Institute for Daily Living- Newsletter for the week of

March 6, 2011         ~   Carol Hope, Editor/ Minister/ Educator

Editors Note:

Dear Friend:

Take a look at these quotes from the book of Proverbs.

Click here

A quick run through the book of Proverbs as chronicled by this video and you will encounter many of the most powerful tenets for creating a life that is pleasing to God and that will allow us to keep his commandment that we love one another as he has loved us. This a time in which we have chosen to celebrate friendship. Friendship is a clear demonstration of acting on that commandment with pure love. The following is a video about friendship. Many of the ideas from Proverbs are chronicled here.

Click here

We spent the month of February talking about unconditional love and those of us who have friends and those who are friend to others know that unconditional love is that love which binds friends together. A friend loves at all times” (quote from Proverbs) ….is a large poster that I saw on someone’s wall some years ago. That poster caused me to ponder if this was my definition of being a friend. At that time I was much younger and not yet aware that even if my friends have faults, and did not always do what I wanted them to do; I was not the judge of their journey!

In later years I learned through study of the scriptures and other important writings on the subject of relationships; that every person is walking his/her own journey. If I am in a place of judgment about another person’s journey; then I am taking on the role of judge which rightly belongs to God. I had to find other ways of dealing with people who are acting contrary to my expectations. In the process I discovered that I had to change ; not them. So I learned to listen.

In living our relationships with each other the role of listener for the purpose of understanding becomes, very pivotal to being a friend. If we can establish understanding, then we do not have to be in a place of always trying to control the other person’s thoughts and beliefs. We don’t have to control anything. We just have to understand. Deep understanding between people creates a bond of friendship that is hard to break.

Another critical issue is forgiveness

We need role models. And what better role model of a friend than that which is described in that song “He” (which I included for your listening pleasure).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgdOz-7YYew

No matter how hard we try we are going to be unhappy with something that our friend does or says. Being able to forgive them quickly, and process the disagreement, feelings, anger……. so that understanding can be reached; is critical to moving forward with any relationship. For years now my friend Michael Hope, (who happened to be my husband), and I have practiced processing disagreement, goals and the ways in which we are both changing. So we set a date for early Sunday Mornings to process. I don’t have to guess what my husband is thinking and he does not have to guess about me either. I don’t expect each other to be mind readers. We share and we listen.

Speaking your truth

Speaking your truth always without a hurtful attitude or malice and letting that person know how you are feeling is valuable in maintaining your boundaries. Every one has their boundaries and when we share them with other it is easier for them to begin to understand who we are and how we may be respected. They will also hear what causes our soul to sing and they can sing along with us.

This week let us ponder the following ideas:

1] A friend is a single soul dwelling in 2 bodies; -Aristotle

2] Plant a seed of friendship and reap a bouquet of happiness;

3] A friend hears the song in your heart and sings it with you when your memory fails;

4] A friend walks beside you in the sunshine and the rain and says; “Life is slippery take my hand”- Jackson Brown Jr.

5] To have a friend you must first be one;

6] Be your own friend;

7] As you walk the journey of life: “Leave foot-prints in people’s hearts and you will have friends forever!” Blog ~~~~~~~~~~~ Please leave you comments here

Address of the Institute: 20295 NW 2nd Ave, Suite 100, Miami Gardens Florida 33169

Sunday March 13, 2011: Count Your Blessings ~ Join us for Divine Love Celebration and bring a friend. 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM: Service, Music, Friendship, Food… in a beautifully appointed atmosphere. We are building a community of people who feel loved and nurtured the moment they enter. Come share the joy.

News:

·         March 26, 2011 9:00 – 4:00 PM: “Listen so others will speak; Speak so others will listen!” That will be the Listening Hearts Training conducted by Carol Hope, former trainer for the Listen to Children Program; Miami-Dade County Public Schools;1991 – 1998.Lunch and Textbook are included in the price of $35.00. Listening Heart T- Shirts will be on sale for $10 at the event. Call 305-655-9997 or 786-337-5965

Check for registration and details in your email of you are on our mailing list

·         By-weekly on a Saturday we conduct “Hopie’s Juice Club Meeting” to discuss ways in which we can reverse degenerative conditions so as to find health and maintain health. Join our discussion lead by Carol Hope who is a Cancer Survivor. You may also be in the studio audience as she promotes “MyLifeForce --- Renewed” on Blog Talk Radio: Click here

·         Next meeting: Saturday March 19, 2011 at 10:00 AM

·         Win an expense paid trip to ROME, Italy. Visit the Institute to pick up your tickets or make arrangements to get them by mail. $5 each and 11 for the price of 10. Drawing will be done on September 30, 2011. Proceeds will benefit the Center for Family and Child Enrichment and the Friendship Games for people with Psychiatric disabilities.

·         Beautiful, multipurpose benches for sale at the Institute for $26. They were $65. Secure yours before supplies run out. 786-337-5965.

Blessings always!

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