Spring Cleaning With Feng Shui: Remove It and Move On by Susan Tartaglino
balanceyoursurroundings.comNature is beautiful in its imperfections and seems to express itself most fervently with the arrival of Spring. Life wakes up from the deep sleep of winter and everything comes alive. People just can’t wait to shed layers of clothing and feel the warmth of the sun on their skin. Nature responds the same way. The crocus and daffodil plants push their way thru the earth as they sprout new stalks and reach for the sun. Shrubs and trees start to form buds and are turning green. The Chinese system of living in harmony with the natural elements and forces of earth is referred to as feng shui. This ancient philosophy demonstrates that the world is defined by the following five elements of nature: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each element has its own specific characteristics, and can be described in terms of season, direction, color and shape. As a feng shui practitioner, it comes as no surprise to me that wood is the element of Spring, and that the direction associated with wood is east, where the sun rises and the day begins. Wood promotes change. It represents flexibility, growth and new beginnings. Wood is represented thru the color green, which is also the color of photosynthesis. The shape for wood is tall, rectangular or treelike – all traits that are perfectly revealed during the Spring season. Cyclically, Spring it is a natural time for us to focus on removing physical, mental and emotional clutter from our lives. Anything that is neglected, forgotten, unwanted, or unused will cause the energy in your home to slow and stagnate. Subsequently, you will feel clogged and stuck in the past – as if your life is not moving forward. Disorder, confusion, chaos and blockage are not signs of a healthy space. When the energy in your home gets congested, so does your body. The stagnant energy of clutter pulls your energy down with it, which can lead to fatigue or depression and even illness. Everything in your environment mirrors your inner self. A cluttered space actually reveals secrets about you. For instance, a garage that is in disarray from useless items and trash could indicate procrastination, while a basement packed with stale junk may signify living in the past or fear of an unknown future. Folks with attic clutter may tend to worry more about the future than others, which is a direct result of having all that stuff constantly "hanging over your head".Having obstructions at the main entrance of your home can restrict the flow of opportunities coming to you. When furniture or other miscellaneous items, such as coat racks or hooks, prevent doors from fully opening, the energy is not allowed to flow freely in your space. As a result, everything you do takes more effort. Objects hanging from doorknobs are another form of thwarted energy. All of these obstructions may seem slight, but through the eyes of feng shui they symbolize stumbling blocks that can hinder us from feeling comfortable and balanced in our environment. Clutter can be described as a confused multitude of things, but it can also be defined as follows: - Anything that is not being used - Things that are disorganized or disorderly - Having too much stuff in a small space - Anything that is unfinished Inherited belongings that you don’t particularly like and unwanted gifts also fall into this category. Even unwelcomed and non-relaxing sounds can be counted as clutter! Physical clutter in your home equates to clutter in your mind. Piles of paperwork, books, magazines, memorabilia, unused toiletries, etc., all have an insidious way of multiplying and haunting you in the process. Having a disorderly space creates mental clutter in the form of stress, frustration or depression. Other examples of mental clutter include worrying about finances or concerning yourself with goals that were never achieved. From an emotional standpoint, there is a parallel line when dealing with clutter and dealing with difficult emotions. When we get rid of clothes that no longer fit or will likely never fit again, it reminds us that our aging bodies have changed. Removing possessions that belonged to a previous partner or someone who has passed on requires us to come to terms with our loss and feel grief, or to let go without feeling like we are betraying our love. Getting our physical space in order allows us to regain a sense of clarity and order in our thoughts. To live without clutter is to trust and have faith in the choices we make. By becoming more conscious of what you allow and keep in your home, you will develop an ability to trust the decisions you make in life. The more you trust yourself, the more fulfilling your life will become. Take the time to inventory your home (or office). De-clutter by asking yourself the following two questions: “Do I really need this?” “Is it something I really love?” The answer should be yes to at least one, but preferably to both of these questions. 
A simple method to help you along is to get some boxes or garbage bags and label them: Trash – remembering to recycle. Give Away – which is really another form of recycling. Put Away – for the things that have made the cut and will find their way to another place in your home. You may also need a separate bag for repairs, but you must commit yourself to taking the time to get them repaired. There will be things that you just cannot part with at this point in time. Put them aside and give yourself a reminder to revisit them at a later date. Once you start the clearing process, however, you will feel so empowered that you will be surprised how easy it will become to release things! Remember to get the belongings out of your space entirely. Putting them in nicely labeled boxes or bags and placing them in a garage or storeroom defeats the purpose as it keeps you psychically linked to them. Take that extra step to fully remove them from your property. Remind yourself that it is safe to let go. Difficult feelings will likely come up as you work through this process. Acknowledge them and be gentle with yourself by taking baby steps and working at your own pace. Make a list and set realistic goals. Try one closet, one drawer or one shelf at a time and then give yourself the satisfaction of crossing if off your list. Each small area you clear releases energy and offers inspiration to continue. Rather than look at the removal practice as a chore, consider it a way of honoring yourself and taking back control of your life. Remember, you are free to create a personal living space of your own choosing. Let a little Spring cleaning and clutter clearing lighten your load physically, mentally and emotionally. You will see procrastination dissolving and find yourself motivated for a lifestyle change. Follow nature’s lead – now is the time to be like wood. Welcome change and try new things; take a few risks and be flexible in your thoughts and actions. 
SaturnsLady
Change the Way You Talk to Yourself. Seriously.
dailykindness.com
Use Empowering Words When You Talk to Yourself,
(whether you are speaking out loud or silently)
How do you talk to yourself?
Do you use the words “can’t”, “won’t”, “don’t need to”, “why try”? Many people do.
Do you find that what you say to yourself turns out to be true? Why is this?
You see your brain is like a computer that you feed each day. It doesn’t always know what’s real or not unless you tell it.
Example: If someone you love has hurt you, you may tell yourself that all people who love you will probably hurt you too. You may not even be aware that you are doing this.
