Catch Memories

Thinking of you today, Sal.

Credit to Ariana:

Come sit with me

on the edge of the world,

where the calm

meets chaos

and we are met

by our dreams.

Let's watch as madness

swirls by our feet

and love and scars

and all that is beautiful

passes by,

and then we'll lean over

and catch memories

in our butterfly nets.

Time

Thankful to my dear friend, Susan,
who shared this wonderful bit of wisdom today.
Thought I'd keep it moving

Time is

the only currency

you spend

without ever knowing

your balance.

Use it wisely.

Control

There are those
that seek to control

situations, environments

and people.

This simply screams

of their self-esteem issues.

Once you are able

to see beyond your reaction,

you can recognize

their petty, almost comical,

behavior patterns.

Their baggage

need not become yours.

You were never meant

to fix or repair

what has broken them.

That is their bridge to cross.

You've got 

much bigger and brighter

adventures to tend to.

Get on with it.

It is there

Making other things my own:

The voice of the sea
soothes the soul.
The whispers of the pines
calm the heart.

The quiet of the morning

smells of hope.

The kaleidoscope of dusk

paints of love.

Look around. 

Look within.

That thing you're looking for ...

it is there.

Quality Ashe

From one Arthur Ashe:

Start

where you are.

Use

what you have.

Do

what you can.

Make it a good week, friends.

Simple as that.

No one to credit for this,
but ... simple as that.

If it doesn't bring you

love, peace or

positive energy,

stop engaging with it.

Simple as that.

To rise

These were the words - and whole stanzas - that woke me up a few nights ago.
Before you get excited and start checking up on me ... please know that I am fine.

I do not always know where this comes from - I just write what is given.
Sometimes it is, I'm sure, a compilation of listening to friends,
family, and others who are having a hard time.
Just know that it is written in first person for ease - and nothing more.
And ... if it helps just one person ... I'm a raving success.

Would love to know whatcha think.

To rise

by Lyn Marinello

A million little pin pricks, shattered hopes and body shamed.

Broken hearts and battered dreams, betrayals and ego-maimed.

The friends who never were. Hopes so painfully dashed.

Once so fiercely driven; far too frequently I’ve crashed.

Memories of ache; turmoil bubbling just below.

Discontent and angry. Smothering woefully slow.

Fractured little plans, wasted efforts, stunted growth,

Windless sails and stolen breaths; yet glued to my own oath.

No matter the mountain before me or the chasm I’ll need to traverse;

The weight I’ll need to carry, or the internal self I’ll need to coerce.

The actions of other people do not dictate who I’ll be.

Each day’s an opportunity to define a brand new me.

I will sift through mangled pieces. I will filter all the waste.

I will be a better human - indifferent to adversity’s taste.

I’m too tenacious in my soul to stay cowering when attacked.

I’m undeterred, though cautious; splintered though still intact.

I’m no longer debased by scars - on my skin or on my heart.

They are marks that I have earned; filled with wisdom to impart.

I’m not a ‘me too’ movement, nor will you ‘hear me roar’.

It’s more - ‘Look what you’ve created. You’ve no idea what is in store.’

You can chip off many chunks; speak lies in hopes of my demise;

But you cannot clip the wings of the Phoenix born to rise.

Michelangelo Mantra

I saw the Angel
in the marble
and carved
until I set him free.

It is the same

with each of us.

Carve, baby.

Carve.

Control

From one Dan Millman:

You don't have to

control your thoughts,

you just have to stop

letting them

control you.

Rest

Loosely Mark 6:31

Come with me

by yourselves 

to a quiet place

and rest.

Voila Viola!

Viola Davis stated:

I believe

that the privilege

of a lifetime

is being

who you are.

Thank you, Viola.

You're welcome, friends.

Now go make the most

of your privilege.

The business of kindness

This one is so necessary.
Far too many folks confuse the two.

If you're helping someone

and expecting

something in return;

you are doing business,

not kindness.

Socrates Special

Here's a dandy bit of advice for you:

The secret of happiness,

you see,

is not found

in seeking more;

but in developing

the capacity

to enjoy less.

Each Day

I did not write this,
but I believe it.

An unhealed person

can find offense

in pretty much anything

someone else does.

A healed person

understands

that the actions of others

have nothing to do

with them

Each day

you get to decide

which person 

you will be.

Double Whammy

This is two fantastic tidbits
mashed into one.

She distanced herself

to save herself.

If there is no wind ...

row!

You matter!

Take care of YOU!

Purpose

A journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step.

