Addiction

Blindness.
A cloud of ignorance encompasses me.
Nothing can distract me from my dream.

Nothing... except -
The newfound hope of a better future
That overshadows previous fantasy.

Looking back, it's somewhat sad -
Everything that could have happened, but didn't,
Everything I was missing over the past four years.

True, there's anger - there's hurt.
But only for a while. Now I focus
On the wonderful blessings God has given me.

What I have now is *wholesome*,
And infinitely more worthwhile
Than anything I imagined I *might* obtain.

I was infatuated to the point of stupidity,
And would sacrifice anything for slim possibility...
Because I believe in miracles.

*Yes*, I believe in miracles -
The miracle that I could want something better for me,
And that my addiction paved the way for my brighter future.


by Amandanette

I Believe In Love

" dreaming about you is not a sin ....
I will have your heart ...
believe me I'll win ...
I'll show the world that I can do it ...
I will reach you ...
reach the summit ...
I will bring the stars for you ...
cross the seas and deserts ...
make every dream you have true ...
It's days ... It's years ... I don't know ...
I believe in love ...
it is the source of all miracles ...
It is the hearts stove ...
it is the hope candles ...
to enlighten the the way of the night ...
who will break the walls of hopelessness ...
and reach you ... touch you hands ...
and dance with you ... the final dance ...
it will never happen again for me ...
it is one and only ... "

by Oaljararha

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.


By Marianne Williamson

A Bikers Prayer

May the sun rise in front of me.   

May the rain fall behind me and the wind follow me.

May the angels of my brothers and sisters who have gone before me 

Guard my travels, 

For they know the perils of the road ahead of me.

Keep me safe through the rough city streets 

On my way to the land of the swirling turns and rolling hills.

Let the turning colors of fall keep me warm. 

Let the eagle guide me to the mountain tops. 

Let the Moon's light guide me through the night.

May my tires not fail me, nor my engine grow old. 

May my bike draw life from the streams I pass.

Keep my seat soft and my mind sharp. 

Let the air of spring breathe life into my soul, 

To journey to another adventure 

Beside my brothers and sisters.

EAGLE POEM

To pray you open your whole self
To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon
To one whole voice that is you
And you can't see, can't hear,
Can't know except in moments
Steadily growing, and in languages
That aren't always sound but other
Circles of motion.
Like eagle that Sunday morning
Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky
In wind, swept our hearts clean
With sacred wings.
We see you, see ourselves and know
That we must take the utmost care
And kindness in all things.
Breathe in, knowing we are made of
All this, and breathe, knowing
We are truly blessed because we
Were born, and die soon within a
True circle of motion,
Like eagle rounding out the morning
Inside us.
We pray that it will be done
In beauty.

...Joy Harjo

A Child's Prayer

God, Make my life a little light, 
Within the world to glow; 
A little flame that burneth bright, 
Wherever I may go.



God, make my life a little flower, 
That giveth joy to all, 
Content to bloom in native bower, 
Although the place be small.



God, make my life a little song, 
That comforteth the sad, 
That helpeth others to be strong, 
And makes the singer glad.


 by M. Betham - Edwards

The Best Day of My Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized
that this is the best day of my life, ever!

There were times when I wondered if I would
make it to today; but I did!
And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an
unbelievable life I have had so far:
the accomplishments, the many blessings,
and, yes, even the hardships
because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day
with my head held high, and a happy heart.
I will marvel at God's seemingly
simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun,
the clouds, the trees, the flowers,
the birds. Today, none of these miraculous
creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life
with other people. I'll make
someone smile. I'll go out of my way to
perform an unexpected act of
kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere
compliment to someone who seems down.
I'll tell a child how special he is,
and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply
I care for them and how much
they means to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about
what I don't have and start being
grateful for all the wonderful things
God has already given me. I'll
remember that to worry is just a
waste of time because my faith in God and
his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I
go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my
eyes to the heavens. I will stand
in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon,
and I will praise God for
these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down
on my pillow, I will thank the
Almighty for the best day of my life.
And I will sleep the sleep of a
contented child, excited with expectation
because I know tomorrow is going
to be the best day of my life, ever!

