Do More

Stole this, er, ummm,
I mean I'm sharing this
and embellishing -
as I always do.


Do more.
Do more than belong; participate.
Do more than care; help.
Do more than hope; believe.
Do more than believe; practice.
Do more than be fair; be kind.
Do more than dream; create.
Do more than learn; listen.
Do more than observe; improve.
Do more than exist; love.
Do more.

Do You Know?

Do You Know?

    ~ by Lyn Marinello

Do you know what I did today? I opened up my eyes

And long before I climbed from bed, thanked God with grateful sighs.

Do you know what I did today? I opened my door to a beautiful day.

I sat quietly with my bible. I bowed my head to pray.

Do you know what I did today? I wrote my blog with love and hope.

Offered a little 'up-lift-ance' ~ for whomever needs to cope.

Do you know what I saw today, amidst calamity and dread?

The choice that people tried to make to be generous and kind instead.

Do you know what I saw today, through grateful, teary eyes?

Smiles despite the chaos; Love without compromise.

Do you know what I saw today despite the mayhem at our feet?

Neighbor helping neighbor; Singing in the street.

Do you know what I heard today, beyond the dark and dismal, dreary news

"How is it I can help you?" and a thousand "I love you!'s"

Do you know what I heard today, despite the barrage of death and blame?

That we'll get through this together because we are all the same.

Do you know what I heard today above the sobs and pleas?

Is the lovely hum of fitful prayer on countless bended knees.

Do you know what I felt today? A resilience in my bones.

The divisive hate is waning replaced by caring, helpful tones.

Do you know what I felt today? A strength in unity.

For as different as we claim we are, we are one community.

Do you know what I felt today - beside the worry and the fret?

Is that these times are trying, fraying every nerve ... and yet

For all the prayers I prayed today and the good I tried to do;

The kindness that I witnessed while the world is all askew;

For the thousand tiny actions of compassion that occurred

And the graceful gift of voices raised toward Heaven that I heard -
The tears I shed were not all sad. There is a goodness beyond scope.
Together we'll get through anything, you all have helped me cope.
And so, you see, full circle, the care and love that we can show
We are infinitely capable of anything ... you know?

Count

You can add your debt.
You can list your complaints.
You can tabulate your troubles.
You can calculate your tasks.
You can tally your troubles.
You can wade through your woes.
Or
You can count your blessings.

Amazing

I miss my days in leadership.
I miss seeing others blossom.
I miss watching their potential
unfold and unfurl.
I miss group success.
I miss sharing things like this:

You don't inspire others
by showing them 
how amazing you are;
you inspire them
by showing them
how amazing they are.

If we each worked on this
just a little each day,
the world would be
an extraordinary place.

Oh yes. This!

This is fantastic!
Today and every day.

The task of leadership
is not to put greatness into 
or thrust greatness onto people;
but to elicit it,
for the greatness is already there.

~ J. Buchan (with a minor tweak)

20/20

What a year
this month has been.
Much mayhem
and madness
but no one
has ever
injured their eyesight
looking on the bright side
of things.

What do you see?

Believe

Sometimes,
Angels
are just ordinary people
that help us believe
in miracles
again.

Believe.