Brainstorm

Take the time to brainstorm. No complete sentences, no fixing punctuation, no adjusting the grammar; just write.

Think of one word that is important to you. It can be any word as long as it means something to you. Some ideas: love, family, friendship, marriage, parenting, focus, cherish.

Look up that word in the dictionary. Write the definition down.

Now let your mind wander and write down what you are thinking.

Here is a sample I am working on right now so you get an idea. The word chosen is family.

fam·i·ly (fm-l, fml) pl. fam·i·lies

NOUN

1. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
2. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
3. All the members of a household under one roof.
4. A group of persons sharing common ancestry.
5. Lineage, especially distinguished lineage.
6. A locally independent organized crime unit, as of the Cosa Nostra.
7. A group of like things; a class.
8. A group of individuals derived from a common stock: the family of human beings.
9. Biology -- A taxonomic category of related organisms ranking below an order and above a genus. A family usually consists of several genera.
10. Linguistics -- A group of languages descended from the same parent language, such as the Indo-European language family.
11. Mathematics -- A set of functions or surfaces that can be generated by varying the parameters of a general equation.
12. Chemistry -- A group of elements with similar chemical properties.
    Chemistry A vertical column in the periodic table of elements.

ADJECTIVE

1. Of or having to do with a family: family problems.
2. Being suitable for a family: family movies.

ETYMOLOGY: Middle English familie, from Latin familia, household, servants of a household, from famulus, servant

My random thoughts are listed below:

family
single mother
son
daughter
loss of twin
oldest son given up for adoption
good mom ???
small family
deceased father
mother remarried
3 brothers
1 sister
1 foster sister
teach values
teach virtues
teach spirituality
teach right from wrong
one child gifted
one child slower
love
hugs
kisses
cuddling
loyalty
together

As you can see the mind can wander.

The Pink Dress

There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park. Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak. She never said a word. Many people passed by her, but no one would stop.

The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see if the little girl would still be there. Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes. Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone. As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress. It was grotesquely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to speak to her. Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different. As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, "Hello."

The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a "hi"; after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, "Because, I'm different."

I immediately said, "That you are!"; and smiled.

The little girl acted even sadder and said, "I know."

"Little girl," I said, "you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent."

She looked at me and smiled, then slowly she got to her feet and said, "Really?"

"Yes, you're like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all people walking by."

She nodded her head yes, and smiled. With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her wings to spread, then she said "I am." "I'm your Guardian Angel," with a twinkle in her eye.

I was speechless -- I was sure I was seeing things. She said, "For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done".

I got to my feet and said, "Wait, why did no one stop to help an angel?"

She looked at me, smiled, and said, "You're the only one that could see me," and then she was gone.

And with that, my life was changed dramatically.

So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you.

Like the story says, we all need someone.
And, every one of your friends is an angel in their own way. The value of a friend is measured in the heart.

I Believe in God

I believe in God, creator of heaven and earth. He is the one true God. He is my Provider, my heavenly Father, my comforter, my counselor, my hope, my joy, my salvation, my King. His name is God; not Ron Hubbard, Buddha, Allah, Muhammad, Dali Lama or the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I believe in the trinity of God. That He manifests Himself as God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28; 1 Peter 1)

I believe that the Bible is the absolute, perfect word of God. I believe it is written by man, inspired by God and every word from beginning to end is true. (2 Timothy 3; 2 Peter 1)

I believe God created the world, as the Bible describes, in 6 days. I do not believe in any part of the evolution theory. (Genesis 1)

I believe that acceptance of Christ Jesus as your personal Savior is the one and only way to heaven. (John 14)

I believe that Jesus Christ is the perfect Son of God, who manifested Himself in human form, lived a sinless life, was betrayed and abandoned by those He trusted most, and died a horrible death. (Luke 2; James 2; Matthew 26 - 27)

I believe Jesus was buried in a tomb, which was surrounded by guards and had a large stone rolled over the entrance. (Matthew 27)

I believe that tomb was empty 3 days later as Jesus had told his disciples it would be. (Matthew 16; Matthew 28)

I believe Jesus ascended to Heaven shortly after his resurrection from the dead. (Acts 1)

I believe Jesus now sits in victory at the right hand of God. (Luke 22)

I believe He is coming back. (Acts 1; Matthew 24)

I believe He caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, cast out demons and raised people from the dead. (Matthew 9; Luke 11; Mark 1; Mark 7; Luke 7; Mark 5)

I believe in Hell and I believe that God wants no man to go there. (2 Peter 3)

I believe all of us are sinners. (Romans 3)

I believe that you do not have to be baptized to go to heaven, but that baptism is an outward symbol of your acceptance of Christ as your Savior. (1 Peter 3)

I believe that nothing can separate me from the love of God. (Romans 8; John 10)

I believe that if I confess my sins to God, then he is faithful and just to forgive my sins. (1 John 9; 2 Chronicles 7)

I believe that God disciplines those He loves. (Hebrews 12)

I believe that God tempts no one. (James 1)

I believe that all sin is the same in God's eyes. (James 2)

I believe that God, as the Holy Spirit, intercedes in prayer for us. (Romans 8)

I believe in Satan. I believe that he was an angel, whose pride caused his fall from heaven. (Luke 10)

I believe witchcraft, psychics, mediums and things of that nature are detestable to God and I fear for what will happen to those who participate in these things. (Deuteronomy 18; Leviticus 20; Galatians 5; Revelations 21)

I believe that I am commanded to forgive others - over and over and over. (Matthew 18)

I believe that Jesus died to redeem the sins of every man, woman and child on earth. Every one - no matter what they believe. (1 Peter 3)

I believe that what is impossible for man is possible for God. (Luke 18)

I believe each of us is given spiritual gifts and if you do not utilize the gift God has given to you, then you are missing out on the all the great gifts God has waiting for those who do His work. (1 Corinthians 12)

I believe that when I die, I will stand before the throne of God and be judged for everything I have done in my life - good or evil - including every hidden thing. (Ecclesiastes 12)

I believe that every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2)

I believe that there are people who will twist the Bible's words to suit their own needs. (2 Timothy 4)

I believe that miracles still happen, that God answers prayer, that prayer is powerful, and even if I do not like God's answer to my prayers, He is in control.