Your brain just files this information for reference, it’s data, little zeroes and ones and no column that asks “true or not true?” Now your brain thinks, based on what you told it, that everyone you’ll ever love will hurt you. At the very least it is using this data in its assessment of future situations.
Now, what if we instead told our brain:
“Okay this person ripped my heart out – but that’s only one person. I’m lovable and have many loving people in my life who are not out to hurt me. I know that the right people are coming into my life all the time. If someone hurts me, I will forgive them and bless them on their way.”
Words can be empowering.
I can
I love to
I want to
I will
I must
I am
We can attain a greater quality of life if we feed ourselves empowering words and practice saying them until they become a habit.
I know firsthand that it takes time. And I also know that it’s worth it.
Try it for a week. Catch yourself saying, “I can’t”, when you don’t really mean it and instead try, “I can”, and see how you think and feel about yourself.
Remember, the words you use to empower yourself will have a lasting effect, only if you practice them and they become a habit (an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary).
They say it takes at least 28 days to develop a habit. After a week, you will see that it becomes easier. It’s a mindset and you can control your thoughts. Be proactive and not reactive – give yourself some good words.
Dream big and empower yourself! Believe you can and you will.
Most of all,
CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!
SaturnsLady
An Uncommon Act of Courage
After consulting with their doctors, a mother and father are told that their gravely ill daughter needs an immediate blood transfusion to save her life today and to be able to continue her treatment. The best donor the doctors say, is her five year old brother.
The boy is terrified of hospitals and of the needles and tubes that he’s seen his ailing sister confront daily. The parents know that his blood transfusion is imperative and are concerned that he will balk at the request because of fear. No one wants to hold the five year old boy down and take his blood from him.
So, the parents sit him down as his pale sister lay helplessly in her hospital bed. They explain more exactly than before the seriousness of her condition and how he uniquely can give her his blood and a chance at life anew. He listens to them intently, his brow furrowed in worry.
After a moment of silence, he looks at his parents and says, “Are you sure that if I give her my blood she’ll survive?”
“It gives her the best chance to live, son,” his father replies.
He looks at the ground, crosses and uncrosses his legs, looks back at his parents and says solemnly, “O.K., I’ll do it.”
The medical staff quickly readies the room and the boy is placed on a bed not far from his weakened sister, who thanks him from the moment he walks in. He only nods that he hears her, readying himself for the transfusion.
The doctors pierce his arm and begin the transfusion. As the life-giving blood flows into his sister, her color immediately improves and the parents smile a smile of relief.
After sometime the little boy, his face still a display of worry, looks up at the doctor who is checking his improving sister and asks, “Doctor, how long until I die?”
The boy had assumed he was giving her all his blood, yet was willing to do so.
dailykindness.com
SaturnsLady
Solve the Mystery of Living in the Light
by Guy Finley
trans4mind.com
Here's a true idea that rarely occurs to us: There is a greater potential in what we don't yet know about this life of ours than there is in what we've already seen about it. This great undiscovered territory--this "darkness" within us--is there for a distinctly Divine purpose: it exists as it does to serve the Light that reveals it; for in each such revelation there is a simultaneous realization and release of a new order of consciousness. There is such beauty in this idea, for it speaks to the possibility of a continual rebirth within us. What this means is that currently we don't yet see "problems" for what they really are: a part of the Light within us that we have yet to perceive! Any thought or feeling that troubles us in mind or heart, any fear or worry, is like a candle not yet lit. What purpose has any flame or light--in any form we may find it--other than to enter into and transform what is dark into more of itself?
For instance, maybe we turn around one day and find ourselves caught in the dark grip of some kind of fear. Perhaps we see the one we love "looking the other way"; maybe a phone call delivers uncertain news about our deteriorating health; or someone tells us about a forthcoming change at work that threatens our sense of security.
In moments such as these, our future grows as dark and full of the loneliness, worry, and loss we see coming our way. But our lives need not be swallowed up in unconscious servitude to this kind of suffering. We have another choice if we will only dare be still and be the Light. Here now are some ways to practice realizing the truth of your Self. Each case begins with remembering to make the new choice that follows:
* Instead of surrendering yourself to its punishing presence, bring your loneliness into the Light of your Self. If you will remain there within your awareness of this "darkness," here's what you'll see take place before your inner eyes: the fear of being alone will be transformed into the contentment of knowing that you have never been without the love that you long for. You will see that a tenderness beyond words lives within the Light you have embraced.
* Bring your fear and worry about "tomorrow" into the Light of your Self. Remain there in your awareness of these frightening shadows, and here's what will unfold before your inner eyes: you'll watch these dark doubts dissolve into an unquestioned knowing that no time to come has power over the peace of being in the present moment. You will see that serenity is one with the life of the Light you have chosen to be.
* When visited by some sense of loss or emptiness, bring it into the Light of your Self. Remain quietly attentive to how that dark state wants to drag you into its world, even as you hold it in your awareness, and you'll see a miracle take place before your inner eyes: that feeling of being forsaken will be transformed into the fullness of knowing that who you really are is wholeness itself. For your willingness to be inwardly watchful, you will see that the Light of your Self reaches everywhere in the universe . . . so how could you ever be alone? All that lives . . . lives within the Light of your Self.
After many years of talking to aspirants about being the Light instead of searching for what they think they need to deal with their dark states, I have found there is one main reason most people won't take the leap of releasing their fears into the Light that lives within them. They profess a love of the Light, but whenever an unwanted moment appears, and they look into its unknown abyss . . . they see no Light there, only darkness. Then comes an immediate resistance, and darkness rules the day. Let me shed some light on this problem. Things are not always as they are seen.
Do you recall the wonderful characters in The Wizard of Oz? Along with Dorothy--who was trying to find her way back home--there was the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion: her compatriots on the journey to see the great wizard who would grant each of them their most fervent wish.
