I am the sounds of a million voices, rushing in my veins
I am the healing hands that studied Appalachian herbs
Pieces of a grandmother that roamed the forest floor, befriending the plants
Woman doctor called Witch!
I am of stubborn defiant fabric which propels me forward
I come from artists and Kings and Queens
My ancestors long ago danced to the steady African rhythm that flowed from their joy
I come from sorrow
And I come from happiness
The Native running through the smell of pine and smoke
The French man pouring iron
The grandfather who loved to build
And the one who shared love of nature and rocks.
I am woven with the threads of saints and sinners
Thundering in my veins is the unwavering voice of the warrior and the clearly heard tip toes of meekness
I am a mother.
A child.
A sister.
A wife.
My journey twists and turns weaving with darkness and light.
The shadows become saviors that elevate my soul
New vision a product of mistaken steps
Wisdom gained as my soul claws and soars
My own beat pulses more vibrantly
Clarity grows
I am strong even when I feel weak
I am worthy of respect and love.
I am a tapestry weaved with the memories of time.
And yet I am a stray strand of thread that flies in the breeze, dancing in the movement, separate but apart.
I am me.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Soar Free, Little Bird
Courage.
So many images and meanings come to our minds when we hear that word.
Courage.
Courage can roar like a lion or softly squeak like a mouse.
It helps us when conquering big and small.
Sometimes it takes a lifetime to build up the courage needed to become unstuck from life or to overcome a nagging obstacle.
Courage is hard, especially if one has been weathered, frayed from the storms of life or left to scant threads by toxic people. We start to believe the lies of those who drain our joy and energy, the controlling power hungry individuals who only know how to tear apart instead of build up. The lie that nothing we do is right. The lie that we don't deserve to find joy in our lives. The lie that we can't become the person we are meant to shine as.
We let those heavy lies shackle us as if frozen within a glacier. Watching the snow and ice continually moving, changing, transforming as life around us does, all the while stuck and feeling unable to move.
But sometimes the earth starts to shake, sometimes a slow rumble, exposing tiny cracks and sometimes the avalanche comes rushing down, breaking apart the chains...Freeing us from ourselves.
It can start with a choice to be courageous. Taking a step outside your comfort zone, regardless if it's a leap or a tip toe, takes courage. We have to learn to let go of not only the lies, but the fear itself of letting go and of the unknown.
We need to find the strength and beauty within and drown out the constant negative chaotic chatter of those who are so unhappy with themselves they wear away the good in us.
It takes courage to change. It's scary and exhilarating and one will never know how far they can soar if they allow their wings to be clipped.
Stretch out your wings in their glory, little bird.
Soar among the trees and the stars. Soar upon your dreams and passions. Soar above the daily drama and above those who want to weigh you down. Find the song within as you fly in your freedom. Let the warm sun seep into all that you are and forget the frozen cold you once knew.
Stretch out your wings, little bird and be who you are meant to be.
So many images and meanings come to our minds when we hear that word.
Courage.
Courage can roar like a lion or softly squeak like a mouse.
It helps us when conquering big and small.
Sometimes it takes a lifetime to build up the courage needed to become unstuck from life or to overcome a nagging obstacle.
Courage is hard, especially if one has been weathered, frayed from the storms of life or left to scant threads by toxic people. We start to believe the lies of those who drain our joy and energy, the controlling power hungry individuals who only know how to tear apart instead of build up. The lie that nothing we do is right. The lie that we don't deserve to find joy in our lives. The lie that we can't become the person we are meant to shine as.
We let those heavy lies shackle us as if frozen within a glacier. Watching the snow and ice continually moving, changing, transforming as life around us does, all the while stuck and feeling unable to move.
But sometimes the earth starts to shake, sometimes a slow rumble, exposing tiny cracks and sometimes the avalanche comes rushing down, breaking apart the chains...Freeing us from ourselves.
It can start with a choice to be courageous. Taking a step outside your comfort zone, regardless if it's a leap or a tip toe, takes courage. We have to learn to let go of not only the lies, but the fear itself of letting go and of the unknown.
We need to find the strength and beauty within and drown out the constant negative chaotic chatter of those who are so unhappy with themselves they wear away the good in us.
It takes courage to change. It's scary and exhilarating and one will never know how far they can soar if they allow their wings to be clipped.
Stretch out your wings in their glory, little bird.
Soar among the trees and the stars. Soar upon your dreams and passions. Soar above the daily drama and above those who want to weigh you down. Find the song within as you fly in your freedom. Let the warm sun seep into all that you are and forget the frozen cold you once knew.
