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“You are what your deep, driving desire is."

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We Are Responsible For Others And Helping Them Grow

March 4, 2020 By Rick 2 Comments

Once we accept and become being responsible for ourselves, as noted in Part 1 of this series, we must continue to be this for ourselves because the next step is to realize that we are responsible for others.

I don’t necessarily mean for their day to day sustenance and upkeep (although that might prove to be the case at some point) but, rather, for their growth and support.  I believe this also includes accepting them and ensuring that they know they belong and that they matter.

[Read more…] about We Are Responsible For Others And Helping Them Grow

Filed Under: Just Thinking

For The Children We Ignored

March 2, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

I am that little boy

hiding behind the woodpile

with his dog,  crying.

I am that little girl

in front of the mirror

with her doll, broken.

We are the children

who only wanted

to be loved, but weren’t.

We played superheroes

so no one would harm us

except you, and you did.

We wanted to be cared for

maybe loved

but never ignored, which you did.

We learned to “be seen and not heard”

and are that still

because we don’t know how to love.

A smile, a hug

maybe “I love you”

would have helped the child

you didn’t see.

Filed Under: Poems

We Are Responsible For Ourselves And The Decisions We Make

February 26, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

I went to an old friend for the definition of responsible; a hardcopy dictionary from my young adult years that I haven’t used since Google searches came into our lives.

Responsible:

“Able to answer for one’s conduct or obligations.”

“Trustworthy: able to choose for oneself between right and wrong.”

Synonyms: trustworthy, accountable

Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (published 1986)

[Read more…] about We Are Responsible For Ourselves And The Decisions We Make

Filed Under: Just Thinking

We Are Responsible – Introduction

February 24, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

I recently wrote that “you are not responsible for other’s happiness, but you could be the reason for it.”  But that didn’t seem quite right. It didn’t ring true and as I thought about it I realized that we are indeed responsible for it; just as we are for treating people with love and respect.

[Read more…] about We Are Responsible – Introduction

Filed Under: Just Thinking

The Value Of Friendships

February 21, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

I’m one of those people who far too easily give up on those who are close.  And to be completely honest, I don’t let them in at the time they could become even more valuable as friends.

I think we too often let opportunities to get to know better those we come in contact with.  This includes at work as well as any social gatherings or neighborhood get-togethers. We are given opportunities to matter to others and we (I) let them pass.

[Read more…] about The Value Of Friendships

Filed Under: Just Thinking

Walk Faster, Young Man

February 19, 2020 By Rick 2 Comments

I walked away

from people who cared.

Long of leg and sure of foot

I swathed the sidewalk clear.

My spirit lived one hundred feet

in a pit that deepened.

Walled face, brick by brick

blocked another’s entry.

A dark reflection, mine,

I won’t look, I scare myself.

Why do I stride so fast?

To prove I exist but don’t matter?

A face comes that knows me.

Quick, duck.  This store will hide me.

Danger passes but I wish

that someone chased me, just once.

Pause.

No one pursued again.

A friendly voice is faster

than racing legs that want to stop.

No one called.

Walk until…

Filed Under: Poems

Grandma’s Bell

February 12, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

The bell nailed on the house.

Distant laughter of screaming children.

The two would soon be one

as a wrinkled hand

grabbed the chain

and whipped it furiously.

Pavlov’s dog re-imagined

in the speedy response to lunch

the bell demanded.

Parents ring and are ignored.

Grandma rings a command.

How can children tell

grandma’s touch?

With what power

does she whip the clapper?

This bell, a magic bell,

from grandma’s heart to theirs,

a ringing bond of love.

The bell mounted on our wall

it’s work of calling wayward children

is over, except for the memories.

Adult children tear up

when they visit

and remember fondly

grandma’s call.

Silent now the bell vibrates

waiting for the next round of grandkids.

Filed Under: Poems

You Are The Life Of Your Dreams

February 10, 2020 By Rick 2 Comments

Focus on the desires of your heart and you will be living the life of your dreams.

Throughout life, we continually ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  Never satisfied and always searching, some say they never find.

[Read more…] about You Are The Life Of Your Dreams

Filed Under: Just Thinking

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