Forty Plus Miles

            Again and again, climbing some mountains of a day, of myself. Again and again, reviewing and reflecting how I'm doing, in spite of setbacks, considering my responses to such trials; still, I continue.              I could let this hold me in regret that mutates to shame, or I could acknowledge it's wrong, learn and move on. Again and again, I'm continuing forward along mountain ledges, and cliff faces in a twenty four. Here I get back up, remember to give myself grace for the falls and fails of life, and continue, remembering this isn't final, no matter how many struggles I encounter along the way. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

           I can't, so I don't, always stopping me there. I shouldn't, so I pull back, pause for a time, and the stalemate grows. I couldn't, so I stop fully, stay there, fastening chains of lies and despair.... until now.          I will, so I do, regardless of imperfections, and I set action to a thing. I can, so I do the thing, remembering failure shows new instructions in refining what will work. I'm going to, so I apply consistency, no matter how many failures are known, taking manageable reasonable new steps, breaking insecurities and fear's shackles off my soul. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Among the thorns is peace found, is safety and rest known. Two lives left to fate, to fend for themselves, now together, protected by danger, from danger. Among the unlikely is the necessary found: solace and renewal. Here is prosperity received. Companionship enjoyed fully. Among the thorns does life thrive, life once neglected and left, and in this danger does newness grow, among the thorns. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

      Hoping, slowly, still I'm hoping. Hoping in the trials, hoping in the hard roads walked. Cold is the morning, the strange morning, taking small steps forward with great force. One, two, and I'm continuing remembering I don't walk alone.      Hoping, slowly, now faster, easier as I stop giving attention to circumstance; shift it to Truth, to the promises of God. Hoping more, greater, as I let go, learning to "swim" in the currents of life with this marveleus strength of God. Here I go, pushing on, hoping still no matter what "mountains" I'll climb. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

          Open skies that found me soaring, in a day that tried to ground me. Here I'm dreaming, running on highways of colors called creativity and hope. Open skies that called to me, call me to rise, to fly, the heavens issuing a beautiful invitation of hope. Open ways and open freedom, and I am flying again. Flying in my soul, remembering Jesus' creativity and call to rest, call to remember the promise of hope as I look upon the open skies that find me lighter and more encouraged than ever before. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

 Efforts not often known, still are they there. To the hardships do they go, about them is told these deeds and words, the stories of ordinary men. They shape our world, for better and for worse. Their legacies are undeniable. Their presence is felt, their absence too. Listen and see what is done in the everyday. Heed lessons told and shown, examples of good and bad, made known in the stories of ordinary men. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

           Along weary miles, hyper focusing to get the tasks down, and it's seen: "You are enough" scrawled across the T-shirt of a seemingly random passerby. Scrolling down "digital highways" to explore and grow and it emerges, surprises me a bit:  "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy". (Psalm 126:5) , and it's a welcome encouragement along trials of "mileage" called days and tasks that add up to alot at times. Driving (both literally and metaphorically) to somewhere, through some Monday, and mileage is used once more to give a God-given message: "Ascend", and I receive that message, on another day of "mileage" of all kinds, where I'm meant to live and thrive in Jesus' name.  Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someon...

The marks bear evidence, proof that hardwork is done, ones not of dirt but ink, the ink upon my hands. From this mess is creation born. Time and effort combine with the soul, from the soul, and life is given to the literary, to these ideas. See the marks of effort given, of time and desperate attempts, to seek a better way of life, through the ink upon my hands. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Note About The Piece Below: As I sought to express thoughts and reflections in this day, I wrestled with HOW; how to do so creatively, honestly, and constructively. Then this strange idea came into my head (whether it was from Jesus or not I don't know; though I'd like to think it was): write a Hiaku in words beginning with one letter about remembering the compassions of Jesus (the "care" if you will, mentioned here); so I did (hence the "experiment" classification. If you are struggling to find any sort of grace (or compassions) in your life (as I do at times), may these words be a blessing to you; just pray, listen and count... you'll see them.  Considering Care (A Hiaku Experiment) Continue counting, considering compassions, considering care.  Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog wi...