The scarecrow wanted a brain, a mind with which to reason and know the truth of things. The tin man hoped for a heart to beat in his hollow tin chest, so that by its warmth and rhythmic beating he would know the presence of the love for which he longed; and the cowardly lion wanted courage to face his fears, to meet any form of darkness with what it takes to defeat it. By the end of the story--largely as a result of what they go through because of their love for Dorothy--each makes this glad discovery: the very quality of character for which they had gone out searching was already living within them!
The Essential Laws of Fearless Living So it is with us: we have forgotten that who we really are cannot be made a captive of any dark condition any more than a sunbeam can be caught and held in a bottle. Our True Self is success itself, in every meaning of the word, because by its Light it fulfils and liberates all that it touches.
Never mind all the voices you'll no doubt hear shouting at you the first time you decide to be the Light of your Self. That which is dark does not go gently through being made new and bright. So there is work involved. But the Light we realize within us never fails; it literally carries us above whatever mountain is before us by revealing it to be nothing other than what we had yet to see about ourselves.
We cannot control the way the world turns, we cannot change day into night, we cannot keep what is not ours; and we cannot hide these facts from ourselves, no matter how hard we try. But what we are given to do, and that turns out to be the one power of ours truly capable of transforming the whole of life, is that we can choose--moment to moment--to be the Light of our Self.
SaturnsLady
The Power of Purpose
beliefnet.com
There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her fifth grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie.
Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.
But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed, how pretty the bracelet was. She put it on and dabbed some of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her pets.
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs.Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met a girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs.Thompson's ear, "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."
You never can tell what type of impact you may make on another’s life by your actions or lack of action. Consider this fact in your venture thru life.
SaturnsLady
Ancient wisdom speaks to the modern world.
The Tao Te Ching is a collection of 81 verses authored by Lao-tzu, a Chinese prophet who was also the keeper of the imperial archives in the ancient capital of Luoyang. Seeing the continual decay during a period of warring states, Lao-tzu decided to ride westward into the desert. At the Hanku Pass, a gatekeeper who knew of Lao-tzu’s reputation for being a man of wisdom begged him to record the essence of his teaching. Thus, the Tao Te Ching was born out of 5,000 Chinese characters some 25 centuries ago.
The words Tao Te Ching translate to “living and applying the Great Way.” The Tao is considered by many scholars to be the wisest book ever written. It encourages you to change your life by literally changing to way you think. By reading the verses presented here, you’ll be embarking on a path that encompasses the profound ideas that Lao-tzu intended to convey.
By absorbing these powerful new thoughts and imprinting them onto your consciousness, you will begin to see the world and all of its people in a new way. That is precisely what it has done for me. Reading the Tao and incorporating this philosophy into my life has changed me forever. Through the steady use of this relaxing Tao-centered work, you will begin to live in harmony with your own nature, feeling more at home than you ever felt before and living what is called a truly God-realized life.
The Tao offers you Divine guidance on virtually every area of human existence. It is a new way of thinking in a world that needs to recapture its ancient teachings. Work with the verses and you will come to know the truth behind the ancient Tao observation: When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
Here are ten of the Tao’s timely and timeless lines:
1. One who lives in accordance with nature moves in harmony with the present moment, always knowing the truth of just what to do.
2. By not claiming greatness, the sage delivers greatness.
3. Do not limit the view of yourself. Do not despise the conditions of your birth.
4. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. Stand by your word.
5. Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil.
6. The gentle outlasts the strong. The obscure outlasts the obvious.
7. Love vanquishes all attackers; it is impregnable in defense.
8. When two opponents meet, the one without an enemy will surely triumph. When armies are evenly matched, the one with compassion wins.
9. Heaven does not hurry, yet it completes everything on time.
10. Serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present. This is the Tao.
SaturnsLady
A Special Story
by Danielle Garcia
intuitiveangels.com
I wanted to share this special story with you that truly touched my heart.
My cousin, David, passed away about two years ago. David was an amazing man, great father and doting son. He owned a large piece of land where he rode his horses and carried on his deep friendship with his dog, Buddy. Buddy and David were inseparable, especially after David's retirement as a school principal.
Buddy somehow got loose off the property and David was heartbroken. He posted flyers everywhere and for six long weeks prayed for Buddy's safe return. Luckily, a nice family had taken Buddy in, and returned him to David safe and sound. Their relationship was so much deeper than a pet/owner. It was more of an enduring friendship, as was to be revealed on so many levels.
David suffered a heart attack while sitting at home sharing the company of his beloved friend, Buddy. When David was found a few days later, Buddy was laying across his feet, not wanting to leave his side, even in death.
Fast forward now to present day, two years after David's death. My aunt, David's mother, and my cousin, David's son, decided to visit David's grave last week and took Buddy along for the ride. Buddy had never been to the cemetery, and they wanted to treat him to a much deserved car ride.
When they arrived at the cemetery, Buddy jumped from the car and ran straight to David's grave and laid down upon it. I can't imagine baring witness to such an amazing and endearing act of love and connection. As I heard this story, and as I write this, the tears flow in realization of how strong the emotion of love really is.
Love perseveres through every trauma, every ordeal, every loss and even physical death. The connection itself never dies. Love really is eternal. How else would Buddy have been able to find his friend's grave?
This story has moved and touched me. Maybe because it involves an amazing animal connection, or perhaps because my family experienced it. More than that, I think it is the simplistic and pure example of the love and connection between two souls that has really touched my heart.
SaturnsLady
How to Deal With Mean People -
A Survival Guide for the Rest of Usby April Vereen
ezinearticles.com
Learning how to deal with mean people is one of the most empowering things you can do. Your self esteem, confidence level and success rate will skyrocket when you master the ability to stop the effect these people can have on your life. Ready to get started? Here's how to deal with mean people in 3 easy steps.
