Artful Haiku & Tanka

Showing…

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

I doodle when I am trying to soothe myself. What do you do when you need to reach calm?

Everything today converged to make getting things done difficult.

Sometimes plans run amok, I lack necessary control. Do you ever get lost in things and time slips on you? It often occurs to me that despite efforts to the contrary I am floating unanchored. Only the present exists and it is an area wild. Who holds it? God, I suppose, but does He cede the reins that each of us drafts our activity? Live life alive sweet subtle self 🌟 serene.

I am a creative and I appreciate some of AI functions. However, when it downright changes my words, I want to dismiss it entirely.

One reason I persist in doing much of my work by hand is keeping AI out of creation. I want my voice, not some sanitized spiritedness.

Anyway, I hope you have checked in with yourself ☺️ today. It is essential to be kind in your dealings with yourself. Self-empathy allows you a more even attitude with others.

Sometimes, typing puts me in a wholly estranged space of creation. It can be a good thing. I lighten up a little. Finding myself suddenly thrust into a sky high attitude I lapse into calm.

Prompt – Try several modes of creating: text, handwritten, art, graphic design, photography, or otherwise. Examine how your mood may change.  Decide if you appreciate the differences.

Thank you for spending time with me. You are vital. Your input can influence. If you wish, comment, like share. Be involved, help evolution and revolution.

Peace be your companion and creativity enlighten your hours. Do, be, keep going. Never give up! Quitting is 🚫 not your pathway! Success beckons; press on.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Busy bees buzz bushes…

Today and Again

Do you ever have to slow down and find your center? It can take time to remember who you are and for what you are meant. We so easily get lost in chasing the things we need and want and plowing our souls under the toil. Stillness helps us see our persons; music can raise us; reading can picture us; art can show us reason; writing can free us.

We deserve to live creatively and with such love that we feel we can accomplish our hopes and dreams. Some find inspiration in a relationship with Christ Jesus; some follow other paths. As we meet in lives so often hectic, we need to share love and kindness no matter the circumstances in which we exist. Our differences make the world fascinating and rich. We learn much when we open ourselves to one another.

Stepping out of space and time to give ourselves peace to clarify our goals is worthwhile. Sometimes this is done in silence, some creation, some before the eyes of the world. Whatever our method, we must never give up. We are the outworking of the prayers of generations; our promise and purpose must continue.

Today is the moment we grasp; it is our time to build within. Letting it slip through our fingers is not an option—love, love, love. We should be a blessing in whatever places life carries us. Time and again, we can begin a better beginning, for we are living gifts.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan.

BE…

Be the sun that shines,
The star that guides,
The heart that beats,
The focus that leads,
The example that feels,
The hand that reaches,
The soul that believes,
The one that lifts the fallen,
The mind that searches,
The question finding answers,
The brave that continues,
The failure that succeeds,
The intelligence in darkness,
The person for all people,
The hallelujah and amen,
The strength to begin again,
The one that helps overcome,
The ears that diligently listen,
The scholar that teaches,
The hands that build,
The one who can forgive,
The charitable to the needy,
The good that will not stop,
The music that mends minds,
The words that need speaking,
But most of all be
The LOVE that lights
Every corner of existence
And assists humanity.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Best Friends

When we are faced
With challenges which move us
Beyond our limits
There is a recognition
We must befriend ourselves to
Accomplish our purposes.
Sometimes this is hard,
Knowing who we are, being
Aware of all faults,
It is a difficult thing
To process but must be done.
We can accept each
Part of our being with care
And find ourselves fair
In aspect and humor by
Finding good things in
Our character, bodies, thoughts,
Giving credit for accomplishments,
Deeds done, tasks completed in
Those times when we went
Over and beyond, each of us
Is precious, worthy, valuable.
It is something to reflect upon
When we doubt, or there seems
Nothing we can do; within everyone
There are strength and ability
To be brought forth in trials,
Never Give Up, Believe In Yourself.
Overcoming is often only
A matter of patience and persistence,
We are resilient,t and we will make
The world a better place
One loving action at a time.
Becoming one of our best friends
Is a gift we should grant ourselves.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

What Good’s In You?

The Journal Writing prompt today is: Make a list of 20 things you like about yourself.

Believe it or not, this is going to be a difficult assignment. The thing is, according to my mood, I can tolerate myself or hate myself. The tendency toward antipathy is strong.

Here goes:

  1.  I am creative.
  2.  I love deeply and extravagantly.
  3.  The son I raised is an outstanding success.
  4.  I am a writer.
  5.  I am an artist (perhaps not a very good one, but I have some gifts).
  6.  I choose never to stop learning.
  7.  I want to be like Jesus.
  8.  I made my Mom’s final years bearable and kept her at home.
  9.  I do not allow Schizo-Affective Disorder to defeat me, though sometimes it is touch and go.
  10. I have excellent taste.
  11. Animals love me.
  12. Children love me. (Ah, geez, I am running out of things to say. Whatever else?)
  13. I am generous.
  14. I sing.
  15. I work with technology despite the fact I never got the hang of typing very well.
  16. I am an early-adopter.
  17. I am capable of teaching things I know.
  18. I have empathy.
  19. I have overcome most of my worst habits.
  20. I have a wide variety of friends.

Bonus: I am still here, even though I fight suicidal ideation more than I like.

Okay, I did it. Can you? Can you step out of the negatives that often besiege us, and count yourself a blessing? I suggest you do it. It might brighten your day. Appreciate yourself. 

The Bible says we should love others as ourselves. It implies the prerequisite that we love who we are to love others better.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan