mytapestryblog

Gifts of Love: Bringing Joy to the World

gifts

What can I give Him, poor as I am? This is the question Christina Georgina Rossetti asked in a Christmas song she wrote. It’s a question we probably all ponder at times. There are so many needs in the world that it can be overwhelming. What can we do?How can we give? What gifts do we have?

One great gift to give to someone else is our smile and very often a smile is returned to us. It is an easy way to say, “I see you and I wish you a good day”. Research shows that children smile an average of 400 times per day, compared to the average happy adult who smiles 40-50 times per day and the typical adult who smiles only 20 times per day. Smiling helps release endorphins and has many health benefits. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Jesus tells us to be more like little children. Smiling is not only a gift to others, but also a gift to ourselves.
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart… Proverbs 15: 30

Treating someone with respect is another way we can impact someone: opening a door, giving up a seat on a bus, keeping noise down in public places…. Many ways we can let others know that we care about their comfort and enjoyment of life, too. Things that we can do that show that we recognize that they are valuable people, too. People might be very different from us, sometimes in ways that we don’t understand. However, all are God’s creations and it is God’s will that we show respect to everyone.
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. I Peter 2:17

Our presence can be a gift to someone else. Visiting a sick friend, sitting next to someone who is sitting alone, being emotionally present when we are with people. In this day of people carrying devices everywhere they go, people are often ignored. Recently, as I was walking home, I came upon a woman carrying four bags of groceries. I offered to carry two bags for her for as far as our paths were going in the same direction. She told me that she is often lonely and many days it is difficult to engage in conversation with anyone, anywhere. Some people may not want our presence, but I wonder if our effort isn’t appreciated anyway?
Reach out and touch somebody’s hand make this world a better place if you can – Diana Ross

One gift that can be challenging at times, is active listening. There are so many distractions in this world, so much noise and so much “busyness”, that we often do not concentrate and LISTEN when others are talking to us. To be listened to and HEARD is important. To prove that we have been actively listening, we should be able to repeat some of what was said to us. While working as a nurse, often, the only time for conversation with my patients was while I was doing something else at the same time. This worked in some situations, but often the emotional needs of my patients were not met. Now, retired, I am often too attached to my devices. I need to actively practice active listening.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19

These are just a few of the gifts we can give “poor as I am”. We can be His smile, His hands, feet and ears in a hurting world — and sometimes His mouth, too.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Life Reflections: From Childhood to Retirement

Yes, unbelievable (to me), but I have reached the milestone of 65 years of life. When I think back to my childhood in an immigrant church, I realize that I am older than most of the “old people” I remember from that time. Those “old people” still had enough energy and sense of adventure to face the challenges of settling into a new life in a new country. They were often still raising some of their children. They were probably in their 50s, so not so old at all! I am older than those “old people”!

I started my life in Ontario, in a loving Christian family. I lived in the country with my parents, older sister and younger twin brothers. I remember the years on “our farm” with great fondness. I was surrounded by an awesome variety of sights, sounds and smells of God’s creation. I became a member of a Bible readers club and did devotions each evening. My life during those years was affected by personal illness and my father’s industrial accident. I was blessed by how my parents handled those situations.
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. ~Proverbs 14:26

My teen years were a blend of parental guidance and making my own decisions. I was 18 years old when I started nursing school and graduated at the age of 20. Shift work was a challenge all of my working years, however, working 12 hour shifts gave me more full days to spend with my family. I enjoyed the work that I did wherever I worked: hospital, Kingston Penitentiary, residential care and community nursing. I was blessed by my career in many ways.
A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How can anyone understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24

I got married in 1980 and we settled in eastern Ontario. We were blessed with the birth of a son in 1981 and a daughter in 1983. As a family, we camped and traveled, even driving to Expo in 1986. Life was not easy though and we separated briefly towards the end of 1986. The children and I moved to southwestern Ontario and our family stayed their after the reconciliation of our marriage.
He who swells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

The years that followed were busy years. The children were in school and involved in other activities and we started building our own home. They were years in which I didn’t take very good care of myself. I began to have health problems and my marriage was failing, but through it all I could sense God’s nearness and later could see His Hand had been in situations where I hadn’t recognized Him before.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6