Step 1. Take Back Control.
Realize that no one has control over your emotional state but you. You choose how you respond to the aggression being shown to you. One of the fastest ways to stop a mean person in their tracks is to ignore their meanness or even show them kindness in return.
Mean people do what they do because they are looking for a reaction out of you. They are wanting to ruin your day or cause you to lose your cool. Showing them that they don't have the power to do that is like throwing cold water in their face and putting an immediate stop to their plan of controlling your emotional state.
Step 2. Understand The Source.
The aggression and meanness that people show has nothing to do with you. It's the emotional state that these people have chosen to portray. Just as they have no control over your emotional state, you have no control over theirs. Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for The Soul, says that we are all just extras in everyone else's play. Whatever feedback you get from someone is really about them and their issues, NOT yours.
Step 3. Have Some Safety Nets Ready.
Often, when being assaulted by a verbal aggressor, it can be hard to think of what to say. They throw you off your balance and you end getting flustered, often giving in or unable to clearly state your case. It's perfectly acceptable to have a standard comeback for these times. Things like:
"I'd like to discuss this at a different time."
"I'm sorry you feel that way"
"That's an interesting observation."
Think of some of your own so when you get in a confrontation with a mean person, you give yourself the time you need to prepare for the conversation.
Learning how to deal with mean people is a skill that will help you in so many areas of your life so be sure you learn to master it well.
SaturnsLady
Thirty years ago I was driving alone down the Pennsylvania Turnpike on a brisk December morning when I looked into the sky and saw a massive black sphere barreling down on my car. Several days later I was told that black sphere was the tire of a large truck driving the other way. The tire broke loose, bounced across the highway and crushed my car. I heard this news while I was in intensive care shortly after I discovered I was a quadriplegic and would spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.
As you can imagine, the pain, both physically and emotionally, was unbearable -- especially in those early days. But the greatest pain I felt was the alienation that inevitably comes in the wake of trauma. I watched my fellow humans doing things I could never do again and wondered if I would ever be one of them. Making matters worse, most of my friends, family and doctors talked to me differently than they had just a couple of weeks earlier. I could hear the anxiety in their voice and feel the difference in our relationship. It was as though they felt I wasn't Dan anymore, I was someone different. And I wondered that also.
People came into my room and tried to make me feel better. They told me how fortunate I was that I had two children, that I could return to my career as a psychologist and there were people who loved me. All of this "support" made me feel worse and reinforced my belief that nobody would ever understand me again.
I wrote a column for the Philadelphia Inquirer for 15 years. My most popular column was entitled "Four words that could change the world." In it, I was confident that these four words could cut down on the incidence of divorce and even elevate the level discourse in international relations. And those four words?
Tell me your story.
Look someone in the eye and say those four words. Then listen quietly for as long as the other person wants to talk. Don't think about what you are going to say next when they are done, and don't react to whatever frustration, helplessness or discomfort you might be feeling as you are listening. Don't react to whatever value judgments you may or may not be having. Just listen to their story. And one other thing. Try to imagine living that person's life and having that story as yours.
You do that, and neither one of you will ever be the same again. It's called compassion, literally "feeling into" another persons experience. And we know that acts of compassion not only feel good, they release hormones in the brain that make us feel pleasure and generous of spirit.
After several weeks, a friend and colleague came to visit and when we were alone, she said, "Dan, tell me what it's really like?" I cried so hard I couldn't speak. This woman cared enough to sit with me and try to feel my life. Since that time, I tell people that when I am in a dark tunnel I want someone who loves me enough to sit there with me and not stand outside telling me how to get out.
Two months after my accident, I was back in the intensive care unit. During those early months I learned about more things I would have to live without, more illnesses I would endure, how I was at risk for bowel and bladder accident, pneumonia and skin breakdown. And on top of all that, I kept getting ill and going back into the hospital. I felt sick, crippled and of no value in this world.
So there I was in that that bed with a catheter, intravenous fluids and my head and neck immobilized so all I could do was stare at the ceiling. And my only wish was to go to sleep and never wake up when the nurse approached me. She knew I was a psychologist and asked if we could talk when her shift was over. Of course I said yes.
Later that evening she pulled up a chair and began to tell her story of loss and despair. She was feeling depressed, hopeless and very alone. And, like me, she didn't know if she could go on like this.
She was in so much pain, she didn't care about my spinal cord injury or even my despair, she just cared about whether I could help her. And for the first time since my accident, I didn't care about my problems, I just cared about whether I could help her. And because I understood so deeply what she was experiencing, I was able to listen to her with great compassion and understanding.
At the end of our meeting, she was crying with gratitude as I referred her to a therapist. And I felt very tenderhearted, grateful for her trust. I slept that night for the first time knowing that my life still had value.
That act of listening may have saved both of us.
SaturnsLady
Play is extremely important for humans from birth to death. Play is not meant to be just for children. It is a form of release and connection that can tap the creativity and can allow you the chance to connect with your inner child and the inner child of others. Play is a state of mind, but it is also a state of body, emotion, and spirit. Yes, it is something you do (playing games, swinging, playing "tag", playing with dolls), but it is also something you watch others do, and gain pleasure from simply watching. It is often described as a time when we feel most alive, yet it is something we take for granted and may forget to do. It can be entirely positive, or can be dramatic (such as acting out a thrilling or suspenseful activity). Play can be used in many ways to not only stimulate creativity but as a way to transform negative emotions. We are hardwired as adults to engage in play, and it is crucial to our vitality to spend time with play each day.
1) Play can inspire you to think differently
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." ~ Apple Computers
Yes, play can be wild and crazy -- it can break all the rules and can crash the status quo and the hum-drum way of doing the same old thing. Walt Disney was dedicated to play, and his willingness to buck conventional wisdom changed the world of entertainment. He did not allow the criticisms of the world to get in the way of his child-like imagination. The next time you are stuck in a rut, pull out a box of crayons, modeling clay, glue, and scissors, pop in a copy of Dumbo, and invite your inner child to let loose and break free. You will be amazed at the way your thinking shifts to new worlds of discovery.
