Jokes

It’s All I Have to Bring Today ~ A Poem by Emily Dickinson

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It’s All I Have to Bring Today

Emily Dickinson

It’s all I have to bring today –
This, and my heart beside –
This, and my heart, and all the fields –
And all the meadows wide –
Be sure you count – sh’d I forget
Some one the sum could tell –
This, and my heart, and all th

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Reflection: The Infinite Gift of the Finite

Emily Dickinson’s “It’s All I Have to Bring Today” is a masterclass in the economy of devotion. At first glance, the speaker offers a humble “all,” but as the poem unfolds, that “all” expands from a single gesture to the vastness of the natural world and the depth of the human heart. Dickinson plays with the idea of spiritual and emotional accounting—reminding us that while our physical offerings may seem small, when tethered to our essence and the world around us, they become immeasurable. It invites us to consider the weight of our presence over our possessions.

As you read this poem, ask yourself:

Does the “all” you bring to your daily life feel like a small pittance, or can you see the “meadows wide” hidden within your simplest gestures?

Put Something In ~ A Poem by Shel Silverstein

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Why the World Needs Your Unique Brand of Silly

You don’t need to be a master artist to change the world—you just need to be a little bit “loony.”

Put Something In

Shel Silverstein

Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-grumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
‘Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain’t been there before.

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Deepening the Creative Spark

Shel Silverstein’s “Put Something In” is more than a whimsical rhyme; it is a profound manifesto for authentic self-expression. In a world that often demands perfection and conformity, Silverstein invites us to embrace the “loony-goony” and the “mumble-grumble.” This poem suggests that the value of art lies not in its technical mastery, but in its originality—the simple act of bringing something into existence that “ain’t been there before.” By celebrating the silly and the nonsensical, we strip away the fear of judgment, uncovering a raw, joyful creativity that is uniquely our own.

As you read this poem, ask yourself:

Which “silly” part of your personality have you been hiding lately, and how would it feel to let it out across your own “kitchen floor”?

Light for the Journey: The Strength of Solitude: Why Being Alone Is a Hidden Blessing

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What if solitude isn’t something to fear—but a quiet sign of emotional freedom?

“Blessed are those who do not fear solitude, who are not afraid of their own company, who are not always desperately looking for something to do, something to amuse themselves with, something to judge.” ~ Paulo Coelho

Reflection

Paulo Coelho reminds us that solitude is not something to escape, but something to befriend. When we are comfortable in our own company, we stop demanding constant noise, distraction, or judgment to feel alive. Solitude becomes a place of restoration rather than loneliness—a quiet room where clarity returns and the soul stretches its legs. In those moments, we hear our own thoughts without interruption and rediscover who we are beneath roles, opinions, and expectations. Not fearing solitude is a sign of inner strength. It means we trust ourselves enough to sit still, listen inwardly, and grow without applause or approval.

Something to Think About:

How might your life change if you viewed solitude not as emptiness, but as a space for renewal and self-trust?

Writer’s Prompt: A Father’s Ashes, A Son’s Secret: A Story of Betrayal and Vengeance

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Writer’s Prompt

Frenchy Gamache never missed a day. Rain, illness, exhaustion — nothing kept him from visiting Charlie Evans at the assisted care living center at 4:00 p.m. Charlie, once a quick-witted storyteller, now drifted between worlds, his memories dissolving like fog retreating before the sun.

Most days, Charlie didn’t know his own name. But that day — that terrible day — clarity returned. His hands trembled as he gripped Frenchy’s sleeve and whispered, “He’s trying to kill me. My son… he wants me gone.”

Frenchy hesitated. Dementia was a thief of truths — replacing memories with ghosts. Was this another ghost… or the last honest message Charlie would ever speak?

Two days later, Charlie was dead.

Thirty-six hours later, he was ash.

No funeral. No goodbye. No dignity.

Frenchy stood outside the crematorium, fists clenched, heart burning with certainty: Charlie’s son hadn’t just wanted him gone — he made it so.

And Frenchy vowed, with cold resolve,

he would make him pay.

Writer’s Question

What moment in this story convinces you that Charlie’s death was murder — and how would you begin Frenchy’s revenge arc?

