DAILY GRATITUDE FAMILY AND FRIENDS

 

I am grateful throughout my life…

as my life moves by so swift…

To have viewed any time with family and friends

not only a bonus…but as a gift.

TOGETHERNESS

 

If we ever want to fix our divided world 

may we all be blessed…

To understand…

We heal, 

not inisolation

but in togetherness

UMBUNTU AGAIN

 

In a world where humanity is something many lack…

Here’s another reminder…it’s not too late to bring it back…

UBUNTU

It was an anthropological study…that I shall now describe:

A basket of fruit was placed near a tree…in front of the children of an African tribe

Who were told they needed not only to be fast but resolute

because the one who gets to the basket first…gets to eat all the fruit.

When they were told to run…they didn’t at first…instead like birds of a feather

they each took the hand of the child next to them…and then they ran…together.

Together they ran to the basket…fast and resolute

Together they reached the basket… and together…they ate the fruit.

When asked why they chose to run that way…”UBUNTU” cried each lad…

adding, “How can one of us be happy…if all the other ones are sad?”

In South Africa the word UBUNTU…means ‘I am because we are’

It’s a belief we are defined by our compassion and kindness towards others…

and it’s a word that travels far

For every culture, every civilization…across the land, the sky, the seas 

has a word with similar meaning…In America…it’s humanity.

Arabic, French, German and Hindi have similar words like these:

(Al Insaniyya, Humanite, Menschlichkeit, Manavata)

So do the Spanish, the Italians, the Finnish as well as the Chinese

(Humanidad, Umanita, Ihmiskunta (Renlei) 

It’s a simple word…humanity…that has an allure…a wonderful attraction

but it remains only a word…until we put it into action.

I’m glad to see so many cultures have this word as part of their folklore…

I think, however, the entire world…need sto practice UBUNTU a little more.

We need to spread humanity and let our actions travel far….

We need to teach the world UBUNTU…'I am because we are’.

We need to follow the example of the children…we need to be fast and resolute…

We need to join hands as one…together…and together enjoy our fruit.

FINDING JOY

 

I am grateful for something my parents instilled in me

from the time I was a little boy…

how the less things in life I need to be content…

the easier it is to find my joy.

REMEMBERING JOY AND WONDER

 

How blessed would we all be if at least one time every day

we would stop…and with a dash of innocent flair

remember a time when we were children…

and found joy and wonder everywhere.

DISCOVERING JOY

 

If you want to discover pure joy and innocence…

far removed from fortune and fame

sit in the stands and pay attention at a child’s baseball game.

You’ll watch little ones strike out on three pitches…

but leave the batter’s box without a pout…

smiling and waving to their family…finding joy in striking out.

 

You’ll watch those same little ones get a hit 

and with an identical smiles on their faces

enthusiastically wave to their families 

as they run around the bases.

They play the field the same way…

without a second thought

smiling as the ball is hit in their direction…

whether they catch that ball…or not!

You’ll see children playing with the same joy when they do well…

or when it’s an error that they make.

They play with the same joy when they are perfect…

as they do when they make a mistake.

It makes one wonder if that innocent joy they feel 

is imbedded in their young chromosomes…

allowing them to smile whey they strike out…

or when they’re rounding third and heading home.

Yes…sit in the stands at a child’s baseball game

and you will suddenly become aware…

their joy is not in how they do…their joy is in being there.

And you’ll realize joy doesn’t need to be tied 

to fortune or to fame…

and it will you make you want to treat your life…

like a child’s baseball game.

DAILY GRATITUDE MY HEART

 

I am grateful for all those times I have listened to my heart.

Grateful for all the times my heart has awakened me…

and grateful for all the wonderful places in this life

my heart has taken me.

HEART GUIDE

 

May we be blessed those times we’re lost…

confused…dealing with sorrow, struggles and strife…

to allow our hearts to be our compass

that guides us through such moments in our life.

YOUR HEART

 

Whenever I have a decision to make I listen for some cueing

from all the voices in my head…

happy to advise me on what I should be doing.

Oftentimes at the moment when inspiration I am seeking

“It is much too dangerous!” Is the voice I hear first

(Experience is speaking).

My heart is next…always waiting in the wings behind me…

“But there is a little danger in all adventures”

He hastens to remind me.

Pride is usually the next to speak…hoping a level head will prevail.

He is always quick to ask…“What happens if you fail.”

Again my heart is prepared to answer… 

Ready with words of guidance when I’m in need…

“Yes.” He whispers in my ear.

“But what happens if you succeed.”

Reason then throws in his two cents…

“Why not play it safe.” He cries…

To which my heart responds…

“You’ll never know…until you try.”

After listening to all the voices…

a diverse and vehement array…

and analyzing very carefully 

Every word they say…

I thank them for their counsel…

for in my decision they playing an important part

Then I smile and usually decide 

to follow the voice inside my heart.

I may not always make the wisest decision…

but in the life I’m trying to create…

I am often very happy

when my heart wins the debate.

DAILY GRATITUDE LIPS AND ARMS

 

I am grateful for my lips 

and grateful for my arms too

and I hope they will alway do…

what they were created and meant to do.

Our lips are meant for speaking words of love and kindness

and meant for kissing too….

Our arms are meant for welcoming others

for hugging when someone is happy

and hugging when someone is blue.

WHAT A KISS AND A HUG CAN DO

 

 May we be blessed to understand….

especially on days we’re feeling blue…

exactly what a simple hug and kiss can do.

They help us connect to others 

They’re like an umbrella in the rain…

They help reduce our stress 

as well as eat our pain.

They remind us someone love us

They can help to ease our fears…

They let us know we’re not alone…

They can wipe away our tears.

I wonder in this time of upheaval

with people at each other’s throats

and countries waging war….

If this hatred for one one another would cease

If we hugged and kissed a little more.

THEIR FIRST KISS

 

He remembers everything about their first kiss

It’s a feeling that never goes away…

He remembers their first kiss…as if it happened yesterday… 

And after all these years he still kisses her the same…

before each kiss he holds his breath 

and with a smile…shuts his eyes…

and here's the reason why…

He closes his eyes when he sleeps…

to allow his dreams to come through…

and he closes his eyes when he kisses her…

because each kiss another dream come true.

He held his breath before their first kiss…

which he still does today….

because every time she kisses him…

she takes his breath away.

He understands how lucky he’s been…

that together in life they’ve been immersed

and he knows if there ever is a last kiss between them

it will be as beautiful

as exciting

and as beautiful 

as the first.