Category: LOVE GUEST POST

KEYS SERIES, LOVE GUEST POST

KEYS: GUEST POST OF JODY, RAMBLINGS AND RUMINATIONS ❤️

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The Alphabet Game of Love

One of the most common things that happens in a relationship, once the newness wears off, is either not saying, “I love you” often enough or else saying it almost as an afterthought.  Couples do tend to say, “I love you” when they are parting for some reason…heading out the door to work, even going to sleep.  But using the words often becomes a matter of routine, and while the words are true, the value is lost in the routine.
 
A great way to keep this from happening is to play what is called, “The Alphabet Game of Love.”  It requires a little bit of pre-set-up, but the real challenge is in the gameplay.Using a calendar, label each day with a corresponding letter of the alphabet, omitting Q, X, and Z (these are always difficult letters).  On the day each letter is assigned, replace the word “love” with a word that starts with the assigned letter.For example, with the letter A, substitute adore, appreciate, accept.  For the letter B, try believe in, bask in. 
 
The challenge is that the phrase cannot be used if there is not a word to replace love with the corresponding letter.  And words can’t be used more than once. Be forewarned, this is not easy!  But what it accomplishes is that it makes each person in the couple stop and think about a true feeling, sentiment or value they place upon their partner, rather than stating their love in a rote way. 
 
It also provides a sense of competition, which couples enjoy when playing against each other.  And yet, there are no losers.  Each person gets to hear something true and meaningful from the other on a daily basis, and this sharing increases their bond as they honor the other. And don’t worry if you can’t think of a word, no matter how hard you try! 
As stated, this is not easy!  It’s okay to, once in a while, throw out a funny, off-the-wall word (imagine something like ‘peacock’ for the letter P!).  It will make you both laugh, and laughing together is also a great way to increase your bond! (For more difficulty, a cup/jar/basket filled with individual pieces of paper with a letter of the alphabet can be used instead of a calendar.  A random letter is pulled out the night before to be used the next day.  This gives the couple less time to prepare ahead to think of words to use.)

Keys: A special series that unlocks the mysteries of Love

For even more love-filled inspiration, do visit Jody on Ramblings and Ruminations!

Till our next run, let’s keep pressing in to joy and opening more hearts with love!

GATES SERIES, LOVE GUEST POST

GATES: GUEST POST OF KIM, BEYOND MY LIMITATIONS ❤️

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HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED

I saw this statement on a meme. It takes a certain amount of courage to not be bothered by being liked.

The people pleaser in me would never allow it. There were times I forced a smile or a conversation with someone who I knew didn’t like me or gave off the aura that I wasn’t worth their time. Imagine using all that time and energy trying to convince someone how much of a great person you are instead of letting them think whatever they want and going on with your day.

At one point I was fearful of being disliked by people to point where I changed my desires and thoughts. I stopped doing what I felt was right for me and my context and every decision had to be approved by someone.

Now you would think I would be past all of that, huh. Sometimes, I’m still fearful but sometimes I don’t care what you think.

Many of us worry too much of what others think of us—our worrying stems from the fear of being judged.

How do we stop being bothered by the opinions and perceptions of others?

We understand that what people think of us has no hold on our destiny and it doesn’t change what God thinks of us.

GATES: A special series that focuses on healthy self-love, self-value, self-care, self-nurturing, and self-empowerment. ❤️

For even more powerful inspiration, do visit Kim of Beyond My Limitations! ❤️

Till our next run, may we live boldly and courageously knowing that we have the power to be the best version of ourselves! ❤️

BOOKSHELVES SERIES, LOVE GUEST POST

BOOKSHELVES: GUEST POST OF KRISTIAN, LIFE LESSONS FROM AROUND THE DINNER TABLE❤️

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I felt it in an instant. That click, that magic spark that tells you even though you’ve never met this person before, your soul has known theirs for centuries. The atoms and stardust, and particles that make up my body have danced with the atoms, and stardust, and particles that make up his, and whether I want this or not, there’s no denying it, there’s no way I could ever deny this irresistible grasp.

It was a dreary day that October morning, when I spilled my coffee and dropped my essay about quantum entanglement, mascara running down my cheeks that had turned red after looking up to see the most handsome stranger. He smiled at me and handed me a napkin, he hadn’t uttered a word and yet, I felt the pull.

