Strangers

A complete stranger .
An unexpected bond.
An unforgetable moment
sometimes can be more meaningful
than a life time relationship.

One word.
A split second decision to
listen or to be heard by a
stranger can turn into a
life changing relationship.
Even if it last only for a short while.

Ivis

Who are you?

Acción de GRACIAS (Thanksgiving)

Dependiendo de la familia de la que vienes, hoy puede ser un día como cualquier otro, o puede ser un día de celebración muy especial llamado: “Día de Acción de Gracias” . Si quieres saber más sobre los origenes de esta celebración, puedes buscar en el google.

Yo lo considero un día como cualquier otro si tomamos en cuenta que ser agradecidos, debe ser una actitud de todos los días. Pero al igual que defiendo el día de navidad, los cumpleaños, el día de la madre, el día del padre, el dia de los enamorados, etc…¿Porque no celebrar también un día de agradecimiento más especial que el resto de los días? Esté día normalmente nos reunimos con nuestros familiares y amigos más cercanos, personas que son importantes para nosotros, y compartimos con ellos el agradecimiento a Dios y a la vida por todo lo que hemos obtenido a lo largo del año que está por terminar.

Es un buen día para:

- Decir: “Gracias”, “te quiero”, “te extraño”, “Te amo”, “te necesito”, “te admiro”, “te felicito”, “Cuenta conmigo”, “te propongo”, “te ofrezco”, te apoyo”, etc…

- Compartir: “situaciones vividas”, “experiencias”, “aprendizajes”, “recuerdos”, “sueños”, “metas”, “deseos”, “compromisos”, etc…

- Ofrecer: “Sonrisas”, “abrazos”, “apoyo”, “consuelo”, “compañía”, “alegria”, etc.

En este día lo más importante es que al compartir con nuestros seres queridos, nos demos cuenta de que en nuestras vidas, lo que importa no es lo material, no son las cosas que acumulamos a lo largo de los años; lo realmente importante, lo que de verdad cuenta es el tiempo que hayamos compartido con los seres a los que amamamos, y es esa huella que dejen ellos en nosotros y nosotros en ellos la que nos regalará la sonrisa al final de cada día.

Feliz día de Acción de Gracias...Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Thank you Jesus for my life,
my family and every single individual that
has left a fingerprint in my heart.
I am thankful for every trial, every triumph, for every breath I take.

I am thankful for yesterday, today and what is to come.
For the life you have giving me through your sacrifice. 
Happy Thanksgiving everyone !

Smile. I love you all!

Ivis

Yes, It is True that I am Dying...

Yes, It is True that I am Dying

I am dying.
Every day,
Every minute,
Every second that goes
by is one day less for me.

It is one day closer to that
day I am destined to die.
My body is decaying slowly.
My flesh is showing the signs.

Yes, It is True that I am Dying

Today when I woke up I reminded
my children that I loved them very much.
That I am proud of them.
I told them how important it is to love each other,
to protect each other today because later
may be to late.

Yes, It is True that I am Dying

This morning I also kissed my husband goodbye,
just in case I do not get to see him again.
Today I took time to see.
To see what is surrounding me.
I took took time to smell,
to hear and to feel.

I cleared my mind from
all those little things that I
usually make big
and I smiled.

Yes, It is True that I am Dying

For some people dying comes easier
because they have a date,
a time frame to plan to live as much
as they could before they go,
But I don't!

So today I took the time to love fully,
to live truly, just in case later is too late.

You see;
Yes, It is True that I am Dying
but I am not one of those that have
a date or time frame.
Sometimes I forget and I worry
about the little things.
I forget to open my eyes,
to see what surrounds me.
I forget to smell the scent of the earth.
To hear the music of life and
to feel my heart beat.

But in spite of it all, this I know for sure.
When I die, on that day which is still unknown
That is the day that I truly will begin to live !

To:
Jesus for His sacrifice so that I may live eternally
and to all of you that make me smile :)

From:
Ivis

Naked Friendship - Parte 2

She said: Hi, I love your sandals where did you get them?
I began to stutter: "I, i, i, I got them at a store".. duuhhh .. I thought to my self. 
And she answered saying: "Well of course you got them in a store, I wanted to know what store."
So I just made up a random name. I was so nervous trying to figure out how to bring up the pants.

She then asked me if I spoke spanish and was relieved when I said yes. She asked my name and I asked hers. She also asked if I lived around the beach area and I said: "I would like to one day, but I do not live to far now."
So of coursed I wanted to know where she lived.
I asked if she lived near by and
she responded: "Yes, I live at the beach."
I said: "Where?" .. I, of coursed assumed she would say under that tree on the boardwalk, but instead she pointed and said: "Right there accross from the coffee shop." Ok, so I thought, does she mean on the sidewalk. But to her I said "Oh in front of the coffee shop. Do you mean in a motel?" and she said: " No, of course not. I live in one of those apartments that I own in that building right there." As she pointed to a beach apartment building accross the street from the boardwalk. I could not believe it. This lady, this half naked lady owns apartments on the main street of one of the most famous beaches of the world?
Then she offered me one of her apartments for rent. I told her that I was not looking to move right now but that I would keep her in mind.

