One Nice Thing

I'm working on a challenge
This challenge is mostly for myself,
but if you'd like to join in,
I think it would only be a win-win-win.

Wherever I am,

whatever I'm doing,

whoever I am interacting with,

I find something nice to say.

Every Single Day!

Great smile!

Love your dimples.

Pretty eyes!

What a beautiful dress.

Work out much?

You have great hair.

I love your shirt.

I find something

simple and honest and true

so that my compliment

is genuine and sincere.

I would venture to say that

the good it does

is evident and immediate

which, in turn,

makes my heart smile.

Let's see what kind of

positive difference

we can make ...

one nice thing

at a time.

The Good Work

I'm all about
doing the right thing,
for the cause not the applause.
I happened upon this little phrase today
and thought I would share.
It is the same message,
just delivered in a different form.

The size of the audience

does not matter.

Keep doing the good work.

I realize that this sort of thing

does not resonate the same

with everyone,

but it has always weighed heavy

on my soul.

Do the right thing.

Not the current thing.

Not the fancy thing.

Not the fashion thing.

Not the pc thing.

Do the right thing.

Do The Good Work.

Be Still

Be still
and hear the whispers
in the wind.

Be still

and see the beauty

in the sky.

Be still

and feel the warmth

of hope.

Be still

and find great comfort

in the quiet.

Be still

and seek guidance

in your ways.

Be still

and know the safety

of faith.

Be still

and know

that I am God.

The Daughter

Sometimes, I am just obediently listening and writing.
To whomever needs to read this ... I hope it helps.
Enjoy:


The Daughter
by Lyn Marinello

Please do not dismiss me
Don't treat me as second rate
Don't use me as the brunt of your jokes
As though I can't add to your debate
I am pummeled by your cruelty
Hardened and belittled
Saddened by insensitivity
Self-worth slowly, painfully whittled
My heart is crushed by insolence
My light dims with each harsh phrase
I am focused on silver linings
Though sometimes lost in a heavy haze
I don't know when it happened
That you assumed my worth was less
Though each action of yours hurts
I'll continue to be me, I guess
For your actions are yours alone
The weight of which you must bare
I've never asked for very much
Just that you might show you care
There once was joy and tenderness
Frivolity, laughter, delight
Not quite sure when every word I speak
Sparks a confrontation or a fight
Don't judge me by my quietude
I assure you it's not because I'm meek
Don't think that my passive nature
Is a sign that I am weak
I am a being just like you
Made of flesh and blood and bone
I am the daughter of the King

Who sits lofty on His throne

Yours

She's ba-ack!!!
Hey there folks.
It feels good to be back in the saddle again.
Writing makes my heart happy.

I hope that what I write

occasionally touches you.

That it might make you smile.

Or make you think.

Or pluck a heartstring.

Or push you toward a RAK.

Enjoy the day before you.

Count your every blessing.

In the midst of whatever crisis

you might be flailing,

know that you are not alone -

figuratively and literally.

My heart and hopes are with you.

Be well and be wonderful.

That choice is yours.

Sunday Special

I don't normally blog on Sunday.
There are a few reasons for this one.
First of all ... I forgot to let you kids know that I'll be off grid for a few days.

No blogs til later this week, so I figured I'd throw in a freebie!

Second, it's Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

First, to Pop!

He had his issues, but always wanted to do the right thing.

He instilled the love of nature and being outdoors and working with our hands.

Off to Alfred.

Thanks for the music and the golf and for the entertainment of your tennis game.

Kudos to Alphonso.

The guy who finally treated Momma as she should be treated - like GOLD!

My love to Salvatore.

A father-in-law who just completely and unconditionally

enveloped me in all kinds of love and laughter.

To my Victor.

Thank you for bringing our children into this world

and for being such a wonderful tour guide, teacher, role model, and hero.

They are better people because of you.

To our Nicholas.

Enjoy this day, young man.

You now have the incredible opportunity

to shape and mold and build up and give flight to a tiny human.

Enjoy Every Second.

