Be First

Always strive to be first;

first to nod,

first to smile,

first to help,

first to compliment,

first to listen,

first to forgive.

A Defining Moment

Came across a few that are my favorites

and a few new ones.

Here's hoping you enjoy 

and learn a few new things in the process.

Petrichor:  the smell of fresh rain

Redamancy:  a love returned in full

Fika:  a moment to slow down and appreciate the good stuff

Hygge:  the ritual of enjoying life's simple pleasures

Elysian:  beautiful or creative; divinely inspired

Latibule:  a hiding place, a place of safety and comfort

Sonder:  the realization that each passerby's life is as complex and vivid as yours

Philocalist:  one who finds and appreciates beauty in all things

Eunoia:  beautiful thinking

Have some fun ones?

Do share.

THIRTY

THIRTY

~ by Lyn Marinello

We've shared lobster and PB & J

Laughed til we cried and sat with nothing to say

We had a big old giant house

And a one room joint in which to stay

We swam in Caribbean waters

Skied on some snowy slopes

Romped through Jamaican jungles

Sparred on martial arts ropes

We've danced on sandy beaches

Hiked up to mountain tops

Stayed in some fancy Miami hotels

And in some scary Seattle flops

We have battled to heal our babies

From diseases and broken hearts

We've been comfortable digging in roots

Traversed the chaos of brand new starts

We've held hands in celebration

Hugged and cried in deep remorse

We have lived in separate places

But we've always stayed the course

We might whistle for location

"Muskrat" to clear the air

Spend the day out at the range

Or stroll the zoo without a care

We are comfortable in conversation

Or watching Seinfelds or Last Mans or Curbs

We have wandered through some pretty cities

And been in awe way out in the burbs

We have shared a great many adventures

Shouldered great hardships as well

There is a strength within our union

That time nor trouble can dispel

We created some incredible memories

Some pretty outstanding offspring, too

And the journey has always been better

Because you have me and I have you.

Coexist

Coexist

~ by Lyn Marinello

Beasts of every size and shape emboldened, ripe for battle

When in actuality, they are simply herded cattle

Serve them all the Kool-Aid; stave a thirst that can't be quenched

Feed a fire, presently four alarm, provoke the angry fist already clenched

Tell them they are righteous as they dismantle what's been built

Tenuous threads of sacrifice, frayed and tattered in the name of guilt

Talking heads keep talking. Nothing positive seeps out

Just a Seussical existence, full of nonsense, fear and doubt

Let them shred each other, a poisoned garden gone awry

Mayhem cannot prune the weeds of an impassioned battled cry

Structures lay in ruins, cities ripped asunder

Are we nearer to resolution? I sit in tears and wonder

We cannot be held accountable for the sins of fathers passed

We can, however, begin today, together as one united mass

Build a beautiful society; acknowledge each unique creation

Color blind to equality; each life cause for celebration

Deaf to all the labels, every heart pumps blood the same

No apologies for appearances; respect without the shame

The brotherhood of man is a term that seems archaic

The notion that we are all one really isn't pharisaic

Cancer begins in a single cell, but it's a disease that can be beat

Emotion cannot cure it. It's a challenge we must rise to meet

Change the culture where it lives, build immunity and strength

Be prepared for challenges, it's a battle great in length

Be steadfast in the journey, choose a multi-pronged approach

Be honest, kind and positive; behave without reproach

None of us is perfect, our intent must be corrective

But that pertains to all of us, those at blame can't be selective

We are better as a people when we look beyond facades

Stand as one, concordant, in the face of any odds

We are a might entity, created for more than to simply subsist

Admonish, expunge the blame and hate, if we mean to peacefully coexist.

Deaf, Dumb and Blind

This might conjure up some good music 

most of us are familiar with,

but ...

sometimes ...

I ponder!

How different the world might be if

we were deaf to the hateful speech

which is truly only a reflection of the speaker?

we were mute to speak such hate

and cause so much pain?

we were blind to colors

as separations?

But I'd be remiss if I did not remind you that you can

listen and learn.

communicate and compromise.

be in awe of all creation.

C & C

Compliments and Criticism

Willingly and joyfully accept both.

It takes both

the sun and the rain

to make a flower

grow and bloom.

Wind

When the wind blows,

you have two choices,

you can fight it

or

you can harness it.