Age, race, location- No problem

What a great gift we have in the Internet-common interest social sites and blogging where we can get to know other people without the usual ways we have of pre-judging others.  I have found that I have developed more friendships based  more on personality and common interests than the traditional way of meeting and getting know others.  My life has been greatly enriched by this.  On the Internet  there is an anonymity that fosters a diversity of friendships that would not happen face to face.  How often do we in the world surrounding us, dismiss possible friendships because that person is not in our age group or race or any other visual cues?  How many people would we have never  met just because of the distance in where we live?  On the Internet unless one's avatar is their photo there are not visual cues to eliminate possible friendships. Your judgement on possibilities of friendship needs to be based on your common interests and the personality that shines through on the blog or website that you are visiting.  As I get to know people on the Internet I find myself with much more variety in my friendships and am  therefore exposed to a greater variety of ideas and lifestyles. This definitely enriches my life.  The diversity added by the lack of distance provided by the Internet is an added bonus.  I also find that I am less judgemental in meeting and getting to know others in my home town.  I have gained in confidence in approaching others and talking with strangers through my Internet experiences.  I had someone quote to me "we are all more alike than we are different" and I am finding this more and more to be true; as I get to know more and more people.
Thank you

Enjoy
☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺  

Laughter is the best Medicine

"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.”

~Bill Cosby~

My friend, a part of my support system who knows how to laugh and make me feel better

”True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides it's evils."
   ~Baltasar Gredian~

Better and better

I've been feeling better and better and today while sorting through my drawing equipement and and sketches, surprise! I found this card.  I had gotten it from the Atl Symphony shop when I still had season tickets, so it really was a surprise to find it in amoungst the drawing stuff and serendipity that it went with the Wayne Dyer PBS special I just saw.  So here is the card that so accurately expresses my wishes for my friends.

                                                                                                                

                                                                                                         

LOVE,  Johnina

Serendipity from pain

Tonight was a terrible night for pain.  It had been getting very much better, but not tonight, I was just kind of drifting for a little while after taking my pain breakthrough medicine, but then my knee and leg got to hurting so bad I got up to go find some kind of distraction.  To my delight PBS had a Wayne Dyer special on "The Power of Intention one of his books and seminars.  I am a great fan of his and have found that his books contain great wisdom.  This special was a great reminder of how self centered I have become with the pain I am in.  Granted I have had to have a lot of help, which couldn't be helped but I also have not been showing appreciation like I should.  I have developed many kind and wonderful friends on the Internet, some of whom check my blog every day.  I should have been leaving messages letting them know how I am doing.  It doesn't have to take much and it is something that I feel real guilty about when I check my sites and find I've been missed and I have not taken any time to let others know I miss them too.  Wayne Dyer is really big on intentions, as you think then act, you will receive in kind.  If you want abundance you have to think in terms of gratitude.  He went through several mindsets for getting what you want in life. Kindness which I have received but not given back very well lately. Finding beauty everywhere from the well dressed to the homeless, From flowers and butterflies to roaches and spiders, there is beauty everywhere and I have tried to capture that with my camera.  He talked about how we all have a mission in life and I think my camera and my effort to capture the beauty around me and sharing it is part of my mission which is probably one of the reasons his special hit me so hard, it's time to get back to that part of my mission and to get back to my wonderful friends.  Below is some of the beauty that I have capture with my camera lens over the last week or so.

Good-bye Marsha

I just learned today that one of my long time friends died a day or so ago from a medical mistake.  I have many fond memories of my sweet friend who gave me a hug every time she saw me.  I will miss her very much.  She loved and collected hummingbirds so here is one last hummingbird for you, Marsha.