take the road well-travelled, to get your head out of the clouds, they want you to be OK.

And others may want you to just plain fail for their own personal reasons.

Words are powerful.

They have the power to encourage and discourage.

When a dream matters to you, I mean really matters – it is likely to be an uphill battle – brace yourself.

If you decide to follow your dream, have courage and stay focussed.

It’s just when you think you can’t press on, that you are standing on the threshold of realizing your dream.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Don’t give up