In Appreciation of Caffected Missionaries

CAFFECTION.com

These days we're all missionaries for one cause or another. Here in the world of CAFFECTION! we're blessed to have a very talented team. Each member of our gang has the benefit of being in a caffected relationship, making them even more committed to the CAFFECTION! mission. It's exciting to know we're doing this for YOU; our family, friends and CAFFECTIONites! Everyone should have a love like this. A special public THANK-YOU to Kathy Rausch and Steve Kurfis --- fantastic work!
Another positive thought for the weekend. I, (Mariah) am an RN. I work in electrophysiology at The Ross Heart Hospital, associated with The Ohio State University Medical Center. It's simply THE best employer I've ever worked for, hands down. There are countless reasons I could name, but one my favorites is the underground tunnel I use when it's raining or cold. These colors are the first & last view of my day; warm, loving, accepting. Life becomes richer when we look for the silver lining in the clouds. "No rain, no rainbows."

My Better Half, The Lucky One

CAFFECTION.com

When I was a kid, I’d heard the strange expression my better half . After Byron & I were married I understood that simple saying had come true. I’m blessed to be married to a man who is genuine, kind, and empathetic. His consideration of my needs takes precedent over his, unconditionally. He’s appreciative of every small gesture I make toward him, returning them tenfold. I enjoy people noticing his nurturing way toward me. When I commented to him just how much I loved his doting, his reply amazed me; “you do the same for me.” The more he did for me, the more I wanted to do for him.  We lived caffection and it showed. Before we left Kauai, Charlie, the security guy at our condo complex, created a C.D. of local songs for us. The first song was one we’d never heard before, yet the lyrics say exactly what Charlie saw in our relationship. What a tribute! Lucky One by Kalaeloa describes the interaction of our caffected marriage. When you put your mate’s needs first and find ways to make their life easier, you’ll quickly notice the same coming back to you. Try it, it's very cool to know your caffected mate feels like they are the lucky one!

Envy

Caffection.com

Philosopher Bertrand Russell said, "Envy consists in seeing things never in themselves, but only in their relations. If you desire glory, you may envy Napoleon, but Napoleon envied Caesar, Caesar envied Alexander, and Alexander, I daresay, envied Hercules, who never existed."  Envy denies us contentment and wastes our time.  Great French writer Honore de Balzac said "Envy is the most stupid of vices, for there is no single advantage to be gained from it." We all know people who are smarter, richer, funnier, more talented, or better looking. So what?  You were likely not going to attend Harvard or Stanford anyway; what's the use or advantage in being envious of someone who has that opportunity?   Being envious also robs us of our appreciation for our own self worth, and our own vital purpose as we focus on someone else's.  There's a reason we say 'green with envy'.  Green is the color of fertility, and envy certainly grows if we allow it to.  It also grows all manner of weeds that choke off our better nature.  Caffected couples are noticeable by their complete lack of envy at the others' success, reward, advancement or insight.  If you have a story to reinforce this view, we'd love for you to share it.  Use the link above and tell your story.  Just initials and city, please.  Thanks!

 

Pass It On

CAFFECTION.com

As you know, we enjoy being able to help organizations that provide great value to others.  A few months ago we read about one such organization, CAMP Get-A-Well-A .   Imagine being a kid and getting to go to camp while you're in the hospital.    "I want to be back at camp! They made me come back to the hospital!"

Yesterday we received a handwritten note from JoLanne Hansen, the camps’ Executive Director, asking us to “tell 5 people you see tomorrow about it.”  Since our blog is a superb communication tool, we’d like to ask you to do the same… “tell 5 people you see tomorrow about it.”  Any contribution, especially emailing this to 5 people you know as well as sending positive thoughts & prayers  will allow CAMP-Get-A-Well-A to keep making a difference.  So during this time of highly charged politics, take a break from politics, share this with your Caffected best friend and pass this on.  That's what CAFFECTION is all about; make a difference, you'll be glad you did..

Affirmation Book

Caffection.com

Monday again, and time for a book review. This week we decided to review a book that is filled with affirmation in its own way, and one of the premier feel-good books of all time: Jeanne Ray's Eat Cake. Why put this book on a marriage of Caffection website? Here's why. Eat Cake is about real people, having real life experiences, while the protagonist is busy reinventing herself. Throughout the book, as our subject attempts to reduce the stress in her life, she finds that cake is the ultimate answer. "Cake has gotten a bad rap." she writes. "People have come to equate virtue with turning down dessert."
So what does she do? She timidly sets out to change that, starting a cake baking concern she calls, Eat Cake. The real life, back and forth, ultimately affirming process is the upshot of this great read. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will make you order dessert.
And if you're caffected, here's a tip: fix him/her a cake for no reason. Don't wait for a birthday, anniversary, or award. Do it today, and decorate it, too. Write Happy Caffection on it.