Fix, Manage, Control

Fix, manage, control.
What does that do for our soul?

To be in charge, to know what's best
What if it's all just a test?

To see if we can let go
And trust that life is already in its flow.

Putting out fires, being a success
Looks good on the outside, but leaves me a mess.

What if my way isn't God's way?
I bulldoze and rarely lose.
He gently opens the door and gives me opportunity to choose.

What if we could trust that each of us is on our own path.
To peel our own layers so we can grow.
Practicing acceptance, gentleness and vulnerability
With ourselves, will open our hearts and give us humility.

We can choose to let go, not be in charge and trust there's a divine plan.
Keep it simple - be easy on ourselves and love & accept the differences in man.

To acknowledge people's greatness and the talents you see, is an act of kindness.
To fuel them to go out and touch others with their gift.
This is how we uplift the world, one-person-at-a-time, and make the planet's needed shift.

Chickadees

Chickadees, you are my glee.
You sing, you chirp, you buzz and talk to me.
You're so cute, you're so funny.
Your spriteness, many voices - keep me sunny.
You always make an effort to say hello,
Even with no sun, you don't feel low.
Your joy, hope and heart's big smile,
Help me remember the small things make life worth while.

Burglars, Monsters and Creeps

Burglars, Monsters, Creeps
You make me mad & made me weep.
You stole my stuff, you invaded my space.
You took tv's, clothes and didn't leave a trace.
I hate you - you jerks.
How do I feel safe with you still on the lurk?
I feel invaded, violated and trespassed.
My things, disheveled - a mess.
Your energy left a horrible feeling.
Sad, angry, scared - I'm still reeling.
May you find peace & amend your acts.
If only you'd trust the world, open your heart, and see there is no lack.

The Glove of Love

My wish for you is love, self-love
Embracing you like a tight fitting glove

Every part of you feels it's ok, warm and nurtured
Decisions and thoughts don't feel like a torture

Imagine that glove warm, hugging and squeezing you

Second guessing, guilt those days are over
Fill yourself with empathy, curiousity and acceptance

Be ok with who you are
A beautiful brilliant unique star

Summer Mornings

The sun greets us early.
Its warmth & presence say,
Rise & shine, you have much, you are strong.

What gifts do you bring to the world?
Many are here to receive your song.

Challenge yourself not to hide.
Forgot about ego, fear and false pride.

Be big. Be bold. Let them see your light inside.

The bird's morning music remind us too,
There's nothing wrong.
Just sing, sing, enjoy this world.
Other's will appreciate you - dare to share your song.

Chicago in June

The weather is gray
The birds don't mind.
Where is the sun?
We want you to shine.

The warmth of your rays,
Brings a smile to our day.
The clouds & the wind roll through the night.
Each day of June brings little warmth in sight.

The earth is changing
It feels like a shift.
Things never stay the same
Perhaps that is a gift.

If change is in the air
How might we adapt?
Awaken, open your heart, let your spirit soar.
Love heals all wounds
Even our planet could use more.

Good morning cardinal. Good morning grackle.
I hear your calls, it's your morning cackle.
Rain or shine, your voice is always in the distance.
I look forward to waking and hearing which of you catches my interest.

Squirrels

You pesky critters.
Stealing my bird food.
You are clever. You are quick.
I threw a pencil at you
but it didn't stick.
Your big round eyes and twitching tail,
Show your alertness and calculating self.
Survival of the fittest, you do so well.
You're quick. You're fast.
Knowing you, your persistence will last.

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

Love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours,

And I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

Are moving across the landscapes over the prairies

And the deep trees, the mountains and rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

Are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

The world offers itself to your imagination,

Call to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –

Over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

The Morning Slumber

Birds are singing.
The world is rumbling.
My eyes are shut,
But my mind is stirring.
The cardinals are filled with joy.
My heart begins to stir.
Wow, the day is full of possibility.
What shall I do!?
The birds remind me,
Keep it simple. Share your song.
That's all you need to do.

Seagulls on the Shore

Dusk is here on the lake.
The waters are calm & quiet,
except for the buzz in the air.
Something is happening.
What is it?
There's a flutter above the water.
The seagulls are talking to each other.
"Look here! Over here! Go!"
Splash!
They dive, eat and soar - cackling again.
There's a buzz. A gathering.
Opportunity.
In the peace & calm of evening,
There's a life force building and another one ending.
Such is life.
In the quiet we come.
Life. Opportunity. Feed yourself. Share. Help others.
And into the night we go.
Dawn is approaching - a new day begins.

Mother's Day

I'm so happy today.
It's Mother's Day.
What a wonderful son.
He knows how to live life & have fun.
A card, a hug, a smile -
Makes it all really worthwhile.

I'm happy. I'm loved.
I feel taken care of from above.
Thank you God. Thank you Spirit.
I love this feeling. I want to stay near it.

Red-Winged Black Bird

Morning Music

My heart's a singin'.
The morning dawn,
Calls you from slumber.
What are we sharing
With our morning song & call?
It's our joy, our love, our all!
We sing because we're happy.
We sing because we're free.
A song for you as a reminder,
You too have a song within you.
Share it. Sing it. Tell us.
Your beauty, your song -
May too wake someone from a slumber.

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe

This is healthy and yummy!

5 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup Agave Nectar, or Sucanat, or Rapadura sugar, or Honey
3/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup milk (skim, soy, rice or almond)
1/4 cup fat free, plain greek yogurt or fat free cottage cheese
2 egg whites
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray entire 9x5" loaf pan or muffin pan with cooking spray

2. In medium bowl, mash bananas. Add sweetener, flaxseed, milk, yogurt (or cottage cheese) and egg whites. Mix until well blended. In a smaller bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until mositened. Spoon into muffin pan or loaf pan.

3. For muffins - bake 20 minutes at 350. For loaf pan, bake 1 hour and 10 minutes at 350. (toothpick inserted into the crown will come out clean)

Makes 12 servings/12 muffins
Nutrition per serving:
Calories: 193; Total fat: 3g; Carbs: 39g; Fiber: 6g; Sugars 18g; Protein: 6g; 0 Saturated, 0 Trans fats.

March 18 - I hear the birds again today.....

We sing because we're happy.
We sing because we're free.
Our eyes, we always see.
Our song - is a life of being free.

We want you to know, our song is for you.
To inspire and lift you to see,
That freedom and happiness is yours every day too,
If you are willing - it can be.

March 9th - The birds continue to inspire me.....

March rain - cold, wet.
The birds are back,
They don't mind getting wet.

They gather in bunches, we hear their call.
Their spirits are talking - joy, joy is for all.
Sing, sing let your spirit soar.
Open your hearts and there will be more.

The ground is thawing, the bulbs are sprouting.
For us a reminder - relax, remember - we too are growing.

Cardinals

Here's a poem I wrote yesterday:

Cardinals

Red, brown - I hear your voice.
Early in the spring, even in winter - you offer me choice.
Your song cheers me up, wakes my spirit and gives me reason.
Always hopeful, your call is sweet each and every season.

Out my back door, up high out front.
You have a view that's big and wide,
Reminding me of possibility - you are on my side.

Your vibrance, your stature, your trust
Always says "Wake up Spirit, you must!"

You brighten the winter, on gray days you pop.
Cold or not, you never stop.

Thank you for your sweet call and doing your part.
With you, I can always open my heart.