SUBJECT: Relationships, Family, & Communication

WORD COUNT: 890 including bylines

Have you ever heard of a Talking Stick? I hadn't until two days ago when my husband presented me with one! "Okay..." I thought, "Is this supposed to be some joke about me talking too much or what?" But then he continued his presentation saying, "Honey, I know that sometimes you think I'm not listening to you. I have to admit, sometimes you're right. But you are love of my life, and even when I'm distracted, I always want you to be my first priority. That's why I made this for you...I give you this Talking Stick as a symbol of my commitment to always put you first, no matter what. If there's ever a time when you don't think I'm paying attention to you, or if you think I'm ignoring something important...just pick up this Talking Stick. I promise to listen, without interruption, while you tell me what's on your mind." Wow! What woman wouldn't love that? A promise of undivided attention any time we want it! Does this man realize what he has just done?

I came to discover that Talking Stick has been used for centuries by many American Indian tribes as a means of just and impartial hearing. The stick was commonly used in council circles to designate who had right to speak. Whoever holds Talking Stick within his hands has power of words. When matters of great concern came before council, leading elder would hold stick and begin discussion. When he finished what he had to say he would hold out stick, and whoever wished to speak after him would take it. In this manner stick was passed from one individual to another until anyone who wished to speak had done so. The stick was then passed back to leading elder for safekeeping. It carries respect for free speech and assures speaker that he has freedom and power to say what is in his heart without fear of reprisal or humiliation.

By Jeffrey Strain

With Valentine's Day just around corner, it's time to start thinking about perfect gift for one you love. Whether you are looking for something special on a tight budget or would simply like to add something special to another gift, there's no better way to express your love than by saying it in a variety of languages.

Find a nice jar and cut different colored paper into heart-shaped pieces. Write "I Love You" in a different language on each heart and place it in jar. Continue doing this until jar is full. Add a nice ribbon around jar and you have a wonderful jar of "Love" to give.

If you want Valentine's Day to last longer, write each "I Love You" in a different language on a colored, heart-shaped piece of paper. Then place each heart into a separate envelope. For next two months, each day you can place a new envelope somewhere where your partner will find it making your love - and Valentine's Day - last a couple of months rather that a single day.

If you are in a more playful mood, cut out heart-shaped pieces of paper and write "I Love You" in a different language along with a hint where your partner can find next envelope. Have your partner do a scavenger hunt to find each envelope until they come to final piece where "I Love You" is written in English with whatever Valentine gift you have decided to give.

No matter how you ultimately decide to give gift of "I Love You," it'll be a gift long remembered and cherished by person who receives it.

***** Different Ways To Say "I Love You" *****