2) Playing can bring greater joy into your life
What do you think the world would be like if every human spent time each day in play? I bet just asking you this question has brought a smile to your face. Play creates laughter, joy, and a feeling of inner peace. It is almost impossible to stay stuck, angry, or frustrated when you are playing “hide and seek” or acting out the role of the cowardly lion from The Wizard of Oz or making mud pies while digging your feet into the sand of a big old-fashioned sandbox. Starting today, carve out 30 minutes each day to engage in some form of play, and watch your joy factor rise!
3) Play is known to reduce stress
Studies show that, as humans, play is hardwired into our genetic code. As humans, we crave the need to play because it is instinctive and fundamental to human existence. With regular play, our problem-solving and adaptive abilities will be in much better shape to handle this complex world, and we are much more likely to choose healthy answers to challenging situations as they arise. The reason for this is that play teaches us how to manage or “transform” our negative emotions, and it is the foundation for sound mental, physical, and emotional health. Play can make work seem like pleasure, and aside from this, it is just plain fun! It creates laughter and freedom that can instantly reduce stress and add a feeling of relaxation to our daily living.
4) Playing on a regular basis can increase longevity
Many adults (and many children) are working from 40-60 hours per week, seeing play as a luxury that must be “squeezed into the workweek.” This view of play is sorely misguided. Being play-deprived is similar to being sleep-deprived. Our genetic code demands that we play, just as it demands that we sleep; and when we resist this primal urge, our physical, emotional and mental energies are deeply depleted.
The loss of well-being is creating physical, emotional, and mental burnout, and stress-related health problems are widespread. Infusing play into the workday can keep you emotionally balanced and can reduce stress, both of which can contribute to living healthier and longer. The next time you are feeling stressed, as if you can't add one more thing to your full plate, take a break. Hit the basketball court, play hopscotch, jump rope, or play a few hands of cards. You will be adding years to your life in these precious moments.
5) Play can reduce struggle, conflict, and worry
Through the years, studies have revealed that play acts as an antidote to violent tendencies and is a powerful catalyst for positive socialization. People who avoid or have never learned to play may become lost in the world of fear, anger, and obsessive worry. Play provides us with an opportunity to choose alternatives to struggle, conflict, and worry, which are healthier and positive and fosters a sense of belonging and connection to other people.
6) Play can increase your sense of lightness
At play, we are all children. Unburdened by consciousness or self-consciousness, we are caught in the moment. Suffused with pleasure, we exult in the sheer lightness of being. Yet, as welcome and wonderful as those feelings are, play's value among adults is too often vastly underrated. It refreshes us and recharges us. It restores our optimism. It changes our perspective, stimulating creativity. It renews our ability to accomplish the work of the world.
But there is also new evidence that play does much more. It may, in fact, be the highest expression of our humanity, both imitating and advancing the evolutionary process. Play appears to allow our brains to exercise their very flexibility, to maintain and even perhaps renew the neural connections that embody our human potential to adapt, and to meet any possible set of environmental conditions. Play is an opening to our very being.
Recent science fiction movies such as Sixth Sense and the Matrix, have shown us insight into the children of the future. They are the Indigo Children of today. These children, if unburdened by society's restrictions and unwritten rules, continue to show us the need for us to lighten up and BE happy. My own daughter has taught me the importance of getting on a swing and flying high in the sky to laugh and get out of any hum drum I might have been in and how transformable play is.
7) Play can stimulate the imagination, curiosity, and creativity
Research shows that play is a hands-on, minds-on learning process. It produces a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the world and its possibilities. We begin giving meaning to life through story making, and playing out various possible scenarios. As a photographer and artist, I use play as an opportunity to see the world with childlike eyes. I keep reminding myself to see and view everything as if I had never seen it before. I then begin to see things with a different and new perspective. On mornings when I get up early, I will look for the opportunities that await me such as seeing squirrels gathering their first meal of the day as the fog rests in the fields of freshly cut hay, and how I imagine what it would be like to climb the tree and jump from branch to branch.
If we drive the same way to work, eat the same foods, live the same grind day in and day out, our minds begin to stagnate and we lose our zest for creativity. We are always creating our experiences and our lives, so why not have some fun and develop a thirst for curiosity like Leonardo DiVinci; your renewed sense of imagination could be endless!
8) Playing softens the heart--as the heart becomes malleable, the risk of hypertension and depression decrease
Recently a new game was released for the computer using the dual technologies of biofeedback and computer technology. This state of the art game called The Journey to Wild Divine is the first "inner-active" computer adventure that combines ancient breathing and meditation with modern biofeedback technology for total mind-body wellness. With so many of the games today filled with toxic content, it is no wonder our youth are at risk. This game proves to be the exact opposite.
Characters within The Journey help you learn to control your body's reactions. By increasing, decreasing or synchronizing body rhythms, through various levels of breathing, relaxation, and meditation techniques, like the "Heart Breath", you will quickly learn to master the "events" and progress in the game.
It is amazing to watch our youth work with this game. I have been working with a group of children known as Indigo Children, who are very right brain thinkers, intuitive, and highly spirited. These children are able to do exercises that make objects move on the screen as they begin to learn how to use their thoughts and energy in positive, concentrated ways. Think about the focused intentional mind of a child and how quickly they can manifest something if they are able to freely think of limitless possibilities. We can learn so much by observing the messages of the Indigo Children.
You literally become what you think about most. Your life becomes what you have imagined and believed in most. The world is literally your mirror, enabling you to experience in the physical plane what you hold as your truth, until you change it.
It is so important because, as we are learning Quantum Physics and the power of what we create with our intentions, the knowledge you gain will help you enhance your personal growth and well-being. This is just one example of where you can visibly see the effects of play on your well-being.