After 17+ years, my marriage ended in divorce. The years that followed were years of adjustment for myself and my children. I followed a 12 step program and got to know myself better. I became the owner of “my” own home for the first time. I watched my children finish school and move away — my nest was truly empty.
When I said, “My foot is slipping. your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94: 18-19

Once the children moved to Alberta and I was left in Ontario, I sold my house and moved into an apartment. I began to focus on myself — I walked, exercised and was more intentional about what I ate and had more time for Bible study. I also spent more time with friends and traveled. The nurses I worked with said I was having too much fun!!
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.~ Philippians 1:6

After a time I was missing my family and moved to Calgary to join my children. There were fun times spent with my grown children. However, I had told them they didn’t have to stay in Calgary because I moved there and they didn’t. After two years we all moved elsewhere. After much thought, I moved further west to British Columbia. In time, my children moved here too, and now I have a daughter-in-law as well.

In many ways, life in BC has been “ever-changing” – moving to different apartments, switching churches, switching job, health concerns and retiring. A great blessing for me now, is being part of Citizens Church, a church plant started close to where I live. I enjoy being part of an awesome church family. As I move forward, I have God’s promise that He will help me get better at being the “me” He created me to be. He will lead me forward step by step in His plan for me and those I love.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God: my hope comes from him.~ Psalm 62:5

As I re-read these words, there doesn’t seem to be much joy there. Joy isn’t what happens on the outside. It’s what I experience on the inside: the reality that God is in control and that I can trust Him. The JOY of the Lord is my strength. ~Nehemiah 8:10. These are great words to remember as I live the seconds, hours, days, weeks, months, years that God has planned for me. Let the adventure begin!!

Revelation of Christmas: Uncovering the Deep Significance of Jesus’ Birth

the night that changed everything

There is still so much for me to learn and I am blessed that God is graciously, slowly teaching me day by day, year by year.This was a special Christmas for me. It wasn’t about what happened on the outside, but what happened on the inside. The wonder, awe and glory of the story of Jesus-come-to earth moved from my mind to my heart. The scriptures and songs of the season took on new meanings. It was an awesome Christmas gift from a loving Father!

I had always understood the significance of Easter on a heart-level, but for some reason, for me, Christmas was an event that happened so Easter could happen. This year, I became aware of why Jesus lived here among us and how much that means for me in my life. It’s hard for me to put in words because it’s more an emotion than something I can describe. It’s beautiful!!

All hail the infinite, infant God!*

*from the song Arrival — words and music by Michael Guy Chislett, Matt Crocker, Benjamin Hastings and Dylan Thomas

Scriptures

John 1: 9-12
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹²Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Isaiah 53: 2-3
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Philippians 2:6-8
Who (Christ Jesus), being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

II Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Thanksgiving Day

Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day, 2018. For what will you give thanks?

As I thought about that question, I thought back to the years of my childhood. I grew up on a farm. I remember going to church on Thanksgiving Day to give thanks for the growing season, the crops and the harvest. It was a time of great awareness of God’s Hands at work in our lives and our circumstances.

So many scenarios came to mind. The growing season started with the big cucumber patch that Dad and Mom tended. Each evening, a truck would come for the bags of cucumbers that would go to the pickle factory for processing. Soon, many vegetables were ready in the family garden, ready for canning or freezing. The gooseberries were picked and made into jam. Later still, fruit was ready for picking on the apple, pear and plum trees. Sometime during all this, the wheat and corn was harvested and the hay and straw was put into bales and stored in the barn. Late spring, summer and early fall were busy times on the farm. I remember eggs from the chicken or turkey, piglets going to market, milk from the cow and visits from the bull.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10,11

Many children now think that milk comes from the store and have not had the opportunity to harvest fruits or vegetables. Fresh produce is now available most of the year and sometimes we do not even know which country it comes from. There isn’t anything wrong with this. However, for me, it’s harder to see the reality of God’s provision in these things except for the money I have to buy them.

I am thankful for all that I have, but I also want to make sure that it is right and fair and good. A few years ago, I became aware of an organization that works in 12 countries around the world. They promote vibrant family farms, strong rural communities and healthy ecosystems, by focusing on activities that build food and livelihood security for small-scale farmers and preserve the agricultural biodiversity necessary to feeding a growing and changing planet.

