friendships

We might not know we are seeking people who best enrich our lives, but somehow on a deep subconscious level we absolutely are. Whether the bond is temporary or permanent, whether it succeeds or fails, fate is simply a configuration of choices that combine with others to shape the relationships that surround us. We cannot choose our family, but we can choose our friends, and we sometimes, before we even meet them.

If there is no fate and our interactions depend on such a complex system of chance encounters, what potentially important connections do we fail to make? What life changing relationships or passionate and lasting love affairs are lost to chance?

Don't show a friend your gift, or your bag of money if you still want to maintain your relationship, but if nay, go on, and all you'll see is hate and jealousy, and you'll fight with him in the street like a dog and all you'll feel is regret.

This book consists not only of my stories of mistakes, rather it__ all our stories of mistakes and heart aches. It__ the plight of all of us who were rebelling, and kicking against the social messes we found ourselves in. Yet there are so many others who are not alive today, and I feel obligated in not allowing the lessons of their mistakes to lie in the grave with them. It was the United States Senator, Al Franken, who stated, __istakes are a part of being human. Precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from._ I__ revealing all of those mistakes and more, sadly a lot of them are fatal. In an attempt to have these real life lessons obtained in blood, prevent the blood-shedding of so many others. These stories are ones that young people can understand and identify with. While at the same time empowering them, to make better decisions about their choice of friends, the proper use of their time and how one wrong move can be fatal. I guess the major question that we all have to ask ourselves at the end of the day would be: how could I and so many others have been prevented from becoming monsters? You be the judge. I now extend my hand to you, and personally invite you to take a journey with me into the heartlands of innocence to menacing, from a youngster to a monster, and the making of a predator. I will safely walk you down the deserted and darkened street corners which were once my world of crime, gang violence and senseless murders. It__ a different world unto itself, one which could only be observed up close by invitation only. Together we will learn the motivation behind hard-core gangsters, and explore the minds of cold-blooded murderers. You will discover the way they think about their own lives, and why they are so remorseless about the taking of another__ life. So, if you will, please journey with me as we discover together how the fight of our lives were wrapped up in our fathers.

We sometimes choose the most locked up, dark versions of the story, but what a good friend does is turn on the lights, open the window, and remind us that there are a whole lot of ways to tell the same story.

Day blame ornery youngins.

The only real battle in life is between hanging on and letting go.

Always remember that you were once alone, and the crowd you see in your life today are just as unecessary as when you were alone.

Each new friend gives rise to the possibility of anything!

At their core, Tiger Eyes, Forever..., and Sally J. Freeman are all books about teenage issues, but to an adult reader, the parents' story lines seem to almost overshadow their daughters. I'm bringing an entirely new set of experiences to these novels now, and my reward is a fresh set of story lines that i missed the first time around. I'm sure that in twenty or thirty years I'll read these books again and completely identify with all the grandparent characteristics. That's the wonderful thing about Judy Blume - you can revisit her stories at any stage in life and find a character who strikes a deep chord of recognition. I've been there, I'm in the middle of this, someday that'll be me. The same characters, yet somehow completely different. (Beth Kendrick)

If you truly loved someone you won't become their enemy. You will become their guardian angel.

If he can't handle you at your worst then he does not deserve you at your best. Real love means seeing beyond the words spoken out of pain, and instead seeing a person's soul.

All you need in life is to know thyself; to live with the knowledge that it__ just life and that's the way it is. You need a sense of what your life means to you, the appreciation of yourself, your friendships and the love of others. You need a desire to grow as a person, to discover what your gifts in life are to yourself, others, and the world. You are the only you in the world. Embrace who you are....

Don't become a random photograph in the eyes of friends, and even your enemies, for each glance at your face will cause a declination of value and reputation. Create value, through scarcity.

She's one in a million. And that's why she's lonely.

If you put out acceptance and warmth, you tend to attract the same.

My friend is my friend, even if he wears rag, even if he wasn't born with a silver spoon, even if nobody wants to be his friend, i will hurt his critics by remaining his friend.

Why weren't there any women in Jesus' gang?_ asked Winnifred. __esus' gang?_ echoed the vicar surprised. __esus never had a gang. Ah_ you mean the Twelve._ Winnifred nodded. The vicar looked perplexed. __ell, it wouldn't really have been appropriate, would it?_ __hy not?_ I asked. __t just wouldn't,_ replied the vicar, looking annoyed at my question. __ut Jesus had a lot of girl friends,_ said Pearl. __e certainly didn't,_ replied the vicar, shocked. __ut Vicar, what about Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus? The Bible says that Jesus loved them,_ insisted Pearl. __nd then there was Mary Magdalene,_ I added. __he wanted to hug him in Joseph's garden when he had just come out of the tomb, but Jesus told her not to touch him._ __es_ well__ said the vicar uncertainly. __hey were good followers of Jesus and they loved him_ as we should all love him. No more questions now. We will be starting the service shortly._ __ot very helpful,_ I whispered to Winnifred. __f Jesus had had a few women in his group of twelve, it would be much easier to know how to live with them.