Hope Victorious

  Mistakes and failings are hidden, covered and fiercely protected.  Exposure creates liability, the possibility of rejection far greater than that of acceptance. It is better to hide behind the façade , to reinforce the image and earn all that can be gained.  Worth, after all, is in titles, roles, abilities and talents; “you are what you do”. Performance is key and the pressure is on to keep going, press on, keep advancing and achieving. Rewards are earned, success is compensated.  Even rest is by merit; you must have earned it! This is the voice of rules, of performance and religion. It chokes the spirit and kills the soul. Leaving a sterile and capable adherence to rules and performance of duty. Lifeless and dull we press on. Love speaks a better word. Love is offered, not earned; with only one   condition. Love must be received.   Love touches the mistakes hidden deep beneath the effort. The failings fiercely guarded. Love calls you by your name, no...

  Love sets free Love does not hold down or try to secure Fear will grab and tighten its grip Love will release Love is a risk There is always the possibility of loss Love can hurt Fear will grab hold and try to control Love sets free Love lets go Love waits and watches Love can wonder and worry What if? Love is a risk Love is a reward A fire burning brightly Love spreads and increases Love gives and enjoys Love deepens and transforms Love is a force of change  

       Perseverance is like a tree growing in the narrow crevice of a granite bolder. Without lavish space to spread its roots, or adequate soil to draw in nutrients. Is it enough? No. It really is not enough. Except that the seed has planted here and its purpose is to live. And live it will - It is a tree after all! It will not wait for perfect conditions or generous resources. It will thrive here, where it is planted! With branches and leaves it will live and grow and thrive -   It will produce and drop its seed.  Perseverance is Rewarded!           Perseverance is determined.   It says, “No! I will not be stopped!” The conditions may not be perfect, but perseverance finds a way.           Perseverance is fierce. No matter how loud the opposition, it shouts, “ There is more! There is more for me!”           Because perseverance is personal. The one who per...

The feeling of being known, welcomed and accepted by others for who you truly are can create this wonderful feeling of belonging. Belonging carries a feeling of comfort and security, as well as a growing confidence that comes from knowing that you are not alone. When you feel that you belong within a group, team, family…any group, there is a strength and boldness that comes from your individual identity being part of a greater, corporate identity.   You belong to something greater, with others who share things in common with you.   There is a unity and safety that increases within the atmosphere of companionship. This is belonging. The desire to belong is a core part of our humanity. We are relational, interdependent beings. There is great reward to be gained by the connections we make that unite us with others.   Like most good things in life, there is an extreme degree that exploits the goodness in a quality and turns it into something perverse and sinister. True “belon...

Recently my feelings have been going in all different directions at the same time. I am sad, excited, lonely and hopeful all at the same time.   I have been awake at night with worry and fears, only to wake up feeling motivated and confident.   Honestly it has been exhausting!   I am accustomed to being a bit more “even”.   I have been reminding myself of this truth: “I am not my feelings!”   I may be feeling something, but that feeling need not define WHO I am!   I find it helpful to first acknowledge the feeling, to actually name it, then identify the source or reason for the feeling.   Next, I determine if it is grounded in truth or in reaction.   I decide how I want to respond to the feeling.   I remind myself that I am not a victim to my own emotions!   I have needed to find an anchor to hold me steady in the midst of the waves and currents of changes, emotions and upheaval that I am experiencing.     I learned from my sa...

I never welcome being afraid           but neither do I fear it I have lived through fear, through danger, threats of harm and pain that overwhelmed me I have lived in panic, dread and terror I look in my history and I see countless times of fear overcome           determined relentless pursuit of survival and freedom I see victories and overcoming           Fear has never killed me When I stand, now, looking back           I can remember the painful racing pace of fear bursting in my chest           The panic of uncertainty eating me alive from the inside out           I can remember the dread of darkness overcoming me But now it seems smaller, a dimly lit shadow           What shines bright is the feeling of perseverance           The thrill of love...

  Breathe Quiet Still I listen to myself Alive The swell and collapse Provision Release I rest My stillness is so full It is good to be alive   Hope I hear you:      “Lift your weary head      Look up      See my smile as I look at you      You are not alone           Not too far away           Or forgotten      I am looking at your future      Come and look with me”   I see the light of promise      I’m not too late after all Just in time to see it rising The day Hope smiled at me And called me higher I looked through hope and I could see it too             It was easy to smile back       Loss A love so deep it hurts There is so much more my heart wanted for you If only you had lived it So much I would have changed for you if I could But ne...