When Things Don’t Go As Planned

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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.

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Echoes Of My Cat

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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?

Trust Your Heart That Knows

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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.

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Disappointment Is A Beast

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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.

Carefully Wrapped and Hidden

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Wrap it up, cushioned

against damage from handling.

Hide the tender beat

from pain not lived

(but just in case it comes).

Protect it.

Massage it.

Handle with care.

And then safely look out,

with caution hold tightly

to the package you guard.

Slip through the world

hoping you never

need to unwrap

your heart to love.

Answers Await The Seeking Heart

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Beyond the trappings of life are other things to be gained.  Go deep in your search. Answers await the seeking heart.

I think we all try to live up to the expectations of society: the career, the family, the house, and the stuff.  This is all fine but far too often we forget that our inner needs are greater than our outer needs.

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“I Am Good!”

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“I am good.”  Say this today, even when you think otherwise.  Know you are good – it matters.

I’ve written about negative self-talk before and how it harms who we are wishing to become.  I think it’s important to remind ourselves that we are good people. But it’s so easy to listen to the wrong voice.

When we keep putting ourselves down we remind ourselves that we are not good and wonder how anyone could possibly like us.  And then we get into this repeating cycle and bury ourselves deeper and deeper into despondency.

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Aunt Edna

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Her neck jiggled with each chuckle

topped by ill-fitting teeth.

Six whirling children excited

quaint Aunt Edna.


Cat hair flung all over the messy room,

a room soaked in warmth

wanting echoes of screaming children

delighting in freedom.


Melted chocolate chips wafting.

Cookies cooling on the counter.

Six-year-old fingers juggle heat

and then feast with the cat in secret.


Warm arms, pillowy bosom

(not found at home).

Sink into warmth

Of love long needed.


In the scatter lived a safe place

that welcomed uncertain children

with a gentle, flavored air,

pulsing with Aunt Edna’s aroma.