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Picture taken by my friend Cyndi Leos....thank you Cyndi.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Interest in Life...

"Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music -- the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people.  Forget yourself."

-- Henry Miller

Saturday, July 27, 2013

I Choose to Bless This Life...

"Bless a thing and it will bless you.
Curse it and it will curse you...
If you bless a situation, 
it has no power to hurt you,
and even if it is troublesome,
it will gradually fade out,
if you sincerely bless it."

- Emmet Fox

The older I get, the more I realize how true this quote really is.  I am challenging myself to concentrate on faith and bless a particular situation, knowing worry will not help or solve anything.  Our lives unfold and events happen...  Often we don't like the results, but disliking it and getting all worked up only make it worse.

I've been a "worry wart" so much of my life and the only thing it did for me was make me nervous, negative, fearful and insecure.  When I learned to embrace change instead of fight it, I feel my life flows better.

My husband is always saying, "It is what it is" and "Everything happens for  a reason"; and his philosophy has influenced me for the better...  For a long time I felt this was a cop out.  In my younger days I was a warrior and fought for my principals.  Not that I don't today, but often what I thought were battles were really my not liking the outcome of something. More and more now I see the wisdom in not sweating the small stuff...and really, most of the time, it is ALL little stuff when placed in perspective of an entire life.

Circumstances often challenge, but the more I tell myself "You can handle this", the easier it becomes...
Doubting myself is like slapping myself across the face.  Who needs that?

One of my most stressful times of my life was after my divorce, raising my two daughters alone.   I suppose struggling to make a living for us, often working two or three jobs, was a big part of it.  I wanted to keep my girls in private school and knowing I was in it pretty much alone as a single Mom with full custody was extremely stressful.  I had a lot of doubts in my ability to hold it together but by doing it I learned how strong and capable I am.

My daughters are now grown with their own families and I get to bask in the joy and pride of how capable and strong they are.  Raising them I was the teacher,  the comforter, the protector, the provider, the problem solver, the enforcer, and it was challenging.  Now, despite living further away, I am called upon when needed and occasionally invited to share my opinion.

Living a life of purpose has always been my focus.  Being retired and not having the responsibility of raising a family can often feel aimless and without purpose.  I don't want to allow the fact of my aging to become an excuse to slow down and lose my vision.

I have to confess, I have cursed having to stay here in Nevada, being further from my children, grandchildren and large circle of family and friends. We came here originally for a better job for my husband and planned to return to California when he retired.  No one had any idea the economy and housing market would fall off a cliff as it has....

I have decided to bless the fact we are living here now.  I will have faith and believe our lives will continue to weave and enter twine despite the distance because we love one another and are a close family. I hope one day soon we will eventually live closer, but in the mean time, I accept and bless our lives as they are now.  Cursing my situation will only make me feel full of regret, hopelessness and misery.  The last thing I want to do is burden my family with a negative attitude.

So today, I submit this vow into the Universe and pledge to see more blessings and do a lot less cursing and complaining...  You all are my witnesses.


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Magpie #178: Harley

Painting by Andrew Wyeth

photo presented by Magpie Tales
poetry challenge by Tess Kincaid

Harley

she laid upon the cool dewy grass
admiring his physique 
in the moonlight
his body cloaked in powdery pollen
from their romping on the hillside

they had made love 
after skinny dipping
 the lake
 cool and refreshing
after a long days Harley ride

she became transfixed
with the single beam
from the motorcycle's head light
 symbolizing how quickly 
they had become one

their attraction was intense
their bodies were re-born in their union
nothing mattered
everything was effortless
molding together as smooth
as the Harley's unique purr

they were headed toward
Big Sur
 the rest
 would unfold as they rode
 into their destiny...

©~dkb~

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Mag #176: Statue de la Liberté....


Supermoon, 1013 Julio Cortez AP

Challenge by The Mag (Magpie Tales)
Photo presented by Tess Kincaid


standing proud
Lady Liberté
illuminated by a super moon
a celestial drum roll
for your re-opening
after repairs
from hurricane Sandy

your strength
of integrity
shines hope 
to every soul
craving a new start
rejuvenating
each set of eyes
who experience
the welling of pride
and emotion
when first
meeting her

we need a symbol
someone
some thing
to bring us back
to what is 
really the most
important...
freedom
non judgment
and love

©~dkb~

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

If Only....


Image from Pinterest: weheartit.com


if only
i could run daily
on the beach each day
away from this desert town

if only 
i could find the happiness
which comes
from being closer to you

if only
i could look forward
to doing the little things
which make up a day in a life...

if only
i could be there
whenever you felt the need
to call so we could be together...

if only
i could turn back time
and find another way
so I didn't have to go...

if only
i could feel the joy
in hearing your laughter
and feeling your arms around me

if only
we could sit over lunch
or dinner or breakfast
just talking about whatever

if only
we could play a game
or watch a video 
together...to watch your face brighten in a smile

if only
i could be there
for all the memories
instead of hearing over the phone or watching a video

if only
i could tell you
without making you 
share this heavy burden

if only
i could bloom
where I am planted
and make the best of it

if only
i could shake the sadness
to awaken my creativity
and find so many ways  to show you 

if only
i could pick you up
and enjoy your company for the day
or weekend...

if only
we could sell this house
I'd do it in a minute
to find something, anything closer to you

if only
i had one wish
it would be
to be closer to you

I love you

©~dkb~

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Conscious Choices....


Pinterest image: http://pinterest.com/judybelmont


each
and every day
we live and learn
hopefully
most of our choices
are conscious ones
generated from within
through what we've learned
through our parents
and living
experiencing on our own

we do the best
we can
knowing we are
imperfect
but growing
open to vulnerability
because
it is the only way
to courage

©~dkb~