Take the time to listen.

It's the quiet people who have ideas, the loud people who state ideas, the quiet people who have an oppinion, most of the loud people shrug off or ignore that opinion, it's the quiet people who get hurt from it, the loud people who don't notice, the quiet people who beat themselves up over it, the loud people who don't take notice. The inbetween person who can't decide what to do over it, they end up ignoring the problem in the end. The inbetween person will most likely forget that moment, the quiet one will never forget, they will become quieter, trying not to make that mistake again. It wasn't even a mistake, but they don't know how to get rid of the shadow hanging over their back, it haunts them until they find a way to get rid of it, or even block it out for just a moment.
There is a Bible verse that states "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." I cannot remember the reference, but I know by heart that the Bible states that. Take time to listen to people. They really have more to say then you think, I have a clear guess from experience that by the time those "akward silences" aren't akward anymore then then you are becoming to know that person real well. There was someone I met that I knew them for about three years or more but even though nothing was akward anymore, they still wouldn't listen, it made me feel like they didn't care even though they just shrugged it off. It still hurts me.
Then recently I met someone who was a "quiet person" but didn't act that way she had a "leader" type air around her, ad if she could take care of any task given to her. But at the same time she was hiding, I could feel it, we were so alike even though I have more of a "background" type of air around me, I have only spoken face to face with her a couple of times, but I feel like I've known her forever.
Listen to the quiet people, become aware of the hiding people, place priorities so others understand when you need to speak alone with someone, be a REAL friend, not just a "buddy", ask God for guidance, let him help you. And help others according to how God instructs you.
Take the time.

What can we learn?

What is Christmas? A time for snow? Just a part of winter? The birth of Jesus? There are many different ways to think about Christmas, the way I prefer to think about Christmas is, "What will God teach me this year?" I've realized how much more I learn or find out when I bring every situation to a test to see what I need to know. I started doing this about four - six months ago, right around when school started. I had the death of my parakeet laying heavily on my mind and I couldn't get myself to focus on anything else very well. I kept asking, "Why God? What did I do, Why do I deserve this?" I kept beating myself up until my grandpa said something to me. He said that instead of ever asking God why or what, ask him, "What can I learn from this."
This helped me get through everything so much easier, I was able to let go of my bird and help myself learn a lesson. Never ask God why, ask Him what can I learn. Even if it's not a bad situation, always try to be aware of God, He is always there.
So during the rest of December until Christmas I am going to ask myself what I can learn from everything going on around me. What will you learn?

♥Rain♥

It washes and erases all my tears 

Drowns out all my fears 

It spreads a smile on my face 

As sadness leaves without a trace 

Dancing through it laughing and gasping for breath 

It is misjudged and treated like death 

But for me it spreads my joy 

I feel like a child receiving a toy 

It drips down my chin 

And rattles against the roof tin 

It gives the thirsty plants a drink 

And spreads beauty without a blink 

The green as a result gives the eye a rest 

And puts the dry spells to the test 

It spreads joy and relief 

As a bud can turn to a leaf 

Like a caterpillar in a cocoon 

It hides then bursts with beauty when the time is right 

Leaving behind a beautiful sight.