But still ...

As I sit and prepare to scribe, saddened by the daily diatribe
I lift my eyes toward Heaven's way, I fold my hands, bow my head and pray
The chasm that has torn apart the world's very core, it's struggling heart
Is deep and dark and sad and wide with millions of folks all stuck inside
In our simply pitiful naivete, we truly have just lost our way
We're numb to loss and quick to hate. We want it now, no time to wait
Lies are spread like marmalade. All our business on the web displayed
We're eager to judge, refuse to converse. Want to be one, but stand as diverse
We label and point and hashtag and tweet, glued to our screens and feel incomplete
We've taken the human from humanity. We're quick to a fight but too blind to see
We challenge each other. You must choose a side. Complete discontent till we all have complied.
A hug is taboo, we need our personal space. The lack of compassion's an utter disgrace
There are streaks of brilliance in heroic deeds, but only if captured on Instagram feeds
We've got hundreds of followers; we're liked by the pack,
            but need a reminder that our kid's in the back?
We hand out awards like sand on a beach then struggle with discipline because what we teach
The left says it's white. The right says it's black. The west calls for love. The east says attack.
We've all lost our marbles in the breadth of the scope. Madness prevails, but still … I have hope.

I have weathered the storm and basked in the glow of the beautifully promised arched rainbow
I've seen glimmers of kindness in average folk; flashes of brilliance that truly invoke
That hope is alive and thriving and well; that each little bliss bomb's ripples expel
An outreach of good radiating in waves, lapping toward people in natural naves
Strangers whose hearts command them to act. Just doing what's right without thought of impact
Giving so freely of effort and time so others, ever briefly, can see the sublime
Hearts so accepting without reservation; arms always open with no declination
A peaceful locale just dripping in love. I've seen and felt it, this gift from above.
If we just take a moment before we respond and hurtfully, with someone's dignity, abscond
Think back to our childhood and the rule that was golden,
            choose not to degrade, but uplift & embolden
Imagine the scope of the good we could do if we just took a second and broadened our view
We don't have to agree, but we don't have to fight; perhaps there are multiple ways to be right
This utopian dream is just within reach, if only we'd minimize the hate in our speech
See positives, so small, in every day. Use inspiring words in all that you say.
Good vs. evil's fought on a slippery slope. Madness prevails, but still … I have hope.
~ Lyn Marinello

True Belonging

This is taken from Brene Brown.
I wish I could take credit for it.
It surely speaks volumes.

True belonging
is the spiritual practice
of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply
that you can share your most authentic self
with the world and find sacredness
in both being a part of something
and standing alone in the wilderness.
True belonging
doesn't require you to change who you are;
it requires you to be who you are.

Go. Be you.

Wings of Angels

I am not one
who normally asks for help.
It is not so much pride
that stands in my way,
but more a sense of tenacious determination.
If I set my mind to something,
it will get done!
I might not have the proper tools.
I might not take the 'schooled' approach.
I might not look pretty doing it.
But it will get done!
However ...
when faced with daunting tasks,
I will occasionally reach for assistance.
And what I've learned in the 1000 years I've been here
is that when you humble yourself and ask,
you are far more often than not
met with the wings of Angels.
I love my Angels!

This Stuff

Simple things
like this quote
are the things which
completely unravel me.
Just those
totally piercing words
that knock you off your feet.

If you listen carefully,
the silence is deafeningly beautiful.

Have an extraordinary day.

You

You are amazing.

You are not your past.
You are not your mistakes.
You are not your poor decisions.
You are not your circumstances.

You are amazing.

Give

Today is the National Day of Giving
or Giving Tuesday.
It is quite simple.
No embellished description needed.
If there is a charity
that you are connected to,
feel compelled to assist,
that has helped you,
that you are an advocate for,
go ...

give.

Walk On By

Some of you might already be singing,
and that's a beautiful thing.
I have had, in just the past few days,
the opportunity to
retort, react, and colorfully respond
to several interesting posts.
These posts were ignorant.
These posts were childish.
These posts were ugly.
These posts were mean.
These posts were hurtful.
Do you know what I did?

(Go ahead, sing it again!)

I chose to walk on by.
I let ignorance and ugliness and childishness
and meanness and hurtfulness simply fester.
You see, those are qualities I don't like.
I will not give them my time.
Nor should you.

Walk On By.

Focus on the beauty and the blessings,
the good and the gracious,
the kind and courageous.