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If the road is not
Leading you where you would like
Get off, blaze a trail,
Maybe others will follow;
You may pioneer alone.

Creatives often ignore the rules, because they are exploring uncharted territory where accepted norms do not apply.

When you read the quotes of history’s greats, you learn the human condition has always presented tremendous challenges, requiring creativity, intellectual curiosity, tenacity, courage, and stamina to achieve success.

The wind spurs
the sails to unfold
with a clap,
the waves roll
a thunderous roar,
the ship bounces
and wallows bestride,
life, we take the ride.

Do that one thing, then do another, then keep going until it is done. That is how you conquer today and succeed tomorrow.

Sip long at the Well,
Draw in all the strength you need,
Plenty left, indeed.

There is abundance
Never fear to share your things,
The return is great.

Among the bright stars
That smile outshines the novas,
It captured my heart.

If you were with me
The gray skies would not matter,
You would light the way.

If I could, I would
Create a story to take
You where you should go,
But it is up to you, you know?

These boxes I save
I wonder, do I think they
Will fill magically?
No, I think, I could pack them
With goodies to send away
And maybe someone would smile,
I would make a difference.

Made from the scrap planks
Gathered where buildings came down,
Creativity
Was his, and years later stands,
Monument to those weathered hands.

Home, be it simple,
The heart there hearkens, resides,
The soul flies by night.

The chair is empty,
Away from its native room;
Class dismissed too soon.

I speak out, you do what you want.

I do a lot of stream of consciousness stuff like this on Facebook, in my “Brain Dump Notebook,” and in my head. Things never stop coming. It can be a bit disconcerting. I thought I would share these few from yesterday with you.

I am grateful:

I am given words, and I can make pictures to go along.
Time is pliable, we can fill it as we will.
Paper is relatively cheap.
Creativity is a constant companion.
Hope is still here. She is the gray and white Shih Tzu pictured above. You can see her growth if you recognize it.
Chocolate, do I have to explain?
Hot showers are available.

As a prompt try making up some witticisms of your own. These really are not hard, you only have to reach into your core and pull out pieces of your heart. If you are unused to doing this, you should practice. If you want to enthrall your audience, you must bleed. Until they see the lifeblood pouring out, they are unapt to believe.

Be sure you mean it when you take on a giant because if it suspects you lack commitment, it will destroy and eat you alive.

If you are fearful, take heart. Small successively more rigorous steps with allow you to overcome your terrors.

Invite mistakes, make failure part of the process on your path to ultimate success.

Thank you for visiting Haphazard Creative. I appreciate the time you have invested. I hope you will follow by clicking the button or invite you to simply come back often. You are fantastic, you can overcome obstacles and conquer problems that beset you. Let no one degrade you. As you go about, share your smile, be generous with praise, expect whoever you meet to become your friend, no strangers here. Welcome the world, and you will find it full of hope and peace. Take care, and God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Always and Forever.

Epic Perspective

I have debated posting this poem. My heart is there, my mind is willing, but I know there are those who will have a very adverse reaction to what it says. Generally, when it comes to creativity, I am faithful to what is given me. If I stop, if I choke back the words and do not deliver them to the world, the flow may be staunched forever. So, love or hate it, I wrote it, I believe it, and I release it to its home.

