Goethe-ic Halloween

Who is the happiest of men?
He who values
the merits of others,

and in their pleasure

takes joy,

even as though

t'were his own.

WIF

WIF!

I learn this lesson
almost daily.
Most of us try to tip the scales;
sway the outcome;

bribe the barbarians;

make things happen.

But when we learn to WIF -

Walk In Faith -

truly and completely,

we understand

that those battles are not ours.

They're already fought.

We are destined -

each for our own greatness,

in ways we cannot imagine,

for a much grander purpose.

WIF away, people!

WIF away.

WIF!

I Can Promise

I cannot promise
to solve all your problems,

to heal all your pains,

to fix all your issues,

to amend your ailments,

to pay off your debts,

to mend your broken heart,

to make everything better,

but ...

I can promise

that I will be here

to see you through

each and every one

of those issues and more.

I can promise

that you will not

have to

scale those mountains

alone.

The key

So,
not quite sure
why this sits so heavy
on my heart this morning.
Perhaps someone really needs it.
And so ... I share.

The wound

is not your fault.

But the healing

is your responsibility.

We have all been hurt,

injured, broken, betrayed.

It is a lesson - not a life sentence.

Your reaction is the key.

What a Day

What a day!
If you're around to see today,
you've been gifted
with the chance to do amazing things.

Today is

Make A Difference Day.

Although we should strive to do this 

every day,

we tend to follow guidelines much better.

So ...

get out there ...

Make A Difference.

It doesn't take mounds of money.

It doesn't take tons of time.

It takes a gracious, giving heart

and the selfless desire

to see someone else happy.

What a Day ...

go,

Make A Difference!!!

Have at it!

Normally, I busy my early mornings, with a positive photo for Facebook,

a scroll through friends and family, an upbeat message (most of the time) to begin the day,

and then something meaningful for the blog.

On occasion,

my blog becomes my post or my post becomes my blog.

Today ... the post finds its way over here.

Hope you enjoy ~ both the blog and the day.

While a lot of us would like to win the lottery,

it is in the priceless small acts of others

that we find our greatest windfalls.

Tiny tidbits of kindness,

beautiful bliss bombs,

simple gracious compliments 

that find their way directly to your heart.

Once you begin to realize them,

you seem to find a multitude.

The richness of life is in the depth of the beauty

that you, yes YOU, find in it.

Don't wait for it to be

handed to you, gifted to you, or portioned for you.

It is there for you 

to receive each and every day.

Have at it!

Continue the Ripple

In chatting with one of my favorite Ch-Angels yesterday,
there was an inquiry about sharing one of my posts.

Since I was sharing someone else's quote,

and it seemed to strike a chord with both of us,

in a positive and productive manner,

why not continue the ripple?

When someone shares a smile,

it may be all they have to give.

Continue the ripple.

When someone provides you a blessing,

continue the ripple.

When you are gifted with grace,

continue the ripple.

When light shines upon you,

continue the ripple.

You have no idea how far and wide 

those little ripples may travel

and how much good

a simple smile does.

Continue the Ripple.

OMG This!

Mr. Adams is a wise, wise soul.
This quote belongs to him.
Thanks, George.
Here's hoping that a lot of folks,

a tremendous amount even,
take heed of your words.

Encouragement

is

the

oxygen

of

the

soul.

Possible

Be kind
whenever it is possible.
It is always possible.

Be generous

whenever it is possible.

It is always possible.

Be compassionate

whenever it is possible.

It is always possible.

Be loving

whenever it is possible.

It is always possible.

Dirt

Of all the paths
you choose

to take in life
be sure
a few of them
are dirt.

Moments

If you are gifted
with the morning sun,
that is a beautiful moment.

You have a deliberate choice

each day

to celebrate moments,

big and small,

grand and minute,

tenuous and chill,

breathtaking and blasé,

challenging and triumphant.

Take nothing for granted.

Every second is special.

Take your moments

and make memories.

Live, love, laugh ~

always!

