Fill In The Gaps

"Our relationships with others is a means to fill in the gaps of each one's life." -Joe Primm

As we go about trying to live our life, we find that we have gaps in what we are and what we can do. It may be a lack of knowledge in something such as how to cook a meal or balance a check book. Maybe it is trouble finding a job or trying to overcome the emotion of losing that job.

Our life also has exactly that just mentioned, a gap in understanding of certain emotions we encounter. How should one feel when something quite exciting or suddenly sad occurs. It seems to be a never ending struggle to fill those various types of gaps in our life.

This is where each of us can allow our relationship with others to take each of us to greater levels. Collectively we can help fill some of those gaps in someones life. In return, others can fill the gaps in your life as well. It is these 'inter-connections' that can make all of the difference in the world to another person.

A close friend that provides you with support when things are going rough is a gap filled. A spouse there to lift you after a tough few days of work is a gap filled. Anything missing in one's life can be a gap filled.

When I think of my spouse, there are so many parts of me that I could not fill on my own. She has qualities that bring fullness to my life as a person. It is a well worn and some say 'corny' line from a movie, but "she completes me." The gaps in my life are filled by all that I am not, by all that she is.

We can chose in our life to help fill a gap in someone else's life. To care for another person by being a friend, a mentor or something much deeper is a gap filled. Our relationships with others is a means to fill in the gaps of each one's life. Do not be the type of person that enlarges that gap in their life. Be the type of person that fills the gap.
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Birthday Wish

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” - Pamela Vaull Starr

The youngest of the eight turns 19 today, the last teen of so many children we have raised. My four boys and my wife's four girls, one final year with a teenager in the house. So let me get this out of the way first;

"Happy Birthday To You !!"
"Happy Birthday To You !!"
"Happy Birthday Dear Jake-man !!"
"Happy Birthday To You !!"

Sounds better in written format and it will not chase off readers of this article. But as any parent, we are proud of all our children and their individual talents. On his birthday though we turn attention to the youngest. Surely his brothers harass him on being the 'baby' of the family, but he stands on his own.

His musical talent, song writing skills and guitar playing amaze me immensely. The band he co-founded called Electric Eel House Surprize (EEHS for short) is getting close to releasing their first CD. They have had a very successful first live appearance at a local night club where many bands get their start.

Of course, the parent in me wants him to get that college degree to 'safe guard' him against the cruel statistics of the music business. If anything, the knowledge can help guard him against the cruelty of the business itself. But my greater want is for him to reach for his dreams, to be successful and share his talent with the world.

It is anything that any parent would want for their own child. We simply want it for all eight of our children. But again, today it is Steve's birthday and our wish is for him to have success. He will work for it, he will earn it, he will enjoy that success.

Be a cheer leader for yourself, but be a cheer leader for your children. Lift them and if need be, lift them up and past you. There is no feeling like it in this world. And should they fall, you will be there to catch them; to help dust them off; to help push them back up again. Your life will be rewarded far beyond imagine.

So happy birthday Steve, happy birthday everyone!
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Tomorrow

Birthday Wish message for my son and for the child of anyone .... tomorrow !
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Lifting Up

"The truest help we can render an afflicted man is not to take his burden from him, but to call out his best energy, that he may be able to bear the burden." - Phillips Brooks

Every day we have two choices to make in dealing with other people. One, we can put them down and discourage them. Or two, we can encourage them and help lift them up. And in your own life, you have experienced both choices as people interact with you.

It is tough enough going through various circumstances in life without others beating you down. I have to stop and ask myself as well on many occassions if I'm lifting or pushing down others. So I won't claim to be an innocent in this part of life.

But I do work on it and believe if others thought more about their actions, each of our lives would be better. At the very least, we would have more encouragement to endure some of the trials we go through.

So think about your own actions towards others and try to lift them when possible. Soon enough, it may be you that requires some lifting as well.
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