A Beautiful Day

A beautiful day

begins with a beautiful frame of mind.

It starts with a grateful heart

and a positive thought.

It opens the door

to opportunities and possibilities.

It offers the chance

to see the incredible blessings

and beauty that surround you.

The 'wrong side of the bed'

need not ever exist.

Allow yourself the fortuitous moment

to believe you can.

Rise and shine, buttercup,

and have yourself

a beautiful day.

PPE

No. Ugh!

Not personal protective equipment.

I'm talking about Precious People Everywhere!

A subject I'm much better equipped to speak about.

Each of us is unique.

Each of us is inspiring.

Each of us is a marvel.

Each of us has a story.

Each of us has a journey.

Each of us loves differently.

Each of us shares subjectively.

Each of us oozes individuality.

Each of us matters.

Each of us make a difference.

Each of us has talents.

Each of us sees from our own perspective.

Each of us grows from our experiences.

Each of us is brilliantly beautiful.

Each of us envelopes hope.

Each of us can change the world.

Each of us is loved.

Each of us is love.

Each of us is precious.

Go out into the world and be your precious self.

And, while you're out there, 

be certain you take note of every other precious soul.

There are Precious People Everywhere!

Angels

When the world seems to be crumbling and hate does abound

I search for my Angels they are always around.

When my heartstrings feel that Godly tug

Perhaps it is simply an Angel's mighty hug.

When lost in the chaos and bitterness stings

I wrap myself in the comfort of Angel's wings.

When you are fearful from the onslaught of craze

Remember God put Angels in charge to guide your ways.

And sometimes those Angels aren't clad in white cloaks

But appear in the clothing of ordinary folks.

We've each got our halo, it dwells within our soul

When we get a chance to share it, that is when we're whole.

Rise up my Angels and guard me in grace

With you by my side there's nothing I can't face.

To Be

In a world, currently,

where you can be

anything you choose to be ...

choose

to be kind

to be generous

to be compassionate

to be honest

to be open

to be supportive

to be faithful

to be determined

to be dedicated

to be uplifting

to be hard working

to be gracious

to be humble

to be prayerful

to be pleasant

to be complimentary

to be happy

to be positive

to be encouraging

to be loving

to be respectful

to be love.

Clean and Bright

Very much along the same lines as:

"People in glass houses ..."

is this snippet from George Bernard Shaw:

Better keep yourself

clean and bright.

You are the window

through which

you must see the world.

Smudge-free.

Streak-free.

Curtain-free.

Just Clean and Bright!

Listen

If you listen closely,

you will hear the plea

in the silence of a friend.

If you listen closely,

you will hear the happiness

of a beautiful sunrise.

If you listen closely,

you will hear the joy

of the abundant blessings.

If you listen closely,

you will hear the healing

of a simple, steadfast hug.

If you listen closely,

you will hear the love

that pours so thickly upon you.

If you listen closely,

you will hear the rustle of Angel wings

encompassing you in safety.

Goody Goody

Good actions give strength to ourselves

and inspire the good actions of others.

Plato

Today

Today is here!

Isn't it glorious?

This day will never come again.

Take a moment to care.

Let your voice uplift.

Let your actions inspire.

Be a friend.

Encourage someone.

Lend a hand.

Pray for others.

Share a smile.

Do the right thing.

Lighten someone's load.

Offer guidance.

Pray with others.

Share some knowledge.

Compliment often

and for no reason.

Be a blessing.

Enjoy Today!

Your Whole Self

Use your voice for kindness,

your ears for compassion,

your hands for charity,

your arms for hugging,

your mind for truth,

and your heart for love.

Shine

I used to be afraid 

of the dark

until I learned

that

I am a light

and

the dark

is afraid of me.

Shine, people.

Shine.

Be First

Always strive to be first;

first to nod,

first to smile,

first to help,

first to compliment,

first to listen,

first to forgive.

A Defining Moment

Came across a few that are my favorites

and a few new ones.

Here's hoping you enjoy 

and learn a few new things in the process.

Petrichor:  the smell of fresh rain

Redamancy:  a love returned in full

Fika:  a moment to slow down and appreciate the good stuff

Hygge:  the ritual of enjoying life's simple pleasures

Elysian:  beautiful or creative; divinely inspired

Latibule:  a hiding place, a place of safety and comfort

Sonder:  the realization that each passerby's life is as complex and vivid as yours

Philocalist:  one who finds and appreciates beauty in all things

Eunoia:  beautiful thinking

Have some fun ones?

Do share.

