Be a Friend by Edgar Guest

Be a friend. You don't need money;

Just a disposition sunny;

Just the wish to help another

Get along some way or other;

Just a kindly hand extended

Out to one who's unbefriended;

Just the will to give or lend,

This will make you someone's friend.

Be a friend. You don't need glory.

Friendship is a simple story.

Pass by trifling errors blindly,

Gaze on honest effort kindly,

Cheer the youth who's bravely trying,

Pity him who's sadly sighing;

Just a little labor spend

On the duties of a friend.

Be a friend. The pay is bigger(Though not written by a figure)

Than is earned by people clever

In what's merely self-endeavor.

You'll have friends instead of neighbors

For the profits of your labors;

You'll be richer in the end

Than a prince, if you're a friend.

I decided to share this in honor of a friend who is going through a physical struggle. Sometimes we all need a friend just to listen. By that I mean, no interrupting, just being there for the other person. I get so much joy from helping others. Words of encouragement have carried me through some of my darkest times, so I try to repay the favor as often as possible.

For Those who Have Lost Their Will to Fight

Today pain grips me. I didn't sleep well, so I waited to get up. I wanted at least a little good sleep, and I did. I might as well get up, I thought. No sense in lying here.

When pain or hardship comes, what will you do? Are you going to lie down and hope it goes away or will you get up and choose to have a good day in spite of how you feel?

I chose to do the second one this morning. But there have been times when I couldn't get up. I've had times that I couldn't quote the Bible. I couldn't do anything but moan and cry.

Today is a different day. I have weapons in my arsenal, and I know how to use them. I put a special cream on my foot that has a mixture of muscle relaxant, an anti-inflammatory, and a numbing medicine.

I ate my breakfast. I took my pain pill. I praised Jesus. He is so good to me that He deserves a "Thank you, Lord for all You are doing and have done."

This post is for those who have lost their will to fight. It's not that you can't fight, it's just that you have lost hope. You have become weary and faint-hearted. You say, "What's the use? Why even try?"

My answer is: You have so much more to give! You probably can't see that right now because you are so beaten down, but you are stronger than you think. Fight back against those self-loathing thoughts knowing that YOU have been created for a purpose! Pain is just a distraction to detour you from the path. In spite of how you feel, in spite of what you see, keep moving forward. With God on your side, you can't fail. Reach out to Him, today. Lay all of your burdens and worries down. You will buckle underneath the weight of it all because YOU can't carry it. He can. He's waiting to help you. Just ask.

If you are still struggling, comment on this post or my F@cebook (or private message me on F@cebook). I will listen. I will encourage you. We are in this fight together, and as long as you don't give up, you will win.

Celebrating International Day of the Girl with Teza Technologies

Molly Bukowski, Director of Special Projects at Teza Technologies, contacted me a few months ago and asked me to post something in honor of International Day of the Girl. While International Day of the Girl was October 1st, Teza Technologies and I believe women should be celebrated more than one day of the year!

International Day of the Girl is a holiday committed to celebrating the successes and opportunities available to girls all over the world. Teza Technologies CEO Misha Malyshev believes that everyday should be the Day of the Girl in order to celebrate their successes in life. These opportunities pertain to everything in life, but Teza Technologies wants to celebrate the women in science, technology, engineering, and math(STEM).

There are many reasons women should be celebrated. A woman's strength is unmatched. Just her presence alone changes the atmosphere around her. This is especially true in science, technology, engineering and math because women are not often in these industries. I believe a woman's perspective is needed in every field of the workforce.

Women should be celebrated because they know what it means to be selfless. They often put others needs before their own. Working in science, as part of a team to find a cure for cancer, is one of those instances that you need to be selfless. When working as part of team, you have to give up the need to be right so even greater things can be accomplished.

Women who work in any STEM occupation are fearless. They aren't afraid to challenge societal norms. They see no limits, only opportunities.

I am thankful that my high school now has STEM classes that feature women in film production and technology, health occupations, and a math club.

Women, you are helping to change the world! I salute you!

How Long?

After praying on Saturday, this prayer came to me:

Father, forgive me and the Church for putting You in a funnel. We've said that You have to move this way. Don't do anything on the weekends, God, because that is MY time. We don't want to be flexible. Forgive us for not letting You move the way You want to. Forgive us for getting in Your way. We have put You in a box. Your power is not to be contained. It is to be spread throughout the world. We haven't desired to see You move in all Your glory. We have only wanted a trickle here and a trickle there. Just enough to satisfy our wants and needs. 

But You are SO much more than that! Your power is unmatched! You do miracles every day, but our eyes have grown dim to Your provisions. We have turned away from all that is pure and holy. Oh, God, help me draw closer to You. I repent for my selfish thoughts. I repent for not trusting You. 

~ Amen

Then, it came full circle while reading Psalms 4:2, which says, "How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?"

Something to think about.