           When I'm tired I wonder, wonder about hope, question any good. When I'm worn I struggle, struggle for a grace in faith of possible good; still I rise, make the attempt. When I'm tired it's tough to keep going, keep hoping, asking if the journey will pause, let me catch breathe; still I continue... not clinging to feelings but faith.... when I'm tired past physically. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

 Note About The Piece Below: One day while I was out doing services at various places, I saw a stray cat underneath a parked vehicle at a residence. The cat was sleeping, and it made me think of every person that might be in transition somehow in life; and as I thought about that the words you see below are what started coming to my mind. I thought a lot about whether I should even share such a somber and sad poem, then as I thought about it more, I decided to share it to simply let others know they are not alone if they are transitioning somehow in life, 'wandering" if you will, and simply feeling alone; to empathize. To any who may be in transition (however this looks for you): know you are not alone, and have not been forgot.                        Wandering Souls  Wandering souls of all living kinds, place to place, face to face, seeking permanence and belonging, rest from the journey toward meaning, calm from the...

         Rocks on the way, in the way, to success in journeys. Rocks on the way, in the way, that trip up, hold back....or so it seems. Rocks on the way, in the way...seen and gathered for what they were: setups for certain victory. One, two, three gathered and taken, used for a purpose, these once thought useless hazards now useful and set in motion.          Rocks on the way, in the way, travelling with each step toward victory over these "giants" in the way. One, two, three steps toward these "goliaths" made. One drawn from the "obstacles" of rocks in the way of purpose now making the new way obvious. These beautiful God-given rocks of resistance teaching us to use even the unlikely and unwanted in life. Reminding us to look as Jesus provides even here, through these rocks on the way, ones we were meant to use for a greater blessing that could only happen because of these "rocks" encountered in these times.  Sidenote: If any of t...

What you know, write this here, yet I wonder, "What about what I don't?". Venture here, these familiar roads, sharpening what has dulled, while seeing new ways: tools and weapons yet to be free, known, in this inventory I possess. What you know, what you don't see, and the "not yet" emerges from hiding, shows itself to a creator, to a willing soul, and I listen, blending what I know to write, with what I don't, shaping these familiar tools and weapons, into their best, with each motion of writing done. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Power of giggles, lighting once darkened rooms, within a house of me, light being let in; beautiful bright joy pouring into my soul! Laughter filling the once hopeless, sorrow known for a time, flooding such lonely places, lighting faces, giving grace and healing, even if only in part, and for a moment. The power of giggles, from little lives, with big impact, found in the unexpected, in children that bless, offering this profound gift, this amazing interaction: in the power of giggles, a power that’s needed. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

         Here I am sitting, writing by the light of some screen. Wondering what to write. The days have been rough, the weather hot, and the pace suffocating, yet forward progression is being made. I write in humble settings as my household sleeps, seeking to waken good change and not tired lives, remembering nothing good comes without effort. Here I am sitting, writing by the light of hope, considering all these God-given moments of things learned, of tasks accomplished, of grace in simple moments. Here I am reflecting, taking in life, joy at small victories, small living, through simple meaningful moments. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Two eyes, looking at two eyes, one speaks, talks to the deaf. Two eyes, saying things, many things, profound and simple things, to one who is deaf, unable to receive a language they don't speak, one they desire to, one they cannot learn. Two eyes, looking at two eyes, a cat and a person, a person who wonders about the feline mind. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

          Lyrics then lines, writing them down through growing pains of life and writing. The talker became the writer, the boy grew, and through it all his "voice". Clearer, louder, and the boy who wrote songs became the poet....the poet and more.            Poetically was the voice, one he had to learn, one he had to use, even loved to use, and this became his new "language"; it became my new "language". The self-conscious became the fire with each word penned. Each word gave confidence to the fearful soul I knew. Slowly, poetically is how my "voice" grew (both in writing and everyday life). I became better with my words, began to realize I was creative, and found healing and growth in my own life.              I live and write poetically. A voice I use to inspire others such as I: self-conscious ones. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (E...