Thank you to all of mine, and to all the other men folk 

who are doing the best they can to be all they can.

Happy Father's Day!

Share

Share.

Share your victories.

Share your troubles.

Share your joys.

Share your sorrows.

Share your wealth.

Share your needs.

Share your faith.

Share your anger.

Share your hope.

Share your angst.

Share your vision.

Share your obstacles.

Share your talents.

Share your love.

Share your self.

Share.

A Little Lawlessness

Loving me a little Lawless-ness this morning.

It was sunsets that taught me

that beauty only sometimes lasts

for a couple of moments,

and it was sunrises that showed me

that all it takes is patience

to experience it all over again.

    ~ a.j. lawless

Be the Un

When you feel like your fighting the world,
when you feel smothered and suffocated,
when you feel miniscule and minimal,

Be the Un.

Undaunted

Undeterred

Unconquered

Unfettered

Untamable

Uncompromising

Unstoppable

Uncomplicated

Unmistakable

Unparalleled

Unencumbered

Unapologetic

Unwavering

Be the Un.

See the Beauty

See the Beauty
by Lyn Marinello


Carry your hopes
Instead of your sorrows
The weight will be lighter
Throughout your tomorrows
Pick up your chin
Put down your flaws
See stunning in the mirror
Reflect as you pause
Raise up your eyes
Give up your fears
Embrace grays and wrinkles
Scars of the years
Lift high your hopes
Seek with unceasing prayer
Walk blindly in faith
Soul and heart bare
Give what you can
Do what you're able
Be colorblind and
Allergic to labels
Think of it an opportunity
Rather than a duty
To be a positive impact
And only see the beauty

Have a Nice Day

We are, quite literally,

half way through the year already.

Wow!

Enjoy each

and every second.

Sorrows will come.

Pains will knock on your door.

Anger will loiter on your porch.

Greet them.

Accept them.

And then show them the way out.

They are

merely passing through

while you travel

toward a better place.

Have a nice day. :-)

National Flag Day!

On June 14th, National Flag Day honors Old Glory and commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777.

The holiday is a day that Americans show respect for the U.S. Flag and what it represents. Representing independence and unity, the Star-Spangled Banner has become a powerful symbol of Americanism and the flag is flown proudly.

Since 1777, the design of the flag has been officially modified 26 times. For 47 years, the 48-star flag was in effect. In 1959, the 49-star version became official on July 4. President Eisenhower ordered the 50-star flag on August 21, 1959.

Seventeen-year-old Robert G. Heft of Ohio designed the 50-star American flag. His was one of the more than 1,500 designs that were submitted to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation deeming June 14th as Flag Day. President Wilson stated, “It is the anniversary of the day upon which the flag of the United States was adopted by the Congress as the emblem of the Union.” He also wrote, “On that day rededicate ourselves to the nation, ‘one and inseparable’ from which every thought that is not worthy of our fathers’ first vows in independence, liberty, and right shall be excluded and in which we shall stand with united hearts.”

Hugs

Hugs.

Those fiercely gentle,

sometimes awkward

yet necessary,
physical connections
that heal hearts,
stop tears,
convey hope,
bring joy,

expose vulnerabilities,

express love,

give peace,

share strength,

offer support.

It's National Loving Day.

Let's share the hugs

and all the good they do.

Shhhhh

Whether the earth ...
or God ...
shhhhh,

listen!


Be still,
and the earth
will speak
to you.

Your Masterpiece

You are

the artist

of your own life.

Do not 

lend the brush,

the pen,

the keyboard,

the camera,

to anyone else!

Create

Your

Masterpiece

A Conversation

Me:    Hey Universe, can you show me something beautiful today?

Universe:    I show you beautiful things every day.

Me:    It's storming outside. That's beautiful?

Universe:    Don't you love the way your dog is snuggling close?

Me:    But, Universe, I'm facing some serious troubles over here.

Universe:    And you're up today for another challenge. You got this.

Me:    Ok, Universe, but I'm not where I'd hope I'd be.

Universe:    But you're so much farther along than you were.

