| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/3/2006 3:11:48 AM | Catch the Blessing
Did you ever walk into a garden of roses,
Smell a bouquet of carnations dressed in greens,
Gaze into the glass filled with red sparkling wine,
Or relish the sweet succulent juice of nectarines?
Did you ever lay your head to a silky pillow,
Have the sensual taste of strawberries and cream,
Cuddle in a blanket to a crackling campfire
Or drink the quenching water from a mountain stream?
Did you ever savor a warm soft September breeze
Smell fresh fallen snow on a December night,
Fall asleep to the sound of gentle rain in June,
Or lie staring at August clouds drifting from sight?
Did you ever hear crashing waves midst the moonlight beach,
Watch the fog roll in across the quiet seas
Be moved by the gusting winds high atop a mountain,
Or watch a falcon glide far above the trees?
Did you ever reminisce with a wise older man,
Listen to the laughter of children at play,
Spend a little time teaching a child to ride a bike,
Or breathe in deeply the smell of Christmas Day.
Did you ever notice each day has blessings to catch?
Will you grasp tightly to each passing moment?
Or are you consumed with all of life's struggles
Missing all these precious blessings as each day is spent? | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/4/2006 5:17:07 PM | Thought:
Millions are born each day into a world consumed with bad news. Our era has become a colloquialism to the point that we have become desensitized to most horrific drama. So many people gravitate to the media to hear of the latest disaster or tragedy. The conversations around the work place have become cesspools of negativity looking to blame someone else for their misery. Through our words and thoughts we define the future. As much as I write about the adversities and pain of life my mission is not to create more but to provide the key to drive out. Somewhere in the midst of where you are today there is good news. It’s only a matter of seeking it instead of gravitating to the bad. The truest treasures in life are already within your grasp defined by life in the here and now. It will be lost if you choose to swim in the cesspool of everyone else’s sludge. Take time and savor this moment for in a moment it will be gone never to be captured the same way again. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/4/2006 5:17:51 PM | Savor the Moment
Looked out the window of my bedroom
The fields of golden rod all in bloom
The crisp clean scent of the September breeze
The ruffling sounds of the dancing trees
Its last of the season before the frost
No time to waist before the sun is lost
Before we know it the leaves will brown
The snow will fall and cover the town
Time has no courtesy in this world
Yesterday's gone, today has unfurled
Paint a picture on the walls of the mind
Savor the moment, it's one of a kind
Today will dissipate into tomorrow
There are no yesterdays left to borrow | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/4/2006 5:19:28 PM | Seasons
Some friends are here for only a season
Guiding our journey with thought and reason
Keeping our paths straight when we are drifting
There to cry with as burdens are lifting
Sharing in laughter, bringing a bright smile
Walking beside our road mile upon mile
Sharing in our lives and destiny.
We hope they follow the next season to be
The leaves are changing. I felt the first frost.
The dusk of this season. The warmth is lost.
The growth seeds the soil for the dawn of spring.
What new life shall come when birds start to sing?
I wonder long after leaves have fallen
When snowmelts and flowers shed their pollen
Is it another season we will share?
To laugh, to cry, to smile and show we care?
The old folks ask how many friends are true?
When you count on your hand those that you knew?
For how rare if you can count up to five
In the time on earth you remain alive.
Your friendship has been true this I do know.
I held in faith those words the deeper we'll grow.
Are your feelings and mine one in the same?
How many seasons will I count your name?
Please understand my honest confessing
I never intend to steal your blessing.
To harm the innocent beauty of your heart
To take from any that share that part.
But truly I state I'm weak to lose a friend
As the frost sneaks in at summer's end.
When that coming day has breathed its last
My heart shall sink, as you become my past.
I will treasure the memory of you
Laughing at silly jokes and gestures too.
Comforting my sorrow, sharing in tears,
Giving me courage to stand midst my fears.
I will remember your smile and sweet sigh,
The mischievous look and that winking eye.
The fun and games in all our childish play
But the dearest was your unselfish way.
In a distant future, time yet to be
While I'm peering out into a vast sea
As the sun sits where ocean and sky meet
Feeling crashing waves break among my feet
Reflecting on seasons of yesteryear
And counting all the blessings I hold dear
I will remember you as I reminisce
And can say you will be greatly missed.
But when you wake some bright, sunny morning
And hear icicles melt and birds singing
Will you recall the time long before?
Laughing and crying with a friend you adore
Will you see me chuckling at my own jokes?
Will you talk of me to other old folks?
