Still

Want some inspiration? Cue up the Eric Church. Brilliant man.

Yeah, I know you did not come for me to toot my playlist, but sometimes, what I am immersed in breaks loose like the Autumn leaves, scarlet and gold, fluttering to cover the ground.

I have some challenges ahead, spare a thought or prayer for me if you care to. While you are in that attitude say a kind word for this world of ours. Things are rough and tough all over and many could use a hand up to help get by.

It is often I
Find hot tears flooding these eyes,
For things beyond me.

Bless you all, always. Hold on, stay free.

Abandon Hope

I wear the colors
Of Autumn’s formal morning,
But please remember
Between here and there I must
Pass most suddenly away.
This time of comfort
Is an illusion I made
To help me forget
The excessive pain of past
Times which hurt me with passion.
The price I think paid,
Enough to satisfy all,
But the hungry ghouls
May forever haunt me with
Fervor because I escaped.
Living jealously,
Obsessively, with vicious
Tongues, who forsook lives
To chase every negative,
Devour violence’s flavors;
Still multi-splendored
They dream of feasting upon
The precious rare fruit
Of those loving most fully
Not abandoning real joy.
Embedded in me
Are love, creativity,
Freedom and I will not yield
To hungry ghouls who would
Though wholly discarded, unwanted,
Endeavor to capture, enslave me
To those desires reprehensible to me,
I adjure these wretched pests
To abandon their goals,
For securing my enchantment
Is unbreachable, beyond any
Ghoul’s innate capability,
An absolute impossibility.

Mixed Results

This two steps forward,
A dip and lurch to the side,
Is messing around
When we could begin the dance
Entire, but maybe our shoes
Are somewhat too tight:
Pinching ankles, cramping toes,
Drowning the music
In signals of pain, distress.
Might going barefoot answer
Our need, creativity?
We can break free, do our best,
Leaving dissatisfaction, all, sidelined,
Join hands, come close, be the dance.

Going Overboard?

We have to ask ourselves, are we piloting our ship, or have we gone overboard?

In times like these, many find it hard to keep control. It can be a harrowing struggle. Bad news, financial setbacks, difficulty at home – in family and relationships, abridged social engagement, hassles at work – or lack thereof, all these and more can make a person consider going over the brink.

From whatever position is now maintained, be encouraged to take a firmer grip on the wheel. If we surrender our ship, leaving it vacant, powers we prefer to avoid might invade our space. It might become difficult, or even impossible, to return to our place.

In challenging times it bodes well to remember:

We are strong. Up until now, we have survived. Survival is an outstanding accomplishment because staying alive is hard. Many fail.

If we examine our lives, we will see we succeeded most of the time. When we made mistakes or failed, we made corrections and went on to accomplish our aims.

There is a temptation when we make mistakes, fail, fall short of expectations to abandon the endeavor. Our true selves lose honor in quitting. We should look for a better path, another way, and finish what we set out to do.

We are not alone on our journey. Other persons, creatures, things, imagination, and creativity can aid us as we go. God grants us abilities, blessings, energy, gifts, talents, which allow us to achieve our purpose. Our lives are not accidental; we are part of the Master’s plan.

If we feel alone and ready to desert our vessel, we should contemplate the many blessings in our lives; we will understand that so much given us would not be, if we were unworthy of God’s anointing and favor.

We sail our vessels with faith, hope, and love. Storms will come with lightning and thunder, but we, every one of us, are capable. We can continue and reach our destination. We can share our love and do much good along the way. Every moment, every day, is a test, and we need to get out of our way and lead as the strong warriors we are. The ships launched, we must be the captains we deserve.

Closely Now

What if writing here, I could somehow see into the person you are? Would you happily share your deepest self with me, or want to hide reality?

I will tell you what I already know of you and what your future might be. Come along and see:

You have come through a lot. Sometimes you are not sure how you survived your struggles. There are days you can almost consider giving up, but you do not allow the word, quit in your vocabulary.

There are people, maybe only one or two, or a few, who you could never disappoint, they are a devoted team who stay ever close to you.

You have people who admire you, looking to you for encouragement and inspiration though you may not now or ever know it.

There are things about your life you could make no better if you tried because they are the best already. Some things you hope to change and eventually will because you keep trying even when everything appears impossible. You refuse to give up, and thankfully, persistence usually pays off.

A few things you may have, or have to, let go. No matter who we are, sometimes our purposes may fail to go according to plan. It is okay, though, because you keep going, keep taking another step. Even when tears fill your eyes, you choose to smile and reach to help someone else. You are an excellent and dependable friend, although your circle of influence may be small.

You may not have all you want and may think you will never succeed to the degree you wish, but because you fight negativity and work creatively in every aspect of your life, more and more positive results will find you. Bit by bit the good you expect will evidence in your existence. You are loved. Blessings will come, and your gratitude will assure more manifest. God sent you here with a purpose, and He will never desert you.