So I try to make the light in others’ eyes my sun, the music in others’ ears my symphony, the smile on others’ lips my happiness.
Helen Keller
If you’re familiar with Helen Keller’s story, you’ll understand the power in her words.
suffering
Prometheus Unbound ~ Poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Prometheus Unbound
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
To suffer woes which Hope thinks infinite; To forgive wrongs darker than death or night;
To defy Power, which seems omnipotent;
To love, and bear; to hope till Hope creates From its own wreck the thing it contemplates;
Neither to change, nor falter, nor repent; This, like thy glory, Titan, is to be
Good, great and joyous, beautiful and free; This is alone Life, Joy, Empire, and Victory.
Today’s Quote on Hope by Hemingway
The rain will stop, the night will end, the hurt will fade. Hope is never so lost that it can’t be found.
For the Record ~ Poem by Adrienne Rich
For The Record
by Adrienne Rich
The clouds and the stars didn’t wage this war
the brooks gave no information
if the mountain spewed stones of fire into the river
it was not taking sides
the raindrop faintly swaying under the leaf
had no political opinions
and if here or there a house
filled with backed-up raw sewage
or poisoned those who lived there
with slow fumes, over years
the houses were not at war
nor did the tinned-up buildings
intend to refuse shelter
to homeless old women and roaming children
they had no policy to keep them roaming
or dying, no, the cities were not the problem
the bridges were non-partisan
the freeways burned, but not with hatred
Even the miles of barbed-wire
stretched around crouching temporary huts
designed to keep the unwanted
at a safe distance, out of sight
even the boards that had to absorb
year upon year, so many human sounds
so many depths of vomit, tears
slow-soaking blood
had not offered themselves for this
The trees didn’t volunteer to be cut into boards
nor the thorns for tearing flesh
Look around at all of it
and ask whose signature
is stamped on the orders, traced
in the corner of the building plans
Ask where the illiterate, big-bellied
women were, the drunks and crazies,
the ones you fear most of all: ask where you were.
Today’s Quote on Suffering by Gibran
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ~ Khalil Gibran
My Soul Is A Candle ~ Poem by St. John of the Cross
My Soul Is A Candle
by St. John of the Cross
My soul is a candle that burned away the veil;
only the glorious duties of light I now have.
The sufferings I knew initiated me into God.
I am a holy confessor for men.
When I see their tears running across their cheeks
and falling into
His hands,
what can I say to their great sorrow
that I too have
known.
The soul is a candle that will burn away the darkness,
only the glorious duties of love we will have.
The sufferings I knew initiated me into God.
Only His glorious cares
I now have.
You Are Strong – Hang On
Every adult person I’ve met has suffered at some point in his or her life. Life demands us to be courageous. It demands us to reach down and find an inner toughness. It demands that we take a leap of faith into the unknown with the belief that we’ll come out better than we went in. It’s not easy. It can seem overwhelming at times. Be strong. Be of courageous heart. Even if it’s one moment at a time, take it. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Hang on. Hang on. The following YouTube video is a performance by Josh Groban singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Get inspired.
The Power of Family
“That’s what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you’re not so lovable.” ― Deb Caletti
“I sustain myself with the love of family.” ― Maya Angelou
A family has always been a big deal for me. When I was growing up, it was a place I called home. I felt wanted, loved, and encouraged. Was it perfect? Not by any measure. We all held our measure of imperfection. It didn’t matter, it was family. Mom and dad always held an open door and waited for me with open arms.
When I married Babe, we decided we would be a family filled with love. We wanted our five girls to know their mom and dad loved each other and modeled their love for them. We loved, we laughed, we celebrated, we cried, and we forgave. Through it all, we remain a family.
All through Babe’s suffering and death, the five girls rallied around me. They sustained me. They did it because that is what loving families do.
All through my grieving period, their love was the foundation from which I gleaned strength, courage, and determination to go on. Why? Because it is what loving families do.
Family is the place we come from and where we feel we can always return.
Family is the place where, in spite of differences, when the chips are down, we count on each other.
Not everyone has the same experience of family as I did. It is never too late to create a sense of family. It takes two people who care deeply about each other. Two people who dare venture into tomorrow. And, two people who will always have each other’s back. I found strength in my large family. I hope you find strength in your family.
The Power of Love
“Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.” – Albert Einstein
I am a guy dancing alone. In reality, I’m only alone if I choose to be alone. I am surrounded by great neighbors. I have great friends. I have wonderful daughters and grandchildren. Everywhere I travel I meet good people, kind people, compassionate people.
I am attempting the absurd, as Einstein says – I am proving to myself and to all who share a similar journey, suffering doesn’t have the last word. Love has the last word. Despair has no place in the conversation. Love is the conversation. Sorrow will not triumph. Love will triumph over all.
Yes, believing in the awesome, healing, renewing, recreating power of love is absurd. It is the path I follow to achieve the absurd.
We Are Strong
SoulStrong/Breakaway by Siddharth AnandAbandon the past
Throw away the baggage
Suffer no more. avast(stop now)Breakaway from the chains and shackles
Which from you, your life, take away;
Breathe again; this time without constraint
And the dreams in your eyes
Realize;Forget fear. Forget the barriers and the walls
Even the greatest of mountains on your feet will fall
When you with self-trust stand tall.Walk away from those who try to cheat on your soul. Don’t stall.
Remember the wisdom of those wiremen The universal law will square all.Dream and don’t give up
And if they don’t shape up
Try. try once more.
Don’t breakup.For the race of life
Is won, not, by the fastest or the strongest
But, by the one who can give his all……….
I want to report life is easy – I can’t.
I want to report you and I will easily climb the next mountain – I can’t.
I want to report suffering will not ever again knock at your door or mine – I can’t.
I can report that you and I are strong.
We have an inner guide and an abundance of strength to take over the next mountain and the mountain after that, and whatever mountains await us.
I can report that suffering will not have the last word. You and I will not let it.
We are a strong, hope-filled people and we know if we join hands, lift our hearts and minds to a loving God, it’s all going to turn out right.
Fight On – Fight On – Fight On
