Through Tears, Encouragement

Somehow we have to hang on.

Don’t ask me how

because my grip is fading.

Remember though,

if we are not strong

enough to go on,

the world we made

will disappear, and those

we love will never know

who they could be

with us at their sides.

Maybe, we can hope,

the world will be a little

more grounded, a little

more real, have a little

more love because

we are willing to grapple

reality and pin it down.

We can make it what it

has to be for us to

keep on, keeping on.

We are not cowards

because we hurt,

we are oceans of tears

that wash away the evil

and redeem it in love

that is stronger than

the giants that oppose us.

No matter, we are

the victors, because we

create what will drive us

through the future and

banish the pain, a ghost

we refuse to allow to haunt.

All the unhappiness

is a shade, passing before

the window, hiding the light,

but the Son, the love

remains, we just have

to dispel the shadow.

A Horse Called Crazy

Carousel Horses The ancient horse never felt so alone. Crazy remembered, so many years ago the tree that bore him stood among siblings in a dense grove watered by a giggling stream and prickles of incessant rain. He recalled coming alive as a sapling wisp after a voracious rushing wildfire, which only a select few elders survived. Those resilient old ones whispered the secrets of existence, history, life to the youngsters who would carry on.

This is a story start I may work on later. It is something I created days ago in my “Brain Dump Notebook.” I am feeling very unsure of my ability to create right now. Maybe later, I will find the strength to move forward.

I always say when you think your life is worthless, make a gratitude list, so here we go, please understand I feel very little ability to write anything. Valentine’s Day without my Mom was killer. Knowing I will lose my dog soon, is killer.

I am grateful:

I have this website where I can open my heart and know, no matter what, it is okay because it is mine.
I have a best friend who has to be one of the best people who have ever, now, and will ever live.
I made it to church, and even though I got really panicky, I stayed.
I have a little copy editing work to do.
I am reading a couple of outstanding books.
Most people can understand, when you make a negative assertion, your whole attitude is not negative. Only your outlook on that thing is giving you trouble.
Homemade food at church is delicious.
The bill I was sent was a mistake. God fixed it.
I am trying to convince myself I can use a nice notebook. I have beautiful notebooks and journals, even Moleskine. The thing is, what if I make a mistake?
All mistakes are not detrimental, some become lovely creations. I have had this happen, often.

Okay, see, I got through that. Granted it is not a panacea, but it helped.

A struggle I am working on is sugar. On December 6, 2013, I weighed over 200 pounds. I walked it off and managed potions. Notice I did not say I changed my diet. The last few months sugar has become a monster again. I am still within my safe range, 135 to 140 pounds, but I am on the high end. So, I am eating up what is left of the ton of sugary treats I have accumulated, and I am trying not to replenish them. This is harder than you probably imagine. The photo is before and after, and since then I changed my hair even more.

Before and After

This entry is all over the place. I am too, like a super bouncing ball. Deal; deal; life goes on and is not done until there is no more.

You may hide it exceedingly well, but there is a good chance there are things that are preying on your peace of mind. As a prompt, let yourself express those killer thoughts in written form. Once they are there, and you can accept them as real and confront them, maybe as monsters, but also as manageable concepts that you can write around, explore, and possibly dismantle, try to put them aside and if only, for now, be loose from their grip on your psyche.

I cannot express how much I needed just to write. I hope I have dissuaded no one from coming here. You had to know by now, that there is an element of the deranged in my makeup. Wildly creative people are often a bit mental. I could go into clinical details, but I will not. I was honest, I think most of you expect that of me. Even when I know it is difficult, I am faithful to who and what I am.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. I shall make an effort to comport myself with more dignity next time. If you wish to follow, there is a button. Otherwise, I hope you will come back soon. I am working on moving Chronicles under this domain so there will be much more material here to dig into. That blog goes back to 2005 when I began on MSN Spaces. It ported to WordPress, and I made that home.

There is a lot in life that can discombobulate a person, maintain yourself best you can by any means necessary that does no harm to others. You are a creative individual of such magnificent uniqueness that in no time or place have you, or will you, be replicated. You have gifts, talents, and abilities that are ideally suited for use in this exact period of history. Do not squander them by letting yourself be convinced that you are any less than a superhuman. God made you, and last I checked, God never made a mistake. Yeah, and I could really do with having this recorded and played on a continuous loop. LOL!

Be careful out there, my friends. Be aware, be watchful, and by all means stay safe. God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Always and Forever.

Manifesto (Read at Your Own Risk)

Seriously,
Has there not been enough hate,
Murder, war, death
In the name of causes which
Instead of leading to love
Cause decimation, ruin,
Destroy friendships, marriages,
Childhoods, countries, resources,
Make paupers of everyone.

I am not convinced
Anyone rightfully spits
Upon another
Or roughs someone up a bit
Or impugns character with
No intimate knowledge of
The conditions under which
A person must struggle to
Continue a given life.

Spouting prejudice
Yet denying it exists
Due to history
Even of oppression is
Only fueling the fire
Burning civilization
Down, the inferno needs no
Encouragement, hungry,
It devours all decency.

This current age is
One where eradication
Of poverty can
Occur, possibilities
Of universal schooling
For all earth’s denizens are
Real, if differences can
Be laid aside, equality
Given with loving freedom.

