When the Sun of compassion arises darkness evaporates and the singing birds come from nowhere. – Amit Ray
Poems
Poems that will lift your spirits and warm your heart.
Imagine Inspiring Others
There is no small, unnoticed action of outs. It is witnessed by others. Even when we act in a space where there is no human observation of our activity, we carry that action within and its presence makes itself felt as we interact with others. Our actions count. Imagine each of your actions, however small, contributing to enrich, enliven and inspire others. I can see you doing this. This brief YouTube video of a Native American woman who grew up on the “Res” will inspire you as she inspires her brothers and sisters on the “Res”.
Don’t Be Afraid To Fail Big
The words were spoken by Denzel Washington at a commencement speech. Like you and me, Denzel Washington wasn’t born on third base, he failed, worked hard and continued to work hard. Failure didn’t stop him. Discouragement didn’t stop him. He dared to dream. He dared to aspire to big dreams. And, he dared to use his success to build others and create success stories beyond his own. Get Inspired. Dream Big.
Life – An Awesome Gift
Sometimes life’s problems weigh us down. Sometimes the struggle to go on may overwhelm us. But through it all, life is a gift, it is a wonderful, amazing, awesome gift. It’s beauty is in those we love and in those who love us. It’s in a blue sky, the winter’s first snow, or spring’s first flower. It surrounds us. It never leave us. Today I will open my eyes and my heart to this wonderful gift of life – I hope you do the same.
10 Tips To Make The World Better
Let’s make the world better today.
- Plant a tree seedling.
- See a piece of trash on your walk? Pick it up and put it in a trash can.
- Smile at everyone you meet.
- Pay for the coffee for the person behind you in line at Starbucks.
- Toss stale bread out to the birds.
- Surprise an old friend with a “thank you for (fill in the blank) email.
- Invite a neighbor, colleague, friend out for coffee or lunch.
- Post an inspirational photo or quote on your favorite social media.
- Hold the door open for the person behind you.
- Send an video message to a parent, child, friend and tell them to have a great day.
The following short YouTube video will inspire you to do even more. Making the world better doesn’t cost much, a bit of time, a coffee, and a loving heart. Let’s do it!
One Ordinary Woman – Unstoppable
Do you think you are only one person? Do you often say, “What can I do?” “How can I make a difference?” All it takes is one person, with a courageous heart. One person who sees injustice, evil, or a person who needs healing and acts. It takes persistence and an indomitable spirit. Are you that person? Irena Sendler was that person. Watch the 2 minute YouTube video and you’ll discover what one ordinary person did that was by any measure extraordinary. I know she inspired me. I hope she will touch your heart.
Paying Attention To What Is Important
“We are one, after all, you and I, together we suffer, together exist and forever will recreate each other.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
The message in the power-filled quotation by de Chardin is one of community. We are one. We build community by knowing each other in a personal way; by hearing each other’s story; by respecting our difference; by listening to one another. The five minute YouTube video will inspire you to focus on what is important.
Good People Surround Us
Good people surround us. Our world is filled with love. Love will win. It always does in the end. In the following YouTube video, you will feel the love a capacity crowd felt for a man with a disability singing the U.S. national anthem. Once you feel it, your faith in your brothers and sisters will be renewed.
Joy Is Contagious
Joy is contagious. Are you a carrier? All it takes to bring joy is sharing your wonderful gift. Your magical gift, given freely to others to experience and the only reward is to see the joy on the face or faces of those you touched. I smiled throughout this YouTube video. I caught the contagious spreading of joy. I hope you will have a similar experience. Ray
Reading Directions? Who Me?
Three cheers for the weekend! I got two cheers out and then …
“What happened, Ray? What blocked the third cheer? Was it something I said? Something I was I supposed to say but didn’t?”
“Listen up anonymous poster, this blog is not about you. It’s about me.”
“Being kind of self-centered, a self-imposed sense of self-importance, correct me if I’m wrong.”
“Give me a break. I watched the same episode of Dr. Phil as you did. My excuse was that I was at the gym on the elliptical and bored. What was yours?”
“I’ve not known Dr. Phil to ever be wrong. You fit his description. I thought of you as soon he started talking.”
“Why am I talking to you? You can’t talk unless I write down what you’re saying. Go stand in the corner until tomorrow’s post.”
This is what happened to me, an interruption. A good interruption at that. A phone call from a friend. I stop unpacking my new toaster over. My good interruption led me down a path only the foolhardy will follow. It’s called the man path. I’ve been down this path many times. Each time I head down the path, I neglect to read the warning signs left every twenty feet along the path. The warning signs all repeat the same warning.
“Read Directions Before Using.”
I bought a toaster oven. I brought it home in time to put it into action before lunch. How difficult can it be to work a toaster oven? First issue: Taking the toaster oven out of the box. Do I take it out carefully in case I want to return it? Or, do I show the packing and shipping department who’s boss? The answer: it’s easier to recycle in small pieces.
Why is there a plastic wrap around the cord? Is it sterile? Am I not supposed to touch it? Then there is a tiny plastic wire tied around the cord. The poor thing can’t breathe. Off with them. No prisoners. I hope I didn’t hurt the toaster oven. I hope the plug still works.
I’m staring at it. The toaster oven glances over at the directions. I’ve never seen a toaster over glance, but this is the digital age. It’s all possible.
I pick up the directions and flip them into the shredded box pile. Don’t need them. I will never need them. They are there for the insecure. They are there for those who can’t figure things out on the fly. First thing. Plug this baby in. So far so good. Did I need a direction for that? I think not. In fact, I’ll wager the directions say, “Read this before plugging the unit in.” Duuh!
The smoke alarm is peaceful. Hmm, it has a couple of knobs. What’s this tray thing? It must go inside. Okay, Ray, pull the handle down, insert tray thing. What’s this other thing? It looks like a small pan. They probably threw in something extra. I wonder where this was made? I can’t read the writing on the side. It wasn’t made in San Antonio, that’s for sure. If it was, it would have come with an enchilada recipe.
Speaking of such. I pull out a tortilla, put some tuna on it, slice a tomato from my garden and put a few slices on the tuna. I sprinkle it all with nonfat mozzarella. I am admiring my masterpiece. I look in the toaster oven, all I see are grates. You’d think they’d give you a pan. Oh, they did. What did I do with it? Did I take it out to recycle? I know, I’ll put my tortilla on a glass plate. It’s looking good. I wonder what’s a good temperature to do a tortilla? I think I’ll play it cool and put it on broil. I don’t have time to waste. What do you think? Five minutes should do it. I figure out the timer. I have the broiler going. I’m going to chill until I smell the ….
I promise, I promise, I promise, I will read the directions. I think I shredded them.
There are directions important to read.
There are directions important to follow.
There are things we know without having to read or be told to follow: Love everyone, forgive, reconcile whenever possible, and lend a helping hand to all who need one.