Epic Perspective

When God was welcome
The guns stayed in the pickups
On racks, doors unlocked
In high school parking lots, safe,
Our parents would not have stood
For our taking them inside
One peep from a teacher, man,
The heavy leather belt would
Have left impressions on hide.
We said the pledge each morning
We knew ours was one nation
Under God, and He was there
Because He had not been banished
By people so full of hate
They fought a child’s right to pray.
There was Sunday School and Church,
Prayer Meeting, Choir, Saying grace,
Hallelujahs, Amens, bedside prayers,
Healing prayer for family, friends.
We knew Moms and Dads asked for
Guidance and we learned to do it, too,
Neighbors shared garden produce
And were a close-knit community.
There might be bullies, but you
Never dreamed they would kill you
And they would not, they loved you
They just had a mixed up way to show.
Today’s kids, many know nothing
Of Jesus, prayer, love, because
The devil has designs on
Our country’s heart, mind, and soul
And he is an evil destroyer
Who hates every single human
He attempts to steal our lives,
He is a dirty criminal
Who turns one against another
Fanning misunderstanding
Into a raging wildfire of hate.
You might say there is no God,
Have you forgotten back then?
He was with us in our schools,
Near us when we sat to eat,
His presence dear and welcome,
Life was not easy, but still,
We made it through, I believe,
Because Jesus was with us
Protecting us, keeping us safe.
Sure bad things did happen, but
There was a community of Christ
To help, support, pray us through.
God Is Not Dead, but He waits,
For open invitation
Into our public places,
To be asked into our days.
I have committed to be
Who He wants me to be and
I will sometimes fall far short
But He does not ask us to
Be perfect, but to allow
Him to create perfection in us.
Will you give Jesus a chance?
Creation and eternity await,
Give grace, faith, and hope a chance.

Short, short

I spent time with a friend of mine on Saturday, during the afternoon and evening. It was a joyous occasion. I wrote a poem through the night hours of Saturday morning, but I am uncertain of its reception, so I shall hang on to it and ponder whether I should post.

These are “Brain Dump Notebook” jottings. You might be surprised I can write short.

Creatives often ignore the rules, because they are exploring uncharted territory where accepted norms do not apply.

Sometimes sadness, depression, fear, overtake me, but I love you guys. My world glows a little brighter because of each of you.

If the road is not
Leading you where you would like
Get off, blaze a trail,
Maybe others will follow;
You may pioneer alone.

I am grateful:

My son is no longer in school and has acquired training from the U.S. Marine Corps allowing him to adequately defend himself and those around him.
Books, reading, and writing. This is repetitious, but my life would be incomplete without those.
I have been single again so long that I am at peace with it.
Face to face interaction with a friend is a tonic to the soul.
I am learning, my ideas of how others think and feel about me can be distorted, and I should make an effort to find out the truth from the source.
People do nice things.
My sweet puppy dog, Hope, is still here.

As a prompt, you are creative, you have wisdom within, make up some quotes of your own to share. If you are artistic, illuminate them.

Thank you for reading. I hope you will follow or come back when you are available. Remember creativity and love partner; express your dynamic vision in the world with such enthusiasm and tenderness, others are encouraged to change, succeed, or continue because of your example. We are lights, we are not snuffed by the shadows, we brighten the darkness, allowing others to find their pathway. It will not be ours, but theirs as individuals enabled through our inspiration. Be careful out there. Hold on to your hope, love, and joy; the world needs you. God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Forever and Always.

Sometimes, A Heartbreak

The formatting is off in this post. I cannot repair it. My apologies.

Today, my heart is broken for our world, our country, our states, our neighborhoods, all of us. There are many hurting people. Those who have lost friends, family, loved ones; lost treasured pets, who are in pain, who have chronic illnesses, who have terminal diseases, whose relationships are battered or shattered, who cannot beat addiction, who are terrified for their children. There are job losses, financial losses, unbearable debt, mental distress, poverty, hunger, homelessness, war, bullying, and I could probably go on forever. Our world is a troubled and violent place. Safety is hardly real, the risk is constant, death is a breath away.

Some scoff at the name of Jesus, some say they do not need prayers, only actions. When I grew up, prayer was constant and all over. It was not consigned to obscurity. I do not remember life being such a tenuous proposition then. We believed in the good of one another. God has been sent away, and the increase in troubles keeps multiplying. Love has become rare, lust more common, hate a regular outcry.

You may disregard God as you wish, but I pray He finds you. This world needs Jesus, it requires the love only God can provide. Lives need saving. Let those of us who will, abide in Christ’s love, and share it with everyone we meet. People need love. Love can redeem lives. Let each of us be messengers, soothing hands, transmitting the love of the Savior to our communities. We must go, for they must hear and know, for the Lord sends us, and we are His to command.

When I am haunted, I sleep little, and my mind requires that I write. Perhaps, you would have me write otherwise. I am given words, it is not so much a choice as an outpouring over which my control is meager. I understand some may disbelieve that statement, but it has always been the way with me.

