Stars

It's been said ...

We are stars

wrapped in skin.

The light 

you've been seeking

has always

been within.

Go and shine!

Taking a little respite

from tech and white noise.

Please be kind

to each other and yourselves.

We are each worthy

of grace and love.

See y'all soon.

Remember this ...

By one Osho ...

and then, of course, Lynified:

Remember this:

that you should not

leave this earth

until you have made it

a little more beautiful,

a little lovelier,

a little kinder,

a little more prayerful,

a little gentler,

a little more accepting,

a little more understanding,

a little happier,

a little sweeter,

a little more loving.

We are not promised tomorrow.

Use today and your actions

wisely.

GTB

 GTB

by Lyn Marinello

 

I could worry each morn about hurricane season

or embrace each beautiful sun-filled day.

Be sad with a dismal afternoon rain

or anticipate a spectacular sunset display.

I can be consumed by anxieties

or walk faithfully without fear.

Let the waves crash over me

or grab the wheel and learn to steer.

Be whisked away by the madness

or be steadfast in my path.

Trampled by the what might be

or let go of the rage and the wrath.

Be swept up in the hatred

or simply choose to change my view.

Choke down all the negativity

or order a positive dish on which to chew.

I can fill myself with vile angst

or always seek the silver lining.

Acknowledge all the lessons learned,

but know that they’re not self-defining.

I could stress about the maybes,

but I’ll stick with what I know,

that every single set back

is an opportunity to grow.

I will stumble, fall and mess things up,

but that’s not who I am.

I’m surrounded by the baying wolves

but lean into the Lion and the Lamb.

I’ll not seek out perfection

for I’ll get there in the end.

Let loose of all your animosity.

Let kindness in, my friend.

There is plenty out there to fret about,

though I’ll not be shaken, scared, distressed;

‘cause there’s far more things to smile about …

I am grateful, thankful, blessed.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your blessings ... for they are bountiful.

Perhaps

Perhaps ...
strength does not reside

in never having

been broken;

but in the courage

to grow stronger

in the broken places.

Live & Love

There will be simple
powerful messages this week.

I hope you enjoy ...

Live

with a

grateful heart.

Love

with unending

effort.

To Be

Definitely Lynified this one,
but it's very spot on ~
especially during the holiday season.

Instead of

focusing so much

on a "To Do" list,

let's start a

"To Be" list.

Let's Be:

Calm

Happy

Kind

Hopeful

Prayerful

Healthy

Positive

Loving

Polite

Compassionate

Productive

Purposeful

Joyful

Thankful

Friday Thoughts ...

Founds some favorites
and mashed 'em together for you.

This really is some good stuff to ponder on ...

Always prioritize

your inner peace,

and ...

if today,

all that you did

was to hold yourself together,

I am proud of you.

Magic

Sometimes,
we need a little magic.

When we've lost sight

of what makes our soul sing,

change your vista ~

change the station ~

change your thoughts ~

change your actions ~

change who you're around ~

find your magic.

It's still there.

Less

There was no one to credit or acknowledge for this,
but wanted to share.

Seems to be quite a powerful statement ...

Saying less

can be incredibly helpful

not every thought is valuable

not every feeling needs to be voiced

what is often best

is to slow down

and spend time developing

a clearer and 

more informed perspective

ego rushes and reacts

but peace

moves purposefully and gently.

Art

Found this, Lynified it, sharing it ...

There is an art

to listening ... and not responding;

to seeing ... and not reacting;

to feeling ... and not forcing;

to accepting ... and not allowing;

to believing ... and not arguing;

to being firm ... and not fighting;

to observing ... and not absorbing.

Hoping your are

living a masterpiece.

Offer

We have all heard the old adage:

Be nice to strangers.

They may be fighting battles

you know nothing about.

Now add this part

and I am over the moon infatuated ...

Be kind.

Every one of us is healing

from something.

Practice the pause.

We are not all the same,

nor would we want to be.

Offer these things:

comfort and compassion,

width and wisdom,

understanding and opportunity,

grace and gratitude,

kindness and love.

