Ten Tiny Words

Now this here quote
is truly powerful.

It speaks volumes

in its ten tiny words.

Your pain

is understandable,

doesn't mean

your behavior

is acceptable.

I

Was about to sit and write about something entirely different,

and was gifted with this.

Sometimes, prose on the fly is at its greatest strength. Enjoy!

I

by Lyn Marinello

I matter.
I'm worthy.
I belong here.

My voice

and opinion

should be shared without fear.

My life

and my purpose

are not meant for your label.

My tears

and my anger

do not denote I'm unstable.

I'm strong

and resilient

yet incredibly tired.

I seek faith

and soul sisters

to keep me inspired.

I'm tall

and I'm short.

I am all sizes and shapes.

I am wit.

I am brawn.

Always battling gapes.

I'm a mess

Though I'm not

Can it be any more clear?

I matter.

I'm worthy.

I belong here.

Awaken

Stolen, embellished, fluffed
and shared ...

Awake each morning

with the desire

to do the right thing,

to be a good and meaningful person,

to be humble and share,

to be fierce and protect,

to be uplifting,

to be loving,

to be happy,

to be kind.

Awaken and be emboldened

to change your world

by simply being you.

Beat the Clock

Beat the Clock
by Lyn Marinello

I have to squint, my hair is grey
Can't always remember why I've come this way
My knees make noise, I've gained a few pounds
My shoulders make some interesting sounds
I say "Pardon?" a lot to hear things twice
There might be cake for lunch, but just a small slice
I've earned a few wrinkles, bought bigger clothes
Am careful to refrain from voicing my woes
Unexplained bruises and occasionally aches
Tropical moments and cold, frigid shakes
It seems that I frequent the bathroom a lot
I'm comfy with me more than who I am not
My sleep is elusive, if much, really, at all
At least I can still get up if I fall
Arising from bed is a goal for which I strive
The pains that I wake to, let me know I'm alive
I no longer run like the wind, or party all night
I take a nap when I'm tired and that is alright
My joints are stiff, but I am still living
Not trying to beat the clock, but savor every minute given.

Hugs

I have written on hugs several times.
There are few things better
than a sturdy, enveloping grasp
of love and warmth and kindness
and security and safety and goodness.

If you're a Smeagol-ly, butt out

barely touching, afraid of contact hugger ...

you need help!

The world tried to take away touch

and hugging ... for over two years.

Contact is communication.

Hugging is love.

I, for one, will NEVER not hug you

if you're in need of one;

and I will do my very best

to squish all the hurt out of you,

mash the broken pieces back together,

and transfer all the love I can into that moment.

Get out there, folks!

Hug away!!!

The world needs it.

We all need it.

I need it.

Here if ya want one ...

Monday Morning Double Dose

Saw these and felt compelled to share.
Learning that we have within u
the power and ability to seize control
of our own selves
is a tremendous lesson to learn.

If you don't like something,

just take away it's only power ...

your attention.

and

A lot

of what weighs you down

isn't yours to carry.

Focus on those two things for just a sec.

You Own The Place

Saw a little post the other day
that I saved because it spoke to me.

I know and love some folks

that are 'facing challenging times'.

That truly is an understatement.

It is one hit after another

and these folks continue to show up

and spread love and kindness

in spite of what they are facing.

And who is to say

that what you find a molehill

isn't someone else's mountain?

We are all fighting battles

others know nothing about.

So ...

If your path demands

that you go through hell,

walk as though

you own the place.

Good People

I am truly blessed to be surrounded
by some extraordinary people.

Found this little gem

and gave it my own little tweak.

What else would you expect?

Good People

Good people help you find

the important things

you may have lost ...

like ...

your smile

your confidence

your joy

your hope

your faith

your courage

your worth.

Find yourself

some Good People.

Hide Within The Light

When I heard similar words in a recent show

as the title of this poem ... something tugged at me.

I knew I'd be called to write sooner than later.

Enjoy ...

Hide Within The Light
by Lyn Marinello

When the chaos of the world
And the weight of big decisions
Lays heavy on your heart
Or feels like salt within incisions
When the voices in your ear
Are a constant, droning screaming
And the worries of the day
Disrupt you as you're dreaming
When the box upon the wall
Or the screen within your hand
Spew constant contradictions
Of things you do not understand
When the anger of your neighbors
And the anguish of your friends
Seem to have no boundaries
Just discontentment without ends
When the tragedies of life
Seem to grip your very core
And you're absolutely certain
You can't handle one thing more
That's the precise moment
From down upon your knees
That you ask the Lord for guidance
And know He'll hear your pleas
Thank Him for your blessings
And for victories already won
Ask Him for forgiveness
For the wrongs that you have done
Seek solace 'neath the wings
Of the Angels by His side
Immerse yourself within His word
In His commandments do abide
And once you've prayed for providence
From all this earthly plight
Feel confident to face your fears
And hide within the light.

Life

There was no author to credit, but ...
boy howdy would I like to.
This is good and simple stuff here:

You give life

to what 

you give

energy to.

Sunshine

There are a great many times
that I will call someone "Sunshine".