Struggle continues

My mind dislikes obeying
The commands I give
It has its own words and ways
I am a vessel of clay.

Shall I be thankful? It is my usual way. I am grateful:

1. My son grew up with a heart and an intention to serve.

2. I spoke my truth, and it cost, perhaps I should learn to curb my honesty when it has the barbs in.

3. I am blessed with topics and words lately.

4. I am getting a little sleep with the aid of a medication cocktail that helps curb my pain. Not opioids or anything addictive for those who might have a concern. My usual meds, plus some NSAIDs.

5. I made some calls and clarified my needs with some businesses. One was insurance, I have a problematic relationship with coverage, but anyway.

6. The ice maker does work, it only requires you provide it with, newsflash, water.

7. I paid bills, bills are evidence you have things in your life, those are blessings. Therefore the need to make payments shows you are provided for by God’s sufficiency.

As a prompt, explain your faith or lack thereof. Consider how you can exhibit faith conjoined with love. Create something that embodies your belief.

I do so appreciate your visit here at Haphazard Creative. You are always welcome and invited to return. Should you want, there is a follow button which will subscribe you to updates. I am freezing. TMI. This world needs love, which entails being courageous enough to reach out benevolently to the people we encounter each day or night, I guess. So I encourage you to put that gorgeous, ice-melting smile on your face and express the friendliness that abides in your soul. You can give your love away as often as you will, and it will be replenished, so you never run out, and the really cool thing, love will return to you. Be grateful, be hopeful, but be careful and aware, keep yourself from danger what you can. God Bless and Keep You, Everyday, Everyway, Forever and Always.

If you missed them, there are previous posts you may wish to read. I have done some exceptional writing of late.

Cry Of A Skirmish, Become Battle

I have these two hands

Chock full of everything and

Nothing matters but

The fact loneliness, silence

Surround me with a woven

Shourd spun by a spider huge

Enough to swallow camels

Unable to pass through needles.

Still this fight, it is my fight

I will not give up, nor quit;

Nobody, nothing has ever

Beaten me, and now is no

Time to embrace my defeat.

Sure, I have been down, fallen,

But being at the bottom

Is not a place to concede,

The floor is sure beneath you

So you build, build skyscrapers

Rockets, starships, transporters;

Choose the future, create

Technology to carry

You where you wish to begin.

Even if you use only words

Describing the dreams held up

To challenge the entropy

Chaos that dwell threatening

In the dust and grime that swirl

Eroding marvels some worship.

What they do not know, cannot

Be told them, refusing the message

You cannot make them submit

It will be, if it will be,

When it happens, if it does.

You just be you, and be best

That you can be, that you know

How, love has you, and you have

Love enough to inspire, incite

Others to find the greatness

Contained beneath decaying skin

In the very heart of the self

Who is a wisp of shallow breath,

Evanescent, easily

Aborted in the crush of

Moments that slip quick away

Like motes in passing sunbeams.

Rush to the helm, take the wheel,

Drive your ship with dignity,

Care, choose your freight with delight

Do not weigh yourself excessively

Accepting problems others

Create for you, find solutions

No one can attempt besides you.

There is trouble, sadness, tears,

But those are not destiny;

Destiny lies at a time,

Beyond time, a place outside

Space, the heart contains the seeds

Of creativity, eternity,

The ability to transcend

To love deeper and wider

Than imagination knows.

Children of the Creator,

Children of the Forever King,

We are capable of living

Abundance, Heaven on Earth.

Broken, shattered, maybe, but

Keep watching, there are miracles

Unbelievable, we are yet to see.

I know the ending of the story

And the triumphal winner

Calls us, Beloved, and He

Saves us eternally.

These last two poems are a bit unusual for me. My gratitude list and prompt are in the first of the three entries I have made today. I realize no one liked it, but it had worth.

I am grateful my creativity knows no bounds and that my voice is mine. Being creative, being an original, is one thing no one can take away.

As a prompt, think about the above statement. What freedom, what license does it give you?