{"id":30647,"date":"2022-09-04T21:38:35","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T01:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=30647"},"modified":"2022-09-05T13:54:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T17:54:09","slug":"5-friday-faves-beyond-the-guitar-medleys-life-online-late-summer-the-older-generation-and-friendship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=30647","title":{"rendered":"5 Friday Faves &#8211; Beyond the Guitar Medleys, Life Online, Late Summer, the Older Generation, and Friendship"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Blog-Friday-Faves-006-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-14251\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Blog-Friday-Faves-006-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3996\" height=\"2540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Blog-Friday-Faves-006-2.jpg 3996w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Blog-Friday-Faves-006-2-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Blog-Friday-Faves-006-2-768x488.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Blog-Friday-Faves-006-2-1024x651.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3996px) 100vw, 3996px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Friday Faves&#8230;here we go!<\/p>\n<p><strong>1) Beyond the Guitar Medleys &#8211; <\/strong>Music themes can fill us with such emotion &#8211; deep nostalgia about a shared experience, a memorable adventure, or a sweet story. Really great soundtracks often have several themes that draw us in and take us back. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.patreon.com\/beyondtheguitar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nathan Mills<\/a>, at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/beyondtheguitar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beyond the Guitar<\/a>,\u00a0 has arranged and performed some lovely medleys from such music scores. Here are some of them (5 faves for Friday) and the rest are at the bottom of today&#8217;s blog:<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"5 Uplifting Disney \/ Pixar Songs On Guitar\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/guPkYFoNgUs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"3 Beautiful DreamWorks Themes On Guitar\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mFgarPK79rg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"5 Heartbreaking Pixar Themes On Guitar\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e0PuWoXTOds?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"TOP TV SITCOM THEMES ON GUITAR\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eg09GMT7SwU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"THE GREATEST SHOWMAN MEDLEY - Classical Guitar (BeyondTheGuitar)\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/J3d1TYUf_5k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>2) Life Online &#8211; <\/strong>Obviously, if you&#8217;re reading this, then you&#8217;re online. The thing is, our lives have been greatly enhanced by the benefits of technology. We do, from time to time, need to revisit our habits which might include time spent online and for what purposes.<\/p>\n<p>So much has been written already about the downside of screen-time and the prevalence of smartphone addiction. The distractions, mental laziness, shallow thinking, almost communication.<\/p>\n<p>My husband got his first smartphone for work around 2005 or after. The rest of our family slowly moved in that direction.<\/p>\n<p>I personally spend way too much time online. Sometimes for positive outcomes, sometime just because it has become knee-jerk&#8230;a time-filler. It&#8217;s what I do now unfortunately. When I used to carry a book around in my purse.<\/p>\n<p>It could be addiction, and that&#8217;s got to change.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Smart-Phone-Addiction-Life-Online-Mental-Laziness-Science-Info.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30715\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Smart-Phone-Addiction-Life-Online-Mental-Laziness-Science-Info.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Smart-Phone-Addiction-Life-Online-Mental-Laziness-Science-Info.jpg 750w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Smart-Phone-Addiction-Life-Online-Mental-Laziness-Science-Info-300x208.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/scienceinfo.net\/science-proves-to-use-many-smartphones-to-make-lazy-brain-work.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science Info<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;The same chemicals are released in your brain when you get a text message as when you drink an alcoholic beverage, smoke a cigarette or gamble. What in essence is happening is we&#8217;re allowing children from 6 to 10 years of age access to our liquor cabinet when we give them a smartphone. They&#8217;re constantly texting so they&#8217;re continually getting high.&#8221;<\/em> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ttuhsc.edu\/alumni\/pulse\/our-brains-on-smartphones.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">John Gatica<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ttuhsc.edu\/alumni\/pulse\/our-brains-on-smartphones.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Our Brains on Smartphones<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>John Gatica is an educator, and his observations regarding children and neuroscience are sobering. Now not all texts are happy for adults, but the addiction phenomenon still holds true.<\/p>\n<div class=\"quoteDetails\">\n<div class=\"quoteText\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Ways-Your-Phone-Changing-You\/dp\/1433552434\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>\u201cLife online is a whiplash between deep sorrow, unexpected joy, cheap laughs, profound thoughts, and dumb memes.