It’s strange, isn’t it? How in just a matter of seconds someone can walk into your life and change it irrevocably. Strange, and yet oh! So blissful, my heart has never been so full of love.

My friends say it was love at first sight. I’m not sure that I believe in love at first sight, but I most definitely believe in the click.

And the magic that swirls within my heart whenever he smiles.

BOOKSHELVES: A Special Series Featuring Short Stories ❤️

In this big wide world, we all have our awesome stories to tell!

For even more amazing inspiration, do visit Kristian on Life Lessons From Around the Dinner Table! ❤️

Till our next run, may we relish life in all its grandeur and live to tell even more magnificent stories!

CARDS SERIES, LOVE GUEST POST

CARDS: GUEST POST OF SOPHIE, DEN OF DREAMS ❤️

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My heart smiled and shed a tear when our dear fellow blogger Sophie from Den of Dreams surprised me with her Love Letter on my first month of blogging. Ahh such Sweet Love! ❤️

Dear Yeka,

I know, I have met you just a few days ago but already you have won a big place in my heart. I don’t know of enough words to describe the lovely and cheerful personality you have. You certainly are really sweet and lovely and amazing! I am really happy that I had found your lovely, warm place. You are a warrior, and a protector indeed.

Yeka

A warm ray of happiness,

Always smiling, full of cheers

Always accepting, always helping,

Spreading light everywhere,

Dear Yeka, you know the beauty

And the real shape of love,

You the silver lining,

Of every grey cloud, looming above,

And that’s what makes you so pretty.

You are brave, always sweet,

You know how to take defeat

With a smile. You are brave,

For you fight for the right.

I admire you a lot,

And with you, it’s all about love.

I thank my lucky stars, that our paths have crossed.

Warm Regards,

Yours faithfully,

Dragon Warrior

(Mabuhay!)

CARDS: A special series that features Love Letters and sweetest expressions of love

For even more beautiful inspiration, do visit Sophie on Den of Dreams!

Till our next run, let’s continue to embrace all whom we cherish and sprinkle their day with love!

GATES SERIES, LOVE GUEST POST

GATES: GUEST POST OF KIM, BEYOND MY LIMITATIONS ❤️

YBP

BEAUTY DEFINED

What is the first thing that pops in your mind when you hear the word beauty?

What does beauty mean to you and how are you self-imposing your perceptions on to other people?

These things have been crossing my mind lately because of how the “world” defines what beauty is to us. I have been meditating on the scripture that says, I am fearfully and wonderfully made in His image (Psalm 139:14) and it made me rejoice as a woman, a servant of God and yes a former mirror addict. True beauty is knowing who we are beyond the mirror. It is perfectly okay not to look like other people and not to get your identity confused with what your appearance is on the outside. Remember, people see the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7). I realized that there are not enough people who the world considers beautiful, speaking metaphorically, that “beauty is more than skin deep”. People that the world often dismisses. The people who actually “add” value to your life but instead they are unworthy of your time and because they are not pretty by the world’s standards.

While outward beauty isn’t everything that is what most people focus on because of not being able to look within and see their beauty from their Creator and for their character. I know a lot of women who are pretty but have a bad attitude. As ladies, we tend to look towards these types of women as models that defines what beauty is, why? When was the last time you looked towards someone who was broke as inspiration to become wealthy? When was the last you looked to someone for mentorship to start a business and they can’t even hold down a job? More than likely, you went to someone who wasn’t in your situation, or who had gotten out of it. This leads to an even bigger conversation and what it means to live authentically. I define living authentically as being who God created me to be, knowing my identity is not in the world but in Him.

We should address how we see beauty. It may be hard to discuss and digest, but the conversation is worth the self-reflection.

Leave your comments below and let’s discuss, what does beauty mean to you?

GATES: A special series that focuses on healthy self-love, self-value, self-care, self-nurturing, and self-empowerment. ❤️

For even more powerful inspiration, do visit Kim of Beyond My Limitations! ❤️

Till our next run, may we live boldly and courageously knowing that we have the power to be the best version of ourselves! ❤️