Self & Awareness
Liberté d'esprit
There’s only this
There’s only now
Grab hold of today
Someway, somehow
Listen carefully within
Let your spirit be your guide
For tomorrow comes with possibilities
Some with promise
Others, you lay aside
Sitting quietly, observing
No distraction, reserving
The finest of memories to recall
Listening with intention
Of ventures lacking convention
The most promising visions
Of all
This liberté d’esprit
It is our life force
It feeds our soul, it is our voice
It expands our awareness
Makes clear our choice
‘Cause there’s only this
There’s only now
Grab hold of life
Someway, somehow
liberté d’esprit
There’s only this
There’s only now
Grab hold of today
Someway, somehow
Listen carefully within
Let your spirit be your guide
For tomorrow comes with possibilities,
Some with promise
Others, you lay aside
Sitting quietly
Observing
No distraction, reserving
The finest of memories to recall
Listening with intention
Of ventures lacking convention
Are the most promising visions
of all
This liberté d’esprit
It is our life force
It feeds our soul, it is our voice
It expands our awareness
Makes clear our choice
‘Cause there’s only this
There’s only now
Grab hold of life
Someway, somehow
journey for truth
I’ve traveled far and wide
Researched and reviewed
Challenged and engaged
In lively conversation too
I’m different I say
They smile and nod
Then I’m labeled as others
Be on your way
Can they not entertain
Nor understand
Subtle differences exist
That may pertain
And while not proven
One should not outright
Exclude them
And then one day, I stumble upon
An alternative perspective
Not yet common
Through years of study
Laboratory and books
A new paradigm emerges
A new outlook
The time has come for a new approach
Change is possible, its true
Not all is broke
With science as a foundation
Advances are made
Lives are improved
Where others mistook
The day arrives
When we meet face-to-face
A glowing countenance before me
Exuding calm and grace
We review the numbers
and then the charts
I find you unique
When did this first start?
The findings we review
Never assessed before
But caught in time now
Before problems set in
I know not how
Life now has new meaning
Relevance and depth
A lightness of being
A renewal of breathe
Perspective
In the dawning of the morning
In the rise of the afternoon sun
How we view these daily markers
Drive our interactions, our passion
Are we open to other approaches?
Willing to collaborate to reach all goals
Or do we retreat to the familiar
As long as we control?
Progress rests on our willingness
To be receptive and to give
In our position and opinion
To welcome others, how they live
Discourse can be enlightening
If inclusive, and broad in thought
It can bring an understanding
Yesterday could not be bought
Is the day partially sunny, or
Clear as far as one can see?
Lay the foundation for belonging
Now and always
Let it be.
Breathe
The door is opening
To where I do not know
I feel it in my body
I feel it in my soul
The urge has been lingering
Waiting for the moment to break free
Kept at bay by society’s urging
Meanwhile suffering to obey
Could it be a long-kept secret
Quieted time and time again
Begging to be recognized
And acknowledged
No one to blame
To ignore the unpleasant, we are encouraged
Do not speak it does not exist
But for those who live it daily
Know its thunder, its catalyst
For in our daily living
The truth lies ever still
Waiting for the word, the photo to reveal
In the spirit of goodwill
Our most telling shifts
We no longer can conceal
So we take a step forward
Measured, carefully,
Motivated by our will
The time is now, no more shadows
We can relax and be still
When doubt returns to take the stage
Nod, smile and then move on
For you are leading in this journey
It is your new dawn
my spirit dances
My spirit’s alight
The piano plays
I explore, its freeing
What can I do?
Where will I go?
Will it be familiar
Or somewhere unknown
In life we must manage
The antagonist, uncertainty
It’s not always easy
But the alternative
It’s not palatable, for you nor me
So raise up, take a step
The next step is easier yet
Soon you’re on your path
The path that sets you free…
Free of constraints
That say, no, you can’t
That hold you back
When you have roads to travel
And flowers to plant
Chest out, nose in the air
Will and determination take ahold
And with a prayer…
Life plays out
Unpredictable that’s true
As it will be
Diverse as humanity
Deep as the sea
So peer, explore
Let your being take flight
Let it explore new avenues
Reach new heights
Grace
When life goes sideways
Distractions are many
You think of home
Where friends and family
Extend a hand
And wink, please join us
Just as you can
The mood is easy
You laugh and applaud
Of feats and accomplishments
Otherwise, awed
No calculation for return
Grace leads the way
Its simple, uncomplicated
Live for the day
A lightness of being
Is felt through the space
Genuine and caring
No motive or race
The world can be rough
So to have such friendship,
Family, and grace
Is a gift beyond all others
In time and place
In the circle of life
Giving back to others with care
Is an understanding, a regard
Of all we can share
To lighten a load
And brighten a path
A simple routine
A heartfelt task
We rejoice in the gestures
Of those we unexpectedly meet
They address you by name
There’s a reason you meet
She lends a hand
You acknowledge her smile
Its Grace that binds
All the while
The child
The child in me remains
Removing the labels
One by one
Accumulated over the years
Both innocently and with intent
It has ladened the child within
In the quiet of thought
When the mind stills
Time provides a retrospective
A glimpse of who she was and still is
That which became overshadowed
By acceptance and blame
But labels are temporary
and do not define us
A mechanism by humankind
to overcome that which hurts
Instead it is our soul which serves us
Lays our head to rest
In peaceful slumber
Knowing that the child within, is
And always will be
As she runs through the meadow
Dimpled, sun-kissed locks flowing behind
She smiles and laughs in delight
She knows no boundaries
No end in sight
I am that girl
No labels or notions
that do not serve me
I dance to the music
Which so easily carries me away
Content with the knowledge
And love
Of the person within
Honor your Being
Just this morning
As it was quiet and still
Reality and I greeted each other
It had been a while
A game of hide and seek, if you will
I’ve had many demands
Yes, I know, it’s true
But truth, you see
It can fulfill
You fight so hard for what you believe
Educate, evaluate, test and assess
What a load to carry
Surely you need a rest
Take a moment, lay upon the grass
Take in the sun
Let the rays shine down upon you
Fill your core with calm
Now for just a moment
Look back from where you’ve come
Exceeding expectations,
You now can run
But that is only the beginning
As other talents have emerged
May gratitude surround you
Acknowledge your worth
Cast aside those who doubt
They have no place, just wish them well
Walk boldly into the future
And embrace that which matters
Knowing Providence will provide
And tell.
