Let Love Go On ~ A Poem by Carl Sandburg

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The Timeless Struggle of Love vs. Time: A Reflection on Carl Sandburg’s “Let Love Go On”

In a world governed by strict schedules and endless digital distractions, Carl Sandburg’s “Let Love Go On” arrives like a thunderbolt, reminding us of the one force capable of defying the relentless ticking of the clock.

Let Love Go On

Carl Sandburg

LET it go on; let the love of this hour be poured out till all the answers are made, the last dollar spent and the last blood gone.
 
Time runs with an ax and a hammer, time slides down the hallways with a pass-key and a master-key, and time gets by, time wins.
 
Let the love of this hour go on; let all the oaths and children and people of this love be clean as a washed stone under a waterfall in the sun.
 
Time is a young man with ballplayer legs, time runs a winning race against life and the clocks, time tickles with rust and spots.
 
Let love go on; the heartbeats are measured out with a measuring glass, so many apiece to gamble with, to use and spend and reckon; let love go on.

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Reflection

Carl Sandburg’s “Let Love Go On” is a fierce, uncompromising manifesto for the human heart. Sandburg paints time not as a gentle stream, but as a relentless predator—armed with an “ax and a hammer,” sliding through life with a master-key. Time always wins the physical race, leaving rust, spots, and spent heartbeats in its wake.

Yet, instead of surrendering to despair, the poem issues a radical command: love anyway. Sandburg urges us to pour out the love of this hour until the “last blood [is] gone.”

In our contemporary lives, we often hoard our emotional energy. We ration our vulnerability, waiting for the “perfect” moment or fearing the inevitable end. Sandburg challenges this modern caution. He invites us to gamble our measured heartbeats on deep connection, striving for a love that remains as “clean as a washed stone under a waterfall in the sun.” In an era of transient digital bonds and hyper-efficiency, “Let Love Go On” is a call to rebellion. It reminds us that while we cannot defeat time, we can transfigure it by loving fiercely, extravagantly, and without reservation in the present moment.

As you read this poem, ask yourself:

In what ways are you holding back your emotional energy out of fear of the future, and how can you choose to “let love go on” in your life today?

Can Spicy Food Boost Your Health? The Ultimate Tex-Mex Chili Recipe

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Think eating healthy means trading in your favorite bold, spicy comfort foods? Think again.

Healthy Lifestyle: Real Tex-Mex Spicy Chili

Use these questions to prep your mindset:

  1. Adding extra vegetables to chili always compromises the traditional Tex-Mex flavor. (Answer at the bottom of the Post.)
  2. Capsaicin, the compound that makes chili spicy, may offer metabolism-boosting benefits. (Answer at the bottom of the Post.)

When we think comfort food, especially in Texas, chili is king. But is it healthy comfort food? Authentic Tex-Mex can be surprisingly aligned with a wellness lifestyle. This recipe ditches the fillers and grease, focusing on lean protein, fiber-rich beans, and vibrant spices. This spicy chili is not just a treat for your taste buds; it’s a powerhouse of nutritional benefits.

Lean ground beef or turkey provides crucial protein for muscle repair and satiety. The combination of black and kidney beans adds complex carbohydrates and digestible fiber, which stabilizes blood sugar and aids digestion. We also pack this version with sautéed onions, bell peppers, and jalapeños, ensuring you get a healthy dose of vitamins A and C.

The “real” magic, however, is in the spice blend: cumin, smoked paprika, and—most importantly—the chili. The chili doesn’t just add signature fire. It contains capsaicin, which studies suggest can temporarily boost metabolic rate and manage appetite. This is a satisfying, authentic meal that truly fuels your body.

Step-by-Step Healthy Tex-Mex Chili

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (93/7) or ground turkey
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced (keep seeds for extra heat)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes (no salt added)
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef or vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeños. Cook until softened, about 5–7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Brown the Meat: Add the ground meat to the pot. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
  3. Toasting Spices: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to ‘wake up’ the spices.
  4. Simmer: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juice), rinsed beans, and broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  5. Serve: Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot. Optional toppings: a dollop of Greek yogurt (healthier ‘sour cream’), sliced green onions, or cilantro.

Mindset Prep Answers:

  1. FALSE. Adding finely diced peppers, onions, and garlic enhances the flavor complexity and provides the essential base of any authentic chili, all while increasing the dish’s vitamin and fiber content.
  2. TRUE. Capsaicin has a thermogenic effect, meaning it slightly increases the body’s heat production, which can temporarily increase your metabolic rate after consumption.