This made me realize that not only has my focus of Thanksgiving Day changed, but so have many things on our planet. Maybe it’s time for all of us to get back to basics. Time to become more aware of how we get the food we have and express thanks to God Who has provided for us.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~ John F. Kennedy

Divine Majesty in Nature

Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithfulness endures forever. Psalm 136:5 NLT.
Everyone of God’s creatures on planet earth experiences the ways God reveals Himself in the sky. Each of us is given a new beginning every twenty-four hours. Plus, there is beauty and fury and wonder to behold.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:3,4

“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge? Job 37:14 -16
My first memory of watching the sky was when I was seven years old. I had rheumatic fever and was being cared for at home and was on complete bed rest. My parents had to carry me everywhere. When the weather was warm enough, I was placed on a lawn chair outside. Sometimes the wind blew, dark clouds rolled in and I could see the underside of the leaves on the trees. I knew a thunderstorm was approaching quickly – and I’d just wait for a parent to come to carry me inside.

Many years later when I was married, we built our dream home. One of the important features was a large porch at the front of the house. We loved sitting there during storms; experiencing the rolling dark clouds, the rumble of thunder and the streaks of lightning. And sometimes, at the end of it all, a beautiful rainbow.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Psalm 19: 1,2
I worked in Saskatchewan briefly on the edge of a small town and lived in the second storey of the nurses’ residence. If I sat on the upper landing of the fire escape, I could see for miles and watch the clouds drifting with the wind. It was a dance of clouds from horizon to horizon. Sometimes I could see rain falling in the distance even though I sat in the sunshine.

He who made the Pleiades and Orion And changes deep darkness into morning, Who also darkens day into night ….. The LORD is His name. Amos 5:8
I love sunrises,sunsets and the changing sky in the morning as the world wakes up. I worked night shifts many times through the years. I especially remember the wide expanse of wheat field in Saskatchewan slowly appearing through the pinks and oranges of the appearing sunlight. Year later, I would quietly stand in a patient’s room watching the the Calgary sky-line light up from behind. It was good to be able to pause for a few moments of peaceful quiet-time before the busyness of the end of a shift. And a glorious reminder that God would be in the new day!

Many of my years were spent near the Great Lakes. The sunsets on Lake Huron are amazing. I remember sitting among the reeds on a sand dune as the sun was setting…ever so slowly.. until…. it was gone. I was staying at a cottage alone for a few days, so this was a moment I was aware I shared with the Creator. The moving reeds, the coolness of the breeze, the “disappearing” day, the awareness of His presence — I remember it like it was yesterday.

When I was a young girl, our family lived on a farm. I remember staying up later one evening when my parents had company. We young-ones were lying on the grass watching for falling stars. There were too many stars to count. In the background, we could hear our parents’ conversations and the frogs at the pond. An endless expanse of darkness with twinkling stars above me, but it felt secure and safe. All was peaceful and calm and right with my world.

And sometimes I saw other objects in the sky. On the clear, crisp evening of the twentieth of December, 2006 between 6:15 and 6:25 pm, I first saw the space shuttle Discovery and then saw the International Space Station (ISS) as they orbited overhead. The International Space Station is a habitable artificial satellite in low earth orbit. The Space Shuttle was a crewed, partially reusable low earth orbit spacecraft. Several years later, when Canadian Chris Hatfield was in the ISS, I was living in BC. I was excited again when I could spot the ISS moving across the morning sky. I realized that the wonders of space travel were “exciting” but not “awe-inspiring” like it is when looking at a starry night sky.

God did not randomly and purposelessly create the amazing sky that has blessed me so much. Romans 1 says in verses 19 and 20 that ” what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made… God’s revelation to me in nature is an awesome gift that points me to Him again and again.

The awesome sky also makes Psalm 103: 10 and 11 a more beautiful promise. God’s love for me is immense, boundary-less and free. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; Psalm 103:10,11

As I write all this and think back on the memories I have, I have become more aware that is would be good to get out into nature more. I think that many who don’t know God have met Him unawares. God has given me — all of us – a great gift that calls us closer to Him. Thank God for His amazing love!

