Tag: peace

What do I tell my grandchildren now?

August 15, 2018

Ever since I became a grandmother all I think about is my grandchildren’s future and if life will be good for them. I fear that they will not have access to the same natural resources that I had as a youngster because we have abused the planet and mother nature for so long. I dread the moment that I will have to explain to them why some people hurt and hate other people. How do you explain that some people suffer so much because they have different beliefs.

I saw a television ad for an organization that helps children that are very ill cope with their sickness. Many of them are at risk of a short life expectancy. The infomercial made me weep. I thanked God my grandchildren are all healthy. The images presented are difficult to watch. Especially when so many children die because they do not have the adequate medical care.

But then it hit me. What will I tell them when they see tragic events or when they witness hatred and bigotry? What will I tell them when they are faced with bullying?

I remember talking to my children about these issues when they were growing up but I feel like it is all different now. There are more instances of tragic events related to bigotry, hatred, drugs, and natural catastrophe. It may be that I am simply older, and do not have the emotional strength to deal with all that happens these days.

I wrote this poem to read to my grandchildren when the time comes I may have to explain that bad things happen.

I would like your opinion if you have grandchildren or young children.

 

Well, I’ll tell you children

what you saw happen

just happens

and sometimes

we cannot prevent bad things from happening.

Sometimes all we could do is hope;

Sometimes all we can do is try to cope;

Sometimes you will need to question.

 

Many times you will feel helpless

But do not let yourself feel hopeless my darlings;

do not let fear disarm you.

 

Believe that you can be strong

Learn the difference between right and wrong

and never make others feel they do not belong.

 

My sweet children

all I can tell you today

is that tomorrow will be a better day,

because you will help make it so.

 

Only you can be the change

Only you can make the difference

and always remember

love is very powerful.

 

Love yourself

and others too

and always, always remember

Grandma loves you too.

 

 

A Shrinking Feeling

July 21, 2018

 

A shrinking feeling overwhelms me;

the giant issues that surround

the world

suffocate and diminish my spirit slowly.

Will we survive?

Will this craziness pass?

Will we ever find the door

that leads to the garden of love

and peace?

 

Let us be strong again;

Let us believe again;

We must survive

the lunacy,

the autocratic greed,

the narcissistic need to lead

blindly, arrogantly, foolishly,

and selfishly.

We must believe that we are truly one.

 

 

 

 

 

Quote

September 18, 2017

“A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than knowledge that is Idle.”                                              -Kahlil Gibran

Way too many of us have acted on the knowledge we have acquired in our lives. But many of us are as idle as an old Jalopy. The world is being tortured emotionally with so many threats. It seems that even Mother nature insists on teaching us some valuable lessons about caring and loving each other. It seems that it is only when she decides to come storming in to shake us up that we respond and act with kindness and selflessness.

Many people are facing a new weather threat with more hurricanes traveling the same path of Hurricane Irma. God help those small helpless islands and the people already devastated.

It seems to me that we have collectively acquired sufficient knowledge about the atmosphere and weather patterns to help people protect themselves better. We know that we need to protect the environment more as individuals, thus acting on the “little knowledge” we have to help avoid infinite repercussions.

“The universe is transformation. Our life is what out thoughts make it.”- Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor and philosopher in 121-180 AD. His thought was full of knowledge and insight. Yet, we continue to toss negatively around like the hurricane does when it attacks full speed. We are the universe. We are what our thoughts make us.

I hope our thoughts can somehow sync with each other to make our world a better place; I hope we can sync our positive ideas because they can no longer be idle. For the greater good our “little knowledge” must grow into a harvest infinitely. Let’s do it.

 

 

More On Mindfulness

July 27, 2017

 

Out of no where I began humming “One Moment Time”,  a song made popular by the late Whitney Houston during the 1988 Summer Olympics. It dawned on me that I was going back to a special one moment that was and has been very meaningful to me. It was the song chosen by my students to sing at their high school graduation.  I was one of the teachers in charge of a high school graduation at the time.

The moment I played back in my mind was when the students were called up to receive their diplomas. They were all so proud of what they had achieved. Most of them had been labeled at-risk and they were so proud they had made it to graduation. These moments are the ones that matter to a teacher, parent or grand parent. It is a moment in time that does not escape one’s memory very easily.

I suppose this is a good example of what mindfulness is all about. That moment in time was to create awareness of all things around us and our own self awareness.   It was the culmination of many instances that lead to the to it.