Me:    Now listen here, Universe, why did you take so many people away?

Universe:    Didn't you enjoy them? Weren't they blessings? Didn't they teach you how to continue?

Me:    Great, Universe, now it's night time and I'm all alone again.

Universe:    Sleep well, my child. Look up and see all those stars looking back at you, twinkling and reflecting all that is beautiful in you.

Let's focus on the first

Love is love.
This is true.
And, by proxy, hate is hate.
Let's focus on the first.

Truth is truth.

Undeniably.

And, by proxy, lies are lies.

Let's focus on the first.

Kindness is essential.

Integral.

And, by proxy, animosity erodes.

Let's focus on the first.

Hope springs eternal.

It is crucial.

And, by proxy, doubt destroys.

Let's focus on the first.

Wondrous Light Shine On

Wondrous Light Shine On
by Lyn Marinello

Let me try to further tell
Of your wondrous light within
Whose brilliance is unaffected
By the color of your skin
Its wattage does not waver
By the breadth of your IQ
Its kaleidoscopic beauty
Is a reflection of what's in you
It's a lighthouse in the darkness
A beacon to those in pain
Whose simple welcome warmth
Lifts away the weighty stain
Of every self-defeating query
Each crippling doubt that seeps on in
For yourself and those around you
Let shine your wondrous light within
It doesn't fade in any way
It's not darkened or diminished
By your outward earthly appearance
We're all unrefined, unfinished
Sex does not determine
Whose light casts further glow
You're not a staged rock concert
With a pyrotechnic show
You may only be a flicker
But an ember's all you need
To shed a tiny spark upon a path
Like the faith of a mustard seed
As you shine to see your way
You share a luminescent din
Understand the power
Of your wondrous light within

Your Wondrous Light Within

So I learned a couple things yesterday.
I sat down at my computer and words fell out of my fingers.
Initially, I was a little angry ta a person or two about varying nonsense.
As the words continued, I realized that ...

1. it was all nonsense and 2. I cannot help but always head toward the positive.
It's what I am. It's who I am. I will take the gift given and share when able. Enjoy:

Your Wondrous Light Within
by Lyn Marinello


Some folks just put all their worth
In letters that follow their name
If they've stood within the spotlight
That beams on those of fame
They spend what seems a lifetime
Gathering wealth at any cost
No matter who they might betray
Or what relationships are lost
There's just a laser focus
On gaining riches beyond need
Plain and simple mirror-ism
Self-aggrandized greed
Now there's something to be said
For working very hard
Setting goals and reaching them
Allotting time for lowered guard
Being educated is a good thing, too
But there are many ways to learn
Some do best to lucubrate
While others more wildly yearn
Some learn best hands on
Others need to experience the task
Some need to make the mistake
Others simply need to ask
Fame is not penultimate
Wealth does not make you free
You have, within your unique self,
An amazing quality
It is written in your DNA
Embedded in your soul
It's the very reason God made you
Your mere existence makes you whole
You're someone very special
You've been created in great detail
Given strength to learn and grow
Each and every time you fail
For deep within each failure
Is a lesson on which you'll climb
As you figure out your purpose
And how best to spend your time
There's much to gather while we're here
To accept the fact we're all akin
Embrace the beauty of each other
And your wondrous light within

 

 

Magic

The world is full
of magic

and magical things

patiently waiting

for you to take note -

buzzing bees,

blooming flowers,

bird songs,

the smell of summer,

the blues of water,

the quiet of the woods,

the paintings in the sky,

the gentle breezes

that greet you,

and hope.

Light

Not quite sure
who penned this,
but it is beautiful.
Read it and then re-read it.
Let it sink in ...
deep into your heart.

We are stars

wrapped in skin ~

the light

you are seeking

has always been

within.

My Life Mantra

A quote from one Ella Baker:


Give light
and people
will find the way.

This is my life mantra.

SAS

Short and Sweet!
A little 'sas(s)' for your Tuesday morning.


When deeds speak,
words are nothing.

~ PJ Proudhon