THIRTY

THIRTY

~ by Lyn Marinello

We've shared lobster and PB & J

Laughed til we cried and sat with nothing to say

We had a big old giant house

And a one room joint in which to stay

We swam in Caribbean waters

Skied on some snowy slopes

Romped through Jamaican jungles

Sparred on martial arts ropes

We've danced on sandy beaches

Hiked up to mountain tops

Stayed in some fancy Miami hotels

And in some scary Seattle flops

We have battled to heal our babies

From diseases and broken hearts

We've been comfortable digging in roots

Traversed the chaos of brand new starts

We've held hands in celebration

Hugged and cried in deep remorse

We have lived in separate places

But we've always stayed the course

We might whistle for location

"Muskrat" to clear the air

Spend the day out at the range

Or stroll the zoo without a care

We are comfortable in conversation

Or watching Seinfelds or Last Mans or Curbs

We have wandered through some pretty cities

And been in awe way out in the burbs

We have shared a great many adventures

Shouldered great hardships as well

There is a strength within our union

That time nor trouble can dispel

We created some incredible memories

Some pretty outstanding offspring, too

And the journey has always been better

Because you have me and I have you.

Coexist

Coexist

~ by Lyn Marinello

Beasts of every size and shape emboldened, ripe for battle

When in actuality, they are simply herded cattle

Serve them all the Kool-Aid; stave a thirst that can't be quenched

Feed a fire, presently four alarm, provoke the angry fist already clenched

Tell them they are righteous as they dismantle what's been built

Tenuous threads of sacrifice, frayed and tattered in the name of guilt

Talking heads keep talking. Nothing positive seeps out

Just a Seussical existence, full of nonsense, fear and doubt

Let them shred each other, a poisoned garden gone awry

Mayhem cannot prune the weeds of an impassioned battled cry

Structures lay in ruins, cities ripped asunder

Are we nearer to resolution? I sit in tears and wonder

We cannot be held accountable for the sins of fathers passed

We can, however, begin today, together as one united mass

Build a beautiful society; acknowledge each unique creation

Color blind to equality; each life cause for celebration

Deaf to all the labels, every heart pumps blood the same

No apologies for appearances; respect without the shame

The brotherhood of man is a term that seems archaic

The notion that we are all one really isn't pharisaic

Cancer begins in a single cell, but it's a disease that can be beat

Emotion cannot cure it. It's a challenge we must rise to meet

Change the culture where it lives, build immunity and strength

Be prepared for challenges, it's a battle great in length

Be steadfast in the journey, choose a multi-pronged approach

Be honest, kind and positive; behave without reproach

None of us is perfect, our intent must be corrective

But that pertains to all of us, those at blame can't be selective

We are better as a people when we look beyond facades

Stand as one, concordant, in the face of any odds

We are a might entity, created for more than to simply subsist

Admonish, expunge the blame and hate, if we mean to peacefully coexist.

Deaf, Dumb and Blind

This might conjure up some good music 

most of us are familiar with,

but ...

sometimes ...

I ponder!

How different the world might be if

we were deaf to the hateful speech

which is truly only a reflection of the speaker?

we were mute to speak such hate

and cause so much pain?

we were blind to colors

as separations?

But I'd be remiss if I did not remind you that you can

listen and learn.

communicate and compromise.

be in awe of all creation.

C & C

Compliments and Criticism

Willingly and joyfully accept both.

It takes both

the sun and the rain

to make a flower

grow and bloom.

Wind

When the wind blows,

you have two choices,

you can fight it

or

you can harness it.

Everything

Love this quote:

Those who leave 

everything

in God's hand,

will

eventually see

God's hand

in

everything.

Destination

Over three decades ago,

a strapping monster of a man

with a wee, little conscience,

moved me from my tiny home town

to 'the big city' far away.

Little did I know

that his brains were all in his biceps

and his heart was horrifically unfaithful.

The troubles he caused me

are indefinably deep and unhealing.

But ...

without that journey,

I would never have had 

to get a second job

to pay the bills he left me with

and I would have never met my Victor

at said job.

I don't abhor the asshat that moved me.

He did selfish, heartless things,

but that journey was necessary

to be where I am.

I do not hate the bumpy road.

What I learned is immeasurable

and the destination

is extraordinary.

(Am I still talking about me???)

Possibility

A tiny twist of Monica ...

The moment when you first wake up

is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours.

No matter how weary or dreary you may feel,

you possess the certainty that,

during the day that lies before you,

absolutely anything may happen.

The fact that is practically always doesn't,

matters not one little bit.

The magic is in the possibility.

God Bless the U.S.A.

by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife

I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today

'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me

And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee

Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.

There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:

That I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me

And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

That I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me

And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

And ... they're off!

I believe I have posted this quote prior.

Must really strike a chord with me

and it overwhelmingly relates

to the world today.

The finish line

is just the beginning

of a whole new race.

Lace 'em up, folks!!!

Fly

If you want to fly,

give up everything

that weighs you down.

My favorite thing to do

is go

where I've never been.

Independent

As July 4th approaches, let's have a little lesson.

Independent is defined as (actually a lot of things!):

1. free from outside control; not depending on another's authority; self-governing; not belonging to or supported by a political party; not supported by public funds.

2. not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence.

3. capable of thinking or acting for oneself; not influenced or affected by others; impartial.

4. not connected with another or with each other; separate; not depending on something else for strength or effectiveness; freestanding.

Happy Independence Month ... let's get this going on.