9) Play can greatly enhance your energy levels
Life. It can be hard. We've all been there: overworked, stressed, mentally and physically burned out. Day in and day out, you feel like you've "hit the wall" -- too tired to work out, dragging through the day, and continually exhausted even when you first wake up. We're overdoing it. It's just a fact of life, and we need to live with it, right? Wrong! Mental and physical exhaustion is the body's natural response to physical exertion, emotional stress, or lack of sleep.
Normally, we reach for a quick fix by drinking coffee, sugared energy drinks, or resorting to pep-up pills like ephedrine. The problem is, those stimulants provide only a temporary boost, lasting an hour at best. Worse, after they wear off, your energy levels crash, leaving you even more exhausted than before. Playing safely gives your body back the energy it needs through laughter. Doing things that bring you joy and being with other people who are having fun enables you to keep your energy levels up longer and sustain more vitality.
10) Play can provide you with an opportunity to take risks
When we are engaged in living our lives as a game and being the player, we begin to recognize the contradictions in one's own risk-taking behavior, and it makes the case that accepting risk is an essential part of a full and healthy life. Play lets us experiment, explore and take risks with ideas without fearing the consequences that might happen in "real life."
For too many of us, what is considered taking a risk is sometimes nothing more than taking an easier course. Play helps us release those thoughts that are locked in the head and the heart. Play also helps us learn our way, develop curiosity, learn to think, make new choices, discover special talents, build social relationships, make things less scary, and experience new enthusiasm for life. These factors are the very basis for a happy life and are most critical to our evolution.
The wonderful thing about playing is that everyone is successful at it. Don't use playtime to test or stretch your workday. It is a time to feel good about yourself and each other -- and to just have fun together. Perhaps, most important of all, play is fun. Years later, when we recall our life, it is the happy times spent playing with special people that we remember most fondly.
SaturnsLady
Suicide grief: Healing after a loved one's suicide
A loved one's suicide can be emotionally devastating. Use healthy coping strategies — such as seeking support — to begin the journey to healing and acceptance.
When a loved one dies, your grief may be heart-wrenching. When a loved one commits suicide, your reaction may be more complicated. Overwhelming emotions may leave you reeling — and you may be consumed by guilt, wondering if you could have done something to prevent your loved one's death. As you face life after a loved one's suicide, remember that you don't have to go through it alone.
Brace for powerful emotions
A loved one's suicide can trigger intense emotions. For example:
* Shock. Disbelief and emotional numbness may set in. You may think that your loved one's suicide couldn't possibly be real.
* Anger. You may be angry with your loved one for abandoning you or leaving you with a legacy of grief — or angry with yourself or others for missing clues about suicidal intentions.
* Guilt. You may replay "what if" and "if only" scenarios in your mind, blaming yourself for your loved one's death.
* Despair. You may be gripped by sadness, depression and a sense of defeat or hopelessness. You may have a physical collapse or even consider suicide yourself.
You may continue to experience intense reactions during the weeks and months after your loved one's suicide — including nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal and loss of interest in usual activities — especially if you witnessed or discovered the suicide.
Adopt healthy coping strategies
The aftermath of a loved one's suicide can be physically and emotionally exhausting. As you work through your grief, be careful to protect your own well-being.
* Keep in touch. Reach out to family, friends and spiritual leaders for comfort, understanding and healing. Surround yourself with people who are willing to listen when you need to talk, as well as those who will simply offer a shoulder to lean on when you'd rather be silent.
* Grieve in your own way. Do what's right for you, not necessarily someone else. If you find it too painful to visit your loved one's gravesite or share the details of your loved one's death, wait until you're ready.
* Be prepared for painful reminders. Anniversaries, holidays and other special occasions can be painful reminders of your loved one's suicide. Don't chide yourself for being sad or mournful. Instead, consider changing or suspending family traditions that are too painful to continue.
* Don't rush yourself. Losing someone to suicide is a tremendous blow, and healing must occur at its own pace. Don't be hurried by anyone else's expectations that it's been "long enough."
* Expect setbacks. Some days will be better than others, even years after the suicide — and that's OK. Healing doesn't often happen in a straight line.
* Consider a support group for families affected by suicide. Sharing your story with others who are experiencing the same type of grief may help you find a sense of purpose or strength.
Know when to seek professional help
If you experience intense or unrelenting anguish or physical problems, consider asking your doctor or mental health provider for help. Seeking professional help is especially important if you think you might be depressed or you have recurring thoughts of suicide. Keep in mind that unresolved grief can turn into complicated grief, where painful emotions are so long lasting and severe that you have trouble resuming your own life.
Depending on the circumstances, you might benefit from individual or family therapy — either to get you through the worst of the crisis or to help you adjust to life after suicide. Medication can be helpful in some cases, too.
Face the future with a sense of peace
In the aftermath of a loved one's suicide, you may feel like you can't go on or that you'll never enjoy life again. In truth, you may always wonder why it happened — and reminders may trigger painful feelings even years later. Eventually, however, the raw intensity of your grief will fade. The tragedy of the suicide won't dominate your days and nights. Understanding the complicated legacy of suicide and how to cope with palpable grief can help you reach inner peace and healing, without forgetting your loved one.