\u201d<\/em><\/a> &#8211; Tony Reinke<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/work\/quotes\/52459936-12-ways-your-phone-is-changing-you\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You<\/em> &#8211; Tony Reinke &#8211; Quotes<\/a> &#8211; Book is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Ways-Your-Phone-Changing-You\/dp\/1433552434\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our phones give the illusion of presence&#8230;and good. We are doing &#8220;good&#8221; with a text to a friend or family member &#8211; a text taking the place of a full-on &#8220;showing up&#8221;. Social media have grown a forest over our sleepy selves where we become lazy and reactive (mildly or harshly depending on the subject matter).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Now I&#8217;ll take a text over no contact. What the concern here is more what is happening to us when our online life is more real to us than our actual face-to-face, with skin-on, encounters with people&#8230; What&#8217;s going on in our brains long-term? Something to think about.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>For more than a few seconds.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/how-do-smartphones-affect-the-brain-2794892\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Effects of Smartphones on Your Brain<\/em> &#8211; Kendra Cherry<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getpocket.com\/collections\/is-social-media-making-us-stupid?utm_source=pocket-newtab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Is Social Media Making us Stupid?<\/em> &#8211; Alex Kantrowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Internet-Safety-Alicia-Kozakiewicz-Sep-2022.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30727\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Internet-Safety-Alicia-Kozakiewicz-Sep-2022.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"775\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Internet-Safety-Alicia-Kozakiewicz-Sep-2022.jpg 750w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Internet-Safety-Alicia-Kozakiewicz-Sep-2022-290x300.jpg 290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>3) Late Summer &#8211; <\/strong>My sweet husband&#8217;s garden is all a tangle now. The vegetables are finishing up, and the flowers, though still beautiful, are winding down. As the feel of Fall teases us in the early mornings, I wanted to capture, once again, for your enjoyment and my own, some of this not-to-be-undone late summer garden of ours. Please post some of your own beauties below.<a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9104.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30742\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9104.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9104.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9104-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9104-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9104-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9106.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30743\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9106.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9106.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9106-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9106-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9106-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9108.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30744\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9108.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9108.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9108-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9108-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9108-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9114.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30745\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9114.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9114.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9114-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9114-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9114-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9116-e1662340638901.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30746\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9116-e1662340638901.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3024\" height=\"4032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9116-e1662340638901.jpg 3024w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9116-e1662340638901-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9116-e1662340638901-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3024px) 100vw, 3024px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9121.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30747\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9121.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3729\" height=\"2648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9121.jpg 3729w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9121-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9121-768x545.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9121-1024x727.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3729px) 100vw, 3729px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>4) Older Generation <\/strong>&#8211; Just want to give a quick shout-out to the older generation &#8211; our parents and others who have graced our lives with wisdom, beauty, humor and Godly values.<\/p>\n<p>When our children gather around our table, I realize we are fast becoming the older generation. We have one precious mom left this side of Heaven and hopefully she will be with us for many years more. I am thankful for her &#8211; and all I&#8217;ve learned from her over the years&#8230; Hopefully our own adult children and the grands will take every opportunity to lean in to her wisdom and love. We are a bit of an &#8220;old soul&#8221; family and I&#8217;m thankful for each one in this family.