Nursing Career Retrospective: Reflections and Retirement

with Dad and Mom -graduation 1974

Graduation Day — June 14, 1974. Retired — August 7, 2018

Nursing has been a great career for many years. During that time I worked in twelve different facilities in four provinces. I have worked in acute care, in critical care, in Kingston Penitentiary , in residential care and home health. Some jobs were stressful (any critical care job), some were emotionally draining (especially the Burn Unit), some where very busy (44 bed urology unit with multiple post-operative patients per day) and and working on a seventy-seven bed dementia unit had its own set of challenges.

For twenty-one of those years, I worked in a community hospital. I worked with many of the same staff members for many of those years, and got to know the patients and their families in a deeper way. It was a good place to be through the years when my children were growing up.

I ended my career in home health. It hadn’t been “my” plan to retire before my sixty-fifth birthday, but life sometimes unfolds with surprises. For the last few years, I had been working on a casual basis. On April 26 of this year, I left work early as I was feeling unwell— and have not returned since. It took a while to make the decision, but once I firmly decided to retire, I quickly transitioned into liking the idea.

It will be good to be able to focus on what I can do, instead of trying to return to a job that had become too challenging with my present health challenges. Throughout this time, God has been close and I feel Him leading me into a different tomorrow.

I am involved with my church, in helping my children and with pursing some hobbies. God’s plans for me will unfold for me as they should. There will be a life for me after nursing. It’s gonna be good!!

...all the days ordained for me were written in

your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139: 16b

Finding Peace in Chaos: Trusting in God’s Control

bench blonde bright clouds — Photo by Tobi on Pexels.com

It’s a crazy world out there these days — unrest on so many fronts. The news cycle changes so quickly that by Saturday it’s hard to remember what happened on Monday. It all feels harsh and scary. Added to that, there are concerns with our families, our health, our finances, broken relationships and so much more. It’s overwhelming. mind-boggling, scary and much too easy to lose our focus.

God knows there are people and situations into our lives that are upsetting, sad and wrong. We live in a sinful work with sinful people and we personally add to “the mess”. But, too often, I think our response isn’t what God wants it to be. Philippians 4:6-7 says :Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. God doesn’t tell us to ignore the situations, but to present our requests to God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6). Our response must be to turn away from anxiety and focus on the reasons why we can trust in God; the reasons why we can follow where He leads step-by-step.

In the church I grew up in, we often recited Psalm 103: 1-5 after we had communion — the Lord’s Supper that we celebrated in remembrance of Jesus great sacrifice.

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

“Remember what the Lord has done for you as often as your heart needs it.” (unknown)

Seeking God’s Love: Finding Peace and Joy through Trust and Rest

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 were the words that greeted my morning today. After a few challenging weeks with my health, it was hard to read. Words like “always, “all, “God’s will” … really?? Today, too??

Often at times like that it is good to look back and remember times that seemed impossibly hard, but then….. After the end of my marriage, my ex. wanted the money from the matrimonial home. It took many months for the house to sell. During that time, I found a home the children and I liked. However, it was too expensive and didn’t have central air. Having air conditioning was very important living in SW Ontario– plus I was a shift working nurse and needed to be able to sleep during the day.

Months went on and then… suddenly… within 48 hours… a house was sold and a house was bought!! And yes!!! It was the same house I had looked at months before. But now, the price of the home was lower and I had been able to save enough for air conditioning. Wow!! Awesome God!!

So, as I once again remember blessings-past, I can look at those words “always, “all, “God’s will” a little differently. I think that God “wills” me to remember that I can trust Him, that He is faithful, that I can talk to Him about any and all of my concerns because He wants me to. God wants to partner with me in my situation. There is peace and joy in that.

One other thing happened this morning. As I was thinking about not feeling well and the changes I am trying to make in my life, God whispered to my heart “It has taken much for Me to get your attention to take better care of yourself”. There is much love from my Father God in those words. To myself: Breath deeply — often– relax– you CAN do it!!

I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know that I want to do a better job of partnering with God in my health situation. May I more and more trust Him as I seek His direction and rest in His care.

What are you struggling with — physical, emotional, spiritual?? God is waiting to partner with you. His love for us is a REAL thing. Rest in Him.

Afternoon nap anyone??