“Health is a relationship between you and your body.” — Terri Guillemets

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted in This Gritty Noir Flash Fiction Story

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Mickey thought he was just gathering material for his next viral story—until he realized he was the one being written into a trap.

When the Writer Gets Tracked

Mickey nursed his Shiner, the neon sign of Lucky’s Ice House buzzing like a trapped hornet. His gaze stayed glued to the man at the bar. Flashy. Silk tie, Rolex gleaming under the dim lights, and a restless energy that screamed a rap sheet. Mickey tapped his pocket, feeling the reassuring edge of his leather Moleskine. Subject Alpha, he’d call him. The protagonist of his next viral story.

When the guy stood up and walked out into the humid Texas night, Mickey left a five on the table and followed.

They walked three blocks past shuttered storefronts. Mickey stayed back, stepping into shadows, pulling his collar up—full-on Sam Spade. The man turned down a dead-end alley behind a derelict warehouse. Mickey paused at the corner, heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He peeked around the brickwork.

The flashy stranger was standing by a rusted dumpster. But he wasn’t alone. Another figure stepped out of the dark. Mickey fumbled for his notebook, his pen poised. This was pure gold.

Then the stranger spoke, his voice carrying clearly down the brick corridor. “He’s been behind me since Lucky’s. Just like last Tuesday.”

Mickey froze. Last Tuesday?

The second figure stepped into the moonlight. It was a woman, her trench coat sharp, a camera slung over her shoulder. She smiled. “Good. The editor wanted proof he was taking the bait. Did he bring the notebook?”

Mickey’s blood turned to ice. They weren’t his perps. He was their mark. A floorboard creaked behind him. A heavy hand dropped onto Mickey’s shoulder, locking him in place.

“End of the line, Mickey,” a voice growled.

What happens next? Does Mickey drop the notebook and run, or does he find out exactly what kind of story he’s accidentally been written into? Finish the story in the comments!

Beyond Anxiety: Shifting from Being Controlled by Fear to Controlling Your Focus

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We all experience that sudden, tightening knot in the chest when uncertainty strikes—fear is a universal human passenger, but it should never be the one driving the car.

t is completely natural to have fears. Whether it is the anxiety of a new venture, the vulnerability of opening up to someone, or the daunting challenge of shifting your life’s direction, fear is simply a biological signal. It is trying to protect you. However, there is a distinct difference between carrying a fear and allowing that fear to carry you. When you let your apprehensions dictate your choices, your world shrinks. You begin to react to what might go wrong rather than building what can go right.

To break this cycle, you must actively face your fears. This doesn’t mean diving headfirst into danger without a plan; it means looking at your anxieties with a lens of inquiry rather than judgment. Acknowledge the feeling, understand its source, and then ask yourself: What is the smallest, most resilient action I can take right now to move forward anyway?

Resilience isn’t the total absence of fear. It is the quiet, deliberate realization that something else—your growth, your purpose, your peace—is far more important than the discomfort of the moment. By shifting your focus from what scares you to what strengthens you, you change the dynamic. You stop being the hostage of your anxieties and become the author of your response.

You have fears. Acknowledge them, thank them for trying to protect you, and then step forward anyway. Don’t let them have you.

Writer’s Prompt: The Best Dish Served Cold: A Flash Fiction Story of Revenge

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Five years of heartbreak led to this exact moment—but is revenge ever as sweet as it promises?

The Bitter Root

Cindy Chavez nursed the hurt like a drunk nurses a shot of cheap whiskey—slowly, tasting every drop of the poison she’d carried for exactly five years.

Her mind took the express back to that cool September night. Larry’s text had been brief: Caught up with a client, honey. Raincheck. When she texted her best friend, Simone, looking for a dinner companion, the reply was just as dismissive: Swamped with work, let’s do next week!

Needing comfort, Cindy had driven to Camela’s, the cozy Italian bistro where Larry had proposed. She wanted to wrap herself in good memories. Sat in their exact booth, she was scanning the menu when the front door chimed.

Her breath caught. Entering the restaurant, laughing softly, were Larry and Simone. They were walking together, their sides pressed flush, closer than skin on a snake.

Now, five years later, Larry and Simone were living the dream. Married. A house in the suburbs. A perfect life built on the ashes of her broken heart.

Cindy stood across the street from their anniversary party, a heavy, unmarked envelope clutched in her hand. Inside were copies of the financial records she’d spent months quietly unearthing—proof of the embezzled funds Larry had used to buy their perfect house, and the hidden offshore account Simone kept from him.