<a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9143.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30734\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9143.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9143.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9143-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9143-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9143-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;But I know people who as children had their grandparents&#8217; memories in their memories, so that in a sense, as young people<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>they had old minds.\u00a0 They had a kind of seasoning.&#8221;\u00a0 Wendell Berry, 1973<\/strong> [Source undetermined]<\/p>\n<p>So here&#8217;s just a bit of gratitude for the older generations&#8230;those who give us a glimpse into the future which can seem too dark at times, and yet with faith in a good God and a love that holds us together, we take hope. Thankful for three sweet parents who have gone on ahead&#8230;and for MomMom still very much with us, encouraging us always. <a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-MomMom-Dave-August-2022.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30729\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-MomMom-Dave-August-2022.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-MomMom-Dave-August-2022.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-MomMom-Dave-August-2022-248x300.jpg 248w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-MomMom-Dave-August-2022-768x928.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-MomMom-Dave-August-2022-847x1024.jpg 847w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Do you have the pleasure and great good of the company of &#8220;olders&#8221;?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=bmyK_5eRwwU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube Video &#8211; <em>Mother<\/em> &#8211; (Love Bigger Than the Ocean Is What You&#8217;ve Given to Me)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>5) Friendship &#8211; <\/strong>Friendships have always come easy for me and I&#8217;m thankful. A few years back, I read <a href=\"https:\/\/scottsauls.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scott Sauls<\/a>&#8216; book <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Befriend-Create-Belonging-Judgment-Isolation\/dp\/1496400941\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13E4ECF8LAZID&amp;keywords=befriend&amp;qid=1662337191&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=Befriend%2Cstripbooks%2C77&amp;sr=1-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Befriend<\/em><\/a>. It was both affirming and convicting as the realization that friendship, like marriage, takes nurturing&#8230;more than maybe I was giving. Then 2020 happened and the Coronavirus wreaked havoc on relationships, isolating us from one another.<\/p>\n<p>Fast forward to 2022, and I find myself very much needing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jennieallen.com\/find-your-people\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jennie Allen<\/a>&#8216;s latest book <a href=\"https:\/\/faithgateway.com\/pages\/find-your-people-jennie-allen-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Find Your People<\/em><\/a>. Oddly, her <a href=\"https:\/\/watch.studygateway.com\/find-your-people\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">online study<\/a> (shades of COVID Zoom calls) drew me to the book. Finishing the study this coming week, I now want to take her counsel in <em>finding my people<\/em>.<a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7991.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30723\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7991.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7991.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7991-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7991-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7991-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Allen talks about how we can quite accidentally just stop investing in relationships. Our post-COVID culture has pushed us into even more independence and self-reliance than we had before. We isolate without even thinking about it and our days move quietly on.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe that isn&#8217;t your experience&#8230;so hang in there with me.<\/p>\n<p>Allen reflects back on how life through the ages flourishes within community. More a village experience than whatever it is we have today. People know each other and they are invested in each other. She lists out the realities necessary for healthy community:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Proximity<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Transparency<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Accountability (real connection)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Shared Mission <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Consistency<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It&#8217;s out of this realm that true friendship grows. Spending time together. Being our real selves. Allowing others to speak into our lives. Teaming together for a greater good. Showing up again and again.<\/p>\n<p>These are the basic elements of community&#8230;and friendship.<\/p>\n<p>If you are experiencing the loneliness of untended friendships, Allen&#8217;s book will help. If you just can&#8217;t put another book in your queue right now, at least consider what&#8217;s going on in your friendships. I&#8217;m not talking about acquaintanceships either. Deep, beautiful, lasting friendships.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s get back out there and find our people.<a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7978.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30721\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7978.