I heard hope speak to me, of better times, creation to happen, of muse conversing, the artist in me, leaping for joy at the hearing. I heard grace calm my fears, telling me it's ok to just be, to just embrace healing and new, allow refreshing to fill my thirsty soul, empower this worn self that is me. I heard faith encourage me to persevere, try once more this thing called dreaming, allowing my heart to live again. I heard Love say you're enough, because I'm enough, and that's more than enough, to truly live. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Luck upon wings, a tale of good fortune told me, remembrance found good, in cherished memories and luck. Wonder in the telling, awe in the receiving, beautiful the discovery, creation of the Divine! The flight of dragonflies, luck upon wings, delivering joy to my soul, peace in the once painful, peace I will embrace, even if only known for a moment! Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Note About The Piece Below: this poem was written in response to a prompt for a poem that redefines a word. In this case it was "work".  Places, faces, and times. Traded is time for income. Traded are miles and energy for payment of a sort. Some eight, ten, twelve hour slots for work. Places, faces and times. Days are used and we become used, worn in our work, taking joy from work. Waking from some dream, living again in work, a new effort that becomes a blessing, a new grace given as our hope returns, as our joy returns, walking into a beautiful new work: one of living that’s more than just earning income. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

 Note About The Piece Below: I classify this as an "experiment" because I was seeking to express a healing from a formerly pessimistic thought life to a more balanced one (the approach I call "healthy thinking" ), WHILE doing so creatively through several words that started with the same letter (S words, L words, etc. ).                 Seeing  Seeing setbacks, seeing solaces, looking long past pessimism, toward triumphs, acknowledging assurances of open opportunities happening here; healing from failed thoughts toward renewed restoration, gaining grace growing gigantically. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Awoken, no time but the present, suddenly, without warning, the way life has seemed lately. Rising once more to the unknown, a new day, where good is sought, the carpe diems, in a few minutes, righting myself with all I am, as quick as I can. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

             In the rains, in the physical pains, in life's sad refrains. In the songs that are long, and seasons that seem to continue on; still we press on. In the gray of a day when wet seems to be the only way; still we press on. Here we hope, to cope, and through these times find a rope or a life line if you will, as we press on still.  This is where it all changes, where perspectives in life rearranges. This is where grace happens, and we see a Savior leading us through... leading me through. We still see You Jesus, even here and even now; thank You for leading us through. We're pressing on, together with You. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Skies that shine bright, highways above me of the light, remembering that clouds are not always present in life, for miles that I look, to not forget good still present. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

             Blurry days in blurry ways through blurry daze, busy ones where focus isn't natural. One, two and I continue to push through. Three, four, steps that are taken even in these busy times where focus and peace are shaken; shaken but not destroyed.                Busy days in blurry ways through a blurry daze, looking, praying through this maze, remembering better ways along the busy ways: to practice "gardening" in these blurry days; planting the "seeds" that will bring life, awareness, contentment, gratitude, and remembrance of good still to be. Planting the "seeds" of better ways again in this cluttered soul, down another "row" called days: seeds of reflection, stopping and pausing for seconds as necessary to refocus. Upon these "rows" called days I work diligently to plant better "seeds" of practices and living in blurry days, past blurry ways, destroying the blurry daze, where I find focus and true ...

Once thought alone, this is no longer, this faulty thought process, for eyes look upon me in a pensive mindset. Not the Infinite but the internal are found here though, myself shrouded in dark invisibility, face to face with this mysterious entity, one called isolation. He looks on me in silence, a silence that speaks volumes though no word is uttered. Examination of self is impressed upon me, for such is his influence on my being. I dare to look again at myself, along with isolation, and here do I look upon it all, good and bad alike. What isolation sees he shows me: faults and found strengths, skills I knew not I possessed, failings I was unaware of, ones buried deep within me, ones hidden well inside. This mysterious one isn’t a curse, and in his presence I find myself again, I begin again to right myself, and here I am being made whole once more. What isolation sees isn’t always bad, nor is what he shows, these blessed ways from the Infinite, ways to make us better, better if we a...

