Deep roots

The problems in our world have deep but simple roots

The problems, the wars, the conflicts, and the injustices

Are outward signs of a malady that we are afflicted with

And that malady is no other than the lack of recognition

Of the oneness of humanity

Not realizing that we are brothers and sisters all

That no one is better than anyone else, or more worthy

That there is no reason to see anyone as an enemy

That our prosperity is dependent on the prosperity of other nations

That co-operation is better than confrontation

Humanity is very fragmented now

Each part is looking out for its own interests

The fire of trials will eventually meld these factions together

 

January 5th, 2020

Interdependence

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Dangerous times

Critical times 

Yet snow lays so peacefully 

On the tree branches and the hills here

 

Fire burning in other lands

People fleeing from danger

Yet the trees stand so majestically 

In the landscape in front of me

 

Dishonesty and greed abound

Yet darkness starts to recede here

And daylight is on its way

 

Contrast 

Yet interdependence 

Our world is a global village now

Each part hurting affects the others

Have we learned this lesson yet?

 

January 3rd, 2020

The greatest love

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How do you stop missing someone?

Why do our emotions have such a strong hold on us?

Why can the absence of a loved one reek such havoc on us?

Maybe because when we love, we create an attachment

Which is weak or strong based on the type of love

This attachment serves us well when we are with the one we love

But take them out of the equation

And then you don’t know what to do with that empty spot

It takes time to fill that spot with other loves

Like it took time to build the love we lost

And in the meantime, how do we deal with the hole That has been created?

How do we deal with the pain of absence?

Maybe it’s by attaching ourselves to a higher power

A love that supersedes all other love

A love that is the creator of other loves

A love that won’t abandon us

An intangible love

But a powerful one

That love can fill the hole faster than other loves

That love can help us heal

That love, one that we sometimes forget to call on

 

December 28th, 2019

People

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“People come and go, that’s life”

Doesn’t mean it’s easy not to miss them

 

People come and go

Feeling the pain of separation is part of it

 

People come and go

But a few stay longer

And we create a deeper connection

 

People come and go

Their memory will always be with us

 

People come and go

Sometimes we’re the ones who go

 

People come and go

Can’t stop the movement

 

People come and go

Others will come and fill their place

 

People come and go

The circles expands

 

People come and go

But true friendships will endure

 

People come and go

Let’s keep those who are here close to us

 

December 26th, 2019

Our lives

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We all have weaknesses

It’s good to acknowledge them

But then we need to move on

And do our best to be better

Our situation may not be 

What we want it to be

But since we are here

Let’s make the best of it

Our life may have unfolded 

A little differently than we thought

But we should not lose sight 

Of the blessings that have come our way

We might not live exactly where we want to live 

But we have to look for opportunities where we are

They say, seek and you shall find

Our reality is shaped by our thoughts 

Thoughts of thankfulness bring us joy

It’s easy to yearn for what we don’t have

But difficult to be content with what we have

Our happiness is based on our attitude 

Cherishing little things, 

And not taking what we have for granted

This life is our school 

Learning our lessons what we’re here to do

 

December 26th, 2019

The other side

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It’s easier to appreciate the light
When you have spent some time in darkness

It’s easier to prize clarity of mind
If you have struggled with anxiety

It’s easier to know the value of friends
If you go through hard times and they stand by you

Darkness, anxiety, and challenges
Have their purpose in our lives

But sometimes it’s easier to see the value
Once we are on the other side

December 20th, 2019

Create your reality

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When a negative thought comes your way
Replace it with a positive one
Don’t give in to it
Turn your head the other way
When you are about to complain
Think about what you are thankful for

Noble thoughts
Lofty thoughts
Loving thoughts
Create a positive reality
Nothing has changed
Except our attitude
And what we have chosen to focus on

Our thoughts are powerful
We need to stir them in the direction of optimism, high mindedness and gratitude

December 18th, 2019

Stigma

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We are considered weak by some

Defective, strange and to be avoided by others 

It looks like we don’t try hard enough and

Don’t have the determination to beat our condition

 

Whereas to not give up hope 

During the dark days of depression 

Requires a herculean effort 

As well as the support of family and friends

 

To get up each day knowing that a struggle is ahead 

And march on anyway

To endure the pain of depression 

A pain that cuts deep

 

To reach out to others

When all we want to do is isolate ourselves further

To pursue treatment that is not one size fits all

And to smile from time to time

And carry on with our responsibilities and obligations 

 

These are qualities of a courageous, patient and determined person 

Who doesn’t give up despite the challenges she faces

For days and sometimes months on end

 

So please don’t think we are weak

Have compassion for us

And be part of the group of people

Who help reduce the stigma 

 

December 15th, 2019

Coloring our lives

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The things that give color to our lives

During gray days, are:

Friendship with people who lift us up and inspire us

People whose positive energy can be felt 

People who make us smile

 

Creating art

Getting lost in the act of creation

And forgetting all else

 

Listening to music which is

“The ladder of the soul”

 

Prayer and meditation 

Going to that unknowable place

We all come from

And basking in its light and warmth 

 

Being helpful to others 

Why is it that when we do that

We smile and feel joy in our hearts?

 

Spending time in nature

The vast creation that surrounds us

Marveling at its beauty and grandeur 

 

Traveling

Finding ourselves in new places

With new people 

Who may see things differently from us

Recalibrating how we see the world

 

I’m sure there are other things that

Color our lives

These are only a few that come to mind

 

December 7th, 2019

Today’s news

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Our world seems like a very dark place at times

Injustice prevails

Rights are trampled on

People are silenced

The fear of the other persists 

It saddens the heart to read the news

Greed, abuse of power and crime the topics we see

Sometimes sprinkled in there is a little good news

But mostly bad news is what we hear

How can we deal with this darkness?

How can we keep hope alive?

Individually, I think

All we can do is to contribute to the light

Do acts of kindness without being asked

Encourage those around us

Take part in positive projects and

Raise children who will do the same

We can’t eliminate darkness 

But we stay optimistic and work towards better times

December 6th, 2019