Give them power

Power. 

 

My mind is like a steady volley on a sweltering summer day of a tennis court; back and forth without fail between the thoughts, ideas, and feelings that I willingly give power to.  I wake up early in the morning with one thought on my mind, but by the time my feet hit the cold, hardwood floor, mere seconds later, something else entirely has popped into my head.

 

We often give power to those thoughts that take hold of us; thoughts of sadness or jealousy, anger and worry.  Thoughts that, whether we realize it or not, keep us prisoners within our very own bodies, when, ironically, if we are in control of any one thing in particular, it's what we choose to focus on.

 

Therein lies the paradox of life.     

 



What are you giving your mind's power to?  What are you allowing to occupy such a valuable and beautiful space?  Are you being led forward by those thoughts, or are they, in fact, preventing you from taking the next step? 

Philippians 4:8, says ~
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is just, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worth of praise, think about these things.

True.
Noble.
Right.
Just.
Lovely.
Commendable.
Excellence.
Praise.

I don't know about you, but if my mind would begin and end each day with these?

Wow. 

Now that's what I call power.

Love Is.

I had the most beautiful dream last night...

about love.

Encompassing, all-deserving, more than worthy of,
hold-it-so-tight-and-don't-let-it-go...

Love.

I've held tightly to love, in life, and found it.

I've also held tightly to love, in life, and lost it.  

But love fought for, and still lost, remains love.  It existed. 

Love will always surround me in some way.  

Friends, family, pets.  I'm catapulted forward the minute I want to stay put. Graciously, the path ahead is brilliant and bright by the light of their love.  They lead the way. 

If I find I cannot, then yes, they will always lead the way.

Love wraps itself around me and says, no, my friend, you cannot rewrite the past.  But you can being again.

You must.

Begin again.

It whispers in my ear, take the love you have learned from, and give it away. Pass it on.  Make another person better by your love; worthy.

Because that's what love does.

It makes us better.

It teaches us.

It confirms what we already know.  

Love is.  

And then ever so gently, it coaxes us to spread out our wide, love-filled wings...

and fly.

Fly to where such love is found.  The place where the same love we can offer, is received.

Where?

Everywhere.  Look around you.  It's everywhere.

Love, 
me.

These two.

There are people in life who simply put up with dogs living on this planet with them.  Then there are those people who like dogs, but don't want to go so far as having one of their own. Next up are the people who love their dogs, but solely as furry, dedicated companions who are nice to have around.  

And then...there are the rest of us.  

You know the ones?  Those people who are over-the-top infatuated with their four-legged friends?  The people who are borderline-obsessed, who take picture after picture and who just won't.stop.talking. about their dog?  

Yep, I fall into that category.  I free-fall, in fact, (directly into a pool of puppies, please)!  

No apologies.

When I first met this little guy, I thought, hmm...I could probably grow to like you, I suppose, even as he chewed ferociously on my jacket.  #chance 

  

As life progressed, that's just what happened.  My adoration for this sweet and sassy boy grew larger than I ever thought possible.  

And then before I knew it, this precious girl caught my attention. With the epitome of puppy-dog-eyes, she all but begged me to be her mom.  I said yes. #jovie  

For a stubborn heart that was forever against having any pets at all, I discovered that it was more than capable of loving these two.

Just by their very existence, my life has changed.  

I've carried on countless conversations with my fur-kids, certain that even if they don't understand what I'm saying, they sure are great listeners.  

I've cleaned up their messes and rubbed their tummies when they didn't feel good.  

I've snuggled them close and taken them for car rides.  

I've listened to them snore and then kick at me in bed during a dream.  

I've rubbed their paws and held their faces close to mine. 

And, yes, I've even had to say goodbye.

But through it all, they have given of themselves so much more than I've given them, without even realizing it. 

They've licked away my tears.  They've made me laugh.  

And oh...how they've taught me to love.

 

Nope, they're not just dogs.  

They're family.