Ramblings by Dawn: January 2012

Monday, January 23, 2012

Tending The Garden

a child is born

loved

nurtured

cherished

taught

grows

a child reaches out

makes a friend

learns to share

learns to care

plants a seed

starts a garden

Alexandra has made a new friend. A whole new world of experiences has opened up to her. She asks about Abby all the time. She is sad when she goes home. She can hardly wait to see her again. Alexandra is already aware of the importance of friends in her life.

As adults, I fear we lose some of that awareness. We get busy with life. We get caught up in the "busy-ness" of our day. Perhaps we should take a lesson from the children. Is it time to tend the garden?

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Out Of Hiding

i've been hiding

wrapped up tight

tossing and turning

my hair's a fright

i am blinded

by the light

if you touch me

i may bite

i am wounded

i can't fight

if you push me

i'll take flight

i hear your words

my heart ignites

inside my chest

a riot incites

i feel your love

as it invites

my soul to step

outside it's plight

i look back

i feel contrite

to leave this place

would bring delight

but something's amiss

something's not quite right

so here i stay

for one more night

Sometimes life's path leads us through trials, missteps and disappointments that wound our heart and soul. It is not uncommon to pull away and build a safe space for ourselves. This works for awhile. And can give our hearts time to heal. The most difficult part of this strategy is stepping back out into the world, reaching out once again. Sometimes the wounds are so deep that a simple statement, a tone of voice, a harmless gesture can send us running back to our safe place. It takes courage to reach out. Courage wavers in the shadow of a wounded soul.

When you see a wounded soul, be kind. Remember they are still healing. And healing takes time. Compassion and understanding can help the wounded souls rediscover their courage.

If you are a wounded soul, i hope you find your courage once again. I hope you find kindness, compassion, understanding and love that heals your wounds.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Never Quite The Same

nice and neat

perfectly wound

spring in my step

energy abounds

i slink down the stairs

and stretch out far

make fun noises

i am a star

i love to play

i don't care how

i snap right back

at least 'til now

life has taken

a funny turn

i'm twisted and tangled

and a bit concerned

i've lost my shape

i can't spring back

my mind is slipping

fear i will crack

i am stretched

and out of shape

need some love

perhaps some tape

along the way

i've been off track

there are things

i can't take back

i take some time

unwind the knots

cleanse my heart

wipe out the spots

now i know

it's not a game

and i will never

be quite the same

Alexandra thinks that her GG is magic and can fix anything. Oh how I wish it were true. When she handed me the tangled slinky and said "fix it, GG, fix it", I tried. I was able to get the tangles out. But, the slinky certainly did not look the same.

As we walk our life's path we should remember the slinky. You can stretch it and pull it. You can walk it down the stairs. But when it gets tangled, it will never be the same. We allow things to get us all tied in knots, we make questionable choices, we don't pay attention to where our life is headed. All of these things can tangle our hearts and our souls. As a result, we are never quite the same.

So as you walk through your day, consider the slinky.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Winds of Change

i love the wind

the gentle breeze

the forceful gust

the blowing leaves

the icy chill

i love the wind

it brings a change

a new adventure

a fresh perspective

a promise for the future

i love the wind

it steals my breath

it awakens my senses

it tussles my hair

it cools me down

i love the wind

it reminds me

to keep moving

let go of my sorrows

and reach for tomorrow

There are times that I wish I could hang onto a moment in my life forever. But if I did, it would lose its value. There are times, painful times that seem to last far too long. Either way, I am always thankful for the winds that bring a change in my life. I cherish the precious moments. And I release the painful times while holding onto the lessons learned. I love the wind.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Master Of The Game

life is a game

or so you say

and you believe

we all should play

you set the rules

you make the moves

then your surprised

when you lose

you treat people

like a pawn

look around

and they are gone

you change the rules

you twist the game

and find someone else

to take the blame

your mistake

right from the start

was playing games

with someone's heart

now they are gone

and you're in pain

thoughts are swirling

in your brain

now your life

goes up in flames

as they become

master of the game

When it comes to matters of the heart or life in general, we should not play games. Ultimately, when you play games with someone's heart yours will also be wounded in the fray. When we are hurt and strike out in retaliation wounds become deeper, scars more permanent. When we allow ourselves to react without thought or consideration everyone loses. When it comes to matters of the heart, don't play. When it comes to life, don't play. Live it.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

I Know A Man

i know a man

a godly man

compassion in his heart

a patient man

understanding is his art

a loving man

wisdom he imparts

a forgiving man

believes in a fresh start

a humble man

simply doing his part

i know a man

he is my dad

and when you say

i am like him

my heart is truly glad

Through the years I have watched my dad reach out to so many people. I have watched him mourn with them, celebrate with them, guide them and comfort them. There were times as a child I was jealous of the time he spent with other people. But most of the time, I was amazed by how much he touched their lives simply by loving them. He encouraged people to be themselves. He taught them be their very best. He helped them discover new talents. He applauded every success.

Yesterday I was blessed to watch an outpouring of appreciation and love for dad and his life's work. I watched video greetings from around the world. I looked at cards from all over the United States. I visited with people representing so many years of ministry. My dad was surprised, overwhelmed and speechless. When he finally found words, "I was just doing what I thought was right".

