Monthly Archives: July 2016

Nature Helps Us Find Our Way Home.

31 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by in Photos, Poetry, Psychology, spirituality

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Found on Facebook Timeline on 7-31-16. Taken by Johanna Hurand.

Found on Facebook Timeline on 7-31-16. Taken by Johanna Hurand.

Nature speaks a language of the heart

That can’t be silenced by man’s greed.               

Found on Facebook Timeline on 7-31-16. Taken by Johanna Hurand.

Found on Facebook Timeline on 7-31-16. Taken by Johanna Hurand.

For some brave son of Nature will rise

To protect  the one thing we all need: 

 

A way back to a simpler kind of life

That can make us mindful of the gifts

That are left for us to battle strife,

And to  give our spirits a lift.

 

 

Found on Pinterest on 7-25-16. Arches National Park.

Found on     Pinterest on 7-25-16. Arches National Park.

Nature gives our souls an awesome way,

To see the hand of the Almighty God.

He threw the  brightest stars into the sky,

And placed the oak trees in the richest sod.

 

The stars inspire us all to bow and pray.

We find within ourselves a need to give,

 

 

A need  to transcend time with a cry,

And find a more peaceful way to live.

Nature teaches us  to take a breath,

To stop and take the time to smell a rose,

And recognize man need not fear death,

For God’s love never stops, but grows.

Yu/stan/kema

Found on Pinterest on 4-24-16. From Flicker.

Found on Pinterest on 4-24-16. From Flicker.

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The Cardinal Flies.

30 Saturday Jul 2016

Posted by in photo, Poetry, spirituality, Uncategorized

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I saw a Cardinal ride the wind.        

Its glory was a living flame.

I saw it dart across the glade,

And prayerfully I said its name.

No words could adequately tell

The pride I felt in how God made                

Found on Facebook Timeline on 3-14-16. Michelle Wight.

Found on Facebook Timeline on 3-14-16. Michelle Wight.

A beauty rare, a ruby-red.

I knew its color would not fade.              

I could not hold such feelings in.

My heart cried out with joy and pain.

The ache grew big inside my soul.

My tears, they mingled with the rain.

A moment with that cardinal bird,

Enabled me to live again.

Yu/stan/kema.

 

The Beauty Of Winter.

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by in photo, Poetry, spirituality, Uncategorized

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Found on 5-19-16.Harish Malik on google+.

Found on 5-19-16. Harish Malik on google+.

One cold winter, I ventured into the woods.

I sunk knee-deep into snow and felt anxiety

Just for a moment. I was fearful of falling

And not being able to get up and move on.

The sun was out, blazing with all of its glory.

The sky was a deep blue color that you

Could lose yourself inside of for hours.

It was hard to tear my eyes away from

All that blue sky that spoke of tenderness.

The earth was covered in a blanket of

Soft delicate snow that made your heart

Ache with the purity of its cool, restful touch.

I stumbled forward into the eternal silence

Of the woods, feeling the breath of nature

Gently blow against my cheek with a light caress.

I was mesmerized by a light cool breeze 

That kissed my cheeks and made them red.

Even though my hands were covered with gloves,

The cold seeped through until my fingers were numb.

I walked to keep my blood flowing and came upon

A small creek that cut a path through the clean snow.

The sound of the creek was full of musical notes.

The tinkling sound almost created a song of joy.

The sun shinned its rays onto the snow below

And it sparkled like a thousand diamonds. 

It took my breath away, and I knelt

Before God, in Nature’s Church, and gave thanks

For the beauty that surrounded me and  

The peace that now dwelt within my soul.

Yu/stan/kema

Noticing Time.

25 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Photos, Poetry, Psychology, quote, Uncategorized

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Found on Pinterest on 7-24-16. Time

Found on Pinterest on 7-24-16. Time

When I was young,                       

Days seemed to last forever.

Time went slow and

Every moment seemed

Like an eternity.

 

When my son was born,

And during his early years,

Time seemed to pick up speed.

In my 20’s and 30’s,

Every day was golden.

 

In my 50’s and 60’s,

I focused on retiring.

Time slowed down awhile.