Stretch out your wings, little bird and be who you are meant to be.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Path to Wisdom and Self
It's easy to get lost in the daily grind of our lives. The constant familiarity that blankets our world until a newness enters, sometimes as quiet as a whisper and other times a cosmic hurricane that shakes up the soul. New pieces of the self surface, sometimes surprising even yourself, sometimes showing unknown strength, and sometimes dark shame. For better or worse the pieces shed light to inner revelations giving opportunity for learning and change.
We must recognize the humanness within ourselves. We are perfectly imperfect. All of us are souls trying to find our way through the haze, distractions and temptations of life. It's a journey that, if done just so, we will realize is here to help us grow and attain wisdom. It's a journey that will stretch us far beyond what we desire. It's a journey that will shed light on inner darkness and will bring joy and sorrow. Life is where we unlock the secrets of ourselves.
Sometimes we lose our way, giving into illusions and a need to escape the humdrum existence of our current circumstance. A brief deliverance to help us forget not only our lives, but ourselves. But when reality returns, we must journey on, moving forward, a journey that is ours alone to work out with fear and trembling.
There are other souls that will cross their paths on ours....Other souls that will intertwine, dance with and sometimes fool ours for a little while. Some shall encircle and fill us with beauty beyond words, lifting us up with inner love, causing such intense yearning and enchantment it rattles us to the core, and others will shatter all that we are, bit by bit or all at once. This is all part of the path of wisdom. Each soul leaving lessons imprinted on each other. For through the fire we shall be burned anew, shedding our chrysalis and soaring to new heights within if we choose.
Yes, indeed, we are perfectly imperfect. We are young and old. We are wise and dumb. We are learning. We are growing.
We are human.
We must recognize the humanness within ourselves. We are perfectly imperfect. All of us are souls trying to find our way through the haze, distractions and temptations of life. It's a journey that, if done just so, we will realize is here to help us grow and attain wisdom. It's a journey that will stretch us far beyond what we desire. It's a journey that will shed light on inner darkness and will bring joy and sorrow. Life is where we unlock the secrets of ourselves.
Sometimes we lose our way, giving into illusions and a need to escape the humdrum existence of our current circumstance. A brief deliverance to help us forget not only our lives, but ourselves. But when reality returns, we must journey on, moving forward, a journey that is ours alone to work out with fear and trembling.
There are other souls that will cross their paths on ours....Other souls that will intertwine, dance with and sometimes fool ours for a little while. Some shall encircle and fill us with beauty beyond words, lifting us up with inner love, causing such intense yearning and enchantment it rattles us to the core, and others will shatter all that we are, bit by bit or all at once. This is all part of the path of wisdom. Each soul leaving lessons imprinted on each other. For through the fire we shall be burned anew, shedding our chrysalis and soaring to new heights within if we choose.
Yes, indeed, we are perfectly imperfect. We are young and old. We are wise and dumb. We are learning. We are growing.
We are human.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Beautiful Lie
A little different writing style for me:
We live in an instant culture where patience and morality is a lost art - "do it now" "if it feels good, do it"' lack of consequences, lack of care.
Me, me, me is what it's all about - temptations engulfing reality and truth, numbing the soul and darkening the heart.
Relation with one another no longer tethered strong, but chipped away year after year of neglect and storms.
Desire to do the right thing whispers away to the roaring war within that wants to sin. The road to righteousness is hard and long, full of loops and drops, tears and screams - the lure of comfort's ease, the soul gives into the tease - wanting to be loved, treasured and adored, not ignored.
Loneliness refuses to see the poison on the door, only to find itself on bent knees on the floor. Begging for mercy but flesh left craving the forbidden fruit, wanting more.
We live in an instant culture where patience and morality is a lost art - "do it now" "if it feels good, do it"' lack of consequences, lack of care.
Me, me, me is what it's all about - temptations engulfing reality and truth, numbing the soul and darkening the heart.
Relation with one another no longer tethered strong, but chipped away year after year of neglect and storms.
Desire to do the right thing whispers away to the roaring war within that wants to sin. The road to righteousness is hard and long, full of loops and drops, tears and screams - the lure of comfort's ease, the soul gives into the tease - wanting to be loved, treasured and adored, not ignored.
Loneliness refuses to see the poison on the door, only to find itself on bent knees on the floor. Begging for mercy but flesh left craving the forbidden fruit, wanting more.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Gypsy Soul
I love to travel. Not much excites me more than to explore a new city, a new place. I often think I must have a gypsy spirit, perhaps a gene that runs in my family as my grandfather also loved to go on extended road trips all around the United States. I love watching the people, studying the nuances of the region. I breathe in the new sights, exciting to a visual person like me. I love soaking in the history and imaging what it was like in that generation, or get excited to be walking where someone I have read about in history has also walked. It does not take long once I am home to begin feeling restless and hearing the open road calling out to me.