Merry Texas Christmas Y’All

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Leave Only Good Memories: The Gift We Give Each Other

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When a home is filled with laughter, kindness, and love, it becomes a reminder: we all have the power to create spaces where only good memories remain.

I had a houseful of family for the holiday. There was not a crossword, an instant of eyes rolling, or a snarky comment. There was lots of laughter, hugs shared, and love all around. Wish I could bottle it and share it with everyone. Although my family is leaving to return to their homes, they left many memories, all of them good.

I think it is a worthy goal to forget past hurts, build spaces of love and acceptance, and if you leave, leave only good memories.

Listening Warms the Heart More Than Words Ever Could

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Empathy isn’t built from knowing what others feel—it’s born from truly listening when we can’t feel it ourselves.

There is a great disparity in temperatures across the U. S. A daughter texted me that her high temperature was headed toward 30°F. My high temperature today will be 80°F. my brother emailed me this morning and told me that he took his dog for a walk and the temperature was 30 with a bitter wind. I went to the gym and short sleeves and shorts.

Although I’ve lived in cold climate for over half my life, it’s still difficult to understand how my brother and daughter felt being outside in the cold weather. I’ve experienced it but I’m not experiencing it now. I can say things like I know you feel, that sounds so hollow.. The only way to truly emphasize with another is to literally walk along side them. How can we provide advice when we really are not experiencing the same conditions at the same moment? I think it’s difficult. It’s better to listen empathetically. Across the country, temperatures vary—but the warmth or chill we feel inside often has little to do with the weather. When my daughter texts about freezing cold and my brother writes about bitter winds, I can picture it, but I can’t feel it. I walk outside in shorts and sunshine. That gap reminds me how empathy truly works.

Question for Readers:

When was the last time someone truly listened to you—and how did it make you feel?

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear…” — Leo Buscaglia

Power Over or Power With? The Choice That Shapes Humanity

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For centuries, humanity has struggled between domination and collaboration. One destroys; the other creates. Which side of power do you stand on?

It’s been going on for centuries and there is no end in sight. People and/or groups seek to exert Power over. They want power over people who are different from them. They want power over people who think different than them. They want power over cultures they don’t understand. The instance on having power over leads to resistance since inherent in all human beings is the innate desire for self determination and self expression within reasonable societal laws. When we choose to work together setting power over aside we find a way through without having to resort to conflict.

When have you experienced the difference between “power over” and “power with”? Which one brought real change or healing in your life?

When Chaos Knocks, Don’t Answer

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Life’s drama only wins if you open the door. Shut it gently, and step into peace.

I’ve learned to block out the noise. I must be a slow learner because it’s been a long time to come to this truth. There is so much noise and chaos that surrounds us. The truth is we can let it suck us in or we can choose to watch it float on by. It’s easy to get sucked in to the noise and chaos by drama in our families, drama with close friends, drama at work, or by politicians who like to weave a tapestry of drama. It’s easy to fall into these traps if we’re not awake. One way to help us out of being sucked into these traps is to become aware of how we are feeling as these traps tug at us. What emotions are they causing? Are they causing us to be anxious? Are they causing us to be angry? If they are, it’s time to let these traps go. Let them drift away and choose to be peaceful, kind, and grateful. You will feel a heck of a lot better.

When noise and drama try to pull you in, what’s your favorite way to let them drift away?

Light for the Journey: Bursting with Beauty: When Life Overflows with Inspiration

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When life dazzles us with endless beauty and possibility, it can feel overwhelming—yet within that overflow lies the secret to joy and creative fire.

“Every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it.” ~ Claude Monet

Reflection

Claude Monet’s words capture the exhilaration of being alive to beauty. He confessed his head was “bursting” with desire to do everything, to embrace every shining possibility. That overflowing feeling, rather than a burden, is a gift—it reminds us that life is abundant, not scarce. The colors, sounds, and experiences around us invite us to live fully and with wonder. Too often, we hold back, worrying about limits or fearing we cannot do it all. But what if, like Monet, we simply allowed the joy of discovery to move us? What if we let inspiration—not hesitation—set the course? Today, see beauty not as overwhelming but as an invitation. Let your bursting heart be proof that life is still stirring you forward.

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