
Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.
Life is like music, it must be composed by ear, feeling and instinct, not by rule.
Samuel Butler (1835-1902) was an English novelist.

Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.
Life is like music, it must be composed by ear, feeling and instinct, not by rule.
Samuel Butler (1835-1902) was an English novelist.
From Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”

Accepting life’s ongoing gifts
Filling wonder, never adrift
Marveling at heavens above
Inspiring vastness of God’s love
Walking in righteousness with God
Comforted by His love, unflawed
Looking ahead, with peace and hope
Holding tightly to God’s firm rope
Treating others with words which say
Sharing compassion’s rich bouquet
Gathering strength for life’s travels
Trusting God, nothing unravels
Listening to deepest feelings
Surveying each moment’s healing
Receiving mid-course corrections
Hearing God’s faithful directions
Sailing in darkness, never cursed
Navigating by God, headfirst
Achieving goals, each passing day
Tasting our Lord’s hope-filled buffet
Tackling challenges without fear
Taking risks, with God set to steer
Stepping forward beyond life’s dreams
Following each path as God deems

From 1 Corinthians 10:16: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?”
Originally published January, 2021.

Darkness hides
Morning’s reception
Silence riddles chilly air
Mellow breeze
Wind chimes serenade
Peace soothing this resting soul
Candle glows
Dancing shadows play
Frolicking, flickering flame
Hot coffee
Early, steady mate
Comforting, every drop
Good ol’ friend
Morning hums with fun
Feeling the caffeine-fueled boost
Dawn’s twilight
Distant horizon
Breaking through hardheaded clouds
Music plays
Tunes stir memories
Jukebox sings with sunrise joy
Life’s pages
Another chapter
Feeling all cozy and warm
Dreams invite
Delightful journey
Buzzing, unmistaken joy
Snooze button
Calling, “Please hit me”
Let’s start all over . . . again!

Originally published December, 2020.

Running away to nowhere
Sky absent of any joy
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry arrives to destroy
Driving along road’s darkness
Sky absent of moonbeam’s light
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry invades every night
Fleeing from life’s harsh outcomes
Sky absent of any peace
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry refuses to cease
Navigating stormy seas
Sky absent of any stars
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry bleeds from every scar
Wasting each forgotten day
Sky absent of all sunlight
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry forever in flight

Indeed . . . there is a faithful and forgiving Light, filled with unseen hope, as found in these verses of Scripture:
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you’re aboard, there’s nothing you can do.
If only political leaders would allow themselves to feel, as well as to think, the world might be a happier place.
Golda Meir (1898-1978) was Prime Minister of Israel from 1969-1974. She was and has remained Israel’s only female head of government.

A bird doesn’t sing because he has an answer–he sings because he has a song.
Color is something we see with our eyes, but love is something we see with our heart.
Joan Walsh Anglund (1926-2021) was an American poet as well as a writer and illustrator of children’s books.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
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.

Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.
Anytime you do something from the heart, people just know it.
Brad Paisley (born 1972) is a native of the American state of West Virginia. He is a very accomplished country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

A leader sees greatness in other people. He nor she can be much of a leader if all she sees is herself.
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
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.

Don’t judge your feelings; notice them. Use them as your map. Don’t be afraid of the truth.
Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
Lori Gottlieb (born 1966) is an American bestselling author, therapist, and speaker.