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"815\" height=\"552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7978.jpg 815w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7978-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7978-768x520.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7986.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30722\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7986.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7986-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7986-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7986-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Find-Your-People-Building-Community\/dp\/B09BW5542X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Find Your People<\/em>, Jennie Allen<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9128.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30733\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9128.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9128.jpg 750w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9128-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9128-300x298.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[The liturgy below doesn&#8217;t really focus on friendship, but it speaks to hospitality which also took a hit with COVID. A beautiful prayer.]<a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Hospitality-Hosting-an-Event-Tiffany-Holden-Facebook-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30740\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Hospitality-Hosting-an-Event-Tiffany-Holden-Facebook-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Hospitality-Hosting-an-Event-Tiffany-Holden-Facebook-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Hospitality-Hosting-an-Event-Tiffany-Holden-Facebook-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Hospitality-Hosting-an-Event-Tiffany-Holden-Facebook-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Hospitality-Hosting-an-Event-Tiffany-Holden-Facebook-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag-819x1024.jpg 819w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo\/?fbid=3246934695622611&amp;set=gm.5612034748848442&amp;idorvanity=1239235792795048\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tiffany Holden, Facebook, Rabbit Room Chinwag<\/a><\/p>\n<p>___________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for stopping by. It means a lot. Hope you have a weekend full of your people&#8230;with quiet in between.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bonuses:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scottsauls.com\/blog\/2022\/08\/14\/going-nowhere\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Even Tolkien Felt Like a Failure<\/em> &#8211; Scott Sauls<\/a><\/p>\n<p>An incredibly helpful Twitter thread on marriage:<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-twitter\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"474\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Four years ago we were in an awful marriage.<\/p>\n<p>Our HOUSE wasn\u2019t a HOME,<br \/>it was a war zone.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022We said the D word.<br \/>\u2022We didn\u2019t speak days at a time.<br \/>\u2022My kids could\u2019ve not had a dad.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the steps we took to fix us &amp; how it\u2019s now better than the honeymoon!!<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Tyler Todt (@tyromper) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/tyromper\/status\/1566034515725656065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 3, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<p>[Trip to Cracker Barrel]<a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8B449E98-F42A-47BC-BC22-2C25440F2A4D.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30719\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8B449E98-F42A-47BC-BC22-2C25440F2A4D.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8B449E98-F42A-47BC-BC22-2C25440F2A4D.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8B449E98-F42A-47BC-BC22-2C25440F2A4D-247x300.jpg 247w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8B449E98-F42A-47BC-BC22-2C25440F2A4D-768x933.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8B449E98-F42A-47BC-BC22-2C25440F2A4D-843x1024.jpg 843w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9041-e1662333009164.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30731\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9041-e1662333009164.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3024\" height=\"4032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9041-e1662333009164.jpg 3024w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9041-e1662333009164-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_9041-e1662333009164-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3024px) 100vw, 3024px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7975.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30720\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7975.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"1047\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7975.jpg 750w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7975-215x300.jpg 215w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/IMG_7975-734x1024.jpg 734w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/getpocket.com\/explore\/item\/3-simple-habits-that-can-protect-your-brain-from-cognitive-decline?utm_source=pocket-newtab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>3 Simple Habits that Can Protect Your Brain From Cognitive Decline<\/em> &#8211; Tara Swart<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Blog-C.-S.-Lewis-Good-and-evil-both-increase-at-compound-interest.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30648\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Blog-C.-S.-Lewis-Good-and-evil-both-increase-at-compound-interest.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Blog-C.-S.