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

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A Step Into Life

February 7, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

Who is it I am?

And because I don’t know

how do I find out

who I am

and what I’m to do?

I look at the bounty

of those I would be like

and know I am meager

of self and belongings.

Take a step forward?

But the cliff is there

reminding me there’s nowhere

to put my foot down

without falling.

It is the fall I fear,

the great unknowing.

I am my own

but wishful tendrils remain

of the safe life

I once had.

Resolute, I close my eyes,

reach out with a foot

and step,

fearing the fall

but fearing more to stay.

Life, you are mine,

catch me.

Filed Under: Poems

Your Answers Are Yours To Be Lived

February 5, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

If it’s truth you seek don’t give up.  The answers might surprise you but they are yours to be lived.

It seems we grow up wanting to be adults and then when we get there, we let the expectations of society – others – dictate who we become and what we do.  We settle for society’s “truth” rather than let our own truth come out and be lived.

[Read more…] about Your Answers Are Yours To Be Lived

Filed Under: Just Thinking

Others Aren’t Fine, Either

February 3, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

We bury our pain and say, “I’m fine.”  We think others are happier and we’re alone – we’re not!

How often does someone say to us, “How are you?” And we reply, “I’m fine.”  We each then go our separate ways, having played an all too familiar game.

We’re not so fine all the time but we fear showing weakness or even fear.

[Read more…] about Others Aren’t Fine, Either

Filed Under: Just Thinking

So This Is Home

January 31, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

Above the clouds and higher still

in wing-ed thought I fly.

The world a speck and smaller still

light lost in darkening sky.

To some a street, others a tunnel

the answer now I know.

Strange familiar is all around

a scent of home long left.

A comforting touch, spirit to mine

guides me to the Creator.

I tried to bow but not allowed

without taking all of heaven with me.

Filed Under: Poems

When Things Don’t Go As Planned

January 24, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

I’m sure for you, just like for me, there are many times when things don’t go as you planned or at least hoped for.  I’m writing this post right in the middle of one of these occasions for me and, to be honest, I’m quite upset.

We know we don’t control everything that happens in our lives.  But when they’re really important, even life-changing, when your plans fall through our reaction is to get angry and even lash out, in whatever form that might take.  I know I used a few choice words today that I don’t normally use.

[Read more…] about When Things Don’t Go As Planned

Filed Under: Just Thinking

Echoes Of My Cat

January 22, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

Midnight prowls my cat

for a mouse in a vent.

Catch it before I scream,

before it skitters from under the counter.

But it will come now that you’re gone

because it delights

in your passing.

I don’t have your speed.

Old age took you.

None of us outlive it.

Even with nine lives

it stalked you all along.

Your snuggles and purrs

I feel them, hear them still.

Meal companion and watchdog,

you ruled our sanctuary.

The house echoes

with your ghostly call

and will haunt me until I’m done.

Why don’t mice ever age?

Filed Under: Poems

Trust Your Heart That Knows

January 20, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

trust your heart that knows

With courage look out at all you can be if you first trust the heart that knows.

We hear so often to trust your gut or your instincts or your heart.  But what does that really mean? I want to first touch on why we don’t.

How many of us find it easier to “follow the crowd” and do what they do?  I suspect we do it more often than we’re willing to admit. But isn’t it easier to “be like everyone else?”  Then we don’t stand out and we’re accepted.  These are very important but not the way we should live our lives.

[Read more…] about Trust Your Heart That Knows

Filed Under: Just Thinking

Disappointment Is A Beast

January 15, 2020 By Rick Leave a Comment

Disappointment,

thou art a beast

that slays the trying heart

and crushes rising hope.

The heart is defenseless,

yet you strike

with loud derision

at its unattainable efforts.

Go, I say.

And yet it’s me

that gave rise to this creature

that attacks and thunders in glee.

Stay then

for you are mine.

I am both heart and beast.

The heart must one day triumph.

Filed Under: Poems

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