Mayo Clinic staff
SaturnsLady
~The Gift of Giving~ How One Daily Task can Change Your Life..by Alice Stewartsuite101.comThe gift of giving is one of the most powerful tools we have to bring love, joy and happiness - not only to our own lives, but to the lives of friends, family, charities and other in need.The Gift of GivingThe idea is simple: each day do one thing for someone else. We may already occasionally donate money to charity or volunteer some of our time, but by doing one simple task a day for someone else we are making an even greater effort to benefit others and thus the rewards will be much greater and return to us tenfold. How to GiveTry this simple task for 30 days and see how your generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness will bring joy into the world; you will also be amazed at how inspired it will may others to do the same thing. It's simple, every day when you wake up sit quietly for a few minutes and think of what your gift of the day will be. After a few days you will find yourself eagerly anticipating your daily gift and doing something for someone else. Here are some ideas for your daily gifts: * Email/call or write a letter to a friend or family member you haven't spoken to in a while * Take old clothes to a charity shop * Make a charitable donation (doesn't matter how big or small) * Give a physical gift (e.g an uplifting book) * Volunteer some of your time * Bake a cake, cook dinner or even make a cup of tea for someone * Tell a friend, partner or family member just how much you love themThe list goes on, and as you continue on this 30 day challenge you will find situations arising where you have the opportunity to help others. After a month read back all the daily gifts you have given to others and the world and you will be filled with joy about what your daily gifts have done.
Start Today!
There is no better time to start the practice of gift giving than today. It doesn't matter what circumstances you live in, there is always time and love that you can give to others, it doesn't matter how small the daily gift you start with - it's the thought that counts. You will find over time your inspired actions will lead to bigger things that bring increasing joy into the world.
Read on * Thoughtful Charitable Gift Ideas * Give a Charitable Gift at Christmas, Help Others * Unique Charitable Gift Ideas for ChristmasA great story about someone who practiced the art of gift giving was about a woman named Cynthia Stafford. Unfortunate circumstances led her to look after her brother's children and give up her day job. Despite having relatively no money, she still continued to give her time to the charities that were close to her heart. She was once quoted as saying "you can always give of yourself, your time, your services, your energy, and your talents. Whatever you have that you have been blessed with, use it to be a blessing to someone else. Don’t hold back because it will return to you. As you give so shall you receive … tenfold.” And what happened to Cynthia Stafford? She won the Mega Millions! You can read about her incredible story below... The Cynthia Stafford Story:
How one Woman Manifested $112 Millionby Alice Stewart
Cynthia Stafford has been through a lot in her lifetime. In 1999 she became an instant mother to five of her nieces and nephews, after her brother was tragically killed in a car accident. Despite having to leave her position as a consultant to become a full-time mom, Cynthia still helped out a number of charities that were close to her heart. Creative VisualizationCynthia believed in creative visualization. She practiced the teachings of several books that were based around the law of attraction and positive thinking. One of her favorites was, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind", by Dr. Joseph Murphy. In this book Murphy explains the untapped power each of us have in our subconscious minds, and if we can learn how to access this power, we could have whatever we wish for. In Cynthia's case what she wished for was money - $112 million of it to be exact. She followed all of the practices in this book, and wrote a note with the amount of money she would like, and kept it under her pillow. Every night before she went to bed she would envision having that amount of money, what it would feel like and what causes she would spend it on. Every morning when she woke up she felt as if she had already won the lottery, and went about her day in this magical millionaire mind-set. She even went as far as looking at multi-million dollar mansions, even though there was no way she could afford them at that time. She did this for four months solid. Winning the Mega MillionsIn May 2007 an event occurred that was about to change her life forever. She purchased a $2 lottery ticket for the California Mega Millions, and won the jackpot, but not just any amount - she won exactly $112 million! Her family were shocked, but Cynthia was not surprised as she truly expected to receive that money, just like she had spent all those months visualizing it. Cynthia Stafford CharitiesCynthia stuck to her word after winning the lottery. She donated a huge $1 million to the Geffen Playhouse, to fund a brand new arts center for kids. She also donated some lottery winnings to UNICEF, Kids in the Spotlight and the Natural Defence Council. Cynthia has now formed a production company, called Queen Nefertari Productions, and is working on her producing her first feature film. Whether you believe in the power of your subconscious mind, or you just think she was extremely lucky, one thing is for sure - be careful what you wish for! SaturnsLady
Cutting the Cords That Bind You
by Ayal Hurst
trans4mind.com
We all know when someone is gazing at us - we get a sense that some energy emanations have been directed our way. We feel the energetic vibrations, and we know when something or someone has connected with us in some way. We are all telepathic, although some have become more conscious of and developed this innate ability more than others.
Our bodies are electrical in make-up. Within and without, our beings operate like telephone circuits, sending impulses through the nerves to connect with and communicate to other energy impulses. We are all interconnected on the Great Energy Grid of Life, and thoughts travel with the speed of lightning around the grid, connecting one to another.
When we consistently direct our thoughts and energy to a particular person, place, or thing, we begin to establish an energetic cord connecting us to that object. The more we send our energy there, the more we think of that object, the thicker and bigger the cord becomes. In this way, our energy gets attached to that object, and as it flows away from our own being, where it is needed, we lose energy. Not only do we lose energy, which many call "giving our power away", but we also allow our energy to become entangled in the energy of the other. Any time we are attached to something, we have lessened our ability to move freely, without encumbrance. One of the definitions, in Buddhist terms, of suffering, is "attachment". This does not mean that we disconnect from life or others. It means that when we connect, it is important to do so from a heartfelt, truly loving place. To connect from the heart is appropriate if we are able to connect from a place of loving detachment. This means that we give our love freely, without any strings attached. We love not from neediness, insecurity, ego enhancement, to prove anything, or to gain anything. We just Love, as we would love and feel deep appreciation toward a beautiful sunset. That is Loving Detachment. Connecting from loving detachment does not encumber us, nor does it try to pull energy from another. It simply Loves.
A wonderful healer from London once told the story of how a young 21 year old woman, who was much beloved by her parents, was in a coma, dying of cancer. The parents went on the radio and desperately asked that people to please pray for her to live. People from all around responded to their plea, and the young woman lingered on. Finally, one day, this healer was visited by the young woman's spirit, which seemed to be in deep turmoil and distress. He therefore went to visit her, and as he sat by her bedside, he saw that she was totally wrapped up from head to toe in energetic cords, keeping her bound on the earth plane. She had come to him to ask him to help her get free. As he sat by her, he helped her to cut the cords from all the prayers people had sent her way, people who had meant well, but had not understood the impact or consequences of what they were doing. Then he returned home. A day later, she appeared to him again, smiling and refreshed, appearing fully well once more. He later heard that she died that day.
