Soaking Up Sunshine

Like the river hugs the mountainside
And evaporates into the sky
The magic spell for clouds to ride
I'm soaking up sunshine in my heart

Following the whispering trees
Floating with the wild breeze
Nature putting me at ease
I'm soaking up sunshine in my heart

Like an angel caring for her dove
In a golden heaven up above
Swimming in a sea of love
I'm soaking up sunshine in my heart

Shadows casting a heavy glow
Silence shares what I must know
Darkness hugs me even though
I'm soaking up sunshine in my heart

Skin as smooth as river rocks
Lover breaks down all the blocks
With my inner core now unlocked
I'm soaking up sunshine in my heart

Laughter erupts from a broken cry
And you stare blankly still wondering why
You have no idea that deep inside
I'm soaking up sunshine in my heart

It's a Great Day to Be Alive

Sometimes the right song comes on the radio at the perfect time, when you're ready to get fed up with everyone around you for being negative and grumpy and angry. It takes a lot out of you sometimes to remain positive and optimistic and really the hardest part is to not get annoyed with those people who can't see the glass half full. I was almost to my breaking point when this song came on the radio. I smiled, laughed, and thanked the cosmos for playing the tune for me. The words ring true, there's some hard times in the neighborhood, but why can't everyday be just this good?

Even with all the negativity around us, everyday CAN be as good as you want it to be, just choose happiness over sorrow. That's what I chose :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUWB2QDUDD8

I got rice cooking in the microwave
Got a 3-day beard I don't plan to shave
It's a goofy thing but I just gotta say, hey
I'm doing alright
Think I'll make me some homemade soup
Feeling pretty good and that's the truth
It's neither drink nor drug induced, no
I'm just doing alright

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shining when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can't everyday be just this good?

POEM: If it Never Rained

If it never rained

There wouldn’t be rainbows

No matter how bright the sun would shine

If it never rained

The flowers couldn’t bloom

And the grass would shrivel up and die

If it never rained

I’d never feel it kiss me

Pouring down my rosy cheeked face

If it never rained

We couldn’t go dancing

Spinning in circles in the open space

If it never rained

Would we appreciate it

When the sun kept on beating down

If it never rained

The darkness would frighten

Chasing us never making a sound

If it never rained

How the soul would cry

But the teardrops could not flow with ease

If it never rained

You’d think there’d be smiles

But the world would be filled with disease

If it never rained

The world would not turn

And the stars would explode in the night

If it never rained

This place we call home

Could never be happy even with the sun's light

Words to Live By

Every blade of grass has its ANGEL that bends over it and whispers, 'GROW, GROW.'  --The Talmud

"Worry never robs tomorrow of it's sorrow; it only saps today of it's strength" -- A.J. Cronin

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself." -- Harvey Fierstein

"If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all." -- Noam Chomsky

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." --Sir John Lubbock

"I've been rather awed by the magic that Spirit choreographs... when I do more listening than talking...
more feeling than thinking...
more being than doing...
and more allowing than controlling...
i.e. SURRENDERING!"
--Carl Landsness

You Are Only In Control of 1 Person: YOU!

A wise man recently told me that I need to start opening up more about how I feel about things. I shouldn't let fear of what people think squash my ability to stand up for my beliefs and tell them to the world, even if the whole world thinks I'm crazy.

I always strive to tell the truth, but I have found out that I have a great deal of difficulty being honest about my feelings, not just with other people, but with myself as well. Sometimes the truth really hurts, and sometimes it may get taken personally, or someone may be offended by what I say. The important thing I have to remember is to say it from a place of loving. If it comes from a place of love, for oneself and/or others, and it isn't meant to cause harm but only bring truth, it is something to aim for. I just have to remember that not everyone "thinks" the same way I do. Experiences and beliefs take us each down our own path in life. Ultimately we are all on the same path, but every individual walks that path alone, experiencing things from their own personal perspective.

Some things that have gotten in the way of me being honest about my feelings:
1. I know what I am saying is most likely going to upset the other person
2. I know what I am saying is most likely going to anger the other person

The bottom line? I am only in control of one person: Me. I am responsible for my thoughts, intentions, actions, etc... and taking care of this body that I am very much a part of. But I am not in control of others. I can't control if they turn to sadness or anger by the words I say. My intentions behind them are only to bring about truth and understanding. Sometimes people get upset because they were hoping I will say what they want to hear. By not hearing the words they were "expecting," my words brought them suffering. Sometimes people get angry because what I am saying is something they believe too, somewhere deep down. But in their current state of mind, controlled by their ego, they don't want to hear the truth, so they become angry with my words, suffering  yet again.

This has caused me much pain for many years. I have often held my tongue to prevent others from having to suffer. But it causes me to suffer, and therefore I am not really helping anyone. By standing up for what I believe in my heart, and speaking from a place of love, I can accept myself a lot more when those people get upset with me. I have learned that it isn't really me who is upsetting them, but themselves. As long as I speak from a place of truth, love, and non-harming, I am taking care of myself so I can be better to help others. I will always remain sorry, though, that my words did bring about suffering, even if the suffering was out of my control.

"Enjoy your "self". Right here, right now. If you don't, why would anyone else?"

“Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.” Alan Watts 

  

"If we are not aware that we are happy, we are not really happy. When we have a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is a wonderful thing. But when we do not have a toothache, we are still not happy. A non-toothache is very pleasant. There are so many things that are enjoyable, but unless we practice mindfulness and learn to cherish these things, then we don't appreciate them."  Thich Nhat Hanh

 "To my mind, the idea that doing the dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you are not doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in warm water, it really is not so bad. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to go and have a cup of tea, the time will be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity, for each minute, each second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles! Washing the dishes is at the same time a means and an end that is, not only do we do the dishes in order to have clean dishes, we also do the dishes just to do the dishes, to live fully in each moment while washing them."  Thich Nhat Hanh

 “If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven't done much today.”

"We seem to be going through a period of nostalgia, and everyone seems to think yesterday was better than today. I don't think it was, and I would advise you not to wait ten years before admitting today was great. If you're hung up on nostalgia, pretend today is yesterday and just go out and have one hell of a time." Art Buchwald

"Every morning is a fresh beginning. Every day is the world made new. Today is a new day. Today is my world made new. I have lived all my life up to this moment, to come to this day. This moment--this day--is as good as any moment in all eternity. I shall make of this day--each moment of this day--a heaven on earth. This is my day of opportunity."  Dan Custer

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon - instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."  Dale Carnegie

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”  Dalai Lama

 “As soon as we wish to be happier, we are no longer happy.”  Walter Landor

“Realize that this very body, with its aches and it pleasures… is exactly what we need to be fully human, fully awake, fully alive.” Pema Chodron

"As long as we have practiced neither concentration nor mindfulness, the ego takes itself for granted and remains its usual normal size, as big as the people around one will allow." Ayya Khema

"Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Robert Thurman

Today's Motto: Be Happy!!!

The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now!! Be here, be happy, NOW!!! :)

Even in your darkest hour, the light is still shining on you. Have faith that no matter how bad things seem, and no matter for how long things seem bad, that there is always good present with it if you look hard enough. Peace is every step. Drop by drop the jug is filled. Don't let your problems overwhelm you. Face them one at a time, step by step. Remember that YOU control how happy you are, and if others put you down or lose belief in you, you are a child of God, the Spirit, and you are always loved. Don't worry... be happy :)