Going For What You Believe In

I read this article and while doing so I realized something I hadn't thought would happen.... I was actually sad from learning about news that should have probably made me relieved.... In the middle of the night, Castro announced that he was stepping down from office. Isn't this great news? Shouldn't I be happy that the Cuban people will finally have a chance at "democracy?" Hadn't Castro been the "enemy" for so many years and caused so much pain? Hasn't he ruined lives after lives of the people I've been surrounded by all throughout childhood?

Yes, all of the above seems true. But I wonder now... Growing up in Miami, I heard about what happened in Cuba firsthand. Any small piece of news, whether it was news breaking or not was covered. In fact what happened in Cuba was constantly spoken about in the Haitian community because of the "apparent" inequalities given to Cuban refugees over Haitian refugees. Yet, when reading this article this morning, for the first time I saw Castro for the true idealist he was/is. Before his quest to "free" his country he worked "within" the system and went through the ropes like any other who wanted better for their own country. He went to law school, went into politics and ran for public office. But when his country fell at the hands of stern leaders he did what any true idealist would do. He dedicated his mind and his life to realizing a country he thought would be better for his people. He had a dream and he wasn't afraid to go after it.

Today, as I read that article I thought Castro really did believe he was making his country better. I don't think he wanted so much to crush out the opposition as he wanted to bring in a true egalitarian system. I know many will disagree. I myself have points counter arguing with my statements as I write. But then I think, if people, any people, were really oppressed and wanted change, wouldn't the masses rise up and overthrow this "abomination?" Look at America's history, the French Revolution, and the quintessential revolt in Haiti. Wouldn't they rise up and revolt? I say they would. Castro has only ruled for so long because the people have accepted this. And I'll even go out on a limb and say... maybe even wanted it this way?

Don't kill me on this one folks. It was just something that occurred to me while reading the news this morning.

Best
xxxx

The Big V Day

Yep, it's Valentine's Day and once again, no one special to share it with. But NO worries. I got an email today from a friend that really got me thinking and pumped about the day. I'll copy it here and you'll see why. So instead of being grumpy (which honestly I wasn't because I had kind of forgotten about the day if you can believe that. ;) ) I celebrated it by calling all the people I loved/that were special to me. Happy Valentine's Day loves! xxx

The first part is Fred Smith's piece, and the second, Ruth Peale's.

--------

Ruth Stafford Peale, co-founder of Guideposts magazine with husband Norman
Vincent Peale, died on February 6th surrounded by her family. Her
influence and impact are felt worldwide. This week's thought features an
excerpt from the book Breakfast With Fred in which Mrs. Peale reflects on
Fred's comments on love. These words are particularly appropriate before
Valentine's Day. (Fred Smith passed away last year)

Fred's Observation:

Love creates an environment that strengthens the will to live. Love brings joy to our life when there is little to rejoice about. We appreciate being loved so much that we sometimes forget the responsibility that comes with being loved: Those who love us want us to live , not die. We often talk about pursuing a life worth living, and I am convinced that understanding the value of love is a tremendous part of that endeavor. Many tell me that I am too strong-willed to die, but I believe that the realization that I can contribute and I am loved gives me purpose.

Doctors say that many old people who are said to die of natural causes really die of loneliness. Current medical research shows that we can literally die of broken hearts. Conversely, studies show that people who receive care and prayer tend to live longer and richer lives than those who don't.

Just as God's greatest gift to us is His love, so our greatest gift to one another should be our love for others—and for Him. Love does not need to be earned, it is given. And so, no matter how incapacitated we are, we can still experience being loved—and loving.

Love is the strongest sustaining emotion we can feel. Acts of love are as important as words of love. One of my favorite times in the day is when my daughter, Brenda, comes in, pats me on the arm, kisses me on the forehead and says, "I will see you in the morning." When I was pronounced "dying" by my doctor, she said, "No, I will take him home and he will live." That is exactly what happened. There is power in love.

Even though my bride of 67 years is now in heaven, I still celebrate Valentine's Day—for her. Now, every day is filled with God's love.

Reflection by Ruth Stafford Peale

Fred speaks of the "responsibility of love." One of the secrets to the love that my husband, Norman Vincent Peale, and I shared is that we were both interested in the same things and thought along the same lines in so many situations. We both worked hard at helping people, and I think that is why we were married for more than 60 years. Although we were both always very busy, we recognized that our visions were the same.

We also recognized the unique gifts God had given each of us. In fact, soon after we were married, I discovered that in one respect my husband and I were exactly the opoosite. I never had any problem making up my mind about much of anything, but Norman often struggled with decisions. Often he asked for my advice, and I would stop what I was doing and try to listen patiently. Most of the time he just needed me as a sounding board to help clarify his thinking.

Many times, to my astonishment, I found the next day that the matter was not settled at all, that he wanted to review it again, that maybe there were angles we had not considered seriously enough. Part of love, for me, was learning to be his ear and to help him talk through his decisions.

I concluded that if God was going to guide our lives, I was going to have to keep my mind open so that Norman and I could use the gifts we had each been given. We were a partnership, each using and developing our own gifts while moving together in the same direction.

I often wondered, Do I have to make these adjustments forever? The answer was a resounding yes, because we never stop growing—even after 63 years of marriage. I came to the realization that only a woman can be a wife and only a wife can give unique help to her husband. No truth was ever as diffcult for me to embrace as this, but the rewards were—and always will be—tremendous.

This week think about: 1) Whom do I love, and who loves me? 2) What are the responsibilities that come with being loved? 3) How do I recognize God's love in my life