It was a time of waiting.

My  body felt exhausted.

 

When I became 70,                    

Found on Pinterest on 7-06-16.

Found on Pinterest on 7-06-16.

Time flew like it had wings.

Months galloped by.

It was hard to keep track

Of the passing years.

 

When I turn 80 and 90,

What will time do?

Will it slow down again,

Or will time blur  and

Become  a dream

Within a dream?

Yu/stan/kema.

A Poem For My Son.

24 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by in Photos, Poetry, Psychology, quote, spirituality, Uncategorized

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Found on Pinterest on 6-23-16.Simple Reminders.

Found on Pinterest on 6-23-16.Simple Reminders.

Whistle in the dark, Son,

When the lights go out.

Don’t lose your courage,

Or let yourself doubt.

Believe in your resources

You’ve gathered with time.

Know that your intellect

Will help you to climb

The mountain of obstacles

That stand in your way.

I hope you’ll remember

To take time to pray.

Listen to the knowledge

Of others who share.

Be honest and forthcoming,

And always be fair,

To those you are fighting

To finally overcome

The obstacles waiting.

You are more than their sum.

Remember your instincts

That lie deep within.                          

Found on Pinterest on 5-21-16. Dan Ashbach. Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado.

Found on Pinterest on 5-21-16. Dan Ashbach. Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado.

Believe in your heart

That someday you’ll win.

Changes will come

And changes will go.

I know that it’s scary,

Just go with the flow.

Son, you will make it.

Keep staying alive.

One day you’ll  discover,

You’ve learned to survive.

Yu/stan/kema.

The Bug Who Complained Too Much.

23 Saturday Jul 2016

Posted by in Humor, Photos, Poetry, spirituality

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A little gray bug crawled on the ground.            

He complained about his lot in life.                  

Found on Pinterest on 5-30-16. HGTV.com.

Found on Pinterest on 5-30-16. HGTV.com.

He said he was tired of being so small,

And said he’d never find a wife.

 

“All of the other bugs by far,”

He said, “Have things I don’t possess.”

I have no special curb appeal.

I know I’m just an awful mess.”

 

“I’m often smashed by other things,

Because I’m small and hard to see.

My color is a dirty gray.

It’s hard for me to climb a tree.”

 

“Such lovely colors others have,                

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Bee-Uhlenhorst- currently on tour.

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Bee-Uhlenhorst- currently on tour.

But I am ugly as can be.

My wings won’t take me very far.

I’m not happy being me.”

 

God watched and listened from afar,

Became fed up with his complaints.

God put a brush in His hand,

And He began to quickly paint.

 

God made the bug a brilliant red                

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Kuuvarjutus.deviantart.com. Lady bug, red.

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Kuuvarjutus.deviantart.com. Lady bug, red.

And gave to him a wondrous shine.

Soon all the birds were flying down,

Intent to grab the bug and dine.

 

“Please make me big,” He cried to God,

“So they can’t carry me away.”

“They’ll find it’s just too hard to fly.

They’ll leave me here to stay.”

 

God made him the size of a little ball,

And then some children came,

Picked up the bug and threw him high.

He never was the same.

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Bug.

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Amazing Little Ladybugs. Tree Hugger.

 

 

“I’m sorry God that I complained.

I’m better off being who I was.

I’m safer  being small and gray.

I need to accept what God does.”

 

The gray bug learned a lesson that day,

He wouldn’t soon forget:

“Be content with yourself, 

Or live with huge regret.”

Yu/stan/kema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bumblebee’s Delight.

22 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by in Humor, Photos, Poetry, spirituality

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A girl went down to the river  

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Bumblebee.

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Bumblebee.

To see what she could see.

The tadpoles were swimming,

And she met a bumblebee.

He had lit upon a flower

The color of the sun.

If he didn’t have black stripes,

She would have missed all the fun.

So many flowers to pick from,

Why did he want to nose,

Around a yellow flower,

Why not a beautiful rose?

Found on Pinterest on 5-30-16. Our-lady-rose.

Found on Pinterest on 5-30-16. Our-lady-rose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He told her in strict confidence,

He had visited all the flowers.

