it's true - TWO posts before 7am

oy!

But this morning, I received 2 emails from 2 different places.  Completely different.  but the theme was somewhat the same, if you think about it.  they're lengthy but important, i think, for everyone, so i'll share them both here.  the first is from Brave Girls, and I apologize for the wonkiness on the screen.  not sure why that is:

There are many things that spread and spread and spread, far and wide and deep. There are good things, and there are not so good things. You could be THE ONE who makes a huge difference in not just spreading  wonderful things, but in making sure that not so good things don’t spread so much. One of the best ways you can do this, beautiful soul, is to stop the gossip when it gets to you. One of the fastest moving and most destructive forces around is gossip...and it not only hurts the person(s) who is the subject  of the conversation, but it hurts the souls of anyone hearing it or spreading it. A wonderful way to stop stories from spreading is to simply stand up for the person that the story is about when the story gets to you. If the story has nothing to do with you, if it is not hurting you or your family...then it is really nothing you want to have around to needlessly ruin your day. Think of how you might feel if someone was speaking about you the way that others are speaking about someone else. Kindly tell the messenger that you are certain that there are valuable and wonderful things about this person, and that is what you are choosing to focus on...and let it go. You could either keep the story moving, or you could stop it with kindness and truth. Because you see, it really is the truth. EVERYONE has wonderful things about them that we can focus on. If nothing else, focus on the fact that they are a fellow human being. That should be enough to compel all of us to speak with only kindness. It will truly make you feel peace. Spreading gossip never feels peaceful. Stopping it with you will truly make a difference, far and wide and deep. Let it stop in a peaceful place. So lovely, loved, amazing friend, go where the peace is. You are more influential than you know. You are loved and you can do it. xoxo

I would love to go to Brave Girls Camp someday.  but onward here...the second email was this:

The top 10 things people claim to have taken for granted, Linda, when they were alive:

10. How important they were to so many.
9. How easy life was when they stopped struggling.
8. That all of their prayers and thoughts were heard.
7. That there really were no coincidences.
6. How far ripples of their kindness actually spread.
5. What really was important: happiness, friends, love.
4. That any and all of their dreams could have come true.
3. How good looking and fun they always were.
2. How much guidance they received, whenever they asked for help.
1. That God was alive in everything, including themselves.

As expressed by the recently departed, fresh after their life-review on the big, BIG screen. 

The link i see?  Be your best self...look outside yourself...reach outside yourself...your behavior absolutely affects the world, the office, the person standing in front of you. Your behavior can absolutely save a life, or sink someone lower - that last step into the pool. Those concerns that you hold onto and hold onto and hold onto like a prize - they have ingrained a deep rut in your soul, and have affected your life...that you run the risk of only being surrounded by other drowning people because no one else wants the constant sad to rub off on them.  we are all in this lifeboat together...we are all rowing together...whether you sing with gratitude for the lifeboat, or are miserable because you wanted a cruise ship - that's up to you.  but then your job is to not interrupt the rowing, so others can reach their destination.  There is a big happy out there for you, but you need to look for IT instead of the misery where you have gotten attention in the past.  yes - it's time to pull up your big girl tights and participate wonderfully and fully in this wonderful life.

i apologize if it sounds like a verbal spanking here this morning - it was "said" with love & gentleness, but with a little foot tapping.  i believe this message was for a specific person, and i felt love, but saw people turning away from you to avoid the "disease" as i wrote it.  if you feel this is for you, then it may be.

As for me, the message within the message to me is clear.  i receive it and am grateful.

And i am grateful for hearts that are able to burst outwardly....