WE THE PEOPLE

If Gouverneur Morris, one of the framers of our Constitution, were still alive today

I wonder what message he would text to us this Independence Day......

We declared our Independence...had an Independence Day

But we needed a set of guidelines to help us on our way.

The Articles of Confederation were not working and it was causing so much tension

That we went to Philadelphia and had us a convention.

73 delegates were chosen from all across the land

With only 55 showing up to lend a helping hand.

But those who did attend the meeting had quite a lot to say

Back in 1787 on that 25th of May.

Hamilton and Madison were there and many other famous men

Like Robert Morris, George Washington and Dr. Franklin...we called him Ben.

We talked, debated, argued and if I can remember

We didn’t adjourn that meeting till the 17th of September.

We wanted a document short and sweet, we didn’t want it to ramble

So we started with one paragraph and called it the Preamble.

Seven Articles later we were finished, after 85 days of work and pain

The only thing left for us to do was gladly sign our names.

42 delegates were there at the end a little bit battered and bruised

And as we lined up to give it our John Hancock’s only three refused.

We were proud of our Constitution and were equally satisfied

After the 13 original colonies voted and it was ratified.

A little while later we realized some mistakes and quickly had to write

10 amendments to that Constitution, which we called the the Bill of Rights.

Yes, the colonies had a problem so we gave up our summer vacation

To meet in Philadelphia and build the framework of our nation.

We the people got together to solve that mystery

We wrote our Constitution and the rest is history.

That was over 200 years ago, we did our part, and were proud when we were through

And as July 4th 2014 rolls around...the rest is up to you.

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GM

THE CLOAK OF ANGER

I once knew a person who seemed angry all the time.

I did not know the reason--couldn’t figure out the rhyme.

I never knew why she allowed her anger to surround her

Why she was unable to escape the jungle anger built around her.

I imagine she thought she was in control of the feelings she attained

She did not understand that her anger held the reins.

She was engulfed in anger every day, it was like a cloak upon her back

It weighed her down, it darkened her mood--it transformed her world to black.

I wanted to express my wish for her but I knew that she would scoff

I wanted to tell her how life would be better if she took that cloak of anger off.

I wanted to tell her she could start tomorrow--with the coming of the dawn

To remove that cloak of anger and never again put it on.

But I didn’t, I never said those words, never found a way into her heart

And I haven’t seen her in many years as lives sometimes drift apart.

I hope she finally found the reason, I hope she figured out the rhyme

That life’s too short and too wonderful to be angry all the time.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies when we build jungles that surround us

If we only took the time to change--the evolution would astound us.

SYNCHRONICITY

Carl Jung was the founder of analytical psychology

He’s also the man who coined the term synchronicity.

You’re thinking about a person and they phone, or they appear.

You’re humming a song then turn on the radio and it’s the next song that you hear.

Synchronicity is the wonderful word Mr. Jung elucidated

To explain coincidences we experience in life that somehow seem related.

Deborah and I were searching for a friend’s new house it was after the break of dawn

When a detour forced us down the very street the house we were looking for was on.

I’ve always liked the way the word synchronicity flows; there’s a beauty in its inflection

And as far as those coincidence go...sweet perplexity in their connection.

Years ago in an empty parking lot I was provided the biggest thrill

When on the ground before me lay a hundred dollar bill.

My van broke down on my way home that day, a fact I still lament

But the bill for that repair was ninety-seven dollars and ninety cents.

We don’t know how it happens, it seems improbable that it can

Is it possible the universe is watching us...that we’re part of some huge plan?

Deborah’s sister died suddenly--after her funeral we went to our cabin in NC.

While there our sadness was interrupted by some synchronicity.

That evening a luna moth perched herself upon our door

In all our years together we never saw one there before.

Synchronicity shows us our lives are not as predictable as they seem

It encourages us to believe in miracles, to wonder, hope, and dream.

It shows us as we live each day, as we dance our daily dance

That there are portions of our life left to the mystery of chance.

The mystery of chance...I think even Mr. Jung would enthusiastically agree 

What a great way to explain his concept of synchronicity.

HAPPY 2ND HALF OF THE YEAR DAY!

In case you hadn’t noticed today is the first day of July

This is an important day of the year...allow me to tell you why.

You see as days of every year go by, July 1st is opportune

Because half the year just ended on the 30th of June.

If yesterday, to the first half of the year we unwittingly said goodbye

It stands to reason the second half starts the first day of July.