Blessings

Here's a little personal story
that will hopefully brighten your day.

There's been a lot of ugly lately.

A fair amount of stress

and an abundance of WTF's.

As I was sitting at work yesterday

after an 'exciting' start to my day,

feeling the usual pangs of duck survival

(calm on the surface, paddling like hell underneath),

answering the same question for the millionth time,

explaining the same process for the zillionth time;

my phone offered a muted ding.

After I finished my task,

I grabbed my phone and scrolled to find

the source of said ding.

Lo and behold ...

a name I have adored for a good 50 years

with a brief and beautiful note

of nothing more than kindness and love

and thoughts of me.

People,

take a moment,

focus on the good things,

the cherished souls,

the happy memories.

Send someone a note or text.

Just a simple "Hello"

or "Thinking of You".

What a fabulous place it would be

if we all took a moment

to share a little love.

Be

Found this gem

(of course I Lynified it)
and knew it needed to be shared.

On this World Kindness Day ...

Be humble

at the mountaintops.

Be steadfast

in the valleys.

Be faithful

in between.

Be the most

extraordinary version

of your 

incredibly beautiful

self.

An absolute fav

Psalm 91:4

He will cover you

with his feathers.

He will shelter you

with his wings.

His faithful promises

are your armor

and protection.

A tremendous thing

"Why did you do all this for me?" he asked.
"I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you."

"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte.

"That in itself is a tremendous thing."

~ E.B. White, Charlotte's Web

A respectful Veteran's Day to all who deserve it.

Thankful, Grateful, Appreciative.

Grateful, too, that Charlotte expressed things

so very well.

Mish Mash Friday

Quiet people
have the loudest minds.

Turn off the news.

Go outside.

Breathe.

Realize the beauty

that surrounds you.

Understand

what you are 

actually in control of.

Don't just 

count your blessings ...

frame them as keepsakes.

Love unconditionally.

Listen completely.

Learn always.

You were never meant

to carry the burdens

of the world

on your shoulders.

I know it's early. My apologies.

I am off-grid for a few days

to disconnect from the ugly

and reconnect with my kids

and meet new future family.

Carpe your diem, friends.

A little reminder ...

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.

 

Miracles

Loving this.
Sharing for you all ...

Life

is a series

of a thousand

little miracles.

Notice them.

Embrace them.

Absorb them.

Share them.

Good Tenant

No one to acknowledge for this.
There are so so so so many people
that need to read this ...
sometimes multiple times ...

and I hope it helps ...

Do not let anyone

rent a space

in your head,

unless they are 

a good tenant.

Tiny

Not sure who the penned this,
but very aware of the author.

I love places

that make you realize

how tiny

you and your problems

really are.

Enjoy your day

and all its blessings.

Shine

Without anyone to properly credit,
I am simply sharing.

It is not

in just one way

that you shine ...

but ...

a million little ways

that you light up

the world.

A Dog upon a Chain

 Written for so so so so many reasons ...

A Dog upon a Chain

by Lyn Marinello

 

Here I am, the chained up dog, my yard’s grass is worn beneath.

I may bark and I may growl, but I rarely bare my teeth.

I am fiercely loyal; a staunch protector of my pack.

Seldom the aggressor, but when provoked, I will attack.

I will raise my hackles. I might race til the links may break.

My conviction to my owner is the only thing at stake.

I may occasionally get loose and wander from my domain,

But I will always come back home to the security of my chain.

I am often times permitted to sit upon the shaded deck,

Or offered up an outing, a companion on your trek.

I am fed enough to stay, scratched sporadically behind an ear.

I may seem mostly docile but am alert to those who near.

I exist on minimal praise; or a much appreciated treat.

I sit ready, tail a-wagging, dutifully at your feet.

I embrace my boundaries though they’re not always clear.

I may test my tether’s limits but my devotion is sincere.

I am eager to obey commands, though I scratch and sometimes dig.

I’ll bring back the entire branch when you’ve only thrown a twig.

I am at my most content with purpose unrestrained.

I am just a steadfast hound, tied up here, upon this chain.

Whatcha think?