Words from the Heart

The older I get, the more I realize that wisdom needs to be shared.  This used to happen when we came together in long houses, around campfires, and at the kitchen table.  Today, wisdom comes in bits and pieces that often lack the personal connection of a parent, grandparent or familial elder.  I find this unfortunate, but, I have also learned from my Elders that we MUST share wisdom with the world NOW.   So, my gift to the world on my last day being 62 is 62 bits of wisdom.  My greatest joy will be to know that you find something here that resonates with you. 62.  No matter how old you are, you are never too old to dream and to have goals.  61.  Gardens are great places of healing.  Visit often. 60.  Water is the life blood of Mother Earth; we MUST protect both. 59.  Children are wiser today; listen to them.  They have a lot to teach us. 58.  Music should be a part of every day! 57.  If you w...

The 30 Poems in November Challenge is coming to an end. I can see the finish line as I prepare to write the last of this month's poems.  However, I am not going to finish at the top of the pack unless more donations come in during the last few days.   I had hoped to raise $750 dollars.  At this moment, I am at $510...so close, yet so far.   If all my friends and family donated $10, I would quadruple the amount I have pledged!   Let me share some of what this money will do.  First, it goes to help fund the programs that the Center for New Americans provides to enable refugees and immigrants to be able to grasp the English language in order to fully participate in their communities. Second, it is used to provide the supplies needed for the students. Third, it helps pay for the training we give tutors. Finally, it covers various costs that don't fall under government or other grants.  The poem I wrote yesterday is dedicated to my studen...

Quite a few years back, I realized that making resolutions for New Year's was often a futile and humiliating process.  After all, most people never make it past the first month of the new year, let alone all twelve, before failing.  Once I realized this, I set about changing. A resolution should be something that A. is easy to accomplish, B. brings you as much satisfaction as it does anyone else and C. add to your life (and to the betterment of the world).  In the past few years, I have found gratitude daily, looked for beauty in each day, discovered moments of joy, etc. Rather than getting to the end of another year feeling like a failure, I have come to the end of the year feeling such wonder, gratitude and joy!   Joy was the word I chose last year.  At first, it took a bit of imagination and creativity to find joy-filled moments, but before long, my daily list was endless!  Yes, and that includes the difficult days.  Let me explain! Take for...