Find Your Voice

I am embellishing what was today's zodiac blip.
It seemed to me, more about every body, than just us Leos.

I hope you're able to find a little wisdom in it:

Finding your voice

in a world chock full

of screaming people

is no easy feat.

Remember, though,

that your task is to discover

the most unique aspects of yourself

and work tirelessly

to share them with the rest of the world.

You are here for a reason,

a purpose.

You are a gift.

Find Your Voice.

Beautiful People

This is not mine, but very much worth the share.

The most beautiful people

that we have known

are those

who have tasted defeat,

known suffering and struggle,

ached in longing and loss,

and have found their way

out of the depths.

These persons have

an appreciation,

a sensitivity,

and an understanding of life

that fills them with

compassion,

gentleness,

acceptance,

and a

deep loving concern.

Beautiful people

do not just happen.

Don't Be A Bully

Today is National Stop Bullying Day.
Some folks truly need to
rethink and re-prioritize
the things they say and do.
Here's a bit of good medicine for ya

(not mine):

My friends,

love is better than anger.

Hope is better than fear.

Optimism is better than despair.

So let us be

loving, hopeful and optimistic;

and we will

change

the world.

A Thin Blue Line

In honor of Lenny, Conrad, Herb, Edie, Justin, Dylan and so very many more.

To your spouses and families, too, my love and deepest respect.

A Thin Blue Line

~ by Lyn Marinello

Perhaps it is a heartbeat stretched ridiculously tight

Choose so unselfishly to take an oath to do what's right

Maybe it's a tight rope on which they tip-toe cautiously

Defending whomever needs it with dutiful ferocity

It is the fragile-ist of fibers conducting communal civility

Risking life without regret; a choice made without apology

It's that ever-proverbial limit that is drawn within the sand

Millisecond decisions in which they have to take a stand

It's the boundary they protect but by which they're also bound

No guarantee of coming home from work, an open made when boots meet ground

A perimeter that's maintained without question or debate

Subject to threats unfathomable and a plethora of misdirected hate

The vast majority beneath that badge serve selflessly shift by shift

Blessed are the peacemakers; a real and true societal gift

In unimaginable moments they promise to protect and serve

Respect and honor and our total pride are the benefits they all deserve

For they're not paid what they're worth as they stand only to define

The law, what's right, and you and me and that incredibly thin blue line.

Clearly

Completely re-imagining a quote I read.
Wouldn't be me if I didn't.

How incredibly sad it is

that you want to be

like everyone else;

to conform;

to imitate;

to fit in;

when you are so clearly

created to be

extraordinary!

Par-tay!!!

Saw this actually painted on a stair case
and found it quite compelling.
Hope it makes you stop and

realize the blessings all around you.

Life

is the

best party

I've ever

been

invited

to.

Beyond

Beyond the storm
is the rainbow.
Beyond the heartache
is the new love.

Beyond on the loss

are the memories.

Beyond the suffering

is the overcoming.

Beyond the set back

is the triumph.

Beyond the betrayal

is the support.

Beyond the lesson

is the growth.

Beyond the beating

is the strength.

I will always do

what I can do

to focus on

beyond.

Carry It

During your lifetime
you will be hurt.

You'll be sad, but take the lesson

and carry it with you.

During your lifetime

you will lose.

You'll be beaten, but gather your strength

and carry it with you.

During your lifetime

you will be betrayed.

You'll be broken, but find inner light

and carry it with you.

We will lose people -

by death and disagreement.

Don't be resentful.

Take the qualities you admire

and the memories you cherish

and carry it with you.

Don't be defined 

by your shortcomings or failures.

They are simply teaching you.

Carry it with you.

You may see a long road ahead,

but realize just how very far you've come.

Be glad - you are victorious.

Carry it with you.

A Little Better

We all know that
when we are out in nature
you take nothing but pictures
and leave nothing but footprints.

Well,
here's a small addition to that ...

Always try to leave people
a little better than you found them.

Hug the hurt.

Listen to the silent.

Give with reckless abandon.

