Three Words

The following three-word phrases can be tools to help develop every relationship.

1. Let me help
Good friends see a need and then try to fill it. When they see a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they jump in and help out.

2. I understand you
People become closer and enjoy each other more when the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know - in so many little ways - that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. And this can apply to any relationship.

3. I respect you
Respect is another way of showing love. Respect demonstrates that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become closer friends. This applies to all interpersonal relationships.

4. I miss you
Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how important you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say "I miss you."

5. Maybe you're right
This phrase is very effective in diffusing an argument. The implication when you say "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting, "Maybe I’m wrong". Let's face it. When you have an argument with someone, all you normally do is solidify the other person's point of view. They, or you, will not likely change their position and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to explore the subject more. You may then have the opportunity to express your view in a way that is understandable to the other person.

6. Please forgive me
Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

7. I thank you
Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

8. Count on me
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship. It is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating "you can count on me."

9. I'll be there
If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase "I'll be there." Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

10. Go for it
We are all unique individuals. Don't try to get your friends to conform to your ideals. Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how far out they seem to you. God has given everyone dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only. Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams. Tell them to "go for it."

11. Bonus: I love you

Perhaps the most important three words that you can say are telling someone that you truly love them. This satisfies a person's deepest emotional needs; the need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your spouse, your children, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words: "I love you." Love is a choice. You can love even when the feeling is gone. "

Trip to Cedar City

Fantastic Weekend

Finally I was able to make it back to Cedar City from Thursday October 14th thru Sunday October 17th for a Theater Arts and Dance Department Reunion and fundraiser. What an awesome weekend it was! I left Thursday after work, about 4. The traffic was horrible until Spanish Fork due to road construction, but after that it was smooth sailing. I finally arrived in Cedar city about 8:15 and stopped at the grocery store to pick up some breakfast food before heading to Kay's! I love staying at Kay's home, it is so welcoming and peaceful. Kay is a very dear friend of mine. He was my modern professor in college and a co-worker afterwards with the American Folk Ballet. It had been a year and a half since I had seen Kay, but you would never know it. Our friendship is one of those that it doesn't matter how much time goes by, when we see each other, you would never know it. Steve Nielsen met me at Kay's. Steve and I graduated from SUU today and haven't seen each other for years, probably 6 years. Steve had invited me to perform with him on Saturday night, so at 9:00 Thursday night, it was off to the studio to rehearse and learn the piece! We danced until midnight, when campus security showed up and kicked us out! Nothing like getting in trouble by campus security on the first night back in town! hee hee hee. Steve and I stayed up until about 1:30 AM talking and catching up. Lot's has happened in both of our lives!

Friday morning came very early, we had a meeting at 9:00 AM and I was teaching at10:00 AM. Oh how I love to teach. It was an absolute blast teaching college kids who are majoring in dance. The studio was gigantic! I love it! The went amazing! I could have used 2 hours, rather than an hour and half. After my class, Steve and I rehearsed with some of the students that we had asked to perform with us. At noon, Steve taught a jazz/musical theater class, which I took. After his 1.5 hour class, more rehearsal! At 3:00, it was time for Tech Rehearsal on the stage, then a dance panel from 4-5! Busy day!

After panel, it was off to St. George to see Tarzan at Tuacahn. It was a good show, but not up to par for a professional theater, it was more on the level of a high school show or community theater. However, Steve and I had a blast! I love going to the theater to see shows!


Saturday, it was dress rehearsal from 12-3, then off to get ready for the performance and reception. The show turned out amazing, the reception was a blast. I love seeing friends that I haven't seen for 10-12 years! It was just like the good ol' days!

I am so glad that I was able to head south and make the memories! I came home on Sunday and actually started looking at apartments in Cedar. Cedar is home! I love it there, perhaps in the next year I will end up there!

I wish you enough

Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.


Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.'

The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.'

They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'

'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.

'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said.

'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?'

He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone...' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.


I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

He then began to cry and walked away.


They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.


TAKE TIME TO LIVE....

To all my friends and loved ones,
I WISH YOU ENOUGH.

Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you & keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you
& be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you & give you peace.

Trust

Today I was reading a friends blog and she talked about the song "Consider the Lilies." In reading her blog and then listening to the song, I realized that I had also built a wall. The song goes, "And He will heal those who trust him. And make their hearts as gold." The beginning of the song says, "Consider the lilies of the field, How they grow, How they grow... Consider the birds in the sky, How they fly, How they fly."

Thanks to my dear friend, I too realized that I have built a wall to keep the hurt out and in turn to prevent the happiness and joy I deserve out. It is time for the wall to come down and for me to begin trusting again, trusting those in my life now, trusting new friends I meet and trusting GOD.

I had a great conversation with my mom today about my life and stresses that are happening, situations and feelings that have arisen. I am so grateful for her and the love and support she gives. Her advice is very welcome and really helped me make some decisions today. Thanks Mom, I love you.

Yesterday was a great day as well. It started off with a long over due massage. She knew exactly where I hold my stress and pointed out that is why I have been having headaches. During the massage I realized that some of the stress in my life is self inflicted and I am the one to resolve and remove it. Saturday night was priesthood session of conference, which means the girls get to play while the men are being counseled! I headed out to my friend Tanji's house where we ate TGI Friday's and just talked and got caught up. What a perfect night and way to end Saturday!

Life is good and is going to get better. Thank you to allb of my friends and family! You are all amazing.