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Loooooooooooooooove this
and really, truly how I try to exist ...

I am NOT

a product

of my circumstances.

I truly AM

a product

of my decisions.

~ Stephen Covey

Maturity

This quote by Rachel Wolchin
just seemed WAY too appropriate 

in the current arena ...

Maturity

is realizing

how many things

don't require

your comment.

Good gravy. Yes!

WEOH

To my faux brothers, sister and mom ...
who were sometimes better than the real thing ...
my heart aches for you.
Love you much.
Prayers for y'all today and always.


Walking Each Other Home
by Lyn Marinello

We are born into an unknown world, placed in outstretched arms
Showered in love and attention; protected from all and any harms
Taught to speak in kindness; to walk tall in faith and pride
In God's commandments and the Golden Rule eternally abide
In teenage years we might rebel and push the envelope we're in
Dye and pierce and smoke and drink; to parental-fatigued chagrin
We seem certain to known everything, til one day we find we don't
Those 'friends' we thought would have our back, simply can't or simply won't
And we once again find comfort in that envelope we left
We are unconditionally welcomed back, defeated and a bit bereft
College and adulthood open avenues unknown
One foot based, one set to bolt; we are stepping out on our own
Yet there's safety in the holidays, surrounded by familiarity
Re-grounding, reconnecting in sweet comfortability
As we age we find our way; unique to every single soul
Surround ourselves with good support; those folks who truly make us whole
Our blanket of security is tattered through the years
Patched by those around us as they comfort us through our tears
There are jobs and opportunities; sights to see, trails unexplored
Losses to be overcome and faith to be restored
Sometimes the road gets bumpy, life's potholes take a toll
We retreat to those we know and trust as they step up in their role
We wander through our highlights; stroll down memory lane
Realizing those connections are sometimes all that kept us sane
Take care of those around you; compliment, uplift
Your days on earth - unnumbered; every second is a gift
As the dinner bell rings on life; feast with loved ones at your table
Serve hope and faith to all who dine whenever you are able
And afterwards, enjoy dessert; and the company of those at hand
Savor the richness of both those things and try to understand
That the sun will set for each of us, no matter where we roam
We are our brother's keepers and we're just walking each other home.

Golden to the nth

Saw this on a friend's page
and knew it needed to be shared.

Don't forget to love

the way you want to be loved.

Listen the way

you want to be heard,

speak the way

you want to be spoken to.

Give the way

you hope others will give.

Care the way

you want others to care.

Because change

doesn't start with them.

It begins with you.

When we point a finger,

there are three pointing back at us.

When we spew hate,

we spread hate.

When we raise a fist,

the fight's already started.

Choose wisely.

Rumi-fication

A mish mash of a few very similar quotes
that really seemed to speak to me this morning.
Perhaps someone out there needs to read them, too.

The soul

has been given

its own ears

to hear things

the mind

does not understand.

I closed my mouth

and spoke to you

in a hundred silent ways.

There is a voice

that doesn't use words.

Listen.

Been pondering the thought, lately,

of becoming a little more grounded.

I scroll through post after post

of people who push opinions

and hatred

in any and every manner they are able.

Oh my, what time they are wasting.

Focus on the incredible things around you.

They are plentiful.

Fix what you can, when you can,

with what you have.

Pray for and love whatever is left.

Cheer

I cheer for people.
I might not be passionate

about your purpose,

but I see

that you are.

I might not understand

your fight,

but I feel

your pain.

I cheer for people.

There is enough sun

for each of us

and none of us

is getting out of here alive.

Every now and again ...

Saw this and,
of course,
embellished just a smidge.

It is not only important ...

it

is

essential!

Let it go.

Leave it be.

Minimize.

Do not respond.

Do not react.

Change the channel.

Turn it off.

Unplug.

Unsubscribe.

Unfollow.

Turn around.

Mute.

Block.

Walk away.

Pray.

Breathe.

See the Beauty

This isn't new, but it spoke to me today.
Thought I'd share
and see if it might make a difference

for somebody out there ...


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

A Place

From one Angie Weiland-Crosby
...

Everyone needs

a place to retreat;

a spot

where the world

grows quiet enough

for the soul

to speak.

Today ...

I hope you find

your place.

Spring Wisdom

There was no one to credit for this,
but it certainly needs to be shared.

Here's hoping it brings 

a smile to your beautiful face.

Don't forget

to drink water

and get some sun.

You are basically

a house plant

with

complicated emotions.

Grow wisely, friends.

The Light

What a beautiful perspective by Rumi ...

If everything

around you

seems dark,

look again.

You

may be

the light.

Two-fer

Hoping this raises you up,
or roots you down ...
whatever you might be in need of.

Many

are the wonders

of the world,

and none

so wonderful

as man.

Sometimes,

home

is a person.

(Sophocles & Revis, respectively)

Get your Irish on ...

May brooks and trees
and singing hills

join in the chorus, too,

and every gentle

wind that blows

send happiness to you.

Whatever your day's shenanigans hold,

be safe, be smart, be well.

Ego vs. Soul

Ego seeks
to be loved in return.

Soul seeks

only to be loved.

who are you?

a thing

This quote is supposedly credited
to one Marianne Williamson.

It is quite extraordinary.

Darkness

isn't a thing.

It is the absence

of a thing.

It's the absence of light.

