Grand gestures are not required.
For when we meet each other
with an open heart, a kind smile,
a warm embrace, greeting a stranger,
reaching our hand out to someone else,
we are making the world a better place.
We may never see the outcome, but know,
you have made a difference by choosing kindness.
Tag: Inspiration
-
Choose Kindness: Random Acts of Kindness Day
-
Befriending Tears
Inspired by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer’s poem, “Gold Medal”
“Don’t cry,” they said. “They wouldn’t want you to be sad.”
So, I hid my tears in the solitude of my room,
away from prying eyes.
Not wanting to upset someone else.
Wanting to appear strong for those who counted on me.
For I remember seeing the infrequent tears of my parents,
and how distressing it was for me.
But hiding my sorrow was a disservice
to those I love and myself.
For crying and strength are compatriots,
part of being human.
And though I’ve been a sensitive soul
who has wept easily most of my life,
I no longer feel the need to be in the closet.
For there are so many things that bring tears to my eyes.
Acts of kindness are always at the top of the list.
The songs that touch my heart,
sometimes for their mere beauty
or because they bring back a bittersweet memory.
The beauty that exists in nature.
Or tears that come unbidden when I ache
for my loved ones who are no longer here.
Being my authentic self means
that not only am I free to express my tears,
but I also laugh from the depth of my being,
and love with the intensity of a million suns. -
How Community Heals the Soul
When the world feels so dark,
caving in with relentless bad news,
for that is what lifts the ratings
and increases revenues,
but at what cost?
It’s then that I shut the news down,
and walk away from doom scrolling,
turning to the communities that
refresh my soul and hold me in safety.
When I open the door to my people,
whether online or in person,
I feel peace settle over my heart
as I take in all those beautiful faces,
their love washing over me.
The vitriol of society is forbidden entrance,
as those who want to bring light gather.
Each circle that I’ve joined has changed me for the better,
providing hope that when we unite with the intention
of love and support, we can truly be our better angels. -
Stumbled Upon: Embracing Life’s Unplanned Adventures
When I sit down to write my autobiography,
I will title it Stumbled Upon.
For it is this unplanned life
that sent me veering onto a path
of unimaginable adventures.
Often, I was catapulted by a lifequake*,
brought on by the death of my husband,
which left me adrift.
And yet, I somehow found my footing.
The steps were heavy amid the grief,
but I kept walking and my steps grew lighter.
Photography became a saving grace,
as a continued bond to my husband,
and kept me in the present moment
when my eye was focused in the viewfinder.
From capturing the beauty of nature to
going to bars, something I hadn’t done since I was in my twenties,
to photograph musicians as they played
opened a forgotten part of my life that brought
me both joy and finding kind people I call friends.
By using my photography email, I ended up
being the photographer for the Phoenix Film Festival.
I’d never done event photography,
but my saying yes to the unknown
opened the world of independent films,
filmmakers, and new friendships
with festival attendees and volunteers.
All these experiences led me to participate in
a storytelling event on how my life had come
full circle with my husband, photography and music.
I stood on a stage where I had spent so many
hours capturing musicians at work,
sharing my story by heart
with a few butterflies stirring in my stomach.
As time goes on, and I adjust
to my body’s capabilities,
I have found new ways to feed the creative beast that lives within.
Now, I spend my days expressing myself with art and improv.
The beauty of letting go of a planned life
is the richness that I never imagined
and the communities that I have become a part of.*Lifequakes is a term coined by Bruce Feiler in his book Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age
Photo credit: Neil Schwartz
-
She Lives in Me
For Mom
I breathe in your essence,
what you’ve infused into my soul.
I miss your embrace and the sound of your voice.
And yet, I feel you walking beside me.
It’s the light in my eyes when I
lead with curiosity, whether it’s meeting new people
or trying new experiences.
Your childlike wonder showed me
how to explore the world.
The willingness to make mistakes and fall,
knowing that I would rise again.
You taught me to laugh at myself,
to laugh with others, but not at them.
I miss when you’d say,
“I’m so proud of you.
You reinvented yourself.
You could have just given up,
but you kept going.”
Those words were uplifting,
reminding me that I found a way to live
in the face of grief and trials.
I never minded
as your memory faded
to hear those precious words on repeat
until they disappeared as well.
The gift of encouragement,
especially on days
that are overwhelming and exhausting,
still resound in my head.
It is also a reminder to pay it forward,
telling those I love how proud I am of them,
hoping to spread your warmth
that you left in my keeping.
Beautiful Bittersweet Life Poems 