I also love how much one learns while on travels. I love the people we meet, and especially love when they share a little about themselves and their story.
I have always enjoyed sharing these memories and experiences with my children, even from a young age.
I think it's important for children to be exposed to all the world has to offer when it comes to traveling. History comes alive. Different cultures are met and experienced. Passions and interests that might otherwise never be discovered can be found while exploring the world around us. We learn new things with everything we do. Every day there is always something new we can learn, no matter where we are. This becomes even more so when in a new place. That knowledge remains with us. The experiences remain with us. It broadens the mind to see beyond the bubble of our towns and homes.
I treasure each memory I have from our adventures, whether local or on the other side of the country and am fortunate we have been able to explore so many places.
I also love how much one learns while on travels. I love the people we meet, and especially love when they share a little about themselves and their story.
I have always enjoyed sharing these memories and experiences with my children, even from a young age.
I think it's important for children to be exposed to all the world has to offer when it comes to traveling. History comes alive. Different cultures are met and experienced. Passions and interests that might otherwise never be discovered can be found while exploring the world around us. We learn new things with everything we do. Every day there is always something new we can learn, no matter where we are. This becomes even more so when in a new place. That knowledge remains with us. The experiences remain with us. It broadens the mind to see beyond the bubble of our towns and homes.
I treasure each memory I have from our adventures, whether local or on the other side of the country and am fortunate we have been able to explore so many places.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Lessons
Everyone in life has their challenges. The ups and the downs. Many people find it hard to understand why I insist on maintaining a strict food philosophy. I can almost hear the eye rolls and the silent giggles from those who think it's ridiculous. I can almost hear the eye rolls from those who think that our story is not of importance, but some ploy to elicit attention and drama (two things I actually shy away from for the most part, ironically).
See, we all have these valleys in life. However, if we keep them completely to ourselves how can we help those in similar situations in realizing they, too are not alone? If we keep our biggest, hardest situations to ourselves, how can we spread education to those willing and ready, and those who really need it because of their own situation? When one is overwhelmed, should they not reach out and hope someone out there cares enough to reach out and help carry them when they need it? Has the high school pettiness continued into adulthood where all things are a competition, instead of reaching out and lifting up one another?
Our journey has had a specific path. Would I have chosen it? I would never have chosen the struggles on my children, but I would have chosen the lessons that have come forth. It took the struggles to teach the lessons. The lessons also transform perception. Successes are measured daily in the small moments of growth. The child who never would utter a word to most adults one day decides to speak to the cashier at the store. Big success. The child who freezes up from fear one day declares "I am scared, but I am going to do it anyways". Huge success. The child who suffered constantly with much pain and high fevers goes several months without an episode. Huge success. You learn to be grateful for those moments. It may seem small to others, but it is big to us.
It is the challenges that somehow connected us up with how important nutrition is to everyone. This led to overcoming my fear of cooking and baking and realizing full on that you do reap what you sow. I am willing to put the work into it for the benefit of my family. Even that small step of deciding to figure out this whole cooking thing (still a daily process, btw) held lessons for me: that if I believe in myself and try really, really hard, I can do it. Perseverance. Determination. Even better? It becomes a model for my children to see Mommy not giving up - for them to not only hear those words that I tell them all the time (you can do it, work hard, don't give up), but they SEE it. Sometimes actions do speak louder than words. It's a chain reaction of events and lessons and growth that becomes all entangled with one another, waiting for the next link.
So you see, there are many reasons we do what we do. You can never make assumptions as to why people do what they do. Everyone makes the best choices for their own families. Everyone has different situations, different challenges. But there is one thing we all have in common - we are brothers and sisters, all human, with the same feelings whether one wants to cover it up or shout it out to the world. So maybe it's time to pack up the competition and pick up the spirit of community and empathy.
See, we all have these valleys in life. However, if we keep them completely to ourselves how can we help those in similar situations in realizing they, too are not alone? If we keep our biggest, hardest situations to ourselves, how can we spread education to those willing and ready, and those who really need it because of their own situation? When one is overwhelmed, should they not reach out and hope someone out there cares enough to reach out and help carry them when they need it? Has the high school pettiness continued into adulthood where all things are a competition, instead of reaching out and lifting up one another?
Our journey has had a specific path. Would I have chosen it? I would never have chosen the struggles on my children, but I would have chosen the lessons that have come forth. It took the struggles to teach the lessons. The lessons also transform perception. Successes are measured daily in the small moments of growth. The child who never would utter a word to most adults one day decides to speak to the cashier at the store. Big success. The child who freezes up from fear one day declares "I am scared, but I am going to do it anyways". Huge success. The child who suffered constantly with much pain and high fevers goes several months without an episode. Huge success. You learn to be grateful for those moments. It may seem small to others, but it is big to us.