And as one true friend will I still stand
When you count who was real upon your hand? | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/4/2006 5:20:02 PM | Precious Touch
Their little hands working away
The precious touch with love's intent
Cutting, pasting, eyes opened wide
Captured by the Christmas moment
Shiny glitter in sticky glue
Of blues and whites, greens and reds
Scattered messes across the room
From glitter spills and paper shreds
The fresh cut pine, emerald green
The sparkling lights and ribbon laces
Created treasures on the tree
Laughter sings with smiling faces
Each decoration represents
Memories from those heartfelt years
Priceless gifts never forgotten
Impassioned thoughts with trickling tears | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/5/2006 2:57:39 AM | EYES OF A CHILD
Chapter 11
Somewhere in the journey from
childhood to adulthood we lost much of our love, hope
and faith as the deluge of turmoil swallowed it up. As a
child we found joy in the simple things, friends among
those different than us and castles in our own backyards.
When you wake up tomorrow try looking at the matters
of the day through the eyes of a child. Perhaps the world
may look a whole lot greener and adventurous. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/5/2006 2:58:23 AM | Eyes of a Child
Small creations to rainy days restyled
When dark clouds disrupt the April mild
Living like no tomorrow
Little hug hushes sorrow
So is the world through the eyes of a child
Jumping from the bunk into pillows piled
The mischief detected as daddy smiled
With a sweet loveable face
Reaching upward to embrace
So is the world through the eyes of a child
Where there is no racism or wrongs compiled
Where love's freely given and joy runs wild
Sunrises to laugh and scream
Faith to achieve any dream
So is the world through the eyes of a child
Their heart not in tuned to being beguiled
This innocence never should be reviled
Tender smile to a stranger
Not sensing any danger
So is the world through the eyes of a child. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/5/2006 7:39:57 AM | This poetry, if I didn't know better I would think was written of the other gender. The sensitivity here, expressed so with much artistic depth, espescially as I read this last one. Here I went back into my own childhood. Frolicing, (is that still a word?) on my bros bunk beds and hearing that roar from below that we knew would follow. Squeals as we ran for our own protection & with looks of innocence, lol. Now as a Mom myself, my 13 yr old just been been published in a book of poetry! She sees nothing so great in it. I have gone thru most of your work on here, and shown her how she could possible grow into such greatness, like you have done, silently on here. She now find out she loves your work too.
I am also interested in your book. But will contact you on your profile? I am another one from outside of Pitt. Thank you Mr BK. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/7/2006 10:10:17 PM | I appreciate your feedback greatly and hope that your daughter is inspired to continue to write...
It is interesting that you state that I am emotionally expressive....In reality I am a typical jock with this secret ambition to write. I don't think many people outside cyber world would ever guess I write poetry...But in many ways i like it that way. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/7/2006 10:11:38 PM | Castle With A View
It was our domain where the tall grass grew
In the whistling song as the warm wind blew
The strands toasted brown from the August sun
Its soft caresses in afternoon fun
The fresh scent of clover and timothy
And katydid tunes in soft melody
We made secret trails cut through the deep field
To sunken terrain for hideouts to build
With beach towel capes like supermen wear
And crabapple bombs to fling through the air
We dived in the grass with our arms spread wide
And crawled underneath for a place to hide
Time appeared to stop as the sparrows sung
The bumblebees buzzed and grasshoppers flung
Til that faintly heard jingle caught us at play
Circling the bend interrupting our day
With capes flying high through the field we soared
Yelling "Ice Cream!! Ice Cream!!" as bellies roared
Tasting the delight of a dreamsicle treat
As creamy nectar dripped down at our feet
We then watched the airplanes crisscross the sky
With their feathery streaks painted on high
Til the sun dipped low, yellows fading red
From Crimson to purple as star lights spread
The world seemed like a castle with a view
And dreams were saw in many shades of hue. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/7/2006 10:12:18 PM | Treasure In The Box
Dad arrived home and wheeled in a huge box
Waiting, watching, what mystery unlocks
Rolling up the stairs and in through the door
Sitting it down on the living-room floor
Our minds were filled, consumed with surprise
Watching him open with his bulging eyes
From the box to the corner he slid
Just like us with the excitement of a kid
The big wooden frame had funny looking ears
And in that frame a snowman appears
Dad played with the ears and turned its nose
Then started yelling at that picture that snows
He smacked the side before going to the roof
He was on a mission to remove the snowy goof
Up and down many times in delirium
Twisting and turning some funny metal stem
The more hissing we heard the more angry he got
Til kicking the box that he just had bought
Bouncing it through the room, out the door it went
Not much caring about the money he spent
While dad watched that snowman the rest of the day
We took the large box to the yard to play
We cut out some windows and painted the side
Then cut out the middle to open wide
We crawled in and looked all around
It truly was a castle that we had found
While dad continued to cry like a boy
Sulking all day with his broken kids toy
Our afternoon was spent in much pleasure
For we discovered dads genuine treasure | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/7/2006 10:12:56 PM | Sanctuary Within
As a child there was this secluded spot
A sylvan of tall trees to gather in thought
A haven of peace and sanctuary