When we come from a place of need, when we "need" something from another, we attach a cord to them, not from the heart, but from other, less clear places. This pulls and sucks at the energy of another and can cause consequences which do not work for the Highest Good, for any concerned. That is why true Love is called unconditional. We do not place conditions or expectations on it. It is freely given.
In order to live healthfully, we need to have all of our own energy in our own space, in our own bodies. We do not try to direct or influence the lives of others, or put out cords toward them. We do not need the energy of others to survive. We are all our own power generators with our own life plans, with infinite resources of energy at our disposal. All that we need to do is to tune into that Divine Source of energy and allow it to flow into us. All we need to do is be willing to receive it. There are many techniques and methods which show us the way to open and receive this Divine energy, which is the energy we breathe with each breath and which fills every cell of our beings, giving us life.
When we feel unclear, tired, irritated, upset, or drained, an important healing tool to use is to sit in meditation and using inner vision, scan one's body, both the front and the back. Energetic cords can be sensed., and some people even have the ability to see them. If you see or sense a cord attached to you from another, or a cord going out from you to something or someone else, you can imagine yourself cutting the cords and allowing the energy to return where it belongs.
You can also state this, as you cut the cords:
"Mother-Father God and Holy Spirit: Assist me by disconnecting all energy connections from me to others and from others to me."
When the cords have been cut, surround yourself with a beautiful cocoon of glowing, white light, and state:
"I now am willing to connect with my Divine Source of energy, and I allow only the Highest Vibration of Love to connect me to others, and others to me."
By establishing their rightful connection to their own true Source of Power, a person lives in freedom, and allows others to live in freedom, sharing only that which is of true benefit for all.
SaturnsLady
~Raise Those Vibrations~
Ruth Brown
lawofattractionlearningcenter com
Have you ever started your morning and the toothpaste tube is empty, you stomp your toe, the dog chewed on your favorite shoe and nothing seems to be going right? You’re so frustrated by now and it seems the wheels are set in motion and none of your day seems to go right.
That’s because you’re so focused on the bad morning you had that you’re resonating really low energy. At the moment when things seem to be going haywire, change your thoughts about the things that seem to be going on around you and realize this is just a grand illusion.
In fact, everything that’s going on is an illusion. Believe it or not, we created everything that’s going on in our lives. It was either created by individual thought or collective thought. I know this is hard to grasp initially, but it’s a fact.
You see, everything is created with thought. It starts with an idea. Before man went to the moon, it was an idea, before Orville and Wilbur flew an airplane, it was an idea. But the thought was so nurtured, it would have been impossible for it not to happen!
It’s the same way with us, when we focus and are vibrating high energy; we attract wonderful things. But when we’re vibrating low energy we’re attracting all the things we don’t want.
Stop focusing on what you don’t want! Ironically, thinking of what you don’t want makes that very thing happen. Start focusing on what you want. This will raise your vibrations making it easier for you to attract it no matter what it is.
The most important part of raising your vibrations is feeling good. You must get into the feel good mode. Feeling good definitely raises your vibrations. I understand it’s hard to do sometimes, but put on a piece of beautiful music, or go for a walk in the park, dance in the middle of the floor. Try it, and see how much better you feel. Just do something that will get you in that feel good place.
If you can accomplish feeling good as much as possible, you will know the truth. And the truth is that all those frustrating things that seem to be going on were really just an illusion.
I realized a long time ago that there are only three problems in the world... the lack of love, the lack of money and health issues.
Lots of people seem to be struggling financially. Others are dealing with anger; depression etc. which in essence is fear which can produce health issues while others are looking for the right partner or the security of having a family. It’s mainly because that’s their focus.
In three easy steps you can change your focus. It’s truly a simple process.
1. First, stop thinking about not having enough money. See yourself as already having as much as you need and be prepared to accept it when it shows up. The Universe is very resourceful. There’s enough for everyone!
2. Accept who you are. If you’re unhappy with the fact that maybe you need to lose a few pounds, start seeing yourself in your ideal weight, change your eating habits or go for walks. Being an African American woman with full lips and kinky hair I had to learn to love and accept myself. And when I started accept who I am, the Universe decided that everyone should accept me too ;-)
3. If you’re dealing with health issues, see yourself as being healthy. See yourself doing all the activities you love. I’ve seen people with diseases that medical science say can kill, but I’ve also seen people totally heal from such diseases. If you take medication, let the doctors do what they do for you. In the meanwhile you keep trying to raise your vibrations.
When you start focusing on what you want, you will see the Universe make it happen. It will send you the right people, the best business proposal, wonderful health or whatever it is you choose to focus on. It might seem hard at first, but as you focus on your wants, you will find it gets easier. At some point, it will just be the natural way you think making your experience phenomenal. The Universe will bless you tremendously.
Keep raising those vibrations
SaturnsLady
BEING KIND
By Corinne Shields
spiritualnow.com
We're born to show compassion,
it's our birthright to be kind,
And beneath each act of meanness,
scratch the surface and we'll find
There's a soul that is in trouble,
that has somehow lost its way,
And they're crying out for kindness too,
no matter what they say.
And though it can be difficult
for us to understand,
The antidote to harshness
is to give a helping hand,
For as ice can only melt
beneath the warming of the sun,
So the hardened heart's no match for
every act of kindness done.
And so though it may seem at times
the world is cold indeed,
That we're too bent on rushing past
to see a soul in need,
Yet be assured the best way we
can lighten up our load,
Is to share another's burden
as we walk along the road.
SaturnsLady
