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
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
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
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
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
Blessed to be feeling well
Blessed to have time to write
Blessed with my family
Blessed to live in freedom
It’s these seemingly little things we take for granted
That affect us so much
They don’t scream at us
They whisper very softly
It’s when we lose these things
That we notice how important they are
Anytime I want to complain
I ask myself what I’m thankful for
I remind myself of the little things
And listen very carefully
December 4th, 2019
Sometimes I forget I’m fifty five
After all what is age but a number
I think what matters is how we feel
What our attitude is
How open to learning we are
How much joy and contentment we feel
What we are doing with our lives
If we’re sharing our gifts with others
Youth does not need to die
It can be transformed
Matured
Our minds are as sharp as they ever were
Our curiosity the same
Our need for adventure still alive
Our ability for being of serving others
Perhaps more
So, why do we worry about getting older?
December 3rd, 2019
Heartache
Sorrow
Feelings of guilt
For breaking someone’s heart
Tears
Flowing from her eyes
Down her cheeks…
When she thinks
She has no more tears to cry
When she thinks
She’s felt enough pain
When the future looks gray and cloudy
And the sunny days are long gone
What can she do except hang in there
What can she do except take it one day at a time?
The pain feels unbearable sometimes
But she has no choice but to go on
November 20th, 2019
What is the color of injustice?
It’s midnight black
And like the darkness of the moonless night
It wraps itself around you and starts squeezing
Injustice like a black cloth blindfolds you
And wrapped around your mouth, silences you
Injustice like a rope
Ties your hands behind your back and restricts you
Injustice is the thief that steals the light
Temporarily
But the darkness of injustice
Will give way to dawn
That day will come
November 2019
When I go through hard times
There are so many questions I ask myself
Why?
Why now?
Why again?
Didn’t I learn?
Why didn’t I see before what I see now?
Are there any good answers to these questions?
The answers are blowing in the wind
As the song says
The answers are illusive
My head becomes a jumble of thoughts
And it’s hard to make sense of it all
I can’t stop asking these questions though
I need clarity
Sometimes I need to accept the pain even though
I don’t have good answers to my questions
Sometimes all I can do is take it one day at a time
Or one hour at a time
Sometimes all I can do is to lean
On my friends and family for a while
I may never find the answers
But I will surly survive this painful experience
November 22nd, 2019
lida's musings 