A hideaway to run off and bury
The maple trees made the best place to play
Long outward limbs that wind would gently sway
Spending many hours of fun in the trees
Pretending to fly when feeling the breeze
A place where I could dream any dream
Find tranquility and be free to scream
It was solitude where my mind took shape
When either sad or just needing escape
These woods gave peace beyond distant measure
It had become my own hidden treasure
One spring day when strolling home from school
Life as a child suddenly became cruel
In shocking surprise ripping out my heart
Trees cut down, my sanctuary torn apart
The hideout in the woods was no longer
Stripped away by the ugly tree monger
The old maples were sawed up and taken
Loggers ran off with my entire haven
The trucks spun and tore up the ground
The land left barren no hideaway found
Sanctuary gone not leaving a tree
Left with stubs and vines and shredded debris
No one else seemed to understand this pain
But as a child it was a horrific stain
They just kept saying it would be ok
There are plenty places to run and play
Some things can't be replaced once they are lost
Part of childhood stolen and dreams were tossed
Sometimes there are no words to console
It's just another chapter in life's role
The only true remedy has been time
Eventually finding more trees to climb
I often visit that place in memory
It became a sanctuary within me | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/7/2006 10:13:44 PM | Proud Robert McGee
There is a man from San Fran
His name is Robert McGee
A genius in calculus
Proud of his doctorates degree
Loud to speak, scoured the meek
Filled with self-admiration
Then a lad, a grade school grad
Wisely asked him a question
"There's six crows sitting in rows
'Til you shoot one of them down
How many crows sit in rows
Now that one is on the ground?"
"Anybody past grade three
Will know the answer to this
There are five still sitting alive
Unless your poor aim shall miss."
"Sorry sir you're in error
Commonsense you display none
A dead bird and a shot heard
No more crows but the dead one"
"Just one dead bird, how absurd
You are right I missed one fact
There's a fool past third grade school
That can not add or subtract."
Mr. McGee as schooled as he
Thought that he was very smart
No delight to see the light
But only to speak his own heart | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:23:01 PM | Castles of the Heart
I walked the shore like days before
….But today I found a surprise
For on the beach where tides can’t reach
….Was a castle above the rise
Crafted arches, courtyard mazes
….And staircases etched up each side
A moat to surround walls of brown
….As a bridge crossed over the wide
I pondered there in question’s stare
….To whom had built such a tower
I pictured a child with buckets piled
….Helping dad for many an hour
They went that day to splash and play
….Till finding their place in the sand
They worked with skill at oceans still
….Passing buckets from hand to hand
Carving and shaping then landscaping
….Till forming this masterful art
Father and son in treasured fun
….Building castles out of their heart | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:24:12 PM | Thought:
The origin of many nursery rhymes was for the purpose to parody the royal and political events of that day. Such rhymes exposed or confronted injustice and social immorality by its leaders. Any direct dissention against the government may have resulted in punishment by death. Other nursery rhymes were written to teach moral messages to children and through song these teachings were easily remembered and passed by word of mouth from generation to generation. This age has come to neglect two important values that nursery rhymes once tried to instill. The first disregard has been for the ability to express our thoughts, opinions and to expose the truth. We have taken for granted our freedom of speech. We become angry when we disagree with a particular social group or the expressions of individuals that challenge our own values and standards. In our hearts we wish there were laws to silence them. Whether they are wrong or not, we fail to realize by restricting their freedom we would only rob ourselves of the same such freedom. The second failure our society does not reckon with is the teaching of our children in the ways of honor, integrity and upholding a good name. We quickly pass them off so that we can pursue our own selfish ways as they indulge themselves in television, music, video games and their peer groups to learn about the ways of life. We have also placed our trust in the schools, government and/or other social organizations to teach them morals and values. How sad it is when we depend on the media or status quo to program their lives. We have a responsibility as they encounter this world to enlighten them to the truth and danger that surrounds them, to listen to their needs and to become involved with their daily activities. It requires us to sacrifice our time and to see through the eyes of a child to better understand how they are encountering the world before them. The media and our schools may be a good source of information but it also may be a distorted one on a course to brainwashing our children to the future of their making. Who loves your children more, you or them? A society that forgets its history, takes for granted its freedoms and fails to disciple its children in truth and moral responsibility will create a future of repeated failure and great misfortune, a future where evil rulers will again control the masses through tyranny. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:25:53 PM | When Thunder’s Near
When the thunders roar before the pour
It is the pangs before the birth
When heaven cries at the darkened skies
It is the tears that feed the earth
The pitter patter and all the chatter
Awake all the seeds left asleep
Long after night in the rising light
Those seeds will stem up from the deep
So do not fear when thunder’s near
For God has reason for the showers
Let your eyes rest till morning’s crest
Then see all the springing flowers
Tubby Joe Fox
Tubby Joe Fox…………..
