Tag Archive | joy

In an imperfect world…

Nov22

We can try as hard as we can
Read as many self-help books as possible
Attend workshops on relationships and communication…
But our world will still be a messy place
Conflict will not go away
Pain will not disappear
Anguish will still come our way

I’m not saying we should not try
All I’m saying is don’t expect perfection if you try
100% effort does not always result in an A+
Our world is imperfect
Even unjust
But we are resilient
We will survive

The image of a happy life being
A problem free life is for me no more
Problems are here to challenge us
Teach us, help us grow

Pain is unavoidable in life
Even those we love
We hurt sometimes
But we are resilient
We will survive

I’ll try to relish the joys in life
Live with the pain
Accept that our world
Is an imperfect place
And we are the imperfect inhabitants
Doing our best!

Lida Berghuis
November 22nd, 2012

I’m home

Oct28

I’m home

I’m home and I feel surrounded by love
I’m home and I can lay my burden down
I’m home and I can recount my trials
I’m home and I thank the heavens above
I’m home and there is no room for pretense
I’m home and I can be myself

I come here tired and spent
I leave here feeling refreshed and alive
I come with a heavy heart
I leave with joy and delight

I come covered by the dust of the world
I leave free from it all
In our lives, hectic and rushed
This is a place of peace and calm

Your spirit is present in each room
It envelopes my weary soul
Refreshed and consoled I leave here today
Thankful for this piece of heaven on earth

Lida Berghuis
October 26th, 2012
At the Maxwell home in Montreal

Smile

Jan26

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Smile and world will smile at you
Open your arms and the world will receive you

Radiate good thoughts
Good will come your way
Be generous
You will be rewarded

The positive vibes you send out
Attract goodness no doubt
The warmth you impart
Will be your own reward

We don’’t give to receive
We give because it brings joy
Give generously
And happiness will be yours

There is always weakness
And darkness if you look for it
Why waste that energy
No need for it

The most flawed person
Has something that can be praised
Focus on that
Leave the rest!

January 5th, 2012
Lida Berghuis

Telling heals…

Oct29

Sometimes I wonder why I write so often
Why I tell the story of my days and share my thoughts
There are many answers of course
Today I read somewhere, “It’’s the telling that heals

When I talk of sorrow
Some of it leaves
When I talk of tests and trials
They acquire meaning
Sorrow is transformed into joy
Trials transform into lessons learned

Telling heals
That’’s why a conversation
With a beloved friend
Is the best medicine for me

Telling heals
Emotion is released
The story that was trapped within
And caused me pain
Can finally leave

So, I’’ll tell my story
And you can tell yours
To be healed
To be consoled

And next time you’’re listening
To a friend’’s story
You know that you are part
Of the healing!

Lida Berghuis
October 29th, 2011

If

Aug22

If you expect perfection
Don’’t come here
This is the abode of the imperfect

If you expect a smooth ride
Don’’t come here
This is the abode of challenges and trials

If you expect quick results
Don’’t come here
Only the patient will survive

If you expect rest and comfort
Don’’t come here
This is where one must strive

If you expect clarity
Don’’t come here
This is the home of questions and thought

If you can’t take pain
Don’’t come here
Pain is a part and parcel of this lot

If you aren’t persistent
Don’’t come here
Only the steadfast will thrive

This is the abode of the imperfect
The student, the one tried
This is the abode of joy and love
Where there are rainstorms and sunshine

Lida Berghuis
August 21st 2011

Now I know why I love poetry!

Aug18

Now I know why I love poetry
Because I can be free a as a bird
I can rhyme or not rhyme
I can be serious or silly
I can discuss material or spiritual stuff
I can discuss anything, or nothing at all

Now I know why I love poetry
Because it sets my spirit free
I can travel anywhere
I can meditate on anything
I am free to be who I am
There aren’’t many rules to restrict me

Now I know why I love poetry
Because it saved me when I was lost
It consoled me when I felt lonely
It made me realize what’’s important in life
It brought me joy and helped me fly

I felt enclosed in the cage of tradition at times
Always yearning for freedom
Poetry is what opened the gate
And let the bird of my spirit out!

Lida Berghuis
August 17th, 2011

If my heart was a suitcase

Apr24

If my heart was a suitcase
That could only fit five things

In my heart I’’d keep love…
Love for beauty
Love for fun
Love for my friends and family
Love for light

In my heart I’’d keep, joy…
Joy of wonder
Joy of creativity
Joy of travel
Joy of wisdom

In my heart I’’d keep freedom
Freedom to be me
Freedom to share my thoughts
Freedom to learn and grow
Freedom to explore

In my heart I’’d keep music
Music of poetry and song
Music of nature songs
Music of the world
Music for my soul

In my heart I’’d keep kindness
Kindness to you and me
Kindness to melt the hearts
Kindness to share and give
Kindness to grow and thrive

If my heart was a suitcase
These are the things I would take along

Lida Berghuis
April 24th, 2011

Make me laugh!

Apr5

If you want to make me happy
Make me laugh!
Don’’t need expensive gifts
Or a Caribbean cruise
Just make me laugh!

If you want me to pay attention
Make me laugh!
Don’’t need fancy power points
Or audiovisual aids
Just make me laugh

If you want me to be your friend
Make me laugh
Laughter binds hearts
Like nothing else can

I have nothing against crying
Or being serious
But there is enough of that
Make me laugh!

Laughter is healing
Laughter is the best medicine
We all know that
So give me my vitamins
Make me laugh!

Lida Berghuis
April 4th, 2011

Nicki does not discriminate!

Mar4

Nicki does not discriminate
Old or young, boy or girl, friend or stranger
To him, it’’s all the same!
To him, what matters is the
Human factor!
He will talk to anyone
He will become engaged from the start
His enthusiasm and charm
Disarms whoever comes his way
He is accepted right away
He is admitted to the group
And pretty soon
He’’s at the centre
Giving ideas, listening with care
Making you smile
And blowing you away!

And all this he does
Without trying hard
He is almost oblivious
To his own charm
I overhear him talking
To Nat’’s friends
I have to smile
How did he join them?
What does he have to say
To seventeen year old girls?

I look over
And I see his face
So intense!
He is so present
He’’s all there!
He’’s engaged
A bottle of joy
A bottle of charm
Full of energy
Full of life
Who would not want
To be around
This essence of joy
This fountain of love?

Lida Berghuis
March 4th, 2011

The colour of contentment

May26

What is the colour of contentment?
Pale pink
Like the petals of a flower
Stretched out in the spring sun
It’s easy on the eyes
Soothing to the soul
Contentment is one of my goals in life

What’ is the colour of gratitude?
Bright orange like the rays of the sun
It comes out in the morning
As I wake up

What is the colour of persistence?
dark blue
It’s a colour I haven’t been using much
But I intend to…

What is the colour of the spirit?
Pure white…
This colour enchants us
And transports us to another wold
This is my favorite colour of all

What is the colour of creativity?
It’’s crimson red
Like the colour of molten lava
That flows from the depth of
Our hearts

What’ is the colour of joy?
Bright red, like flames of fire
In the night sky
It warms, it delights
It brings us together
Like laughter or a heartfelt hug!

What is the colour of serenity?
Off white
Pure like spirit, gentle and kind
Serenity comes from wisdom

What is the colour of diversity?
The colours of the rainbow in the sky
The rainbow of diversity ends in
The pot of gold
I appreciate diversity
It’s in my blood!

Lida Berghuis
March 25th, 2010