Forming deep friendships

We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.

Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.

Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and the withholding of affection damage the roots from which love grows. Love can only survive these injuries if they are acknowledged, healed and rare.”  

― Brené Brown

 

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Supporting others

 

My first time doodling. It's kind of fun!

 

“I just believe that us as women— should not criticize nor pull down other women. And why? Because we’re all just trying our best to be beautiful! We all just want to be loved, we want to be beautiful, we’re all trying to leave our own legacy! The good news is that the universe is unending and that means there is enough space for each woman on earth to leave her own mark and to be her own legacy. To be her own kind of beautiful. So why spend even a second on trying to take away from another woman? Trying to steal, trying to criticize, trying to oppress? There is enough space for every woman and every kind of beautiful, in this vast cosmos!”   - C. Joybell C.

 

 

 

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Friendship

 

“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends.

 

I have no notion of loving people by halves,

 

it is not my nature.”  

 

― Jane Austen

 

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Sisters

"Sisters" come to us... 

     in many different ways.

There are those "sisters"...

who we can talk to for hours...

and who bring out our silly side.

There are those "sisters"
who shared our childhood,
who have gone through our ups and downs,
and have known us longer than anyone.

 

 

There are those "sisters"...

who shared our teenage years.

 

There are those "sisters"...
who are no longer with us...
but live in our hearts forever.

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry;
to get my work done
and try to love somebody

and have the courage

to accept the love in return.

~ Maya Angelou ~

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"I'm so grateful for all the beautiful, talented, courageous women who have shared my journey. Thank you!"

Trusting others

 

I've come to appreciate women more than I ever have.

But I had to work at it.

I didn't really know until my later years,

that I had trust issues.

   

The first thing I had to do was look at myself.

Was I making healthy choices in my friendships?

 I also needed to learn to be a better friend.

 

As I came to trust myself more,

it was easier to open my heart to taking risks,

which then, helped changed my old belief system.

 

I'm so grateful for the all women in my life...

 

Do you trust others?

If not, start by taking a risk,

opening your heart with someone safe.

Love is all that really matters in this life.

Surround yourself with it!!!

 

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The best kind of friend is the one

you could sit on a porch with,

never saying a word,

and walk away feeling like that

was the best conversation you've had.

 

~Author Unknown

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  "My heart is open"

A happy sparkle

With our girlfriends…

we can talk about matters …

of the heart and soul.

We laugh…

we cry…

we share our wisdom.

I’ve come to appreciate…

the relationships that offer my heart shelter…

and add a happy sparkle to life.

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You never lose by loving.

You always lose by holding back.

Barbara De Angelis

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"I appreciate all the women who share my life"

Friendship

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world

  has gone out.

Grace Pulpit

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The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch

with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that

was the best conversation you've had.

Author Unknown

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If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry,

I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. 

If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you

need a friend, I'll just be me. 

Author Unknown

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Girlfriends- Terri St. Cloud

She told her secrets and secrets were returned.

And they laughed at how alike they were.

She whispered her fears, and fears were whispered back.

And they cried over how hurt they were.

She confessed her dreams and dreams were confessed back.

And they danced at the possibilities...

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"Friendship warms my heart"

What matters most

One day when you are very old…

When your life is almost over…

What will matter most are the people you love...

and who love you back.

It's not going to matter...

What kind of car you drove..

Where you traveled to...

Or what you career was.

 Don't wait until later...

Before you recognize the value

Of your relationships.

Let your loved ones know...

How important they are to you...

Treat them kindly...

Be generous with your HEART.

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“Your task is not to seek for love,

but merely to seek and find all the barriers

within yourself that you have built against it.”  

Rumi 

"My heart is open"

Sisters at heart

"Sisters" come to us...

     in many different ways.

There are those "sisters"...

who we can talk to for hours...

and who bring out our silly side.

There are those "sisters"

who share our childhood...

who have gone through our ups and downs...

and have known us longer than anyone.

There are those "sisters"...

who shared our teenage years.

There are those "sisters"...

who have lost their battle...

but live in your heart forever.

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My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry;
to get my work done
and try to love somebody

and have the courage

to accept the love in return.

~ Maya Angelou ~

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"I am grateful for all the beautiful, talented, courageous women who share my life."

Thank you!

Girlfriends rock...

I hope my art brings a smile to your heart.

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I've come to appreciate my women friends more than I ever have. But I had to do a lot of work on myself in this area. As a child, I never trusted or felt safe with my mom so I grew up with a distorted belief about women. Though I always had friends, I doubt my heart was open with them.

 Also over the years, I've had relationships with girlfriends and ended up getting hurt. That just re-enforced my old thinking "women can't be trusted". The first thing I had to look at was myself. Did I trust myself to make good choices or was I ignoring the red flags, just like I once did with men? Learning to trust myself and my choices, then opening my heart to taking risks, changed my belief system. I'm grateful for the women in my life, regardless of how big or small a part they play. 

Girlfriends rock...

Do you trust women?  If not, start by taking a new risk, opening your heart with someone safe. We've all been hurt at one time or another, but don't let it discourage you. God bless...

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 Even the birds seek companionship. Taken at Venice beach.

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"I can trust myself to make good decisions"