It is not simply a term of endearment.

It is chosen,

specifically with you in mind,

because you emit a brilliance,

because you envelope me in a warmth,

because you shine!

So ...

if I happen to call you "Sunshine,"

take it as a beautiful compliment,

and with sincere appreciation.

Enjoy your day, Sunshine!

Shine on!

Wild

What a great little quote for a Monday.
Isadora Duncan nailed this one:

You were wild once.

Don't let them

tame you.

If we woke up every Monday

(and every day)

with this mindset ...

imagine what we could accomplish.

Gifted

And sometimes,
we are gifted,

with a kind word

from a stranger;

a selfless deed

from folks unknown;

an effort unprovoked

by someone special;

a smile or a hug

when needed most.

Bask in the depth

of that benevolence.

Carry it forward

and place it 

at the feet

of someone else

who may be in need.

To Feel

To Feel
by Lyn Marinello

We've become a nation full of bigotry and whining
Stomping our collective feet if something seems a bit confining
Cells and social media make our plights immediate
Whether grounded in 'factuality' or things we could obviate
In our plea to have a voice, we've lost the efficacy of such
We're quick to spit into the wind as we come unglued and out of touch
If we'd only take a moment to hear a story in its whole
To educate our entire self we'd spare the time said calamity stole
But it's instilled within us to react instead of to respond
To keep our wits about us as opposed to what headlines might abscond
We're conditioned to hop on board of each passing wagon with its band
Send a meme, sign a petition, write hopes inexorably in the sand
For if we sway with every breeze, no matters its breadth or stench,
We cannot lend a helping hand with our fists so tightly clenched
We want the world to change to meet our every whim
We don't think past tomorrow, which is looking ever grim
We rebel against a solution because it doesn't fit our aim
We expect inclusion ~ as long as everyone's the same
Not just the folks you like, who think the things you do
The world would just be tedious if everyone was like you.

So ...

Let's take a little breather; a pause in which to reflect
Not to point a finger or to fight and interject,
But a serious bit of time where we might look up from our screens
See the actual being in front of us and how we can helpfully intervene
We will never move ahead if we just run on the hamster wheel
We must make amends to communicate; to talk, to love, to feel.

A little inspiration

For anyone
that might need
a little reminder;
that might be tired;
that might feel
a little unappreciated.
Remember this:

The woman

is a beautiful melody

when the man

is a good musician.

Looooove This

Perhaps because I am a writer of poetry,
or know so many who write

from the very core of their being.

For myself and for them ...

this ...

There are poems

inside of you

that paper

can't handle.

Yaaaaasssss!!!

Simple

We overthink happiness.
Keep it simple.

We overthink kindness.

Keep it simple.

We overthink goodness.

Keep it simple.

We overthink beauty.

Keep it simple.

We overthink love.

Keep it simple.

There is something good

in every day;

in every situation;

in every action;

in every moment.

Find it

and keep your focus there.

All American

Today is All American Pet (photo) Day
and although I'm not including a photo,
I am leaving this little nugget ...
something that came shortly after Baxter's adoption.

Rescue
by Lyn Marinello

The quiet in the house
was deafeningly sad
The lack of wagging tails
was driving me quite mad
The loneliness at home
without the wiggly greet
Was only matched in depth
by the cold of uncovered feet
And so we took a ride
to the shelter down the road
And found a furry little friend
to brighten up our abode
He quickly stole our hearts
and a stuffed animal or two
But, honestly, I'm just not sure
who exactly rescued who

Your Super Power

We all have within us
a little superhero.
And much like the comic books,

each superhero has a different

super power.

Want to know what yours is?

I already know.

It's

being

YOU!

Yes! This! So very much THIS!

A little bitty quote
by one Paul Coelho:

The world is changed

by your example,

not your opinion.

A little of this and ...

A little of that.
These are a few of my favorite things ...

Character:

How you treat someone

who can do absolutely nothing for you.

The most important decision

you will ever make

is to be in a good mood

and to be happy.

Fear only has the power

we give it.

Hope works the same way.

We are all broken.

That's how the light gets in.

Morning Mantra

So, as life so eloquently does on occasion,
I am gifted with little phrase nuggets

like the following.

Some are given and shared by others.

Some just kind of become my 'go-to' mantra.

However they find me,

I share them because they are a gift,

and what good is a gift

if you do not give it away?!

Morning Mantra:

I hope this day greets you warmly,

treats you kindly,

meets your necessities,

and beats your expectations.

Joy

A little embellishment from one Charles Wagner ...

Joy is not in things,

it is in us.

It is not in bank accounts,

or driveways,

or jewelry boxes,

or gadgetry,

or mansions,

or notoriety.

It is in family,

in laughter,

in memories,

in hugs,

in held hands,

in conversations,

in quiet coexistence,

in love,

in us.

See

A quote apparently from one John Lubbock ~
I'm really kinda diggin' it!

What we see

depends entirely

on

what we look for.

Winds

Ancient Chinese proverb:
(seems incredibly appropriate

at this juncture ... and most)

As the winds of change

blow,

some people build walls

and others

build windmills.

Where will you

spend your energy?