after the strong southwest wind

 

when your eyelids shut

do you recall white-pink sands 

or the rage behind mud-graffitied walls 

do you see the bluest skim of lake

or spiralling darkness of missed turns of road signs 

weep

but open your eyes 

the light 

inside you

is never spent

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Quadrille hosted by Bjorn Rudberg.  This is a 44 word post with the chosen word - EYE.  Join us when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.  Thanks for your visit and comments.

A promissory note, pinned on the mirror

Kylli Sparre via Colossal

Darkness lifts from your shoulders
          for once, imagine standing by sea

Soulful as wind rushes
          your ears in a stampede of energy & verve

Extending your hands, you float 
          like lilies on pond, free of tangles & dead weights

Call the night now
         and see yourself, a key turning

In a singular fluid motion
         the water darkens with velocity 

Spine bending to sky  
         you say, take these seeds

Black & curdled with fear     
         & throw them away to tides & gulls

Moon rises from the sea depths 
         resplendent orange, full of light

Shining your face, earnest & ardent 
        inhale salt beds & sun-ripe meadows 

Everywhere you turn is luck 
        & love rooting & ripening, like it has never left -    
   



Posted for OpenLinkNight of D'verse Poets Pub - Join us every Tuesday at 3 pm EST ~

Dreams

To spread my wings and sail 
was what I wanted to do


To reach the rooftop on high
was where I wanted to climb


To ride the balloons and soar 
was where I wanted to flee 


But I didn't realize how far away 
it was until I fell and hurt my knees


The deep blue sea winked at me,
as I pondered on my direction


Am I fated to be just a simple dreamer,
or to go forth with wind under my arms? 


I didn't know myself until I slipped, tumbled,
collapsed, knocked over, along my journey

I thought I was the greatest skipper there is,
but I learned the best of me is still becoming.


My dreams await me,  take a look up the sky 



Posted for D'verse Poets Pub:   Out the Sketchbooks hosted by Brian Miller.  Written for my 12 year old daughter.
Also written for:   Bluebells Books - Short Story Slam


I like Tera's art that I used her other drawing for this post:  
http://everydayamazin.blogspot.com/2011/12/far-away.html

picture credit:  here

Worth loving

Write a poem.

Learn to dance.

Travel to a new place.

Forgive yourself.

Love yourself. 

HAPPY WEEK ~

Start today

Life is so precious. 

 Some days you want to go back in time and relive all the beautiful moments. 

Or even redo some missteps. But the challenges make us stronger and a better person. 

 Start today; its another day.

Have a wonderful weekend ~

quote credit:   http://bitsotruth.blogspot.com/2011/07/01686.html

Small steps

Summer is too short a season for us.   So we marvel each warm day, knowing that in the coming months it will be cold season.   

As for myself, I have enrolled in another certification program by end of the year.  I don't want to make excuses that I don't have time for personal study or for being contented where I am, career wise.   Small steps but hopefully in the long run it will pay off when an opportunity comes along.   In the meantime, I keep myself busy with writing poetry and prose.   Who knows someday, I may write or publish a book.  Small steps, big dreams.   

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend ~

quote credit:   http://bitsotruth.blogspot.com/2011/07/01628.html

Happy Raining

Spread a little happiness today! 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone ~

picture credit:     http://www.flickr.com/photos/laserbread/5786630257/

If God Should Go On Strike

It's just a good thing God above

Has never gone on strike

Because He wasn't treated fair

Or found things He didn't like

If He ever once sat down and said

"That's it, I'm through,

I've had enough of those on earth

So this is what I'll do

I'll give my orders to the sun

Cut off your heat supply

And to the moon give no more light

And let the sea run dry

Then just to make it tough

And put the pressure on

I'll turn off the air and oxygen, till

Till every breath is gone"

Men say they want a better deal

And so on strike they go

But what a deal we've given God

To whom everything we owe

We don't care who we hurt or harm

To gain the things we like

But what a mess we'd all be in

If God should go on strike.

~anonymous~

Author's Note:   Canada Post is still on strike.   No, it is not good but we are coping with it.   The longer it gets, you actually can find that you manage without it's services.

Poetry credit:  


http://theworksofhope.blogspot.com/2011/06/if-god-should-go-on-strike.html

A Good Day

Live today joyously
With grateful hearts for all our blessings 
and open hands to new friends
new experiences, new challenges. 
Today is a new day to start anew.
It is a good day.

quote credit:   http://bitsotruth.blogspot.com/2011/06/01455.html

Perhaps and maybes

This coming June 25, we would be 6 years in Canada.    A lot things have happened when we first landed here, carrying our hopes and dreams for a better life for my children, and for my husband and myself.

We have survived the challenges that any immigrant faces - the bitter and cold winter months,  employment, jobs, passing the tests,  schools, taxes, home and just about finding our spot in this big and wonderful country.   We are now citizens and holding a Canadian passport which makes travelling a little bit easier.   

Sometimes, my family and I would think about what life could have been, if we have not migrated.   My children were pampered and spoiled before, and never worked a day in their lives.  During the past years, my older children quickly grew up - working and studying at the same time, and learned to stand on their own.  My husband and I had a tougher time adjusting to the work environment but we also quickly "grew up".    There are some things we can do better, and there are some things we just have to accept.

