Welcome back to this weekly (as opposed to weakly) attempt to “Occupy the Blog-o-Sphere” each Thursday. I offer this hopefully uplifting message to brighten your day and bring something buoyant into your life. As you move through your day with a renewed outlook, may you pass it along.

Have you ever been fortunate enough to hear the words from someone about whom you care deeply, “I love you madly” or “I’m madly in love with you?”

Have you ever said those words?

Philip used to say this too me. A lot. Then one day he surprised me. He said, “I love you gladly.”

I looked at him with a smile that encompassed my whole being. He explained, “I don’t know why people say ‘madly’ when they talk about loving someone. It sounds like they’re crazy or out of control. I know I love you and there is nothing crazy about how I feel. I feel so grateful that you’re in my life. That’s why I love you GLADLY.”

Ever since then, we’ve said to each other, “I love you gladly” or “I’m gladly in love with you.”

I offer this to you today: if you have someone special in your life about whom you feel a deep and abiding love, take a moment and look into her/his eyes and say with all your heart,

“I love you gladly.”

I’d love to know what comes of your surprise declaration (no details required, of course)!

*****

Click on this link to find out more about joining Soul Dipper’s cyber-movement to lighten up and brighten up our world so you can decide if you want to be part of it.