Soul Words: Relational Wealth
Loyalty and friendship, which is to me the same, created all the wealth that I’ve ever thought I’d have. — Ernie Banks August 2 is Mid-Summer, halfway between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox. Also called ‘Teltane’ in some cultures, Mid-Summer is a time of fruitfulness and abundance, when – far beyond our Sun – the constellation of stars called ‘Leo’ glitters. The days are shortening. Night lengthening. Harvest begins. Reaping what was sown. After exploring ‘Traumatic Wisdom,’ ‘Conditional Love,’ ‘Emotional Intelligence’ and ‘Created Family,’ this fifth of eight special ‘Soul Songs’ posts considers the term ‘Relational Wealth.’ It is the richness that ‘emanates from our interconnections with other human beings. It gives us inner strength and emotional security and defines our quality of life.’ ScienceDirect This poem adds: Tiny Giggles Silly giggles of laughter I store upon a shelf I give some to other I save some for myself I am rich beyond all measure Though not with worldly wealth I store up these treasures For my heart and soulful health. — Muse Richelle Goodrich advised, “To obtain wealth beyond measure, seek to make more friends than money.” What is a friend? Here are some thoughts: “Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words.” – George Eliot “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” – Walter Winchell “Best friends are the people in your life who make you laugh louder, smile brighter, and live better.” – Unknown How to recognize a good friend? Marie Claire says they: Never gossip about you behind your back Always keep your secrets Never put an unflattering picture of you on Facebook without your approval 27 More Signs Someone is a True, Best Friend How to be a good friend? Motivation Grid recommends: Listen and Remember Be Honest Without Being Hurtful Grow with changes Seven more, genuine ways to be a good friend Consider, The real measure of our wealth is how much we’d be worth if we lost all our money. – John Henry Jowett Two resources on Relational Wealth: Are You Building Relational Wealth? Relational Wealth and the Quality of Life Succeed and Soar! The Wisdoms Collection Shop Enriching and Beautiful Posters Click Here to Visit
Best Friend
Before we can make friends with anyone else, we must first make friends with ourselves. — Eleanor Roosevelt “Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief,” said Cicero. Shakespeare wrote, “A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” Jess C. Scott added, “Friends are the family you choose.” VeryWellMind says, “Friendships can enrich your life in many ways. Good friends teach you about yourself and challenge you to be better … Some research even says friendships are just as important to your well-being as eating right and exercising.” Psychology Today adds, “Friends are often soulmates. Recognizing each other on a soul level helps us spiritually … When you had an anam cara, your friendship cut across all convention and category. You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the friend of your soul.” LonerWolf suggests twelve ways to create an anam cara, a ‘soul friend’ inside, including: A random act of kindness for yourself each day and seeking solitude. LifeHack suggests: Focus on your strengths Write your success stories Read more Here are more Best Friend resources: What really constitutes an online friendship: [includes link to “4 Types of People You Should Never Friend on Facebook” Be Your Own Best Friend Worksheet. How to be a better friend Making good friends How to make friends Remember, How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live ’em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give ’em. — Shel Silverstein Succeed and Soar! Four Days Left. Each November, Succeed and Soar’s readers are invited to keep these inspirations glowing and growing. Think of this once-a-year contribution as a subscription. [So far this month, $0 has been invested.] Pitch in Here. Thanks! Let’s enjoy 40 minutes sharing uplifting, enlightening Succeed and Soar conversation, Thursday, December 2nd, 7pm [US East Coast] Included can be this month’s special book. The New York Times calls Ivan Doig’s Last Bus to Wisdom, “an enchanting 1950s road-trip tale that swaps Kerouac’s Sal Paradise for a plucky 11-year-old named Donal.” See you soon! Image @ canstockphoto.com Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here