From breath of morning sunrise
Opportunity arrives
Relinquishing everything past
Welcomed outlook ready to thrive
Positive choices embraced
Shadows of darkness escape
Energy no longer wasted
Spirited attitude takes shape
Warmth of light’s heightened presence
Selfish pride replaced with peace
Sowing landscape’s delightful joy
Humbleness restores heart’s new lease
Hope nourished from restful night
Refreshment blesses each hour
Minutes rebuilt with renewed strength
Destiny’s boldness empowers
Touching each distant star
Heavens open with joy
Journey’s welcome radar
Preparing to deploy
Viewing horizon’s light
Landscape’s inviting scene
Echoes of spirit’s flight
Embracing all that’s green
Flowing from river’s grace
Life awakens from peace
Eagerly keeping pace
Fitting each puzzle piece
Scaling mountainous peak
World sharing its footprints
Tomorrow’s hope one seeks
Sharing every imprint
Hearing contented voice
Comfort softens each heart
Truth offers steadfast choice
Stepping into day’s start
Life is choices, and they are relentless. No sooner have you made one choice than another is upon you.
The battle of being mortal is the battle to maintain the integrity of one’s life.
Atul Gawande (born 1965) is an American surgeon and writer.
In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.
For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was a former first lady of the United States during her husband’s tenure as President (1933-1945). Her life was filled with many accomplishments and pursuits outside of her political involvement with her husband: diplomat (United Nations) and activist (human rights).
Adventure is not outside man; it is within.
The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.
George Eliot was the pen name for Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880), who was an English journalist, novelist, and poet. She was an influential writer during the Victorian era.
Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.
From Psalm 16:11: “You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
Be kind. Always if you have a choice, be kind.
I think love can save the world. When we love, we completely recognize the value of the other.
Anne Rice (1941-2021) was an American author whose themes of fantasy and graphic horror filled many of her novels.
If you are going down a road and don’t like what’s in front of you, and look behind you and don’t like what you see, get off the road. Create a new path!
If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.
Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an American author, poet, and civil rights activist. Her body of published work is found in autobiographies, essays, poems, and numerous credits in plays, movies, and television shows.
Compassion is not a virtue–it is a commitment. It’s not something we have or don’t have–it’s something we choose to practice.
What we know matters but who we are matters more.
Brene Brown (born 1965) is an American researcher and author. Much of her work has studied courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.
Words used every day
Little or much to say
Used in positive ways
Conveying life’s essays
Mindful, powerful voices
Daily, humble choices
Impacting other lives
Celebrate with high fives
Disciplined purpose speaks
Positivity seeks
Sharing tender kindness
Truthful, without blindness
Careful to help and heal
Offering a square deal
Words paying it forward
True and straightforward
Thoughtful expressions said
Weaving with tender thread
Replace evil with good
Words plain and understood
Honest lyrics in song
Carried through all day long
Life unfolds from our text
Watchful where words go next
This poem was written several days before January 6, 2021. Its intention was to praise and encourage the positive power of words. The events taking place in Washington, DC on January 6 showed the negative power of words. How will our future words speak?
Originally published January, 2021.