Appreciate where you are

in your journey,

even if it's not

where you want to be.

Every season

serves a purpose.

Love

It makes my heart so very sad

to see folks

who have been friends for decades

so ugly and hateful towards one another

because of politics. 

You can scroll past differences of opinion

like you walk past a restaurant

serving food you do not like. 

You can allow a variety of thoughts to exist

without losing your own. 

We need not be so vile and nasty. 

We can easily coexist 

by simply respecting one another

no matter which wing of the bird

you choose to flap on.

It's the same dadgum bird.

Let's try a little love.

Thankful

Be thankful 

every chance you get. 

Not because your life

has been easy or simple

or perfect;

but because 

the life you've had

has led you here.

You are a survivor.

You are strong.

You have overcome

all the things that have

haunted you.

You are here ... today.

Celebrate.

Be thankful.

Simplicity

Simplicity

is not

the opposite of wealth. 

It is the door

to the riches

you already own.

Don't Be Afraid

While watching Olympic coverage yesterday, there was a snippet in reference to a Norwegian track and field coach. 

The one thing that stuck out to his athlete was this: 

Do not be afraid of losing;

be afraid of not evolving.

This just really struck me. 

Hope it finds whoever needs it.

Daily Reminder:

Just in case you are confused or uncertain ...

let me clarify ...

1. You are beautiful. 

2. You are worthy.

3. You are brave and strong.

4. You deserve kindness and happiness.

5. You have all the tools within you to fight any battles you are facing. 

6. You are not defined by your past.

7. You are integral to the fabric of this world.

8. You are loved.

Becoming less

Becoming less ...

reactive

judgemental 

spiteful

critical

sensitive 

hurried

influenced

conformed.

Sometimes, growth comes -

not from gaining more-

but by becoming less.

Who Are You?

The heat woke me up a couple nights ago. My own tropical moment for those of you that understand. Grabbed a glass of water, equalized and then had an inkling to get my pen and paper. This fell out. For you, Renata ...

Who Are You?

by Lyn Marinello 

The ways in which we behave; the paths we choose to take

Speak volumes to our character and the legacy we make. 

There are those that step up front. The spotlight's their domain. 

They lay claim to ask ideas and grasp at everything to claim. 

Their fifteen seconds come and go; smoke and mirrors never last

Self-centered "m-ego" narcissists quickly fade into the past. 

The cunning little cons are another woeful class, 

Whose good deeds are just stepping stones to the kudos they can amass.

"How can I look better?" The only purpose to their deeds. 

They're unconcerned with others; simply focused on their needs. 

And then there are the quiet ones, who seek nothing in return. 

Whose only want in serving is you reciprocate in turn 

To someone in the future who might need a helping hand; 

And that web of selfless kindness exponentially expand.

Compassion's not a weapon; you're not going to win a prize. 

Kindness isn't measured by its pricetag or it's size. 

Your motives carry weight. Your efforts shout about your soul. 

Do they speak of care and love? Or a dark and selfish hole?

Those that seek applause and the grandiosity of fame,

Are mere facades of generosity sprinkling stardust on their name. 

But those within the shadows; those that give sans expectation,

Are truly blessed and beautiful, cloaked in simple, pure elation.

They do not need the fanfare. They're not in search of praise, 

Just hopefully they are imitated in their kind and selfless ways. 

Do what you're able with what you've got. Pay it forward when you can.

Do not be concerned with accolades, but rather your fellow man.

And then I went back to sleep.

All Around Gold

I so enjoy

the emotional stories

of the Olympic athletes.

Not just the set up stories

of where they've come from, 

or things they've overcome, 

(which are extraordinary) 

but the sheer joy

of their accomplishments

and the occasional surprise

of how amazing they truly are. 

We may not all be Olympians, 

but we are each outstanding

and capable of feats of wonder.

Wow!

This is not mine and I do not have anyone to credit for it, but it's fantastic so I'm sharing!

Your purpose

is not just the thing you do. 

It's the thing that happens to others

when you do what you do. 

It's how you make people feel

and remember you

by doing what you do. 

It's the experience

that your energy leaves upon them. 

By mastering your unique gifts, 

you step into the realm

of infinite possibilities. 

The greatest blessing

you can give to humanity

is owning your purpose

and inspiring others

to courageously own theirs.

Enjoy your day. 

Own and inspire!

Be Willing

From one M. Eckhardt ...

Be willing

to be a beginner

every

single

morning.

Leave yesterday's baggage there. 

It was not meant to be carried

into today. 

Enjoy!