Ethereal

In times of disruption, distress, creativity can be a safety we exercise. A bit of visioneering fantasy visited earlier.

Living in the woods with trees, briars and brambles, pine straw and leaf ground cover, and wild creatures for the closest neighbors, it is sometimes surprising what one sees.

The peace and quiet are always surrounding here. In the Springtime, the songbirds return to fill the air with rousing melodies. Over recent days since the noise is reduced with us sequestered, the small sounds are magnified.

Walking around communing with nature, eyes wide open, ears alert, a heart seeking peace, there are times when the world becomes fascinating.

Stopping to look at a wildflower, the quiet broken by the clip of hooves touching the earth is rare here, indeed, but miracles happen when we can believe. A flash of white, bright as lightning, glimpsed as a creature mythical, came closer like a reassuring dream. Breath consumed by the beauty of his appearance, feet between, not daring to touch, but only observing.

Eyes meet in a time beyond time, great love and compassion are translated through his gaze. His horn shining golden bright, he nods his head.

Whispered, “Will all this be alright? Is there reason to hope?”

His head nods again, then he shifts, so his mane falls like a waterfall.

“There is so much pain, fear.”

He shakes his head, then lowers it and closes his eyes.

“Prayer. The world needs prayer.”

He opens his luminous eyes and nods. He lifts his head high, nickers, and turns. As he drew away all the fears, panic, worries seemed to fade. He looked over his shoulder with a nod, and then raced away. The peace and love exuded during his visit sent doubt flying like the trail of his tail as he disappeared out of sight.

I am a great admirer of unicorns. I draw them at times. This time, well, writing seemed correct.

The Music Played

When the moment shifts into one of the places we rather not go, we have to find a way to keep on. It becomes a bit like fighting with dragons when we are isolated. Dragons though respond to players with music, so we do well to employ singers and songs. When we link our voices with what brings us joy and sing loud and strong, the doldrums have to go.

This is a shortlist, and I would welcome hearing from you all what helps keep your grip fastened in place.

Start Me Up, Don’t Stop, You Got Me Rocking – The Rolling Stones will help turn a mood around.

Hideaway, Joy, Goddess in the Doorway – Mick Jagger is particularly useful when you are trying to adjust to quarantine.

Time Waits for No One – Freddie Mercury makes one appreciate living.

One Vision, Love Kills, The Show Must Go On; I Want It All – QUEEN is motivating.

We Believe, The Greatness of Our God, God Is Not Dead – Newsboys are rousing anthems of faith.

God Is In Control – Twila Paris is useful when things feel out of all control.

You Say – Lauren Daigle will help if one feels lost and out of sorts.

Two Pina Coladas – Garth Brooks is just plain fun.

You Love Is Lifting Me Higher And Higher – Rita Coolidge is one of the best love songs ever.

I sleep with the QUEEN channel on YouTube playing.

Anyway, find your tunes and disperse those dragons, if the need finds you.

Safe Harbor

This is my favorite Bible verse. I have it memorized, and memorization is extremely difficult for me. I wanted to make it attractive to share at this time. It seems to me there is a lot of panic in the world. God is in control.

Little side-note: My mostly hobby job as Copy Editor is going on sporadically today. After I created the above artwork, I shared it with the Editor. She loved it and called it an ad. Needless to say, I was euphoric. I told her it could go in the magazine, we have four now, plus a digital, and she said they would use it in the future.

Safe Harbor

Look to the Lord God –
He is the help of nations,
The ballast for all
Voyages we undertake,
His protection surrounds us.

Do no violence
In your rash preparations;
You are fully loved,
Trust, the extravagance of
Heaven’s abundance accrues.

These times, things shall past
The Glory of God remains, now
And eternally,
He will not forsake His own
Seek His mercy, peace, and LOVE.

Gentle your heart, for
Life continues in the midst
Of trouble, LOVE rises,
Storms come and go, but we know
LOVE is our habitation.

Maybe Today

We can spend time with
One another, talk, listen;
Pick up a book, magazine,
Newspaper, read good things.
Love
On our pets, while they love us,
Play with a child, love them,
Read interesting storybooks, or
Make stories up together.
Color, draw, paint – something
Beautiful,
Listen to music, sing along, or alone,
Pause some screen interaction,
See less bad news, avoid fear, panic,
We can discover an alcove of quiet
In whatever way we wish.
A long walk with mindfulness,
Bringing along a non-phone camera,
Writing letters to those we love,
Who
Will treasure the gift of “real” mail.
We must not allow chaos, meanness,
In the public sphere to dictate
The persons we are and become.
Humans are able to transcend disasters,
Growing richer, better, more capable,
Polished, polite, kindly, generous,
People of LOVE!
We can rise, creating,
A world
Of possibility and opportunity.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

As a prompt, I encourage you to put the world aside, a while. Enjoy the people, the places, the things that enrich your existence. If you wish, engage your creativity and produce something. Or if you are as exhausted as we often become, rest. Blessings to you and yours. Peace amidst the turmoil.

Envision

I am not the artist I wish I were, but picture this:

A Raven flying, wings outspread
Beak open, claws extended;
Diving for the menace, a majestic
Bald Eagle talons reaching
Beak also open emitting strident cries,
Below them lies the Earth
A mix of blues, browns, and greens.
The Raven and the Eagle engage
Feathers fly.
Between their combat and the Earth
We see, what has forever been,
A pure white Dove with tremendous wings
Outspread,
Pure light illuminating His body,
An olive branch in His beak.
The Earth turns, as battles rage,
The Holy Spirit guards over it all,
And Love will never fail.

I think of this as a video clip, but I have no skill. It came very forcefully. Now, you may believe I visualized it, but I have no capability for such. I see nothing in my head. Still, I wish I could draw it. I think it would be impressive.