T'was the Morning after...

T'was the morning after Christmas and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring, except the dog who wanted to go out.

Silently I rose and we slipped out the door,
down the stairs we bounded, towards the first floor.

Onto the leash, and onto the porch,
His nose in the air, like Lady Liberty's torch.

Sniffing and grunting like a sow after truffles,
Through the snow he leaps, glides and shuffles.

Down the drive we go, the paper to get,
He did what he does, but he's not done yet.

His job it seems, to cover every scent,
In this crucial mission, he is hell bent.

Back to porch, in the house we go,
Now stay on the rug till we wipe off this snow.

Into the kitchen to make a fresh pot,
he'd lay on the floor, but there's not a clear spot.

The floor still covered, with boxes and bows,
But they'll be gone by tonight, as Momma knows.

It was a very nice day, they all got along,
Just as years past, when they were three strong.

They've grown so fast, it seems they were just boys,
Hoping and praying for small plastic toys,

Now they're young men, almost full grown,
I'm afraid if I blink they'll have families of there own.

Great choices they'll make, of this I am sure,
But for the hole in my heart, I am afraid, no cure...

Merry Christmas

The Joy and Peace of this morning has been building and building until it bloomed brilliantly.
My wish for you is that your Joy blooms daily.

Gratitude

Today I AM grateful for a hot cup of coffee and the peaceful morning of a snow day. Meanwhile, the cubs are softly snoring, safely, in there dens and Momma Bear is content.

Grateful

I AM Grateful for a hot cup of coffee on a peaceful snow day morning.
The cubs are quietly snoring in there dens and Momma Bear is happy to have them close by. Meanwhile, outside...

Happiness

There is no way to Happiness.
Happiness is the way. 
-The Buddha

Morning Prayer

O' Great Spirit   

I humbly ask that you grant me the strength of the standing ones. Their ability to be firmly rooted to mother earth while reaching to father sky.

I ask for their ability to stand fast and yet to be able to sway with the winds of change.

I ask for their ability to shelter, comfort and provide for the needs of those around them.

I ask for their ability to survive and thrive in the harshest conditions.

O' Great Spirit

I humbly ask that you grant me the power and adaptability of water. The ability to shape shift into whatever spirit directs.  The ability to move a mountain or carve a riverbed. The patience and perseverance of water to relentlessly work towards it's goals.  The ability to lead others to the Great Spirit just as a small river leads to the great ocean.

O' Great Spirit

I humbly ask that you grant me the vision of the hawk.  His ability to reach a higher plane and see with great clarity what lies ahead as well as behind.  His ability to patiently wait for his next opportunity, to seize it and make the most of it.  I ask for help in holding my vision for the future

O' Great Spirit

I humbly ask that you grant me control as of the wind.  It's ability to gently caress a babys' cheek,  support the wings of a condor in flight and move oceans of water.

O' Great Spirit

I humbly ask for the nature of mother bear.  Her ability to go within and be still.  To guide and protect her children. And her ability to play and enjoy the world around her.

O' Great Spirit

I humbly ask for the discernment of fire.  It's ability to reduce a situation to it's basic elements. To burn through facades and falsities and show the reality.

And Finally Great Spirit

Thank You. I am grateful for all that you have provided and for your guidance.  I humbly ask for your continued guidance and that you grant me the assistance of the ancient ones, all benevolent spirits, and protection from those that would do harm.  

The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to reflect their inner beliefs" 
- James Allen

Black Friday

It was that time of year and they all knew it was coming. Some arrived eager and early and had been waiting for days. Others arrived later and mulled around waiting for their chance to throw themselves into the mass of hysteria and get carried forward with the crowd. Some came alone and others arrived in groups. You could see that this wasn't the first time for some. They looked calmer, peaceful even. They had been through this before and they had a plan. It was all mapped out. Once inside, they knew exactly which route to take to get to their spot, to reach their goal. Others looked a little nervous, a little tentative. This being their first time, they didn't trust yet in their ability to move with the crowd and find their prize.
The rain had started on Thursday and the veterans knew this was a good thing. In fact, it's what drew most of them to start gathering. They knew that eventually that all that rain would make it into the river and cause it to rise. Once the flood of water hit the mouth of the river where they where impatiently waiting, the door would be open for hundreds of Steelhead to fight their way upstream looking for that special place to settle in and lay their eggs.
Meanwhile, at the mall...

Happy Thanksgiving

Today I AM grateful for the Health, Happiness, Peace and Harmony my family and friends are receiving. The pumpkin pie is just a bonus!

Closed for the Season!

Letting Go

I walk through the woods gentle and slow,
No sounds I detect, cept the leaves letting go.
Watching as I wonder bout this lesson i've not learned,
I move on ahead as another leaf turns.

Shadows

Is he the shadow, or am I?

Leadership

Have courage and step up. Someone has to lead the way.

Autumn

A cool rainy morning and two young bucks pretend to fight
While a trio of does pretend not to watch.
Everything is right on schedule.
What a gift.

Today...

I am grateful for my creativity and imagination. 
And the Health, Happiness and Harmony my family is receiving.

To be a Shepherd ...

The Lord is my Shepherd. 
What I didn't realize is that I am their Shepherd. 
Can I show them the same love and compassion?

Today ...

I AM Grateful for the Peace, Happiness and Health I AM receiving. 
How about you?

Conceive it. Believe it. Achieve it. Stop letting those around you hold you back with fear.

Energy flows...

Energy flows, where attention goes.
Think of your thoughts and words as a flowing hose.
What are you watering?
Your past dramas or your future dreams?

Speaking of Dreams...

What right do I have to live my dream if in the process I destroy theirs?

Choose...

Choose YOUR dream and create YOUR world. Or be satisfied being part of someone else's.

Friends...

I am grateful for friends.
Some who have come and stayed.
Some who have come and gone.
Never to be forgotten.

A Walk in the Woods

Perhaps the first step in feeling more gratitude and compassion in your daily life is adopting a different perspective?

Gratitude

Today I am grateful for warm sunshine, a cool breeze and the feel of grass under my feet.

Double Edged

Her face and mouth, so beautiful
Yet, her words so sharp
They cut so fast, so deep
Like a fine beautiful blade