letting go...

i ran to where the mountains meet the sky,
searching within for some peace and serenity

i went to that place, where streams flow more gently,
and autumn leaves whisper softly in the wind, "let go."

have you been there lately? (exhale).

*my dearest readers, 


I really want to take a moment to thank you for your visits, and the kind words you leave behind for me.  I deeply treasure each and every one of you.  Although I've fallen shamefully behind in my blog visits, please know that I enjoy the moments we share together and keep you all close to my heart.  I'll be around to visit soon.  


Thank you for showing me so much love.  I can hardly wait to join you all in performing some random acts of kindness on November 13, 2010. one love.

love + blessings...

Love

One love

Violet has love in it

Every thing has love.

*the above poem appears courtesy of my daughter:

She melts my heart

Every moment of every day

Love, never ending

A blessing bestowed upon me

HalleluJAH! 

*would you like to share your blessings with others?  please join us on November 13, 2010 as we collectively perform a random act of kindness for another.  one love.

a silent moment...

taking a moment
for prayer and meditation.

~ ~ ~

I admit it.  I have been lost in a forest of thoughts...so many ideas about what I can do for my random act of kindness on the 13th of November, 2010.  I am overly delighted to be celebrating World Kindness Day with so many of you as we collectively focus on doing something kind for someone unsuspecting.

There are a lot of people who need our help and support in this world, whether locally or globally.  Although many do not receive media attention until their plight reaches sensationalizing proportion, the deplorable conditions under which they are forced to exist remain each and every day.  Take for example Haiti.  

Haiti, located just 681 miles of the coast of the USA, has been one of the most impoverished independent nations in the Western Hemisphere for as long as I have been on this plane.  On January 12, 2010, a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook Haiti, leaving in its wake 230,000 dead and over 1 million who still homeless remain today.  Up popped the tent cities for those who could squeeze in the unsanitary, overcrowded camps in and around Port-au-Prince.  The earthquake survivors continued their plea for help in obtaining more sustainable living and housing conditions.  And though the rainy season began in the Spring, further threatening their health and well being, international donors have only delivered about $732 million in funds of the promised $5.3 billion in aid and debt relief that they had pledged when the cameras were rolling, and the USA had not yet delivered any of the promised $1.15 billion as of three weeks ago. 

Well, the situation has now worsened.  There is currently an outbreak of cholera in Haiti.  Over 250 people--mostly children--have died so far, and another 2674 others infected, while health officials scramble to contain the disease which has now reached the densely populated capital, Port-au-Prince. (exhale).

Along with donating to Project Medishare for Haiti, I plan to take a few silent moments throughout this week to send prayers up for the people of Haiti.  i still see you.  one love.

morning soon come...

no matter how dark the night

morning is sure to follow.

~ ~ ~

thinking of those who are facing challenging times...

sending lots of positive vibes your way

and holding you up in prayer.

one love.

lift as you climb...

a few days ago, i was reflecting on injustice, the prevalence of atrocities around the world, and whether we think it is our responsibility to speak up, or stand up, on behalf of those who suffer as a result.  all weekend, i couldn't shake my thoughts.  sadly, i recognise that as much as i would love to, it is not humanly possible for me to solve all these issues by myself, but i also know that i can (and must) contribute to the solution.  even if for only one person.  for just one moment.  i need to be the change i want to see in the world.

i paused for a moment and prayed deeply for those living in despair.  (exhale).  i sat thinking about what i could personally do to help them. a thousand thoughts flooded my mind.  and it was while i was swimming around in these thoughts that this old proverb crept into my consciousness - lift as you climb.  yes.  that's the answer.  we must lift as we climb for the betterment of humanity.  so that the hungry may be fed; the naked clothed, the sick nourished, the aged protected and infants cared for.  and i can start with one random act of kindness.

hey, did you know that the 13th of November, 2010 is World Kindness Day?

wouldn't that be a wonderful day to collectively perform a random act of kindness?  care to join Anyes and I?  

one love.

*grab button designed by Anyes, Far Away in the Sunshine

reflecting...

how do you feel inside when you see injustice? do you think that it is your responsibility to do or say something or do you prefer to remain silent?  and if you choose to remain silent, is it because you think that freedom of speech is merely an illusion? or because you think that it is not your responsibility to do or say something? or is there some other legitimate reason that you choose to remain silent?  tell me, how do you feel inside when you see injustice? hmmmm...

i often ask myself these questions.  when pain and suffering reign so prevalently around the world.  challenges abound from every corner. oppression. slavery. human trafficking. all forms of discrimination and abuse. genocides. wars. homelessness. hunger. starvation. abject poverty - worse than the kind most people think of as poor.  yes.  these conditions still exist for so many in this world we live in today.  the thought of people, human beings, living under such inhumane, distressed conditions tear at the very walls of my heart.  i sit with these thoughts, and the feelings they evoke. i sit with them and i look at them deeply.  and i know, with all that i am, that it's just not within me to remain silent. (exhale).

  
*have a conscious friday and a divine weekend.  one love.

sending you positive vibes...

can you feel it?

one love.

mindfulness bell...

the seas were rough
the winds were raging
but the sound of her bell
instantly calmed my soul

what's calming your soul today?

small things...

when i opened my eyes this morning

and looked outside my window

i fell on my knees and gave thanks

for being able to see.  exhale.

~ ~ ~

it's the small things in life...  

One thing I treasure immensely here in our blogging community is the friendships I've formed with so many of you.  Nurturing those friendships really mean the world to me.  Today, I'm sneaking off to my dear friend Tracey's spot, Quietly Kickin and Screamin, to pay her a little surprise visit.    

would you like to come along with me?  

breathe...

breathing in, i inhale peace
breathing out, i calm my fears
be still, se'lah. breathe.

touching peace...

do take a moment to touch peace today. (exhale).

in the air...

the sweet scent of flowers that refuse not to bloom

leaves dance in unison to the wind in nearby treetops
the smell of fresh raindrops pitter patter on the pavement

birds chirping blissfully welcome autumn's arrival in song

while prayers sent up to the Most High, float gently
in the air

have a conscious friday and a divine weekend, dear friends.

one love, always.