Who knows what life could have been?   Maybe it would have been better, maybe it would have been worse if we did not move to Canada.    I don't know until now if we have made the right decision to burn our bridges, and just start anew in this country.   Because even if we have adjusted in Canada, there is nothing quite the feeling of home and belonging to one's native Motherland.   But I do know this -  I have no regrets being in Canada.   Though we continue to have our challenges,  we are blessed with so many things specially our children.   And for this, I am always thankful that we are where we are supposed to be -  together and enjoying God's blessings.

quote credit:   http://bitsotruth.blogspot.com

Allow Me

I learn a lot of things about myself today.

I learn that it is okay if I don't keep my house in perfect order.  It is home.   

I learn that I don't have to be a chef for my family to like my food.  It is home cooked - that makes it special.

I learn  to trust in myself,  my creativity, my unique gifts.

Most of all, I learn to love and accept    

me.

photo credit: shetakesflight.tumblr

Go for it

Whether you are dreaming about what you want to do

or you want to do something different in your life,

run, dive, swim, go for it.

Make it happen.

picture credit:  shetakesflight.tumblr

Footprints in the sand

I came across this poem when I was a young girl.    I thought then that when God carries me, that he will magically solve all my problems and all my cares will be gone.   Now that I have a family and daily challenges to cope, both at home and at work, I know realize how fortunate I am to have a Divine Hand to guide me, comfort me and hold me close to His Bosom.   Not that all my problems will disappear like magic, but it is comforting to know that there is someone helping me carry my burdens and cares.   Through the kindness and good deeds of loved ones, friends, and even strangers, we can feel His comforting and merciful Hand. 

One night I had a dream.


I dreamed I was walking along the beach


with the Lord.


Across the sky flashed scenes from my life..


For each scene, I noticed two sets of


footprints in the sand,


one belonging to me, and the other to the Lord..

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,


I looked back at the footprints in the sand.


I noticed that many times along the path of my life


there was only one set of footprints.


I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest


and saddest times in my life.


This really bothered me


and I questioned the Lord about it:


"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,


you'd walk with me all the way.


But I have noticed that during the most


troublesome times in my life


there is only one set of footprints.


I don't understand why


when I need you most you would leave me."


The Lord replied:


"My precious child, I love you and would


never leave you.


During your times of trial and suffering,


when you see only one set of footprints, it was then


that I carried you."



poem by Mary Stevenson


Picture credit:   Luke Tscharke

http://www.luketscharke.com/index.php?showimage=14

The same tree, the same humanity

Since I live in a multi cultural city in Canada, I am always amaze of how different people are and yet are also alike in a lot of ways. Sure, we originally came from different countries, race and upbringing, and it is reflected in our food and clothing, and also religious faith, if any.  But once you get to know individuals and families, you discover that you share the same values, and appreciation for life and your country.    As a mom, I share the same concerns with any mom with a growing teen daughter.    As a working professional, I share the same health and family concerns like other working women.  In the broader context, I believe in freedom of expression so I sympathize with other people in other countries who want to break away from political tyranny and oppression.   It is heartening to realize that you and other individuals share the same compassion and sadness when others are hurt and suffering, and happiness, when families, teams and countries come together for peace and understanding.

Also, because I believe that despite our external differences, sometime back in ancient times, all of us are connected or related in one way or another.   If we can appreciate this, then perhaps we can be more tolerant of each other's differences and learn to co-exist more peacefully.

Do you agree that at one time, we all came from the same tree?

Picture Credit:  Luke Tscharke

http://www.luketscharke.com/index.php?showimage=80

The world’s end is coming ?

If one reads the headlines in the news today (Japan's earthquake and nuclear crisis, unrest in Libya and Syria), you would think that the naysayers are right - world's end is coming soon.   I read it might come in 2012?

Well, I actually have heard about the world's doom and gloom prediction every few years, beginning when I heard it from my grandma when I was in my teens.  I was so scared then, and started praying so hard.   It also spooked out my family that we had a rosary, holy water and candles in the rooms in case the earth is covered in total darkness.  Well, I now have a family of my own and world is still spinning day in and day out.   I mean, who can really tell when the world will end?

We can live in fear and get paralyzed into inaction and negative end-of-the-world-thoughts, if we allow gloom and doom predictions to prevail our life.    I am amuse to read that business is brisk with survival kits and things in preparation for next year.   The funniest I have heard is someone building an ark like what Noah did to survive the 2012 end of the world event. 

For me, end of the world or not, we live each day to the best that we can, and leave our worries and cares to the God Above.

"Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway." 

-Mary C. Crowley

Tell me if you guys believe that the world is coming to an end by 2012 and I am crazy not to believe it.  

Photo credit:   http://www.drg-photography.com/2009/08/11/a-black-rock/

You become what you think!

