Giving

The majority of anxiety that continually buzzes in and around every country is created by humans.

We each are offered the opportunity to choose to be the type of human who brings peace to the our world.

During this season of giving, why not intentionally give love, give joy, and give peace to those we know and to those we happen upon.

Who knows... a soulful gift may change the world. At the very least, it will lessen the anxiety we all feel.

Be True

In the night, when there is no one to see the image I project, my soul speaks.

She calls to me; cries for me, "Be real. Be true. Be you."

Although my ear may hear, my heart must choose.

Courage, and nothing less, is required for me to respond. Yet, it will take nothing more than knowing I am loved for me to simply be who I am.

Flawed, imperfect, and beautifully loved.

Holding within my being the ability to not only receive goodness, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, and love, but to become the beloved.

Become the beloved who gives away those very same things to the world, who is also called the beloved.

Be real. Be true. Be you. The world joins with our souls and cries out for our authenticity.

Love one another.

A Mile in My Own Shoes

Today, I walked a mile in my own shoes, and I wondered what I missed because of the familiarity of my soles.

Today, I walked a mile in my own shoes, Doc Martins, earth tones, and flannel in the midst of heels, flair, hair, and makeup.

Today, I walked a mile in my own shoes, and when I arrived home, I soaked my feet in salted waters.

Today, I walked a mile in my own shoes, and I pondered the other souls in my life, I felt grateful they march to a different drummer.

Today, after I walked a mile in my own shoes, I was thankful I don't wear heels. 

The Enemy of Our Soul

My house remains empty. I have no connections, though I collect humans like knick knacks; they clutter my being with their mundanity. Nothing and everything crowds me.

They say I am evil, I am insane. No, I say, I am them. Mirrors don't lie; images do. No matter how one looks at it, I am hell. I haunt myself with images of my prey. My words are mere reflections of their dark hearts. I am sanely crazy. I am my mission. My eyes ever seek those whom I will devour.

I'm resting now, though not in peace. Never peace. I'm dreaming of war where weapons are words inspired by hatred. War is my playground. The only place I can be. I am living death. I am the fire which fuels hatred. I tempt the wounded just as I tempted the wounder.

With every accusation I thrive. Lies are my dear, dear children. You and I, we are family. Yet, I am ever empty. I continually thirst. I gag on your naivete; the bile is ever so sweet.

Never will I be finished. I'll draw the life from mankind, one breath at a time. I am Acheron, the river of woe. Woe is nothing more than me. I laugh at calamity. I laugh at pain. I laugh at you. I.. I... I... what? What's this? What are you doing? What? No, no, no, no, no! You rob me when you forgive your enemy. You banish me when you love.

Yet, let one miniscule offence capture your attention, and I will return. I will exploit a wound until the wounded becomes the wounder. All it takes is a dash of pride.

Yes, I will be back. Never peace. Never hope. Never love. No. Never. I live in the darkness of your making. Feel free to judge everyone... except, of course, yourself. We'll have no humility here. Humility is weakness in disguise. Remember your rights. Others thwart what should be yours. Take it back by force. Yes, that's right. Come closer. Warm yourself by my fires. There's always room for rage.

How easy it is to deceive. How easy it is to lead the offended into pride. I am the enemy of your soul, yet I masquerade myself as vengeance. Oh, righteous indignation, how I thrive on you. How I exploit with imaginations of a righteous vengeance.

I am the accusor, the father of lies. You are welcomed to mimic me. Be my voice. That's right, be my voice, sweet bile of mine.

I am the enemy of your soul. 

A Kindness Tapped on the Window of My Soul

A kindness tapped on the window of my soul. The echo sent caution down my spine.
I was reminded of the bird who called at my pane... tapping, "I'm with you; all will be fine."

I gazed at my visitor with questioning eyes. And timidly opened the window.
Kindness flew in and entered my heart...
As I welcomed the blessings bestowed.

Fear not, my friend, when birds come to call. Like those who tap on your door.
A kind deed is truly an amazing gift.
Yet their friendship is so much more.

Is There Hope For The Future?

Conversations regarding:

Is There Hope For The Future?

1: Can't see it happening;
We've not met yet.

2: Yeah, I don't know you.

1: I am your neighbor.

2: How can it be that
We don't trust one another?

1: We're the same.

2: But
We're different.

1: It's obvious
Yet, we're all human.

2: We identify with groups;
Not people.

1: We love our beliefs,
But we've remained strangers.

2: We're both lonely.

1&2: Yes, we have need of one another.

                             ***

1: Yes, we have need of one another;
We're both lonely.

2: But we've remained strangers.

1: We love our beliefs;
Not people.

2: We identify with groups;
Yet, we're all human.

1: It's obvious
We're different.

2: But
We're the same;
We don't trust one another.

1: How can it be that
I am your neighbor?

2: Yeah, I don't know you.

1&2: We've not met yet;
Can't see it happening.

                             ***

Same words; different outcome. Which conversation do you fall into?

Treating Others Kindly

It's easy to fall into the rut of condemning others, known or unknown, for their opinions that are contrary to our own.

I know this to be true because I trip over my calloused words more often than I'd like to admit. So I have to ask myself, "Would I treat someone I love and respect, one who holds a different opinion than me, the same way I'm about to treat this other person, whether they are a stranger or friend?"

The odds are I will speak my mind to my loved one, but I hope, at least, I will try to do so with some sensativity.

It's my hope as I journey in social media that I will learn to extend that same grace to every person I come across.

These are volital times, they will not change on their own. We all have a part to play. I want to do better. I want to elevate kindness over my desire to win an argument.
I want the people I come in contact with to be valued higher than my  ever-changing thoughts and ideas. It might be that I only have one chance to represent myself. I'd rather the other person walk away and at least think about my words because I showed kindness than dismiss them because I was an ass.

I know at times I have fallen short of my desires, and for those times, I ask for your forgiveness. In the future, I will try to do better.