She walked toward the venue’s glass doors. Breaking them would be so easy. A single elegant delivery, and their beautiful bubble would burst into absolute chaos.

Cindy reached the door, her fingers wrapping around the cold brass handle. She pulled it open an inch, looking at the happy couple smiling inside. Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Finish the Story

Does Cindy deliver the devastating envelope and claim her long-awaited revenge, or does a last-minute message change everything? How does the confrontation play out? Write the ending and decide her fate.

Light for the Journey: Unlocking Your Hidden Potential: The Power of First Steps

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Inside you lies a masterpiece waiting to be painted, but the canvas remains blank until you pick up the brush.

“Neither you nor the world knows what you can do until you have tried.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

We often sit in the comfort of the familiar, waiting for a burst of certainty or a sign that we are ready. But clarity doesn’t precede action; it follows it. Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us that your true capabilities are a mystery, hidden not only from the world but from yourself, until you step into the arena of action.

Fear of failure often paralyzes us, whispering that it is safer not to try. Yet, the greatest risk is living a life half-expressed. Every profound breakthrough, every sudden realization of strength, begins with a single, trembling attempt. You possess reservoirs of resilience and creativity that cannot be measured until they are tested. Don’t wait for permission or perfect conditions. Step forward, embrace the unknown, and witness the incredible reality of what you can achieve.

Dive Deeper: What is one small thing you have been hesitating to try, and what hidden strength might you uncover if you take the first step today?

We Never Know How High We Are ~ A Poem by Emily Dickinson

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Discovering Your Hidden Potential: The Power of Answering Life’s Call to Rise

What if the only thing keeping you from greatness isn’t a lack of talent, but your own fear of standing out?

We Never Know How High We Are

Emily Dickinson

We never know how high we are
Till we are asked to rise
And then if we are true to plan
Our statures touch the skies –

The Heroism we recite
Would be a normal thing
Did not ourselves the Cubits warp
For fear to be a King –

Source

Reflection

We cannot always control the cards we are dealt—weather delays, sudden market shifts, or unexpected personal hurdles. However, the true measure of our lives is rarely defined by the circumstances themselves, but by the deliberate choices we make next.

Viktor Frankl beautifully noted that between stimulus and response, there is a space, and in that space lies our freedom to choose. When faced with an adversarial situation, our default instinct might be frustration or defeat. But what happens when we pause? By shifting our focus from “Why is this happening to me?” to “How can I constructive respond?”, we reclaim our personal agency.

Choosing your reaction doesn’t mean ignoring the reality of a difficult situation or suppressing genuine emotions. It means refusing to let external events dictate your internal peace. It is about discovering the silver lining, practicing appreciation for what remains, and focusing our energy on active solutions rather than passive complaints.

When you embrace this mindset, you stop being a bystander to your own life. You realize that while you might not have written the current chapter, you absolutely hold the pen for the next one. The next time life throws a curveball, take a deep breath, find your footing, and choose a path forward that reflects your strength, not your circumstances.

How to Make a Healthy, Probiotic-Rich Low Sodium Miso Soup

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Turn a salty staple into a powerful, heart-healthy probiotic meal with this 20-minute recipe.

Use these questions to prep your mindset:

  1. True or False: Standard miso soup is a low-sodium food. (Answer at the bottom of the Post.)
  2. True or False: Miso paste contains beneficial probiotics. (Answer at the bottom of the Post.)

The Heart-Healthy, Probiotic Power of Homemade Miso Soup

Miso soup is a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, offering a comforting, savory depth known as umami. It is also exceptionally healthy and nutritious, especially when you control the ingredients at home. This version focuses on being a heart-healthy choice by drastically reducing the sodium while maximizing the nutrient density.

The health of this dish starts with a homemade, sodium-free dashi (broth base) made from kombu kelp and dried shiitake mushrooms. This base provides minerals and vitamins without a gram of salt. We then incorporate significant protein and fiber by adding cubed tofu and abundant greens like spinach. Tofu offers excellent plant-based protein, and spinach is loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, plus folate.

The defining healthy component is the miso paste itself. Miso is a fermented soybean product, making it a source of probiotics, which are live, beneficial bacteria that support a healthy gut microbiome and aid digestion. Since miso can lose its beneficial properties if boiled, we incorporate it at the very end of cooking. By using a reduced-sodium miso paste, this soup becomes a complete, functional meal that warms the body and supports the immune and digestive systems.

