Use Your Words
Two kids play in the sandbox until one wants the toy the other has and helps himself. Dispossessed kid shoves the other to reclaim the toy. “Use your words, child!” Happy family out to dinner and the time is getting late. Junior fidgets, whines then tantrums. “Use your words, child!” Children changing classes through crowded halls. One […]
Thank you tosses and goes, Gratitude stays and helps
“I can say what I want. It’s a free country!” the kid said, shoving his friend a little harder than a friend shoves a friend. The rest of us standing in line to board the flight pretended not to notice these boys ‘doing what boys do’. That kid is feeling pretty free. I’m thinking he probably has […]
God Bless America: The verse we have forgotten
Did you know that God Bless America doesn’t start with the words God Bless America? There is a verse preceding the chorus we know as the song. It is a preamble, if you will, or a statement of intention about the words to be sung. This is how God Bless America really begins: “While the storm […]
Pure Joy! It’s Your Party!
It’s complete pandemonium, folks! The crowd roars as the team is announced. They break into song as the players stride to the podium. The roar is deafening as they hoist the championship trophy. It is ours. After decades of waiting and a lifetime of work, we have won it! Pure joy! This is the scene as […]
Life is a Workshop
“Life is a workshop; the crafting of our soul is our own work to do. We are all pieces of creation, of clay, into which we are asked to breathe life. It is ours to work that clay.” ~ Dee Dee Risher in The Soulmaking Room Work that clay… Not, take that clay to the gym and […]
What is Silence?
Silence. not, “Quiet!” not, “Enough already!” not, “Shut the ____ up!” These leave a ringing in the ears that deafens. Dulls the senses. Obliterates the moment. Castigates the quiet. Silence, you are not this. Silence, neither are you the quiet left by absence, which shutters the senses. You ring hollow, mournful, empty. Silence, you are […]
In a breath, out a prayer
*As you inhale, breathe in God’s love. As you exhale, let go of anything blocking that love. . . . . Cool. Crisp. Moist. Expansive Stretching Full Hold it Hold it Can’t. Won’t. Must! Hissssss His. * Karla M. Kincannon, in Creativity and Divine Surprise.
How would life look if we became the change we want to see?
How quick are we to fantasize how life might be, if only what we wished for were true. If life were different, I would be successful. If life were different, I would be recognized. If life were different, I would be loved the way I want to be loved. If life were different. What might […]
Take Away Everything
Where does the time go? What happened to my days? They’re endless What happened to my weekends? They’re overrun What happened to my vacation? It’s absent What’s become of the order in my life? Oh Child, I did not create the clock, You did. I did not create weekdays and weekends, You did. I did […]
Not Your Usual Bouncer
Ready…go! Each set off at his own pace with her own rhythm in their own style. Bounce.. bounce…. bounce. bounce…boun..ce bounceee.. bou..bbounce Tennis balls, in their joy and merriment, leaping and playing, of their own accord. Until bounce..bounce.bounce..bounce..bounce.bounce..bounce. Became bounce.bounce.bounce.bounce. They were finished, then. Fallen in, Rank and file, Orderly. Procession. Oh, the sound. Calling […]