“Mindfulness is being aware of or bringing attention to this moment in time deliberately and without judging the experience.” Thus I must have been aware of many of the details of that particular event.

I must admit however, that it is a little more difficult these days to be mindful and focused in the moment.  Eckhart Tolle, author of The New Earth  urged us “to be in the present or in the now” where each moment counts.

In my book, Haiku Moments I try to exemplify my ideas on mindfulness with the moments expressed in haiku and some of the photographs that connected to those moments.

But again focusing on the present moment is not easy these days. There are too many distractions. However, the challenge is ours to stay focused, grounded and still. It may be that we  need to start talking to each other face to face. We need to get rid of our devices and basically stay disconnected but at the same time making ourselves available to others.

Mindfulness to me means holding yourself captive so that nothing else matters.Here is my poem about mindfulness:

One moment in time

It is a magical moment,

one that you can never live again.

It is a moment well spent with a friend,

it is a time to make of yourself a masterpiece.

So that others take you in as their special moment.

A moment in time

is a deep breath

to cleanse the body

and build a spirit.

One moment in time

may connect you with your soul mate

It is a dance in which missing a step will

stop the music playing.

 

One moment in time is a time to be

mindful and calm,

still and in tune with nature

and your being.

It will be a “time to be free.”

Hopefully it will be the one moment for Peace and Love.

Please let me know what mindfulness is to you.

 

 

 

 

The Landscapes of My Mind

July 23, 2017

Sometimes I go to my favorite place;

silently and all alone.

no fancy name given

no signs to direct me there

no houses, no people

simply a natural space

in which to roam.

 

If ever you should need to go there

I will gladly show you the way

but there is one thing I must say

all you really need is to close your eyes

take three deep breaths

and wish yourself away.

 

* I often have dreams where I am just walking through beautiful and peaceful landscapes. The painting is one that depicts my latest dream.

 

 

 

On Meditation

July 17, 2017

Meditation brings us closer to the silence

we all need right now

the more silent and still

the more awareness grows

like wild ferns in the deep forest.

 

Peace evolves from within:

the soul develops hardy muscles

to keep depression out;

like a great cyclone fence

it protects,

but still lets the sun rays dance around you.

Meditation energizes;

it brings back the pep in your step.

Breathe the Yoga Master commands

Breathe and let your heart sing

as you meet all your soulmates.

Breathe and be still

the thrill

will

elevate you

high up

and soon

you will feel

the clouds.

Breathe!

Peace to all.

 

 

 

 

 

“You Only Live Once Kiddo”

July 1, 2017

My brother passed away 21 years ago to the day and just two days before his passing we had a very long telephone conversation. I did not know it then but he was saying goodbye. We talked about everything. The one thing that still resonates is what he said a few minutes before we finished our long talk, “You only live once kiddo.”

I am reminded every day that life is too short and that we must live the present, the now,  mindful of what matters the most to us. We must make time to look at the view and relish the beauty right smack in front of you. Learn to shut-off the electronics for a while and use the time devoted to keeping up with your Facebook posts to actually talk with you family members. We post the most attractive messages to share with friends but how often do we say those sentiments face to face. Out loud?

I painted the following and called it happiness. Take a deep breath, and be happy. Don’t wait until tomorrow because “you only live once kiddo” and life is too darn short. Peace!

 

Does it Matter What the Groundhog Sees?

February 2, 2017

Does it matter what the groundhog sees,

in times of such uncertainty?

Spring will be eventually.

Daffodils, and pink peonies bloom endlessly

and I for one hope eternally.

Nature promises to be true.

All we need to do is do

what matters the most

and happiness will be our host.

Complexities in life will not cease

But if we love well

meaning love each other

only time will tell

the human spirit will survive

and cultivate a new sping,

and harmony within,

clear and still alive.

God help us all to realize

that it does not matter

what the Groundhog sees.

Peace is up to you and me.

tulipanes

 

 

 

Soft Commotion and Jubilation

February 1, 2017

jubilation

Soft commotion

and jubilation

comes at a cost;

we must free ourselves

of negative thoughts;

even the ones we produce on our own,

certainly those grim ideas pronounced

on loud speakers by others.

It seems these days,

the loud speakers are louder than ever.

We know their truth and legitimacy.

there is no doubt.

FEAR suppresses the soul;

But I need a thousand colorful

and unbustable bubbles

to help me smile, sing,

and dance,

I need soft commotion and jubilation.

Don’t you?

Join me at least for today.