Just as fear

isn't a thing;

it's also the absence 

of a thing.

It's the absence of love.

Love is to fear

as Light is to dark ...

in the presence of one,

the other cannot exist.

Bad Weather

Sir Ranulph Fiennes coined this phrase.
For those of us facing literal bad weather,
it may put a smile on your face.
For those of us facing figurative bad weather,

it may put a smile on your heart.

Either way ... I hope it helps.

There is 

no such thing

as bad weather;

only

inappropriate clothing.

Have a nice day.

GSD

Today is Good Samaritan Day.

A Good Samaritan

refers to a person who,

in good faith,

without expectation

of payment or reward

and without a duty of care

or special relationship,

comes forward voluntarily

to provide immediate assistance

or emergency care

to a person.

The day reminds us

to step out of our comfort zones

and offer a helping hand

to those around us.

If you are unaware

of its origins,

do a little research.

I'm certain it will spur you on ...

today,

and every day.

A weekend thought ...

A beautiful message
to savor through your weekend

from one Helen Keller.

What we once enjoyed

and deeply loved

we can never lose,

for all that we love

deeply becomes

a part of us.

Loss is inevitable.

Sorrow is acceptable.

Growth is by choice.

I hope

Not mine,
but ... of course ...
I embellished.

I hope there are days

where sunbeams kiss your morning,

when your coffee tastes like magic,

there's nothing but green lights,

your playlist's got you dancing,

compliments come your way,

strangers make you smile,

you have the chance to help someone,

and the night sky touches your soul.

I hope

you fall in love

with life 

and being alive

again.

Your Thursday chuckle

To bring a little smile
to your fabulous face ...

Today, 

I acknowledge that

I am young at heart ...

and slightly older

in other places.

Enjoy your day

and all the magic in it.

He continues to teach ...

Here is the altered, updated, amended version
of yesterday's prose.
I'm learning to listen to what I am given.


Pendulum
by Lyn Marinello

I am the abyss that brings on my fear
I am the silence I deafeningly hear
I am the darkness that dampens my soul
I am the burden whose weight is my toll
I am the bitter that roils disgust
I am exhausted, but go on I must ...

For I am also the junction converging the void
I am the voice; near mute, but overjoyed
I am the light that offers up hope
I am also the blessing broadening love's scope
I am the flavor that augments life's plate
And I am tenacious. I determine my fate.

I am my master and also my servant
Blissfully ignorant and hyper-observant
I am the teacher. I am the student
I am the hasty and I am the prudent
I am yin; I am yang. I am brave. I am meek
I will march into battle. I'll turn a lenient cheek
I am seeing and sawing; responsive, reactive
Flamboyant, restrained; repulsive, attractive
Herculean, Lilliputian; the pendulum always swings
You and I, we are one. We each are all these things
We can live in peaceful harmony, or in a chaotic, churning hell
We can visit all these places; where, though, will you dwell?

All These Things

And so ...
these are the words
that were rolling around in me old noggin'.
Whatchathink?

All These Things
by Lyn Marinello

I am the abyss that brings on my fear
I am the silence I deafeningly hear
I am the darkness that dampens my soul
I am the burden whose weight is my toll
I am the bitter that roils disgust
I am exhausted, but go on I must ...

For I am also the junction converging the void
I am the voice; near mute, but overjoyed
I am the light that offers up hope
I am also the blessing broadening love's scope
I am the flavor that augments life's plate
And I am tenacious. I determine my fate.

I am my master and also my servant
Blissfully ignorant and hyper-observant
I am the teacher. I am the student
I am the hasty and I am the prudent
I am yin; I am yang. I am brave. I am meek
I will march into battle. I'll turn a lenient cheek
I am seeing and sawing; responsive, reactive
Flamboyant, restrained; repulsive, attractive
Herculean, Lilliputian; the pendulum always swings
You and I, we are as one. We each are all these things

A little Raine on your Monday

One Raine Cooper authored this doozy.
It is written in the feminine,
but can be said of any one!

She used words

to say nothing at all

and silence

to explain everything.

Words

Just a heads up folks,
on one of my only days off,
I wake up at 5 am

with words swimming.

Prepare yourselves ...

something's coming ...

Have an extraordinary weekend.

Flight

A wonderful tidbit from Buddha:

If you want to fly,

give up everything

that weighs you down.

Let that sink in a minute.

It's really kind of powerful.

Go ...

fly.

Battle

Whenever I hear the word "battle,"
my brain immediately goes to the movie, Michael.

I suppose it should scare me,

but the thought process has now been transformed.

If you've never seen it ... please do.

It is older, but fantastic!

The battle

~ although not as scary as it should be ~

still rages.

We battle work situations, weight situations, relationships,

self-image, ethics and morals, religion and politics,

family and health and hopes and more.

The key to winning the battles

is to choose which ones are worth fighting.

That is an intimately personal decision.

Whilst you decide which weapons to arms yourselves with,

be it words, education, faith, or simple fortitude,

know this one thing ~

that just may be more important than anything else.

You, my friend, are worth the fight.

You're stunning, intelligent, beautiful, capable, worthy

and loved.

Battle what you may,

but you've already won!

A good Cur(i)e!

Marie Curie said it best ...

We must believe

that we are gifted

for something.

Believe it.

Find your something.

Get after it.