At this point I did not know what to think anymore. I was trying to rationalize the experience so far but, there really isn't anything to rationalize. Sometimes things do not need to make sense, they are just the way they are.

Then she asked if I would walk home with her and began to tell me her story, but before we continued on our walk she turned around and said to one of the cabana boys in spanish "don't forget to tell George to give me a call, it would be nice to hear from him every once in a while."... To be continued...

Re: Naked Friendship - Parte 1

OMG Sister...cuanto vamos a tener que esperar por la segunda parte???

Ya he hablado contigo sobre esto, muchas veces juzgamos a las personas por lo que hacen sin pensar o saber que es lo que les conduce a actuar de una manera o de otra...Nadie esta exento de llegar a actuar de maneras no correctas socialmente hablando, o incluso de hacer cosas que nos perjudiquen a nosotros mismos sin ser conscientes de ello.

En la vida de esta Sra, existen motivos, razones y situaciones que la han conducido a este punto..y creo que ella no es consciente de que existe una salida...y obviamente esa salida depende 100% de su capacidad de creer (su Fe), no podemos evitar situaciones extremas en nuestras vidas...pero si podemos evitar que estas situaciones nos conduzcan a actuar de maneras absurdas; y esto es por medio de la fortaleza que Dios nos regala cada día cuando le dejamos que sea el quien guíe nuestro camino en las buenas y en las malas.

El siempre esta ahí para gozarse con nosotros, o para ser nuestra roca fuerte en las tribulaciones.

Cuando tenemos esa fuerza que Dios nos da, también somos capaces de transmitirla a otras personas que aun no la conocen, creo que con esta Sra. tienes una misión...Si Dios permitió que se cruzara en tu camino, es porque ella necesita algo de ti (no me refiero a nada material)...y es posible que tu también necesites aprender algo de ella.

Pero bueno...hasta que lea la segunda parte de esta historia...no puedo decirte nada más. Sólo espero por ello...;-)

Sister...I love you.

Gracias por compartir estas historias que nos enseñan tanto.

Muuacks

Naked Friendship - Part 1

Those of you who know me well, know that I have a special attraction or love for bums and homeless people. I have always been curious about understanding or knowing their story. Why or how they got to this place physically, or most importantly emotionally. Yet, some unknown fear always holds me back. I watch them, I say hi to them on occasion and many times I take pictures of them when they are not looking. I have a battle with myself. I argue whether it is appropriate to talk to them, and if I do talk to them what do i say. What if what I say make them mad? What if they just want to be left alone?

I found my self at the beach one early morning, the place I like to visit routinely to simply sit, breath and connect with God. This particular day as I was walking towards the boardwalk heading to the beach, I was in disbelief at what my eyes would see. At the entrance of the beach where the showers are located, there was an older lady possibly in her late 50's, early 60's looking straight at me. I noticed that the people passing by had a weird look in their face. Not sure what they where giggling about or why some had a dismayed look in their eyes. As I got closer to the lady who was looking at me in a very strange way I thought, I realized she was naked form the waist down. There it was mount bush fully exposed. Her saggy aging skin giggled while she scrubbed her toosh with her bare hands. There in the most popular beach boardwalk perhaps in the whole world, with no regards to the people around her and no shame this lady bathing herself partially nude, starring at me. I felt a bit uncomfortable needless to say. Part of me trying to look away and the other part wanting look to confirm what my eyes had seen.

For a few days I tried to rationalize that moment. Why this lady would do something like this. Of course my first thought was "she is crazy" then, well she is probably homeless and has not place to shower. She looked homeless. She was wearing a worn out stringy pink cotton shirt, a raggedy straw hat that had plenty holes to ventilate her head and a towel that looked used and abused hanging from a tree limb. I walked passed her that day never thinking that I would ever see her again.

The following week on a Tuesday morning on my routine walk on the beach, I sat down near the shore to admire the beauty of the ocean, thanking God for His creation, for this place in my life where he had brought me and all of a sudden this same lady shows up and stands about ten steps from me. She looked around as if admiring the same beautiful sea as I was, she lifter her arms up and lets go of the worn out towel uncovering her body from the waist down. I could not believe my eyes. She was wearing the same old straw hat and the same stringy cotton pink shirt and no underwear!!!

