ENCOURAGING WORDS ARE A WONDERFUL GIFT

My weekly column in the Swedish Magazine NARA

Encouraging words are a wonderful gift

Words can be beautiful, encouraging and at the same time influence and give a person a meaning in their life without us knowing or realizing it.

Words can also do damage and destroy someone without the speaker being aware of it. Not until I became seriously ill, did I realize how beautiful words of encouragement could have the capacity to make me smile again.  They make me  feel something warm inside grow. That feeling grows into  a power and a longing!

At this moment am I struggling with a disease that consumes my power and quite often my self-esteem. I work twice as hard with my mental abilities and myself, but sometimes it can be difficult to have that extra measure of fire. My longing to live again is greater than ever. I want to go on adventures!

Rarely, but still sometimes, the pain is so severe that life doesn’t feel meaningful anymore - even if that thought only lasts a brief time, it’s there whispering in my ear. During crises the whole family will also be tested. Marriage will be measured to determine if it is strong or weak.

Something very unique are my two small children (seven and five years old) who are lovingly interrogating me all the time. Their eyes search mine to give and get support.

Friendships are being put to the test, too. Some friends cannot stand to see someone they love and admire to be weak, even for a moment. Some do not have the time to provide friendly comfort and words of encouragement. Others become closer and show who they really are and make sure you do not forget it.

Martina is a special friend that helps me with rescuing dogs in Italy. We have the same ability to see the animal spirits and energies. We have known each other for five years. I took Martina under my wings. I saw in her a great soul and wisdom.

Martina has been more or less by my side all these years. Our passion to save animals is big and collaborative. When I share my knowledge with Martina she has never received it without taking it into her heart, saved and incorporated it. She has grown rapidly and wonderfully. Several times I have joked with her, "You must be my daughter!"

Despite my illness, we are soldiering on in our work.  Sometimes I cry of despair for not being able to be out in the field, rescuing and working as I did before.   She hears my despair and desire and stands by my side quietly, no unnecessary words between us.

I am like the sick dogs we rescue, and do not want to be a burden to those I love, I try to fight on in silence. But she knows the truth. Today I got a letter from her that I have framed in a beautiful silver frame.  I am inspired!

"Trust

It was the third of December I think three years ago.  Animals Without Limits volunteers delivered food to Adriana's shelter where there are 400 dogs in cages. It was the first time for me.

"Smile please! "You told us," You must be strong and smile or else the people in this shelter will not like us and want us back. "

And we smiled, until I stopped outside the cage number 65. Still today, I think it was the most painful thing I've seen. A wonderful dog, seventeen years old (thirteen years in the cage), sad eyes, unfocused, lying on a cold damp concrete floor, waiting to die.

I cried!

I cried so much that you could feel my pain and you said to me: "Save her!"

I was scared. I dared not do it alone.

But you, Mia, had faith in me.

"Save her! I will help you! "

This is how the best gift could ever come into my life. You do not know it Mia, but I am still forever grateful for your words that gave me the strength to dare to save a life.

Please Mia

Smile today!

/ / Your friend, Martina <3 o:p="o:p">

During these following days, I ask you readers to think about who might have said something important to you that made you grow and receive courage. Write a card to that person and tell them how their words became a gift, fertilizer to your growth as a human. And, go and mail it.   Today. Don’t wait another day.  Give someone a smile today.  You too can change a life!

That's Amore.