It is the challenges that somehow connected us up with how important nutrition is to everyone. This led to overcoming my fear of cooking and baking and realizing full on that you do reap what you sow. I am willing to put the work into it for the benefit of my family. Even that small step of deciding to figure out this whole cooking thing (still a daily process, btw) held lessons for me: that if I believe in myself and try really, really hard, I can do it. Perseverance. Determination. Even better? It becomes a model for my children to see Mommy not giving up - for them to not only hear those words that I tell them all the time (you can do it, work hard, don't give up), but they SEE it. Sometimes actions do speak louder than words. It's a chain reaction of events and lessons and growth that becomes all entangled with one another, waiting for the next link.
So you see, there are many reasons we do what we do. You can never make assumptions as to why people do what they do. Everyone makes the best choices for their own families. Everyone has different situations, different challenges. But there is one thing we all have in common - we are brothers and sisters, all human, with the same feelings whether one wants to cover it up or shout it out to the world. So maybe it's time to pack up the competition and pick up the spirit of community and empathy.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Power of Words
Have you said anything encouraging to someone lately? Sometimes a kind, supportive word can give wings to help someone soar, reaching their potential and becoming who they are meant to be. So often in life, the negative words from those around us can weigh us down, make it hard to believe in ourselves. If we hear something long enough, especially as a young child, you can begin to believe the lies are truth. Words DO hurt, unlike the popular childhood saying. Everyone deserves to have at least one person in their lives that help them relearn the truth of their potential and the beauty of their spirit, and once that healing takes place, imagine the possibilities of having confidence!
For others, who have suffered alone, the journey is long. Perhaps they will be lucky and find their strength on their own, through the raging storms of life, and others may let the disappointments and heartaches create an angry and sad heart, and never rise to become the person they are meant to be. Imagine if that broken soul should find just ONE person, to help them along that journey of believing in oneself.
Have you comforted someone lately? Or were you too busy with your own life or consumed in judgement towards someone who just needs an act of love? It never ceases to amaze me how often people see someone hurting and in emotional need, and they condemn them with bitter words, instead of taking time to understand compassionately and offer words or actions of hope and comfort. Sometimes we forget the humanity of those around us, from the man who made a bad choice and now sits in a jail cell, to the bully whose home life is so dysfunctional that he cries out through acts of aggression, to the girl who cries herself to sleep every night because she does not fit in and has no friends, to the mom who struggles to care for her children and is overwhelmed by life. Not everything is as it seems, you have to see beyond the layers.
Everyone has a story, and yes, everyone suffers, some more than others, but it does not take away the validity of the pain that person is enduring. It may be small to you, but to that person it could devastating. Instead of condemning them for what you consider to be weak, reach out with love, support, with comfort.
You may be a person with a strong confidence, a fortunate soul who grew up with those around you helping you to believe in yourself, offering encouragement on a regular basis. Be grateful if that is you, but do not judge those who do not have that same confidence, who life has beaten down. Share the encouragement and help give flight to their wings.
For others, who have suffered alone, the journey is long. Perhaps they will be lucky and find their strength on their own, through the raging storms of life, and others may let the disappointments and heartaches create an angry and sad heart, and never rise to become the person they are meant to be. Imagine if that broken soul should find just ONE person, to help them along that journey of believing in oneself.
Have you comforted someone lately? Or were you too busy with your own life or consumed in judgement towards someone who just needs an act of love? It never ceases to amaze me how often people see someone hurting and in emotional need, and they condemn them with bitter words, instead of taking time to understand compassionately and offer words or actions of hope and comfort. Sometimes we forget the humanity of those around us, from the man who made a bad choice and now sits in a jail cell, to the bully whose home life is so dysfunctional that he cries out through acts of aggression, to the girl who cries herself to sleep every night because she does not fit in and has no friends, to the mom who struggles to care for her children and is overwhelmed by life. Not everything is as it seems, you have to see beyond the layers.
Everyone has a story, and yes, everyone suffers, some more than others, but it does not take away the validity of the pain that person is enduring. It may be small to you, but to that person it could devastating. Instead of condemning them for what you consider to be weak, reach out with love, support, with comfort.
You may be a person with a strong confidence, a fortunate soul who grew up with those around you helping you to believe in yourself, offering encouragement on a regular basis. Be grateful if that is you, but do not judge those who do not have that same confidence, who life has beaten down. Share the encouragement and help give flight to their wings.
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