Guest Blogger: Love Notes from the Fickle Monster, Part 8

My hips and knees hurt.
I am achy. I am tired.
Happy Friday, y'all!

Now that I've done my complaining, shall we get down to business?

Do you breathe?

If so, you have more than likely heard the phrase, "it takes a village to raise a child." Today, I want to talk to the village. This is a love note for us, the collective, friends, brothers, mothers, fathers, sisters, and lovers who have to power to become healers and motivators and givers. This is my plea: BE a PERSON of LOVE in a VILLAGE of LOVE.

When I was younger, I swam competitively. My parents pulled me and my sister out of bed early on Saturday morning, capped and goggled us, and set up tents pool side. Even with my "toochunkytowearabathingsuitinpublic" mindset, I loved to swim, and I was not too bad. My favorite event was backstroke; I thought I was a killer backstroker. Every time I would get in the water and launch myself from the starting block, my parents and friends and coaches would line the edge of the pool and yell, arms flailing and abandoned, until I touch the wall to finish. Truth be told, I could barely hear them, but what I did hear was always encouragement which motivated me to go faster, harder, stronger. Consider my response had I heard them yelling things like:

 "Everyone else is going WAY faster than you, just quit now."
"There is no way you can catch up!"
"Stop now! You're a joke."
"You are making serious waves! The swimmer in lane 8 just washed up from your wake."
(Dramatic, I know, but that is my specialty.)

Just consider what you are yelling to the kid in the pool. The kid who is struggling to make it, to move, to breathe, to just stay afloat. I know we would never consciously holler such negative things, but we do. And if we are not actively speaking to encourage through love, we are wasting our breath.

My family, friends, and trainer know I have goals. They are my village and most are EXTREMELY encouraging. They cheer me on, celebrate with me, push me further, and hope for and with me. I would not have lost weight. I would not have run a half marathon. I would not be stepping into confidence. I would not be standing, continuing, or pushing without my loving village.

Let's get practical with this "village of love" concept which sounds really nice in my brain but doesn't always play out in practice.
If your friend wants to lose weight, don't bake her brownies.
If your brother wants to run a half marathon, train with him...at least don't make fun of him.
If you want to change your life, find good folk who will love you and encourage you.

Don't put yourself or your friends in situations which will compromise goals, hopes, or dreams.   

I am begging you. I am begging me.
Be a great village. Avoid nay saying.
Wipe your brain of negativity, fear, regret, jealousy.
Step forward. Step up.
Look for good; be productive.
Listen to God and His pulse for creation.  

You ARE NOT alone in this.

We are eachothers greatest tools.
I dare us to be villages of love.

A little lyrical encouragement for us all....get to the chorus. My Little Flo loves it.

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Cora Ruth Flottman is the best friend, college room8 and a complete inspiration to Sheila.
She is an actress, teacher, christian, lover of the written word and men who can change the tires on a car.

She blogs here every Friday.