Deep Breath

On the tail end of the month in anticipation of a new one the Summer emits it's thick heat, a daily reminder that mother nature is in charge. Take a deep breath as needed to brace ourselves for another fresh month of day's that mark the calendar with reminders for appointments, deadlines and commitments. 

Our lives are guided by time, the seasons and a particular rhythm that blends into day to day goings on. Sometimes the uncertainties can be scary but we plough through with faith and hope in safe, peaceful ways and means to live according to best practices for going about life. Good intentions, compassion and a sense of fair play and decency help to keep our lungs clear of worldly and negative congestion.

So, yes, breathe, keep cool, try to stay calm and collect. Do take a deep breath when the urge to rage out at life's unfairness is too much. The tragic news as well as the triumphs that evoke tears of joy can be overwhelming. The heat, the task at hand and challenge of keeping positive calls for relief from the dark moments to lean into the light, the joy the fresh air drawn from lungs that would rather take calm, cool times and fill your lungs with peace and gratitude and remind you of the simple pleasure of restoring tranquility even if only for the moment.

Ain't It Grand

What a world we live in, in our own heads and as inhabitants of planet earth. The craziness, the incredible and unbelievable in people's behavior, the wrongdoing fueled by hate and fear seems more intense. The mainstream news focuses on up to the minute bad news, the dead and dying, war, abuse, corruption, desperation and despair. The breaking news alerts the viewer of something different and new happening, probably not a good thing about the harsh reality of our world. It's the news, "it's what's for dinner". We consume it consciously and subconsciously as fear mongers in the media, corporate America and other places continue to shove the ugliness down our throats. Health and happiness do not sell as well as fear, doubt, inadequacies, comparing yourself to others, confusion, judgement, hate, cynicism, complacency,  

Stress follows the discontentment as worry and uneasiness settle-in. Meanwhile, mental and physical health are compromised. More effort is required to keep a good perspective, peaceful and positive. The attitude of gratitude is effective in curtailing the fretting but sometimes takes longer to get to that place. 

Faith and Hope are great detractors of the darkness of the world. Grace surfaces from a soulful, spirit, out of sadness, grief, trauma, after, during the moment we are most in need of the divinity and blessing. Out of nowhere like a mighty warrior to light the darkness from places beyond most human understanding, above and beyond earth's boundaries from an unlimited, unconstrained place that is of peace, power and perfection, humble compassion-driven places of privilege. Our vulnerability is front and center when we seek shelter from life's storms. We look for and wish to connect to creators' creations since time untold, here and now from on high to the lowest places, the lost, richest, poorest we all long to connect to such graciousness.

Attaching myself to the idea of something to turn to when I am not sure of which direction to go, beyond what the eye can see but what the heart and soul can feel continues to prove over and over that keeping the faith is a rock-solid life-saving strategy, prayer and defense against a chaotic and unfair world.

To counterattack, appease, remedy, soothe, replace wrongdoing in the world means to cease the opportunity to lift the shroud of darkness whenever possible, in many situations at any time and any place. It is an ongoing summit of sorts; a cooperative based on our own willingness to offer a kind word or simple gesture of kindness and make life more livable. It is a no cost approach to contributing to the betterment of the world. To have the capacity to share our own gifts of faith and hope, joy and peace even as the darkness lurks around attempting to put out our light. Ain't it grand to realize we can share our light, our own preciousness our own peace and love. 

It's All Good ~

There is a place where it is all good and calm, clean, healthy of mind, body and spirit, secure, safe and beautiful. It is where love and peace dwell and all is well, where blessings are itemized, the inventory vast, constant miracles abound and whispers from heaven, common. With a keen sense of appreciation for countless blessings received I wrap humble gratitude around my heart like the warm glow of fire underneath the massive hearth.

I pray we access the sacred place of peace in the midst of doubt and despair. I wish the young and old, forgotten and forsaken, the mistreated and traumatized from all walks of life in every part of the world would find the peaceful, perfect powerful place they long for. For light in dark places where suffering and fear are no longer constant companions nor reality so harsh. I pray consolation overthrows what seems hopeless and joy hastens to diminish sorrow.

It's not all good and not quite clear as to why anguish, anger, greed, hate and oppression become main languages spoken. One person lives with chronic mental, emotional or physical pain while another lavishes in the pleasures of life. If only life were fair and provided equal distribution of love, compassion, happiness, where kindness and respect are the first and last order of the day and we realize every moment in between is an opportunity to make it all good.

You and Me

Yes, I want to tell how much I love you, I want to tell you how much I need your presence however measured in my life and in fact accept open heartedly, humbly and with profound gratitude. I thank you for your love, the lessons you have taught me, the sound of your voice, your scent, the bright slight glint, hint of sadness in your mysterious eye's, your very vibration and connection. I can not thank you enough for what you have done to and for me. I guess I will never be the same as the song goes.

☺♥

Peace and Love ~ my prayer, wish, hope and dream for you and me & all of humankind, the animals, every bit of this precious planet.  God Bless us now & eternally. ~ When I think of the morning of September 11, 2001 my heart aches for this world. This minuscule & at once magnificent tiny ball of one miracle after the other, that also includes hate, madness and cruelty. How to go about our existence peacefully and with respect at the forefront. Political and religious discourse seems to define history and can forecast the future. A host of factors determine one's quality of life no matter where on earth it is. That is when it is important to reflect on a little pearl of wisdom that goes; "There but for the grace of God go I".
One endures pain, suffering, injustice in one part of a village, city, state, country while only yards,  streets, rivers and bridges away- people live extravagantly, daily living as lush and luxurious as most can only imagine. Somewhere in the middle is where most want to be, in a comfortable, safe place. That is not asking too much, yet presents huge challenges and is not as simple as one would like it to be. At the end of the day it is a peaceful, quiet existence that people hope and work for but may or may not be equipped with the tools, skills, support, opportunities and resources to manage a descent way of life.
On September 11th, 2001,   I recall the confusion, disbelief, shock of watching breaking news reports and listening to radio broadcasts at work, describing, analyzing the horrific events that would knock the wind out of America and those who love the United States.
~ I think of the softer side of people, that dark day evoked. People seemed to appreciate one another more, to display a little more kindness and respect. An air of mystery lingered for several days as a humbler people emerged in neighborhoods, rural areas, metropolis' and inner city life. The trauma, all the tragedy incurred upon a nation once considered invincible, indestructible, the most powerful of all- blindsided by hostile, maniacal forces. A shift occurred, people left to discern what it's all about with more gratitude, less attitude, more humility, honor and compassion for one another.