Damage

When accidents occur, the damage is almost always apparent.  However, every so often the damage isn't evident or immediately noticeable...it's hidden very well.  It hides beneath laughter, smiles, professional composure, and emotional detachment.  Sometimes, the damage isn't easy to hide at all.

The struggles a person faces sometimes leave residual emotions and speculation of what will be.  At times the trials of life leave you wanting...with the expectation that your desires and needs will be fulfilled through other people and things.  These other people have no clue what your past experiences or pains have consisted of.  They don't know your frustrations or pet peeves.  Their not knowing isn't a sign of some kind that they need to learn; it simply means that you must learn to trust enough to share.

There will be instances when moments of your past are recalled in your mind because you hear a song, pass an unforgettable location, or smell a lingering scent.  From time to time these moments create the environment for those residual emotions to resurface.  There's nothing wrong with you because of that...it takes time to heal.  Oftentimes, it's necessary to feel again what you once felt and to think what you once thought...just to re-evaluate and reflect.  It's okay to mentally go back to the past...but only to learn & grow, not to stay.

The damage we see in others needs repairing.  The damage we see and feel in ourselves needs repairing.  However, we are not always the ones who need to perform the repairs.  The decision to step back may be just as paramount in the healing process as the decision to forgive.  When you get a glimpse of someone else's damage or realize your own...just be there to help, support, or to reach out when it's needed.  All things happen in time.

It's beautiful to be you...simply beautiful.

Younger Years

You did something stupid before...even though you knew better.  You were defiant before...even if it was only on the inside or in your thoughts.  You thought you knew what was best for you before...even though a much wiser person may have already told you different.  You were so dense at one time that you couldn't see the forest for the trees.  Think about it...this was you at one time in your life.

Patience is a virtue that is very trying and/or difficult to obtain.  When you see someone in their younger years don't be so quick to give up or throw in the towel.  He/she may be going through one of the same kinds of moments you had so many of during your own younger years.  Simply have a quiet moment and reflect; then offer some wise words as advice.  Just pray that they listen & hear those words.

Never be so old that you forget that you too were once young, stubborn, and dense...even if only in your thoughts.  Be there...don't give up on the ones going through their younger years.  They need you.

Its's beautiful to be you, simply beautiful.

Doors

Doors are gateways to opportunity.  Doors are exits from pain and trouble.  Doors are the portals through which you pass once an experience is complete, a lesson learned, or a journey about to be embarked upon. Doors are the thresholds you cross to enter into a land of living, moving, breathing moments that become your life.  Do not be afraid.

Some doors are locked and meant to be opened; while others are meant to remain locked.  Some doors are always open and merely exist as symbols of your achievement; your path to a new greatness.  Some doors are designed to open when knocked upon; others must be knocked down.  Some doors are designed to be opened with a key; while others are designed to be opened for you.  No matter the design or the fashion, each door in your life leads you to something new.

You must successfully close one door before another can be opened.  Don't make the mistake of leaving doors unlocked behind you as you move on to new experiences in life.  The past has a way of creeping along with you if not left securely in its proper place....in the past.  Appreciate every experience, good or bad...and readily make your exit when it's time.  Likewise, be ready and inspired to move on when the time comes.

Even if the time to move comes along before you think you're ready, just remember: when one door closes another door opens.

It's beautiful to be you, simply beautiful.

Reminiscent Holiday

As you sit in a room full of people and watch family and friends grow weary of indulging, your mind is enticed into memories by the smell of the food and the sound of the laughter...or maybe even the cry of a babe.  You begin to muddle through your mind's memoir of gatherings that were fun and wholesome...and others that weren't so fun.  Suddenly, you feel an onslaught of emotion...and you exit the room momentarily to collect yourself.  You think to yourself..."maybe I shouldn't have come", "maybe I should have stayed home", "I wasn't ready for all this", or "where is all this coming from?".  As weird as you may feel, you rejoin the festivities.

Despite the feelings of relief, happiness, sadness, pity, embarrassment, or anger you may feel about the past...there is always another chance.  You see that chance in the eyes of the children playing.  You hear that chance in the laughter that rings through the house.  You feel that chance in each hug you receive as family and friends come and go.  All you have to do is take it.

This or any holiday may be reminiscent of past pain, embarrassment, anger, or happiness and joy.  No matter the memory...create a new one.  Whether or not the past has been as full of love as you'd prefer or not...fashion a new custom.  Establish a new tradition...a legacy of your own.  From this day forward design a mental chronicle of peace-filled moments for your children, grandchildren, other family, and friends to cherish.

It's beautiful to be you...simply beautiful.

Awakening

At times you're awakened to birds chirping and the sound of the first movements of life outdoors....wind blowing, leaves rustling, creatures scurrying.  At other times you're awakened to the sound of your thoughts - the ones from which your rest has allowed you a sense of reprieve.  At desperate times, you're awakened by fear, the feeling of your heart pounding rapidly, the sound of vehicles crashing, horns blaring, or sirens sounding off.  Fear grips at the core of your very being...because you have no clue what has happened or what's going on.

Nevertheless, every once in awhile, you're awakened from a dream that you've been living with your eyes wide shut.  You do the things you think are right.  You act in a way that you think is proper and acceptable.  You even see things clearly through a cracked lens.  You haven't seen reality in quite some time.

Hearing what you don't want to hear and feeling the pain or embarrassment that results jars you into reality.  No more rosy colored glasses or auto-focus pictures.  Reality has become real to you and your eyes have been opened...you've been awakened.  You no longer see what you want to see or hear what you want to hear...you simply see and hear what is.

Don't be afraid.  Adjust to the light and move forward.

It's beautiful to be you...simply beautiful.

Loving

It's life that gets you loving.  It's liking that gets you loving.  It's moving that gets you loving.  It's happiness that gets you loving.  It's positivity that gets you loving.

It's hope that gets you loving.  It's motivation that gets you loving.  It's inspiration that gets you loving.  It's attitude that gets you loving.  It's love that gets you loving.

It's laughter that gets you loving.  Laughter in the heart, mind, and soul...is where love resides.  Love brings laughter.  Laughter spreads and shares love.  Let love in...it won't hurt.  It feels good!

It's beautiful to be you...simply beautiful.

Awaiting Enlightenment

In the still hush of the night; when all you hear is a plane overhead, you sit and think...and wait.
Your mind races like an anxious new father en route to the hospital to capture the birth of his first son on tape.
You can't find answers and your body harbors nervous energy...working energy...creative energy.
Anywhere but here,
   any thoughts but these,
      any choices but your own...

You've prayed, meditated, focused and re-focused your energy, but nothing seems to work.
No answers are arriving at the crossroad of your heart and your understanding...so you wait.
You wait for a sign, a symbol; a small, but firm, faint voice inside that will clue you into your next steps.
All the what ifs,
  all the could it be's,
    all the I don't knows...

You sit, you think, you sip, you watch, you munch, you talk, you write....and you wait for enlightenment.
You wait for a divine directive that is already within...that you're afraid to act upon.
You wait for new knowledge.
It's inside,
  deep within you know,
     there's nothing new under the sun...
        except the way the answers were crafted in your heart to fit your individual situation.

Enlightenment has come; it's been there all along.  You heard, but ignored it.  You felt, but quelled it.
Know it, feel it, own it, love it....live it.  Ignore the fear. Quiet the doubt.  Be who you were meant to be - wonderfully and fearfully made.

It's beautiful to be you...simply beautiful.