By Gregory M. Lousig-Nont, Ph.D.

The Miracle

There is a majestic quality-
In everyone for all to see.
Some keep it hidden, some never realize-
The magnificence they hold in others' eyes.

Ah, yes, life itself is the gift.
Though the memory, itself, Time doth sift.
And some might think the reverence gone-
As those we love one by one pass on.

But the intricacies Fate doth weave-
In commemoration for all who grieve.
Are the blessings given to rebirth-
From souls no-longer of this earth.

At first notice I came undone,
My father staring at me through my son.
But, now, in joy I ascertain-
Through him, my father lives again.

I look to heavens' resounding grace-
Renewed appreciation of life and my place.
Knowing as each newborn child opens their eyes-
The miracle continues, no one really dies.

by Michael Anderson

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE POEM

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

 
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

 
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

 
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
 

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Being Human

 This being human is a guest-house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,

Who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture.

Still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

                                                          Jalrudin Rumi

Love The Children!

when the money is gone,
and they've taken everything away...
they padlocked your house,
and repoed your car...
the years have passed,
have taken their toll.
even the fires of love,
burned down to embers...
at the end of the day,
at the end of the road...
all you have left are the children.
they carry your heart
to a new day and a new world...
love the children!

every child that is born
carries the holy seed.
whatever it takes,
love the children!
a Jesus, a Buddha, a JFK,
a Gandhi, an Einstein,
a Whitman, a Jefferson...
maybe a stronger, better,
reflection of you!
love the children!

by Eric Cockrell

Someone Special

There is Someone Special
In this World for me
For that's the way I believe
It was meant to be

So I search every face
In the crowd I see
For there is Someone Special
In this World for me

And the only reason I can think of
That she's not here with me
Is she must have turned left
At Albuquerque

-Javan

"It Is Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been"

Ever wished you would have done something, but didn't? Something you wanted to do, perhaps even needed to do; but for one reason or no reason at all, you just never did. We all have. And many of us still do. Instead of doing, we don't. And a lifetime of missed opportunities passes us by.


What's the deal here? What makes us frequently turn our backs on the very things that are important to us, things that give our lives meaning and purpose? Why do we needlessly allow so many magical moments to silently slip away?


Why do we leave a trail littered with broken promises and unfulfilled dreams instead of just doing what needs to be done?



"Everything comes too late for those who only wait."
Elbert Hubbard

While there are as many reasons as stars in the sky for not doing what we need to do, the most popular explanation is the old reliable 'it's too late' excuse. Since it's too late, there's no sense doing it. So we don't.


But can it ever really be too late? No, no, absolutely no.


Regardless of how desperate life gets or how hopeless things look, it's never too late. No matter how low we have sunk or how far behind we have fallen, it's never too late. As long as there is a single breath left in our bodies, there's always a chance. And a chance is all we need to turn things around.


As long as we're willing to take that chance, we've got a chance.



"The time for action is now. It's never too late to do something."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Can it ever be too late to open your heart, to open your eyes, to allow life's best to come rushing in?


Can it ever be too late to do your best, to be your best and to make your dreams come true?


Can it ever be too late to give it a try, to give it a whirl, to take your best shot and see where it takes you?


Can it ever be too late to show your appreciation, to express your gratitude, or to simply say 'thank you?'


Can it ever be too late to savor a sunset, to relax in the woods or treasure the tranquility of the endless heavens above?



"There is an immeasurable distance between late and too late."
Og Mandino

Can it ever be too late to care, to share, to hug a loved one or to say I love you?


Can it ever be too late to do a good deed, to whisper a kind word or to offer a hand in need?


Can it ever be too late to flash a friendly smile, to laugh a hearty laugh, or enjoy a meaningful moment?


As long as you're willing to give it a go, it is never too late. And there is just too much to love about life to simply give up and quit. You need to start living boldly, bravely, with nothing held back, nothing left behind. Giving it all that you've got each and every day. No matter how old or how young you may be right now, it's never too late to love, to live, to be all that you have dreamed of being and more.


So get out there a make today a truly memorable day, a fabulous day, a super sensational day that you'll cherish forever.


The Bottom Line: You need to live every second of every minute of every hour of your life.