……………Stood on a box
To tell the world what he knew
But a huge gust………….
……………With swirling dust
Tumbled poor Joe from his view
The Chubby Rat
Up crawled a rat, all chubby and fat
To gnaw on a piece of brittle
He ate and ate to a sluggish state
As his belly swelled in the middle
In flew a cat to where he sat
Looking for a tender bone
The rat tried to run but weighed a ton
Becoming a meal of his own | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:28:54 PM | LIFE'S OBSTACLES
Chapter 12
Look around for this vast world provides much wisdom in its own creation. Learn to be content with yourself yet strive ahead knowing that within you are the seeds to become so much more. Find courage in the storms of life knowing that through pain there is gain. However be careful for along the path lies temptations ready to detour us from our mission. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:30:12 PM | Beauty Within
In the center of the small village square
Was a well of water for all to share
The maidens gathered before the morning rise
To fetch water from where the wellspring lies
One fare lady often came just to boast
And to scoff at the rest with hateful roast
She viewed herself with beauty and privilege
And bragged of the prince who showed her homage
"One day I shall be a wealthy princess
While all of you still remain penniless"
One plain maiden with defensive retort
"I love my man whether the money's short"
But quickly rebutted in sarcastic tone
"Your husband's a troll and you are a drone"
The plain maiden went home with head hung low
Empty feelings inside and tears that flow
But when she arrived with thoughts insecure
Her simple man met her right at the door
Seeing her tears he embraced her with love
"What is it my dear you sadly think of?"
She stood there as the adoration grew
"I forgot why, I just know I love you"
Now the fair lady with the words of spite
Was whisked away by the fine prince one night
They married next morning before the king
It seemed like a dream when she felt the ring
But soon she learned he had more than one bride
So many that they often would collide
Competition to be with him each night
Frequently led the wives to a huge fight
And although there were the riches and fame
Splendor of having the royalty name
Before long alone in captivity
Enslaved to rules of high society
Many years would pass as her beauty waned
Lost in a castle forgetting who reigned
She would never experience true love
Only a fantasy she could dream of
Love cannot be bought with wealth or beauty
It must first be given condition free
Happiness is not an external state
It's an inner peace content with one's fate.
Outward appearance is only a glance
To what is hidden of one's real essence | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:31:16 PM | Don't Go Poking Sticks Into A Bee's Nest
A young cub came upon a fallen pear
A tasty delight for this hungry bear
Discovered above were several more
But one especially had his allure
Plump and yellow such a delicious thought
This is the pear the cub had truly sought
Climbing, scooting and inching up the tree
Little closer and closer he could see
The growling hunger and savory sight
The long awaiting for a juicy bite
Then from a bee's nest a hornet takes wing
Dashing at the cub giving its warning
The bear swats its paw to chase it away
But the bee persists to keep him at bay
Crawling out further the cub's not dissuade
Shaking the tree with attempts to evade
Pear after pear descending to the ground
But the favored one is still hanging sound
The persistent cub as efforts enclose
Thwarting a hornet darting at his nose
Til paws go flying with a sudden fall
A giant triumph from a bee so small
The cub stares at the pear still in the tree
And turns with a scowl at the nesting bee
Then he notices all the fallen pears
And starts to munch those lying in the tares
Though his belly is full on all the fruit
Accepting such a defeat would not suit
He looks up at the nest where the hornets dwell
And takes a long branch thrusting its shell
To his horror hundreds of bees swarm down
Out through the meadows goes a streaking brown
Racing through the field and valley below
Yelping at each sting with a loud echo
The poor cub never returned for that pear
A lesson learned from this silly ole bear
Don't go poking sticks into a bee's nest
Some things are no danger when left to rest
A pesky bee may create a nuisance
But an angry swarm will strike with vengeance | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:32:00 PM | MERCY
Within the shadows of a dawning day
Prairie dog's occupied by morning's way
An eagle hovers on the crimson sky
Waiting and watching with a preying eye
Spreading its wings before the morning sun
Then ascending high into the horizon
The long spanning wings and feathers of gold
Razor sharp claws and eyes of emerald
Swiftly she flies encircling the earth
Quickly above before the day gives birth
She glides with grace and majestic essence
Before fiercely diving at the pup's presence
The small dog escapes the near grasping scoop
Out running the eagle's lore and swift swoop
It was misjudgment that spared the dog's life
It could have been pierced with claws like a knife.