Kiss the broken.

Guide the wayward.

Lead with peace.

Befriend the lost.

Hold the raging.

Love the lonely.

Rise and Shine

There are folks
that just aren't 'morning' people.
And that's okay.

You can sleep til 2 in the afternoon

and still Rise and Shine.

It is not in the hours -

but in the effort.

What you wish to see in the world

is what you need to be in the world.

If you Rise with a grateful heart;

purposeful and positive and productive,

you will bring those things into the world

and those things will be shown to you.

If you Shine for all to see;

giving and gracious and good,

you will bring those things into the world

and those things will be shown to you.

So do not worry about the clock.

Worry about your speech,

your efforts,

your actions,

your heart.

Rise and Shine!

The world needs your beautiful self today.

Inner Child

Every single human
has an inner child
that needs attention;
support,
acceptance,
forgiveness,

kindness,

guidance,

grace,

compliments,

and love.

No matter how old you are,

your inner child is always there,

begging for your attention.

Listen to that inner child.

Entertain that inner child.

Uplift that inner child.

Empower that inner child.

Forgive that inner child.

Grow that inner child.

Love that inner child.

Wow! Just this ...

Imagine if we all did this ...
not fight, hate, blame, wallow ...

~ Erma Bombeck

When I stand before God

at the end of my life,

I would hope

that I would not have

a single bit of talent left

and could say,

"I used everything you gave me."

Smile

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile - what's the use of crying

You'll find that life is still worth while

If you just smile

Oh that's the time you must keep on trying

Smile what's the use of crying

You'll find that life is still worth while

If you just smile.

:-)

The American Dream

I wrote this over the past week.

Was concerned it was not positive enough to be blog-worthy.
I have been assured - it is as positive as can be.
The American Dream is ALWAYS positive.

For those that view it twice, my apologies, but feel free to share.

The American Dream

~ by Lynette Marinello

In the dank, dark, slimy corners of our Washington DC

Pacts are made, sweaty palms meet, with no regard for you and me

Pockets lined and prices paid, corruption runs amok

Secrets kept, laws tossed aside, in the name of 'deals' being struck

There is no better party, both have failed us at the base

Electoral promises are nothing but lies told to our collective face

They are puppeteers pulling strings, inciting hate from right and left

Stealing, bit by bit, our freedoms; a most egregious theft

You cannot honestly believe that 'your' side is above reproach

Both sides lie and cheat and steal - the charisma's all in the approach

Beliefs are swayed and bought, bills packed with favors galore

Neither side is free of this; just one big giant political whore

Four entire years mired in vitriolic hate

Right and wrong and left and right, a continuous ugly debate

A coddled generation based on 'self' and 'what's for me?'

Entitled, spoiled, trophy-laden, everything for free

The little orange man did not start the great divide

It's up to us, Americans, to ensure the chasm's width subsides

Remember when the news used to actually tell the news?

And weight was not afforded to what some entertainer spews

The Lady in the Harbor stood for limitless inclusion

Now she weeps in horror at all the greed and grand delusion

A peaceful right to protest is a gift of voice and might

Not an open invitation to loot and riot through the night.

America's a country in which you're free to stand or take a knee

But we've forgotten that we're also blessed with the choice to disagree

I may not believe what you believe and you may disapprove of my opine

But the differing of viewpoints does not an enemy define

For in the compromise of causes, there is always common ground

A place to begin rebuilding where we are equally yoked and bound

Greatness comes from struggles, violence blocks the path

Communication opens doors and open minds can quell the wrath

Due process is the judgement made with face and rule of law

Not swayed by your emotion or the cell-phone camera in your paw

America, America, God shed his grace on thee

Black and blue and ALL lives matter, that's true equality

We're an extraordinary country, founded in diversity

Countless overcomings with the strength of unity

So while you take a knee, perhaps you'll say a prayer

And while you stand in judgement, perhaps you'll do your share

Beyond the noise and static, patriotism reigns supreme

Stand tall, it still exists, that beautiful American dream.