Intensely aware,
as though within me it stares,
with eyes so piercing they cannot be seen.
With depth of understanding, beyond what I can dream.

The knowledge of life’s brevity,
whispered into my ear as I live out each day,
quietly I hear.

Reminders of the whispering wisdom are everywhere.
In the pure joy and laughter of my own child.
In those moments frozen in time,
where some may scold and frown,
I become aware again of that whispered wisdom.

At times the whispers transform into thunder,
rolling through the sky,
passing by with unexpected moments,
causing me to hold my breath.

Each moment I try to shed the seriousness learned,
to see through the eyes of my child,
his raw emotions just pull from me,
enabling me to see,
each moment and each breath as an opportunity.

Each day an adventure,
each problem a battle to conquer,
with a heart ablaze with passion and strength.

Intensely aware,
of each moment in time.
The brevity of it all,
and in those moments you can find -
awareness.

To Be a Child,
heart on fire.

Running wild,
never tired.

Too excited,
to sit and eat.

Would rather run,
and not retreat.

Playing till,
the day is done.

Running free,
in rain or sun.

Needing only,
to be free.

Loving life,
so happily.

To be a child,
heart on fire.

Older now,
but I admire.

Learning from him,
how to live.

Embracing each moment,
that life has to give.

***

Today as I was spending time with my son, I noticed his sheer excitement for life. In the smallest of things, he displayed more enthusiasm and happiness than most people would in the most amazing circumstances. The time with him inspired me to write this - I wrote it in just a couple of minutes. Hope you enjoy it.

Through tragedy,
a new song.
New melody,
to set free.

The earth may shake,
break and fall.
But standing strong,
through it all…
Pillars of hope.

Tragically lost.
Victims they need,
people who care.
Not driven by greed.

People may leave,
for fear of it all.
From the tragic day,
no longer to stay.

Though all is lost,
and pain so raw,
don’t blind your eyes
to all you saw.

Brevity of life,
teaches us how,
to love through the loss,
to live here and now.

If your heart is speaking,
let your ears fully hear.
Keep both eyes open,
and let your heart guide and steer.

Help someone - a brother, a mother,
learn of hope,
in love discover.

Although just one,
you can heal a child’s heart.
Share of love, provide a new start.

Be that one.
Be one to live - and one to give.
Be a pillar of hope.

Written by Holly Mann, January 18, 2010 - Haiti Earthquake

So often in our daily lives, we are given those chances to help others. So often we turn our heads away, look down and avoid having to step out of our comfort zone to help another person.

To me, the moments others helped me, were not just important, they were life-changing. Not only did they change my life, they shaped my life and made me the kind person I am today.

Over the years, I conveniently “forgot” about so many of the times I had been on the receiving end of kindness. I must have been so caught up in my own life that I managed to forget these life-changing events. After really thinking back, I remembered so many acts of kindness that I received, like precious gifts. Try to take a few minutes to think about how others have helped you along your way.

If you remember the person’s name, you could consider thanking him/her now (even years later) if the impact was large on your life. Recently I found the phone number of my old high school guidance counselor. He was someone I will never forget - as he offered me kindness, compassion and love when I was going through some very rough times with my family. If he wasn’t there to support me, I would not have made it through those times. With 10 years that had passed, I nervously called my old guidance counselor (this was just a couple of weeks ago). I thanked him for helping me and told him how much I appreciated it. I felt that was the least I could do, years later, to let him know how much he helped my life.

I also found an old journal and this entry I wrote on Feb. 26, 1999:
“An angel to me,
he’s been nothing less.
Helped to see me through
all the stress.
Saw hope for my life,
through all the strife.
Helped show me how to find
my sight.
Enabling me to see the light.
An instrument used by the Father above.
Spreading the news,
sharing the love.
I am fortunate to know
such a person as this.
He’s been an angel to me,
nothing less.”

If you recall anyone who had an impact on you, and you feel inspired - let them know how they helped you. Maybe that alone will change their life a little bit - to know that their time (even years later) affected you so profoundly.

Limits of life,
are to open your eyes.
To let you see,
beyond your current dreams.

Breathe in the day,
soak in the rays.
Listen to the rustle,
watch the tree sway.

Passion for life and love,
for everyone.
Be who you are again,
a single day.

For a single day now,
forget your pain.
Free yourself from life’s strains,
and let now reign.

Now is the time to live.
Experience.
Take in this abundance,
it’s not by chance.

You have this precious life,
this time is yours.
Have passion once again,
do not contain.

Let it pulse through your veins,
be as it may.
Freedom through all the pain,
is yours to gain.

80 Summers,
may they be,
80 Summers,
that set you free.

Last weekend Josh and I spontaneously took off on a much needed weekend getaway out of Las Vegas. You only live once and I wanted to see some things near here - so we went to Utah. It was neat that we drove through Nevada and Arizona and into Utah all within two short hours. I love the mountains, even in the desert - so we had a nice trip. I will show some photos below. I really hope everyone is doing alright - things are really rough now with the economic situation, the Swine flu and other issues. Take care and email anytime.

[Show as slideshow]

Ship is swaying.
I did not foresee.
Alone I’m praying,
In sandy debree.

Waves of pain,
flood into me.
Blood now stains,
what used to be.

The person I knew,
and who I was.

Would I carry through?
Would the storm subdue?

Lost at sea.
My final plea.
Blinded by the storm.
My body is worn.

About to give in.
Can’t feel my skin.
Will the storm win?
Fill to the brim?

It’s past my chin.
Now hearing your voice.
Giving a choice.
Within I rejoice.

Sealed with protection,
loving connection.
He told me the way,
to escape that day.

Don’t look north, south,
nor east or west.
For God’s direction,
is not that quest.

If God is a direction,
just follow the Son.

Into the light,
Love from the one,
healing the pain,
Till there is none.

Equip yourself,
to overcome.
Healing for you.
Do not succumb.

Violence of the storm,
is not too deep,
not too loud now,
to hear your weep.

Heart is your compass,
follow it back.

Lost at sea.
No longer I plea.
Nearly back,
for land I can see.

Followed the path,
Light led the way,
Directions from He,
who set my life free.