There are no promises to see daybreak
Sometimes by mercy we avoid heartache. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:33:07 PM | Roots To Stand
Near a running stream stood an apple tree
For many seasons living peacefully
When the hot summer droughts were at their worst
The stream provided that the tree did not thirst
It grew and rested in the open field
Having plenty of apples each harvest yield
Another tree faced times much more arduous
Growing on a hill droughts were more vicious
Lacking water its fruit wilted and dried
It had to press deeper into the hillside
Years passed before roots reached a water pool
This was life's adversity for survival
One day both trees met with calamity
The winds of fury struck without pity
The tree by the stream fell to the ground
But the one on the hill beaten but sound
The years enduring midst sufferings hand
Produced roots that gave it the strength to stand. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:34:06 PM | On The Wings Of Eagles
In the morning calm under a gray sky
The bald eagle swoops with a shrieking cry
No enemy is hidden from its sight
All the land reveres its majestic might.
Life below naive to drawing unrest
The eagle senses the coming tempest
It ascends to a higher altitude
Waiting for westerly streams to intrude
Setting its wings as the storm rages near
Winds lift it above this fury of fear
As the pouring outburst casts forth its wrath
The eagle glides over its vicious path
Faced by vengeance and its destructive roar
Rising above where no others will soar
This king of air shall not cower or doubt
Patiently biding riding the storm out
So mount up with wings like the eagles spread
For when the storms of life are just ahead
Scale over with the wind without restraint
Fly and not grow weary, glide and not faint. | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:34:49 PM | Crossed
One early spring day in the month of May
A hen was nesting keeping her eggs warm
The news came forth for what it is worth
That clouds were forming in a brewing storm
She needed shelter from this welter
But who would watch her eggs as she hunted
Along came the fox from beyond the rocks
Hearing her cries and worries confronted
"I can watch your nest at your request
As you venture to find a safer place"
"But you are the famed" she quickly exclaimed
"That takes our babies without a trace"
"But I have seen the light to what is not right
Please trust in me before the storm hits"
So in her worry she made with a scurry
To find safe haven as time permits
When she had returned in horror she learned
Her babies were gone forever lost
A heart should be gauged by actions that aged
To trust by mere words leaves open to be crossed | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:35:29 PM | Grizzly Fate
A legend of old tells of some gold
Robbed from a train in Montana
Was hidden away not found to the day
Somewhere in the hills of Helena
Billy and Dave crawled into a cave
To seek for themselves this gold
But Dave grabbed the hair of a grizzly bear
So out of the cave they rolled
They raced and raced as the brown bear chased
Down through the valley below
They ran through the wood as fast as they could
Running wherever they could go
Some say that bear was a hungry bear
And never gave up the pursuit
For Dave and Billy it sure was silly
Exploring those caves for the loot
For all they found in the underground
Was a bear who hadn’t ate
A fool for his gold in tall tales told
May lead to a grizzly fate | |
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| Journey to the Center of the Soul
Posted: 4/18/2006 3:36:33 PM | BROKEN LOVE
Chapter 13
Making the choice to leave our inner-selves totally transparent to the person we love can be one of the greatest displays of love we can ever give them yet it omes
with much risk. Trust and complete disclosure is very difficult but without it we can never fully experience love. Kindness without honesty is only sentimentality but likewise honesty without kindness can be quite cruel. Somewhere in the genius of listening and communicating we can learn to be both kind and honest. Sometimes we only learn how to have this kind of sensitivity when we become broken and the ground softened. It is very painful but so is a pruned tree that bears great fruit the following year. However, if one remains in fear to trust again it is like a fallow earth left without rain. It crumbles to dust forever scattered by the wind. | |
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