"The mind is everything; what you think, you become."
  Quote by: Gautama Buddha

picture credit:   toinspireyoutumblr.com

A stroke of good luck

Every week when we buy groceries, I always see a line of people buying lotto tickets in the lottery counter.    I can see their hopeful faces, young and old, milling around the counter and jotting down what is hopefully a "lucky number."   Some are already in dreamland, thinking of what to do if they hit the jackpot.... buy a big house, car, clothes, pay off the mortgage and credit cards debts, travel every year and buy more gadgets... the list does on.   The harsh reality comes the next day, when we find out that none of our numbers didn't even show up, or that someone is luckier than us.   Okay, back to reality, back to work, back to studying, and back to the work grind.  We are not lucky at all, we sigh.

Sometimes it is a blessing that we didn't get what we wished for, as pretty much some of us asked for things or events for selfish reasons.   Imagine if we give in and grant our child every toy, wish or new gadget that they want.    We will end up spoiling our child and giving him or her a self-centered and unrealistic view of life and the way they relate to other people.

I would like to think that not winning the top prize or any consolation prizes in the lottery or contest every time,  is a stroke of good luck.   Adversity, challenges, disappointments and setbacks, makes us humble, diligent, stronger and more passionate about living.  And when we do prepare, work and get the top prize or reward, it is more satisfying and meaningful because we have earned it.   Finally, Lady Luck is on our side.

"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."  - Dalai Lama

Picture credit:   Frank Boenigk

http://www.photoschau.de/index.php?showimage=499

Where are you heading to?

As long as you know what you want, and where you want to go, it doesn't matter where you started. For some people, this may take many years as it takes a lot of courage and faith in oneself to know where you are heading to.

"It's not where you are today that counts. It's where you are headed." - Arthur F. Lenehan



Photo credit:   http://www.get-a-glimpse.com/atomPhotoBlog.php?do=show&photoId=881
by Paolo Micheli

Living in a "livable city"

What am I most thankful for today???

According to the recent Economist Intellegience Unit survey, I am living (beside it actually) in one of the top 10 most livable city in the world.   The city that  I am referring to is Toronto, ranked 4th in the list.   Two other Canadian cities were in the top 10, Vancouver is ranked No. 1 (for the past 5 years) and Calgary is 5th.

This survey just validates what every immigrant family know - that Canada is a good country to live and raise children.   It is peaceful and relatively stable without the unrest and troubles of other countries (Turkey, Libya, etc).    We do have access to health care, education, clean water and the basic government services.

You would think that Canadians are generally a happy people because of our blessings.   Some are, but some are complainers. People here gripe about taxes, roads, traffic, garbage, budget and a whole lot of other domestic issues, that gives  Toronto City, a not so picture perfect city to live.

Some of you might even be surprised to know that some Canadians suffer from depression due to work and stress.   I personally find this a paradox considering the relative wealth and stability of Canada compared to other countries.  Consider the global snapshot:

*1/3 of the world population live in extreme poverty with no access to basic needs like clean water


* almost half the world - over three billion people - live on less than $US 2.50 a day.

When one considers what most people don't even have, we are indeed blessed that we have the freedom and peace and even prosperity to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

So, when I hear people here complaining or getting depressed about their situation, I think of people in much worse situation than we are.    I just shrug away the negative comments and accept it as part of my decision to live in this city.   From the way I see it,  things don't look so bad after all.

Here is beautiful picture of Toronto city by night ~

Picture credit:  http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/10/09/02/

Article credit:   http://ca.news.yahoo.com/vancouver-remains-worlds-most-livable-city-survey-20110220-160000-051.html

Always bring your own sunshine

We are in the middle of winter with temperature dropping below zero (C).    Sometimes the sun is out shining brightly, giving warmth to a cold and chilly day.   The weather outside is something we can't control given that we now live in Canada.   I used to live in a tropical country where there was just 2 kinds of weather, sun or rain.   My mood for the day was affected by the weather - I get grumpy when it is cold and wet, and happy when it is sunny and bright.

Now, I don't have that luxury anymore as our summer here in Canada is so short (just 3 months).   I realize that I need to have an "internal weather" in my mind, regardless of the weather conditions outside.  If not, and I let the weather and external conditions affect me, I will be grumpy person most of the time.   I know that it is not easy to be always  cheerful and upbeat  specially when you have problems in your life.  It takes a lot of effort and persistence to be cheerful and have a sunny disposition despite the challenges you have at home and at work.   But I find out that once my mind is set on having a "summer weather", that it becomes easier to share a laugh, a kind word, a helping hand and even an encouraging  remark or comment to others.

To help me have a "summer weather"  mindset, the colors in our home and in my room, are bright and warm; and in my office, I have pictures of flowers and beaches in my wall and in my computer.   If I feel grumpy and depressed, I talk to my family and friends, watch funny and light hearted movies, do my yoga or any physcial activity, or listen to upbeat songs, to shake off the "bad" mood.    And most importantly, I read a lot of stories specially inspirational  and uplifting articles to keep my thoughts focus on the good and blessed things we have in our life.

What about you?   What do you do to "bring your own sunshine"?

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." -Anthony J. D'Angelo

~ Hope everyone is having a good week~

picture credit:  happythings.tumbr