Tag Archives: working through issues

Leg Cramps Cure: Haiku

For leg cramps, a friend/
said: “Tonic water.” The cure’s /
worse than the problem.

What Channel Are You On To Be Happy? Prose

Can we be on the joy Channel, the happiness Channel, the enthusiasticly passionate Channel, the God is good Channel, the nature is amazing Channel, and have the same good vibrations? I believe YES!

No matter how much I like Motown and soul music, any of those channels is better than being on the sad, depressed or funk Channel. And when you talk to people on those channels, they won’t hear or see the same wonderful things and feelings that you’re experiencing.
#givethanks

A Patriot’s Independence Day Thoughts: Revolutionary ConTEXTing Prose

On being a patriot: #Patriot #IndependenceDay #Covid19 #BLM #Protests #4thofJuly #GodBlessAmerica #Patriotism #USA #IStand — July 4th, 2020 felt different than any I remember in over 60 years. I wrote this to my children:

‘As you know, the Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. It’s been a time of joy, reflection, gratitude for the great land we live in and the #freedoms we’ve been given. July 4th has been a day of happiness and fun.

This year is a little different. Make no mistake, I am eternally and extremely grateful for the freedoms which we have. But this year those freedoms seem a little bit more tenuous. It seems that there is a specter, a cloud of darkness hanging over our land. And I don’t know what to do about it. Should I protest? Should I protest against the protesters?
But I do know this: That patriotism which filled my heart in previous years still burns just as bright. The difference is there is a resolve, a commitment to defend the land I love, the Country I love the freedoms we enjoy.
I always thought the attack on our country and our way of life would come from outside our borders. Now, I’m not so sure. But I will stand up for the #Constitution, for our freedoms, for our rights as humans and as citizens of this great country. I am filled with that resolve and that commitment.
 God, Bless America. Please. And I hope you are all praying the same prayer. Love, Dad”
——–
After I sent that message, my youngest son reminded me that, what I need to stand up for most of all is #Freedom. Since then, I’ve thought much more about my responsibility as a Patriot. Part of me wants to disenage from social media, from the anger, from the arguements, from the criticism from others who don’t know me, from the verbal hate and violence. But part of me says that I need to stand up and be a voice. I need to express what I believe. I can no longer be silent. 
So I will. It will be a fine line. I will try to be kind. That is what is in my heart. But I will stand my ground. I won’t back down. I will discuss, debate, and — hopefully — I will compromise on attitudes and functionality. I will learn. I will be taught. Hopefully I will teach, too. But I won’t be silent. And I won’t back down from the ultimate moral truths that God has endowed us with.
I feel a little bit like the great American patriot Patrick Henry, who said:

“Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.”

― Patrick Henry

Looking West Reframe: Rhyming Haiku of Gratitude

Vashon Island Sunset flying into Seattle with Olympic Mountains in the BackgroundEach day we breathe in/
a new sunset is one more/
we’re glad just to get.

Backstory: My friend Erin Harold, who is struggling (but winning) against the Covid-19 Coronavirus, posted a sunset photo from her Seattle home, with one word: “Grateful”.
This haiku honors her gratitude. (This sunset photo is out my plane window flying over Vashon Island into Seattle, November 2019)

If I’m Exposed, Then What?

Why
don’t I
write
more often?

I was writing
daily,
often hourly.
At times,
my fingers flew
across the keyboard,
as I had much to say
and never enough time
to say what was needed.

What happened?
Why did I stop?
Was it fear?
Was it concern?
Was it worry
about exposing myself
and what that looked like?

If I don’t say anything,
then nobody can accuse me
of being
or sounding like
a fool.

It’s safe here
in my hidden hideaway,
my harbor,
nestled
next to
giant oceanliners.

But being
in the harbor
is not
what ships
are designed
to do.

Neither am I
destined to be still
or silent
or quiet.
I have words to write,
right?
Right words
to proclaim.

If I don’t
speak up,
then I will be
left out,
and will
have wasted
my talents
and abilities.

Those
who could have been helped
by me,
must instead
find their own path,
listened to other voices.

I hope they are as kind as I would have been