There is no justification
For condemnation of individuals
Based on a stereotype, creed, religious
Persuasion, skin tone, sexual orientation,
Body image, or any choice or difference.
People are beautiful, so worthy of love,
Understanding, opportunity, growth,
Tenderness, kindness, generosity,
Love is the purpose; love is the reason,
Love is the freedom; love is humanity,
It must be claimed and shared
For, after all, love is destiny.

I am a Christian, those of you who read regularly know this. I struggle with thoughts of damnation, doubt. The only privilege from my profession is that Christ bled for me that I might be redeemed as I am. Today I was accused of religious privilege. I do not even begin to know what that means. My faith is not only a blessing, but it is also a torment. Too much information, sorry.

As a prompt, explore a topic you feel strongly about, then create something from that exploration. A leading question might be, who am I and who do others think I am and should I take action to reconcile the viewpoints if they are opposed.

I am grateful:

My son, Alex, called this evening.
Even though I have cried a lot today, I was able to write this.
There is a song called, “We All Bleed The Same.”
The house looks decent, oh, just don’t view Mom’s room, it is still hard to go in there.
I made up my medications for the next three weeks, such fun.
I straightened out the covers and made up the bed.
Even though the mass is growing, my dog, Hope, is still here.

Tomorrow is Saturday; if you have the day off get out in nature, or town, awhile. A change of environment can lift the spirits and feed your creative genius. If you cannot get out, spend some time listening to music you love. Life is a challenge and if we can add joy to it, we should.

I hope you are reading this year. We learn so much from the creations and opinions of others. This gigantic world is full of information, and though no one can know it all, we can at least indulge in a little of the ocean.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. I am so glad you took time to read my musings. If you would like, click the follow button, if not, please come back again. Never let one person have such power over you that they destroy your day or your life. You are worthy of love and respect. All of us are precious. Employ your creativity as much as possible and try to keep a smile on your face. Most people are good, but be aware, be careful, and trust your gut. I hope you remain safe from danger and enjoy all the happiness you can hold. God Bless You, Everyday, Everyway, Forever and Always.

Come, Listen, Treasure

Sometimes it is hard
This rigorous adulting
More downtime would be
Greatly appreciated
To jettison those troubles
Clubbing a body to pulp
But there are only few hours.

Listening closely, hearing
Those words actually spoken
Gauging each carefully so
No misunderstandings or
Mistakes compound problems of
Complex communication
Slows the perceived progression
Of moments hurrying to
Escape the grip imagined
Into existence by those
Who believe control belongs
In power, money, prestige.

This, comprehending silence
Lack of constantly striving
Sharing a word openly
Can move giant obstacles
Offering gifts of kindness,
Gratitude, compassion, love,
Destroying suspicion, hate.

Listen, watch, taste, smell,
Feel all the world, life offers
Richness begins here.

Yeah, I was going to kick back. My life, it does not happen that way, unless I ignore the consistent need to create. My mind churns things out all the time. I do have to shut it out sometimes just to get things done. Anyway, this took me over, demanded I wrote it and was not content in the notebook. Honestly, I do not know why I write in the journal at all.

So, as a prompt, explore the art of listening and see where that leads you. Be aware the more you write, the more writing will claim and consume you. Creativity is like a raptor, once it has its claws in you, it will never release you.

I am grateful:

I can create.
My teachers encouraged me to find my voice.
I vacuumed a little, still have more to do

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. It is my pleasure to provide something to entertain and hopefully inspire or encourage you. You may click the follow button, or come back as you like. Remember you are the only individual that can offer your gifts, qualities to the world. Take good care of yourself and be careful and aware when you make your daily rounds. All God’s Best to You, Now and Always.

Endure

Endure despite all
The problems and obstacles
Let purpose endow
Conviction with energy
Needed to focus power
On those things achievable
By a diligent effort
Reroute when thrown off right course
Create survival motives
Keep going even after
Being beaten so badly
Giving up seems an option
Know the wait is rewarded
Failure is only teardrops
Watering the stubborn soil
Which must yield fruit, sweet success
Be positive, cheer tired hearts
Let passion flow unhampered
Use love to create bridges
Able to provide future
Safe passage to destinies
Building a saner, safer
World of opportunity
Where every person becomes
Full measure of potential
Claimed by grace and justified
According to Christ’s plan for
Whosoever will accept
Life is deeper than surface
It is all given for love
Creativity fashions
Abilities, gifts, talent
Tools to revive hope deferred
Whispering softly, “Endure!”

Gratitude List:

This poem was a blessing.
The hot dogs were tasty.
I got the kitchen and mail somewhat under control.
I am finally getting used to low temperatures in the house.
I have the prescriptions I need to allow me to function.
I have learned that being content is better than being miserable.
The Fiskars came out of the dishwasher looking as if they are okay.

I would like for you to go back to the poem, read it carefully, and notice that I did not use pronouns. I also omitted most punctuation, but that is only to call attention to the line breaks without the artificial direction punctuation imposes.

As a prompt, create work that does not include proper nouns or pronouns. It is not as easy as it may appear. If you are working in the visual arts, create something without referring to a proper noun or pronoun.

I made two entries today; I may kick back a bit. I hope you will explore other posts on Haphazard Creative. I try to make them informative and entertaining. If you like, click the follow button, or come back whenever you will. I want you to know I appreciate you taking time to read. Writing is my thing, and it is good to have an audience. I hope my work inspires and encourages you. Each of us needs all the positive reinforcement we can get. Be careful as you go about your day. Be aware, things happen, and sometimes we can prevent them merely by knowing what is around us. God Bless and Keep You, Always!