        Light breaks through as clouds of despair are pierced, as hope begins to shine bright again, fierce and unrelenting. Life enters with the wind where change casts it's welcome breezes, and here I breathe in this refreshing shift of resolve.         Small steps are taken toward the dawning of renewal, a faith restored again as a good to be is reassured and seen in parts with each movement to healing; healing to grace for the broken, direction for the lost...for us all. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

               You’re stuck. You feel empty. Overthinking seeks to imprison you; you can’t be shackled though, unless you don’t try. Just write. Don’t worry if it’s perfect, or even how much you will be able to write. Listen as you do, listen as that “inner writer” speaks (for they will) and words will arrive to meet you. First a few words will gather together, one by one, making complete pictures; small actions to a bigger result of greater writing. The little will grow, and so will your confidence. Just write.                  Just a word at a time while remembering to keep writing. Soon paragraphs will be seen. One word will become two and sentences will gather together becoming paragraphs. Just write. You will encounter overwhelming perfection call out loudly on your journey, attempting to stop you….this is where you need to remember you can edit later. Just write. It will be beautiful, the complete...

Most don’t look for me. Few want to even fathom me. I make some alive at adventures I bring, others mad with anxiety and stress at my mere presence. I am the unexpected. I follow no order, I fit into no plans. I change the outcome of all I partake in, and am found on the other side of known. I am not evil, though I am unpredictable. Life can be found in my works, yet not all realize it. I am here, where no one will find me. I, the unexpected, on the other side of known, and I wait for all. This will change you, and you will not like it, but you will overcome it, and be better for it, I promise. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

         He would reach the heights and I'd see it; then he'd be taller than ever. I'd see the top and I'd be exhausted; I'd celebrate once at the top of the tree and wonder why the squirrel below kept staring at me. Note About The Piece Above: This is simply a piece where I was playing with perspective and plot twists while being silly. It's one of my goofier works. Thought I'd share it to...."lighten the mood" from some of the other works that have been more somber and serious lately.  Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

           Anxious, running aimlessly and untamed, these wild traits of self. Focus, this foreign word, foreign concept considered as I seek to apply such a "revolutionary" tactic to make useful the usually useless. "Fidgeting" in the every day, in every way, seeking how to make the unbridled productive. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Color through trees, painted landscapes that speak of their art, attention they seize. Unlocking beautiful keys, where life dies and rises from the start, from the grass to the trees. Bland then not, showing brilliance from their start, colors that rise from supposed "rot". Warm it is not, pockets over the heart, still beautiful is "caught". Travelling together through, items hidden over the heart, in pockets worn and new. Beautiful changes felt in the breeze, embraced in this living art, colors and pockets seize, an embrace to me that frees. Note About The Piece: The Villanelle Poem style usually follows a rather complex repetitive rhyming style. For this one the guidelines for writing it according to the writing prompt were to make each section (or "refrain" as they call it) a little different. I ALMOST gave up on trying to write it. This one is about my favorite time of year: fall (something the prompt also had a guideline for); so, I wrote my favorite...

         In our "mess" there is life, hope, and grace still; I see it. In our unplanned, uncomfortable, unwelcome, there is a new found, a restoration; I know it. Even in the restless, there is rest and renewal; I've witnessed it ....and I believe it's being displayed again... for any who need help and reassurance of good still possible. Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!

Through the trees calling,  leaves falling,  I'm stopping. Through the days,  head dizzy I'm pausing; looking,  listening. Colors changing, rearranging,  in "fires" of explosive reds and golds! Through the days, the busy ways,  I'm stopping;  even if only in my mind,  in seconds, to take in the life and good, still seen in the serene colors of grace,  in a place when change is beautiful! Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!