Navigating Life Changes: Faith, Patience, and Joyful Living

There are many times that life feels overwhelming. Sometimes I’ve taken on too many projects, sometimes I have very poor time management, sometimes there are many demands/requests from others and sometimes I have difficulty setting priorities. Right now, all this is added to learning how to adjust to a chronic health condition. There is grief and sadness connected to that, as well as the awareness that God is my healer.
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.~ Psalm 9: 10.

As I pray about these “nuisance symptoms” that challenge my days, I try to be as honest as I can be as I talk to my loving Father God. Often, these times help me sort out my feelings. In the physical realm, I have to do my part to maintain my health as best I can. Finding time for “more rest” isn’t always easy. Limiting the events I commit myself to, is hard as well. I had thought that when I was semi-retired, I would be able to get more involved — but I am not able to do that right now. I want to be useful for God, but am not sure what that looks like some days.
But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 5: 8,9

It has been important for me to learn as much as I can about symptom relief. Dietary changes, how I sleep, increasing my walking times, spending more time at “play” — all these little things help. I pray for more direction and insights through the things I hear and read — and through that “still small voice”. I also have to be aware of making adjustments when whatever I do doesn’t work for the best. Yes, it can feel like discipline. I’m thankful for the people who honestly tell me that I’ve “messed up” — done something or not done something that would make a difference.
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. ~ Proverbs 19: 20, 21

Patience is needed every step of the way. Patience to evaluate frequently so I can enjoy life the best I am able. There have been times when I couldn’t work at my job, but I was able to help someone else for a shorter part of a day. I may not have been able to attend an event, but I was blessed by a surprising connection with someone I hadn’t expected to see. And always, more time to pray is an awesome, blessed way to influence people and events in His Kingdom by connecting with Father God.
God has heard your prayers and your answer is on the way. Your times are in God’s hands and He won’t be late. ~ Joyce Meyer

Many years ago (1996), a patient handed me a little slip of paper with two verses on it. One of those verses was Isaiah 58:11. She said she felt the verses were for me and my family. I may not always understand how my loving Father fulfills His promises, but I know His Word is true. God will meet my needs and water (life) will flow from me to others. May I walk faithfully in trust with Him every day. With God, I can do this! Some days I feel like I am starting all over again– crawling before I walk –living life in a new way.
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. ~Isaiah 58:18

Your life may not be affected by health changes, like mine. It may be affected by stress, or grief, or care-giver fatigue or… Whatever challenges you face in your life, I pray that as you walk with Him, you will feel more and more protected by His loving care. And that you will be able to find patience to make changes that will help you have joy in your days. Go with God!

Identifying Toxic People: 9 Signs to Prioritize Self-Care

Knowledge is power. ~ Francis Bacon
Please share with anyone you think might benefit from the information in this blog post. More knowledge may have helped me make powerful changes in my life sooner.

* 9 Signs that a person is toxic
1. They talk more than they listen
2. They are never wrong
3. Drama follows them wherever they to
4. They force relationships
5. Their experience is the standard by which everything should be judged
6. They often lie
7. They lack tact and general courtesy
8. They exhibit controlling behaviours
9. They love to talk about other people

* 9 telltale signs that toxic people are getting the best of you:
1. You talk about them a lot
2. You lose your temper
3. Your self-esteem dwindles
4. You blame them for your behaviour
5. You dread spending time with them
6. You stoop to their level
7. You don’t set healthy boundaries
8. You resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms
9. Your relationship suffers

The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Even in the tough times of life, I do not need to be afraid. The Lord is my strength, my Hiding Place, my Rock.

God, who foresaw your tribulation has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain. ~ C. S. Lewis
Even though God was with me through the storms of life, there are consequences to the neglect of myself physically and emotionally.

You see, in the final analysis it is all between you and God. It was never about you and them anyway. ~ Mother Teresa
God wants to be first in my life. Walking with Him leads me into supportive, caring relationships with healthier boundaries.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 1: 6
God isn’t finished with me yet. The best is yet to come!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The articles that the two sets of 9 points were taken from:
Morin, Amy. “9 Signs It’s Time to Cut a Toxic Person out of Your Life”. 15 October 2015. Psychology Today. Web 16 March 2018

Tout, Terran. “9 Signs That a Person is Toxic”. 21 November 2014. Thought Catalog. Web 16 March 2018