To all of you who contributed to this occasion, thank you for honoring my dad. It was a blessing for him and for my entire family. Blessings to each of you and your families.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Idea

big plans

great ideas

sparks of genius

epiphany

light bulb

and yet

useless

until you

execute the plan

act on the idea

add fuel to the fire

acknowledge the lesson

screw in the light bulb

It is one thing to know what you should do or could do. It is another entirely to actually do it. Let your genius show. Let the world see your unique inspiration. Let your light shine.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Inspiration

inspire

light a fire

spark an idea

encourage the impossible

reach beyond limits

step out of the box

throw the box away

be bold

radiate confidence

emanate hope

saturate your life with love

let it freely flow

wherever you may go

bathe in inspiration

inspire your world

What inspires you? Not what drives you. If you are driven, you are being pushed. To be inspired is to reach for something, to move forward, to progress. So what inspires you? What lights the fire that burns in your soul? What releases your passion? What encourages you to dream big? Whatever it is, chase it, reach for it, hold onto it. And then, share with the world around you so they may be inspired too. Inspiration breeds hope, possibilities and growth. We need more inspiration.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

It Only Takes One

one more

just one

come on

give me just one

it doesn't matter which one

just one

that is all i need

please just one

only one

any one

but please

give me one

Ever feel like life is teasing you? Do you play the if only game? If only I had done it yesterday. If only I had left sooner. If only I had listened. If only I had been quicker. If only.... Sometimes it can be discouraging. Sometimes it feels like you are just missing the mark. Don't give up. You are where you are, and you are who you are. It only becomes a tragedy if you quit. Keep going, the one may be just around the next corner.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Magic

magic is in the air

i feel it everywhere

blowing through the trees

living beneath the seas

the glory of the rising sun

letting me know the day's begun

in the laughter of a child

in the kindness of a smile

glowing from the flowers bright

sparkling in evening's starlight

flowing through an outstretched hand

rising from a fertile land

magic magic in the air

i can feel it everywhere

for true magic to descend

you must believe my friend

to find your magic simply start

by looking deep inside your heart

Don't you just love the feeling of magic in the air? Those days when all is right with the world. The days when things do go your way. All too often we allow ourselves to believe it is just not our day. We don't believe in magic anymore.

Do you want the magic back? Spread some around. Take a seed of kindness, compassion and love share it with another. Watch it grow. It is magic. It is within you.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Angels In Our Midst

have you seen the angels

they are everywhere

you will find them

in a smile

a helping hand

a kind word

when you are down

have you seen the angels

they are in are midst

you will feel them

give you strength

lift your spirits

touch your heart

when you feel forgotten

have you seen the angels

there's one in the mirror

you can join their chorus

offer some encouragement

spread a little cheer

touch the world around you

and love will be your wings

When we reach out to those around us, we spark kindness and compassion. That kindness and compassion comes back to us when we are in need. Looking for an angel army? Join up and you will have angels at every turn.

Up A Creek

up a creek

going with the flow

up a creek

without a paddle

up a creek

and not using

your paddle

There are times that life leaves us feeling as if we have no control. However, more often then not, we just have to find the paddle we were given. Perhaps we need to quit focusing on the creek and search for the paddle.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Routine

when everything

looks the same

when your life

becomes routine

when one day

runs into another

when boredom

rules your domain

add a little love

love stands out

Often we go through our daily life without truly appreciating what is around us. We take our family, our job, our homes for granted. When routine has stolen your joy, step back, look through the eyes of love. Things will become new again.

Each day is a gift. When we add love to each day, joy becomes our companion. And we travel with a unfettered heart. Need a change? Add love to every moment of every day.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Feathers

i've made mistakes

taken wrong paths

said the wrong thing

done things i regret

but i don't sweat it

they are just feathers

that make me unique

each one was a lesson

each one is a part

of the person i am

they're a piece of my heart

i carry these feathers

for awhile

to grow and change

i wear them with style

when the lesson is learned

they float through the air

taking my troubles

and the wisdom i share

should you see my feather

go floating by

i don't need it back

for i've learned to fly

Why is it that we choose to see our mistakes as weights and chains? We drag them around and allow them to hinder our spirits. Although there are some mistakes I wish I hadn't made, I am thankful for the person I am today as a result of those mistakes. I am who I am today. And I am a delight, a little odd, a colorful individual with deep understanding. Most of who I am is a result of the lessons learned in the life I have lived. I will be a better person tomorrow because of the feathers of today. And my troubles and my mistakes, they will float away. I am free to fly. Are you?

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Ode To The Monkeys

monkey see

monkey do

makes you wonder

what inspired the first monkey

a monkey wrench

in the works

causes us to see differently

a new perspective

a creative solution

nit picking

monkeys

teaches us to care

to reach out to others

to pick the nits

that can't be reached

hear no evil

see no evil

speak no evil

wise little monkeys

climbs like a monkey

fearless

determined

reaching new heights

ten little monkeys

jumping on the bed

taking a risk

having some fun

one falls off

the others keep jumping

wisdom of the monkeys

in a nutshell

take a chance

have some fun

be brave

change your approach

help a brother out

keep climbing

and avoid evil

smart little monkeys

Ever since Alexandra was a baby, we have called her monkey. Why it started I couldn't say. It does seem to be an appropriate term for my adventurous granddaughter. She climbs everything without fear, she mimics everything she sees and hears, and she has an incredible curiosity. She know no fear, she looks for alternative ways to accomplish whatever her goals are and she is very kind hearted. She is quick to help and often wants to do things her own way. I hope that she never loses these characteristics. In fact, I hope to learn to be more of a monkey myself. How about you?