Blue trimmed, flower framed windows on an afternoon walk along the canals. Amsterdam, Netherlands. 2011
...beloved, think about things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Anything good and worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
A beautiful revelation for which I'm grateful. It's been echoing in my heart for days and days and countless days. Not only think on, but surround yourself with. In literature and music and conversation, but mostly in people. Beautiful souls deemed inspirations.
Surround yourself with romantics. With dreamers, do-ers, believers, lovers. It isn't required they see or speak eye to eye. It is required they live and do life well.
Years ago I heard it said and studied we become like the 5 people we spend the most time with. I've found it true time and time and time again.
Surround yourself with lovers of life, those who look for the beautiful in all.
Surround yourself with relentless hopefuls, those who trust the Good even when hidden from sight.
Surround yourself with those who give even when it's terrifying, even when it hurts.
Surround yourself with those who go, who do, who try.
The romantics. The believers in all that is good and lovely and true in the face of a broken and dying world. The music makers and truth tellers. Those who dream of life, better. Those who look for light, always. Those who give when they've nothing left. Those who know Truth and seek out Beauty. The poets.
Surround me with those. Bring me those. Give me those.
I need those.
Be that to the world today, friends. Be one who dreams of a world better. We need you.