He had tasted each one deeply,

And ate nectar for an hour.  

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Bees.

Found on Pinterest on 7-20-16. Bees.

All of the flowers were lovely, 

But he liked the yellow ones best,

Because they were yellow like him,

He said with a little jest.

His eyes grew more thoughtful.

Seriously, He said to the girl:

” The flowers remind  me of God’s light,

More precious than the finest pearl.”

 

Yu/stan/kema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accept People For Who They Are Now.

21 Thursday Jul 2016

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I wanted to share these thoughts with you again at a time when there is so much divisiveness in our nation and intolerance for people different from us. Fear causes us all to speak and act in ways that are harmful for our souls. I pray that we may find compassion and kindness again for one another and learn to see others through the eyes of Christ. He taught not hatred and violence, but the message of love, forgiveness, and acceptance. Let us strive for that in the months ahead and our nation will benefit greatly by doing so.

Yu/stan/kema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REFLECTIONS OF A MINDFUL HEART AND SOUL

Found on Pinterest on 3-15-15. Dr. Brian Weiss. ZERODEAN>COM. Found on Pinterest on 3-15-15. Dr. Brian Weiss. ZERODEAN>COM.

Found on Google+ on 3-7-15. Yellow-on-black (1of1). Thomas Gillingham. Found on Google+ on 3-7-15. Yellow-on-black (1of1). Thomas Gillingham.

It is so easy to make assumptions that people never change their feelings and thoughts. That what happened a month ago and what you think and feel now are the same. We think, if you stole something when you were twelve, you will probably steal today. The reality is we are constantly changing and evolving with every experience we come in contact with. Every person we meet has the power to influence or change us. Music inspires us. The written word can make us do the impossible and it can also shatter a soul. Acts of kindness can change attitudes. The beauty in nature that we have contact with can also heal our brokenness. The things we assimilate in to our minds,  and souls can change us. If we take in evil, it…

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Disappointment Is Hard On The Soul.

20 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by in photo, Poetry, Psychology, spirituality, Uncategorized

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Found on Pinterest on 5-31-16. Steve Hanks.

Found on Pinterest on 5-31-16. Steve Hanks.

Disappointment feels like a piece of gray tin

That has lodged in the back of my throat.

It threatens to choke me with bitterness.

Every thing around me feels so remote,

But I refuse to let life defeat me.

I will find a way to live again,

And not let others steal my sense of dignity.

Life is more than the intolerance of a few.

It is more than the betrayal of a friend.

For God has made every day to be brand new.

He has placed so much beauty in my path.

God gave to me right from the start                              

Found on Pinterest on 7-14-16. Girl.

Found on Pinterest on 7-14-16. Girl.

The desire to choose love over  wrath,

 to over come evil with good in my heart.

Yu/stan/kema.

 

 

 

 

 

Love Surrounds Us.

18 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Photos, Poetry, spirituality

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Love floats in the air around me.                   

Verbena grown in an Illinois garden. Photo taken by Jim Tanselle, July,2016.

Verbena grown in an Illinois garden. Photo taken by Jim Tanselle, July,2016.

I feel it in the wind:

The clean smell of flowers in the spring,

And the gentle sway of trees against

A deep blue sky.

 

Love grows in a bed of summer roses,

In the hearts of dogs who shadow me,

In the smile and laughter of a friend,

And my son’s hand in mine to keep

Me from tripping.

 

Love is found in a teachers words,                   

Found on Pinterest on 10-21-15.

Found on Pinterest on 10-21-15.

And the skills I learn that help me

Become more mindful in living.

 

Love endures in the people who learn

To accept my strengths and weaknesses,

Yet inspire me to stretch beyond my limits;

In a mother who learns to let go of her son,

So he might become a better man;

In trees that last a life-time to give to me             

Found on Pinterest on 1-9-16. Holyhocks. Zachariah Davidson.

Found on Pinterest on 1-9-16. hollyhocks. Zachariah Davidson.

Beauty and hope in my darkest hours;

And in God’s promises which give me courage

To endure the losses and grief found in life.

Love is in the air that surrounds me.

Yu/stan/kema.