Open Mind

An open mind
is a truly powerful tool.
But ...
it needs to be really open;
not just open to what you think,
what you believe,
what you like,
what you enjoy,
what you want.
A truly open mind
is literally open to everything:
absorbing, filtering, finding,
searching, listening, watching,
feeling, reading, learning.
You cannot have an open mind
if it is closed to certain things.

Your Name

I find it heartwarmingly euphoric how absolutely ecstatic I get
from just your name;
on an email, messenger, caller id, return address, etc.
It is just a blessing to realize that someone thought of me.
To be within someone's thoughts
is a very special place to be.
To be within someone's heart
is a beautiful dwelling.
To be within someone's prayers
is an extraordinary gift.
Don't ever underestimate the power
of a simple message,
a little text,
a phone call,
an email,
or a card or letter.
Your name
holds much more power
than you'll ever understand!

Rare and Beautiful

This week we acknowledge Rare Disease Week.
We attempt to bring awareness to ailments few know of
or perhaps educate folks on some they do.
Of course, first on my heart is dermatomyositis,
a life-threatening auto-immune disease
that attacks the skin and proximal muscles.
My son battled this monster for nearly a decade.
There is no known cure and treatment is awful.
Also front and center is NEMO, Fragile X,
Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Crohn's, and perhaps,
the worst of all, the as-yet-undiagnosed.
Before you judge appearances,
learn about signs and symptoms.
Help where you can and do what you're able.
Growing old is a privilege denied to many.
The kids I've known have the spirits of the Angels;
positive, polite, and hopeful.
Prayer and hope are as powerful as any medicine.
Remember how truly Rare and Beautiful
these precious people are.

You ...

You owe yourself the love
you so freely give
to others.
You deserve the blessings
that you so fervently pray
for others.
You warrant the grace
that you repeatedly offer
to others.
You are worthy.
You are vital.
You are loved.

Fly, baby! Fly!

So, I really take issue with the fact
that these little quotes are always geared toward females.
My Momma taught me
that there are no limits or excuses.

So ... just remember that this is inclusive of every person,
and I am merely reposting a quote:

She was fragile,
but her spirit was strong.
When she decided
not to give up on herself,
her wings appeared.

I Love You

This weekend I realized
that I hadn't really spoken to either child
in a number of days.
I texted them both with my regrets
and both assured me it was okay.
They know I love them and watch over them daily.
But is it really? Is it really okay?
I struggle with this daily.
Life is far too short to leave love unsaid,
hugs unsquished,
conversations unspoken,
kisses unsmooched,
feelings unknown.
And even though we are all busy people,
I will do better to let those I love
know that they are loved.
So to those that support me and read this
and are my friend, framily, or kin,
know that you have my heart;
you own a space in my soul;
you are important to me;
you are loved and squished and smooched.
I love you.

Freedom

Freedom
isn't free.
Freedom actually cost
quite a lot.
But ...
it costs absolutely nothing
to be nice.
it requires no money
to be kind.
it takes to funds
to uplift someone.
it takes not one cent
to be a decent human being.
So take your freedom
that was paid for by others
and do everything good you can with it.