Low Sodium Nourishing Miso Soup (Recipe)

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Servings: 2-3

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups water
  • 1 piece dried kombu kelp (approx. 4 inches)
  • 3-4 dried shiitake mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup firm tofu, cubed
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 2-3 tbsp reduced-sodium white miso paste
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced

Directions:

  1. Create the Dashi: In a medium pot, combine the water, kombu, and dried shiitake mushrooms. Slowly bring to a simmer (do not boil hard) over medium heat, about 10-12 minutes.
  2. Infuse: Once simmering, remove the kombu piece. Continue to simmer the mushrooms gently for 5 more minutes. Then, remove the mushrooms, slice them, and set aside to cool (discard stems).
  3. Add Components: Add the sliced mushrooms back to the dashi. Add the tofu cubes and spinach. Simmer gently for 2 minutes until the spinach just wilts. Turn off the heat entirely.
  4. Incorporate Miso: In a small bowl, combine the miso paste with 1/4 cup of the hot broth. Whisk with a fork until perfectly smooth. Pour this smooth miso mixture back into the main pot and stir well. Do not reheat.
  5. Serve: Ladle immediately into bowls and garnish with fresh green onions.

Answers and Explanations

  1. False. Standard, store-bought, or restaurant-style miso soup is often very high in sodium, sometimes exceeding 1,000 mg per serving. Making it at home with sodium-free dashi and reduced-sodium paste makes it a truly low-sodium option.
  2. True. Miso is a fermented product. The fermentation process produces beneficial live bacteria (probiotics) that are excellent for gut health and digestion.

“Every time you eat is an opportunity to nourish your body.” — Unknown

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

Life Happens: Why Choosing Your Reaction is the Ultimate Act of Resilience

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Life has a chaotic habit of tearing up our carefully drafted scripts, leaving us to navigate plot twists we never asked for.

We cannot always control the cards we are dealt—weather delays, sudden market shifts, or unexpected personal hurdles. However, the true measure of our lives is rarely defined by the circumstances themselves, but by the deliberate choices we make next.

Viktor Frankl beautifully noted that between stimulus and response, there is a space, and in that space lies our freedom to choose. When faced with an adversarial situation, our default instinct might be frustration or defeat. But what happens when we pause? By shifting our focus from “Why is this happening to me?” to “How can I constructive respond?”, we reclaim our personal agency.

Choosing your reaction doesn’t mean ignoring the reality of a difficult situation or suppressing genuine emotions. It means refusing to let external events dictate your internal peace. It is about discovering the silver lining, practicing appreciation for what remains, and focusing our energy on active solutions rather than passive complaints.

When you embrace this mindset, you stop being a bystander to your own life. You realize that while you might not have written the current chapter, you absolutely hold the pen for the next one. The next time life throws a curveball, take a deep breath, find your footing, and choose a path forward that reflects your strength, not your circumstances.

Writer’s Prompt: Flash Fiction: The Million-Dollar Choice on a Park Bench

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A discarded bag holds enough cash to buy back his life—and a weapon that could end it. What happens next?

The Bench at the Edge of Tomorrow

Joel Sweets used to have a life measured in spreadsheets, mortgage payments, and a wife who laughed at his terrible jokes. Then the Model 7 Unit took his desk, the bank took his house, and the silence took the rest.

Now, his life was measured by the slats of a green park bench. To the morning joggers, he was just a weathered fixture, as familiar and overlooked as the oak trees. He looked like he’d wandered out of a hurricane, but his spirit remained stubbornly intact. Every passerby received the same gift: a genuine smile and a bright, “Good morning.” Joel saw everything from his perch. He knew who was running late, who was hiding a secret, and who was merely existing.

At 7:42 AM, he saw the man in the charcoal suit. The man moved with a frantic, synthetic urgency, tossing a heavy canvas bag into a trash bin thirty meters away before vanishing into the crowd.

Joel waited. Hunger was a sharp, familiar ache. Maybe there was a discarded box of donuts, a half-eaten burger, or some cold fries. He slipped across the grass, reached into the bin, and pulled the bag into the morning light.

It wasn’t food.

Neat, banded stacks of hundred-dollar bills stared back at him—more wealth than he had earned in a lifetime. Nestled beneath the cash sat the cold, matte-black steel of a semi-automatic pistol.

His fingers closed around the grip. The metal was freezing against his calloused skin. He looked up. Across the path, a sleek Mercedes slowly rolled to a stop, its headlights catching his tattered coat.

Joel pulled the weapon from the bag, and then…

What does Joel do next? Does he reach for a new life, or does the trap close around him? The ending is yours to write.

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