It’s a day to take a step back, now that half the year is through

And assess how those new year’s resolutions are working out for you.

Have you lost that weight, quit smoking, stopped living like a slob?

Are you drinking less, did you take that trip, do you have a better job? 

Have you begun your volunteering, are you finally downsizing?

Are you eating healthier, saving money--have you been exercising?

For those of us who think about such things July 1st is an important date

Because we know the year is only half over--which means it’s not too late.

Sure we understand this year is already halfway through

But we also know we still have half a year to make our dreams come true.

And to those who’ve given up on their resolutions--all you women; all you men

You still have half a year to enjoy your vices...before you resolute again.

INGENUITY

Recently I was privileged to observe in all it’s magnificence

The ingenuity of youth mixed with a little innocence.

I was in line at a store counter, in front of me was a young boy

Who asked the manager of the store if he could work in his employ.

The manager looked the boy over and asked, “Weren’t you here last week?”

The boy smiled, stood up straight and tall and then began to speak.

“Yes, sir.” He nodded. “That was me; is the job still open today?”

The manager smiled as he tried to come up with just the right words to say.

“Do you remember what I told you last week?” he reached over and touched the boy on his shoulder

“That I was looking for someone who is perhaps a little older.”

The boy was unperturbed, he would not be disallowed

“Yes sir! I remember,” he said, “and I’m a whole week older now.”

He didn’t get the job, there are age requirements in our land of the brave and the free

But I think I would have made an exception based solely on ingenuity.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL

I remember reading a parable, once, about the difference between Heaven and Hell

It was appropriate all those years ago and is appropriate today as well.

When a man named George entered the Pearly Gates, St. Peter was there to reassure 

“Before you settle in, he said, let me take you on a tour?”

First they visited Heaven where George apparently observed

“Wow, what a beautiful banquet hall--Hey! And dinner’s being served.”

He noticed scrumptious entrees filled the hall, everywhere was a multitude;

In fact the tables sagged in the middle under the weight of all the food.

Everyone was laughing and talking, there was contentment in this well-fed throng.

There was one curiosity, however--they all held forks that were 4 feet long!

Next, St. Peter took him to Hell, and here George once again observed

“This banquet hall is as beautiful as Heaven’s--and again dinner’s being served.”

For a second time George noticed scrumptious entrees, another multitude

And the tables in Hell were also sagging under the weight of all that food.

But in Hell everyone looked hungry there was no contentment in this emaciated throng

And there was that curiosity again--all their forks were 4 feet long.

“What’s going on here?” George asked St. Peter, “I do not understand?

They serve the same food in Heaven and Hell--and what’s with those long forks in their hands?”

St. Peter smiled “There is one fundamental distinction, one difference between Heaven and Hell.”

(This is why I mentioned in the beginning it’s appropriate today as well.)

In Hell people care only about themselves you see they haven’t found a way

To get the food from those forks to their mouths--and they go hungry every day.

In Heaven people care less about themselves, they see everyone as sister or brother

And when they are hungry they pick up their forks and, simply, feed each other.

DON'T DRINK AND...

Alcohol effects our brains and our bodies as a whole

It depresses our central nervous system which leads to a loss of self control.

Knowing drinking causes symptoms like the ones I just described

There are a host of things we should not do--once we have imbibed.

We shouldn’t go hunting while drinking, don’t practice jujitsu

Don’t ride a bike or iron naked and no job interviews.

Don’t use sharp objects, don’t put on make-up, don’t try to tie your shoes

Don’t operate heavy machinery and please--don’t say I do.

Don’t climb a tree, change your Facebook status or get a new hairdo 

Don’t text, buy a Halloween costume or get a naked Viking woman tattoo.

We shouldn’t drive when we’ve been drinking, not only is it a character flaw

But drinking and driving is such a danger, it is against the law.

It’s universal across our country, our government wants us to survive

That is why they make it illegal for us to drink and drive.

Which makes me wonder if they’re so concerned with safety, this government of ours,

Why in some states is it now legal to carry a gun into a bar?

Carrying a gun into a place that effects our brains and bodies as a whole

That depresses our central nervous system and makes it easy to lose control...

How can legislators who won’t let us drive when they think we might be plastered

Not think carrying guns where they serve alcohol is a recipe for disaster?

My guess is they are the same people who have the gumption and the gall

To allow gun ranges across these United States to now serve alcohol.

I have another addition to the aforementioned list I think we should regulate 

To all those politicians out there....don’t drink and legislate.