-Lewis-Good-and-evil-both-increase-at-compound-interest.jpg 640w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Blog-C.-S.-Lewis-Good-and-evil-both-increase-at-compound-interest-217x300.jpg 217w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azquotes.com\/public\/picture_quotes\/07\/4c\/074cc7c53f26af64ebb760309d6c8618\/c-s-lewis-477879.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AZ Quotes, C. S. Lewis<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Frederick-Buechner-God-the-Cross-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30739\" src=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Frederick-Buechner-God-the-Cross-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"564\" height=\"851\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Frederick-Buechner-God-the-Cross-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag.jpg 564w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blog-Frederick-Buechner-God-the-Cross-Rabbit-Room-Chinwag-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><\/a>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10220369655061441&amp;set=p.10220369655061441&amp;type=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook, Rabbit Room Chinwag<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>*The rest of Beyond the Guitar&#8217;s medleys (so far):<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"BRAVEHEART MEETS CLASSICAL GUITAR\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gswTZDrXPvM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Harry Potter: The Classical Guitar Medley\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xdqTmNofXGE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"4 Underrated (but BEAUTIFUL) Video Game Themes\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BX-HZVzWCrM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"THE LAST OF US PART 2 Medley - Classical Guitar Cover (Beyond The Guitar)\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1XRnGyeWrvc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"5 Creepy (but BEAUTIFUL) Songs On Guitar\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7PXHhOMGq9Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Red Dead Redemption 2 Medley - Classical Guitar Cover (Beyond The Guitar)\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/erlnW9IeB48?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"THE DEFENDERS MEDLEY - 4 Defenders 1 Guitar\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MmmQjvh9g0k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Legend Of Zelda - The Classical Guitar Medley\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HEST6ASiKgM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2016 Best Video Game Soundtracks - Classical Guitar Medley\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/J-qDacA4spA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pok\u00e9mon: A Guitar Medley\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gK7X9et-nsw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Friday Faves&#8230;here we go! 1) Beyond the Guitar Medleys &#8211; Music themes can fill us with such emotion &#8211; deep nostalgia about a shared experience, a memorable adventure, or a sweet story. Really great soundtracks often have several themes that draw us in and take us back. Nathan Mills, at Beyond the Guitar,\u00a0 has arranged &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=30647\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">5 Friday Faves &#8211; Beyond the Guitar Medleys, Life Online, Late Summer, the Older Generation, and Friendship<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2763,810,926,1229,371,34,1628,2126,1705,147,3208,1801,1265,678,903,1435,2547,2776,1732,5130,317,932,2611,1348,337,888,747,432,870,31,3751,789,887,1102,875,1002],"tags":[2764,10252,10251,777,4296,2548,37,10260,10254,1676,10253,3418,776,10069,232,9040,1802,239,3964,583,137,4140,677,4308,2423,8311,10259,10258,10256,8640,42,5,8559,10257,1136,10250,2322,10262,3275,10249,1108,8422,10255,2327,10261,9873],"class_list":["post-30647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aging","category-all-good-gifts","category-attending-or-focus","category-beauty-of-gods-creation","category-bookmarked-summer","category-books","category-character","category-community","category-conversations","category-family-2","category-finishing-strong","category-friday-faves","category-friends","category-friendship","category-grace","category-growing-up","category-guitar","category-hospitality","category-leadership","category-legacy","category-lessons-learned","category-loneliness","category-love-your-neighbor","category-marginalized-people","category-marriage-2","category-memories","category-mom-and-dad","category-music","category-neighbors","category-parenting","category-purpose","category-relationships","category-remembering","category-social-media","category-technology","category-transformational","tag-aging","tag-alex-kantrowitz","tag-apps","tag-autumn","tag-befriend","tag-beyond-the-guitar","tag-c-s-lewis","tag-cardinals","tag-cognitive-decline","tag-cracker-barrel","tag-evil","tag-exercise","tag-fall","tag-find-your-people","tag-flowers","tag-frederick-buechner","tag-friday-faves","tag-friends","tag-friendships","tag-good","tag-grandparents","tag-healthy-eating","tag-hope","tag-isolation","tag-j-r-r-tolkien","tag-jennie-allen","tag-jennifer-dukes-lee","tag-john-gatica","tag-kendra-cherry","tag-late-summer","tag-marriage","tag-memories","tag-memory-loss","tag-mental-laziness","tag-nathan-mills","tag-phone","tag-scott-sauls","tag-seasoning","tag-sleep","tag-smart-phone","tag-social-media","tag-summer-flowers","tag-tara-swart","tag-tony-reinke","tag-tyler-todt","tag-wendell-berry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pauPAB-7Yj","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30647"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30752,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30647\/revisions\/30752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}