I looked around from behind my dark glasses to see if anyone else was seeing what I was seeing. I was embarrassed for her. There was a young couple sitting close by starring with their eyes wide open and giggling  in disbelief. The lady then proceeded to put down on the towel a small zippered wallet she had hanging from a string on her neck, placed her sandals next to it and started walking towards the cold ocean water and began her bathing ritual once again. I could not believe my eyes (It think I said that already-but I really could not believe what I was seeing). This women was partially nude in public, bathing in broad daylight with people watching and had no care in the world. Once she was done washing she walked out of the ocean and began to gather sea shells and putting them in the pouch she had formed with her pink shirt (no need for further details).

I had no doubt in my mind that this woman was homeless and she has no pants, perhaps I should offer her mine- I had my bathing suit underneath. I thought that I could go without this pair, I have plenty at home and this lady really needs them. Then the fear kicked in again. What will I say to her, how will she react, maybe she doesn't want my pants. I couldn't get up although I kept hearing this voice in my head telling me "don't be afraid, just go talk to her" well I tried, I wanted to say something, to walk up to her but then she grabbed her stuff, wrapped the towel around her waist (thankfully) and started walking in the opposite direction.

I felt so bad, I really wanted to give her my pants. I wanted to talk to her, but I couldn't. I looked away and tried to ignore the fact that she was leaving and I didn't listen to what the voice was telling me. Then all of a sudden I looked again to see if she was gone and she was not, she had turned around and was walking towards the boardwalk. I knew this was my chance, this was my only chance to go up to her and offer her my pants. So I picked up my stuff and walked slowly to intentionally meet up with her and as soon as she got close enough to me she said ...

Re re: "Give it all you've got"

Ivis said...


wow.. love the feedback.. Som your comment means alot to us welcome. I know you always read our blog. tienes razon cuando dices que tenemos que dar lo mejor de nosotras siempre. Be it work, school, relationships. We where created to love, to give and to serve fully and undconditionally. When we don't do it, we see how unfulfilled our lives become. We feel an uneasiness, an emptiness that is only filled with the love of God and when we are serving or giving to others.



Jary, of course that when we are hurt by others the next time around it becomes a little harder to do it. But we must not conform to that feeling. We need to always go back to the roots, to our purpose, and give it all we got. We can not become bitter like most people do, instead learn to make each one of those hurtfull moments the fuel that will keep you loving, giving and serving in full force.



Like Emely said, in the end our greatest treasures lie in what we have given.





"Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

" Romans



"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.." Luke



With Love,

Ivis

Words that touch my heart.

“When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart.


For as long as you remember me, I am never entirely lost. When I'm feeling most ghost-like, it is your remembering me that helps remind me that I actually exist. When I'm feeling sad, it's my consolation. When I'm feeling happy, it's part of why I feel that way.

If you forget me, one of the ways I remember who I am will be gone. If you forget, part of who I am will be gone.

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." the good thief said from his cross (Luke 23:42).
 
by Frederick Buechner

What you give is what you get?

What you give is not always what you get.
Should we stop giving because our returns sometimes fall short?
Absolutely not.
We must give of ourselves with abundance,
we should give without expecting anything in return,
we should give with humbleness and selflessness.

Although what you give is not always received or returned
in the manner that you expect it to be,

your giving will touch someone in a special way.
It will make a dent in a heart,
it will plant a seed that may become a blooming tree.

Just another thought,
Ivis

Re: Give it all you've got

Ok sister...tienes razón, debemos dar siempre lo mejor de nuestros sentimientos, entregarlos al máximo, y no huir de ellos aunque eso signifique salir lastimados. Esta actitud siempre nos ayudará a conocernos más a nosotros mismos, hacernos más fuertes, y nos demostrará lo que somos y no somos capaces de hacer por un sentimiento.

Pero... no se, creo que inconscientemente como seres humanos cuando salimos lastimados con respecto a un sentimiento, posteriormente tendemos (por miedo) a evitar caer nuevamente en las mismas circunstancias...y es justamente ese el gran reto, porque no hay una circunstancia que sea igual a la otra, cada persona, cada situación, cada trabajo, cada relación es diferente, y sólo por eso vale la pena seguir poniendo todo el sentimiento que tenemos, toda la ilusión, todo el esfuerzo....y siempre...siempre, de una manera u otra, la vida, las circunstancias, e incluso algunas personas te hacen sentir y ver que has hecho bien, que si ha valido la pena, que ha tenido un sentido....y eso te anima a seguir sintiendo como sientes, a seguir dando todo lo que tienes, a seguir ....SEGUIR...

Jarylen

Give it all you've got.

Sometimes giving it your all may hurt.
But why do something
Or feel something
half way.

When you run a marathon you don't stop
or slow down when you see the finish line.
You push yourself even harder to reach it.

When you give your heart to someone
give it your all.
Don't run from your feelings.
Don't go half way.
Give it your all even if it hurts.
You can walk away knowing you
where true to yourself.

Just a thought,
Ivis

Yes, it is true that I am dying...

Oldies always remain alive

Heal my heart

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

..Hillsong