Category Archives: Relationship Lessons Learned

Being Heard

Posted on June 21, 2012 by russtowne

“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” –David W. Augsburger I believe in the truth and wisdom of this quote. I saw it at mindfuldiary at http://mindfuldiary.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/pretty-flowers/ and would have … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Love, Making the World a Better Place, Quotes I Love, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged David W. Augsburger, hear, heard, Love, loved, Mindfuldiary | 4 Comments

What Is That?

Posted on June 18, 2012 by russtowne

A touching reminder to parents and to grown children. For parents who regret how they parented, this could be a wonderful time to begin to build or re-build your relationship with your child/children. For children who grew up and have … Continue reading →

Posted in Gratitude, Growth/Learning, Healing, Parenting, Relationship Lessons Learned, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged bird, child, daughter, father, Love, Mother, parent, son, sparrow, what is that | 6 Comments

The Strength To Let Go

Posted on June 11, 2012 by russtowne

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.” – Herman Hess A friend shared the above quote on FB, and it triggered thoughts of times when I hung onto painful memories or situations … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, Friendship, Growth/Learning, Healing, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged action, alignment, focus, friends, Helping, letting go, marriage, moving on, Relationship, romantic, strength, strong, the best me I can be, vision | 2 Comments

Too Stubborn and Selfish

Posted on June 6, 2012 by russtowne

On the way home from our at-least-weekly Date Night this evening, I flashed back to the comments a good man said to my then-fiance’ and me 34 years ago, when we were about 20 years old. We’d asked him to … Continue reading →

Posted in LIfe Lessons, Observations, Optimism, Random Thoughts, Relationship Lessons Learned, True Stories I've Written | Tagged Date, date night, Love, marriage, wedding, wife | 6 Comments

Sometimes Even When I Aim For The Moon I Still Manage to Shoot Myself In The Foot!

Posted on June 4, 2012 by russtowne

A friend whom I’ve known since about the 4th grade shared this quote: “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Creativity, Generosity, Growth/Learning, Humor, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Observations, Optimism, Quotes I Love, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged aim high, Caring, creative talents, Friend, kind, kindness, Love, loving, Michelangelo | 3 Comments

Returning the Favor

Posted on June 3, 2012 by russtowne

My dog Duke has many positive attributes, and a few that might be viewed as somewhat less than positive when I’m in a Stinking Thinking type of mood. I was about to mention a couple of the latter when it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Forgiveness, Friendship, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, Humor, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Random Thoughts, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged attributes, Dog, Duke, Friend, patient, positive attributes, teacher | 4 Comments

What I Learned from My Son and Dandelions

Posted on May 13, 2012 by russtowne

When our middle son was a young teenager, one of his chores was to mow the lawns. One day as I walked into the house after work I noticed that the front yard had dandelion stems in it that were … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Parenting, Relationship Lessons Learned, True Stories I've Written, Uncategorized | Tagged angry, ask my heart, ask my heart for a second opinion, chores, consequence, consequences, dandelions, heart, house, lawn, learned, lesson, lesson learned, lie, lying, middle son, mow, promise, promised, puff balls, son, swore, Trust, trusting, truth, Work, yard work | 1 Comment

My Recipe For Life

Posted on May 11, 2012 by russtowne

I believe that most people feel that life is very complex and complicated. That is understandable. There is so much information, regulation, conflicting needs and priorities, entities telling and selling what we need and should do, partisanship and rancor, choices, … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, Friendship, Generosity, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Praise, Random Thoughts, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged attention, care, Caring, coach, comfort, confidence, contentment, energy, friends, fulfillment, grateful, gratitude, grow, guide, Happiness, Inner Peace, joy, keeping it simple, kindness, learn, Life, Love, passion, peace, people, recipe, recipe for life, share, shine, simplicity, slow learner, support, teach, time, truly matter, Zen | 3 Comments

I Will Not Forget You

Posted on April 10, 2012 by russtowne

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” -William Arthur Ward I like and believe in … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Quotes I Love, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged A.Word.A.Day, Anu Garg, encourage, follow, I will never forget you, Life, Relationships, William Arthur Ward, wise | Leave a comment

Hunger Games

Posted on April 1, 2012 by russtowne

I saw the Hunger Games movie last night. I liked it a lot and felt it captured the tone of the first book well. It showcases the best and worst of humankind. The power of hope, of trust, of love. … Continue reading →