Kindness

Before You Know What Kindness Really Is
--by Naomi Shihab Nye (Apr 19, 2011)

Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho lies dead by the side
of the road.
You must see how this could be you, how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you every where
like a shadow or a friend.
--Naomi Shihab Nye, from The Words Under the Words

Friends forever ...

An old cowboy was riding his trusty horse followed by his faithful 


dog along an unfamiliar road. The man was enjoying the new 


scenery, when he suddenly remembered dying, and realized that the 


dog beside him had been dead for years, as had his horse. 


Confused, he wondered what was happening, and where the trail 


was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall that looked like 


fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch 


topped by a golden letter “H” that glowed in the sunlight.

Standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked 


like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like 


gold.

He rode toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a 


desk to one side. Parched and tired out by his journey, he called 


out, ‘Excuse me, where are we?’ 

‘This is Heaven, sir,’ the man answered.

‘Wow! Would you happen to have some water?’ the man asked.

‘Of course, sir. Come right in, and I’ll have some ice water brought 


right up.’

As the gate began to open, the cowboy asked, ‘Can I bring my 


partners, too?’ 

‘I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t accept pets.’

The cowboy thought for a moment, then turned back to the road and 


continued riding, his dog trotting by his side.

After another long ride, at the top of another hill, he came to a dirt 


road leading through a ranch gate that looked as if it had never been 


closed. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning 


against a tree and reading a book. 

‘Excuse me,’ he called to the man. ‘Do you have any water?’

‘Sure, there’s a pump right over there. Help yourself.’

‘How about my friends here?’ the traveler gestured to the dog and 


his horse.

‘Of course! They look thirsty, too,’ said the man.

The trio went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-


fashioned hand pump with buckets beside it. The traveler filled a 


cup and the buckets with wonderfully cool water and took a long 


drink, as did his horse and dog.

When they were full, he walked back to the man who was still 


standing by the tree. ‘What do you call this place?’ the traveler 


asked. 

‘This is Heaven,’ he answered.

‘That’s confusing,’ the traveler said. ‘The man down the road said 


that was Heaven, too.’

‘Oh, you mean the place with the glitzy, gold street and fake pearly 


gates? That’s hell.’

‘Doesn’t it make you angry when they use your name like that?’

‘Not at all. Actually, we’re happy they screen out the folks who 


would leave their best friends behind.’ 




Posted on Tumblr by Homewhereheart

A pilgrimage of change, a whimsical journey

An elegant story ... delightful words ... 

"My days are spent gathering strands of light." ~ Lei Shamilly

The Well Red Coyote Bookstore - Sedona, AZ

Remembering good medicine

Every time we speak words to people




we are planting seeds. The question




is, are we planting seeds of fear or 




are we planting seeds of hope?

-


Sandra Ingerman, Medicine for the 




Earth

Laughing Pup

This pup looks like he's laughing ... how cute!

Good sounds

New Year goals and non-goals …

I’ve been reading quite a few blogs about what I’ve always called “New Years Resolutions.” Apparently, they are now called goals or non-goals, where goals are new actions to take and non-goals are what you already do well with a positive affirmation to keep doing it. I like that. It’s a new twist and seems to be healthier in nature.
I am really fascinated by the things people are listing as goals  and non-goals. They are much more encompassing, much more worldly, selfless and so much more compassionate. I’ve have not seen one goal to lose weight. Seems lose weight has transformed into ‘Eat like you matter.’ Found that one on the FearLess Blog.
I’m intrigued by this one … “To stop working for myself and start working for the world.” That’s pretty heady stuff.
I read this one on Karen Walrond’s blog CHOOKOOLOONKS, “ Keep telling Marcus and Alex how awesome they are.  Because sweet mother of Gumby, they are, and they deserve to know it.” What a perfect Mom non-goal!
But the thing is … I think there is a shift. Maybe it’s the shift the elders have been talking about that is due to occur in this very year, 2012. I keep seeing it, in writing, all over the place. people being selfless, concerned about the world and the next guy … it’s wonderful!
Maybe it is a release of ego for many people; like in The Shift, the Wayne Dyer movie that said so much about exploring your purpose.
I haven’t really put much effort into resolutions … ever. Never gave a thought to it. Perhaps this is the month and the year to do so. I can think of one non-goal and goal for me right now:

“You have always encouraged people to do their best. Well, keep doing it and while doing it, remember to encourage yourself.”

What are your goals for 2012?

Love yourself ...

"Nothing is impossible to a willing heart"

http://www.islandcowgirl.com/

“Shhhhh! Just between u & me” blog

I woke this morning to a very sweet message from Tiffany Little, owner of the Shhhhh! Just between u & me blog who had this to say:

“I love love love this!!! I am definitely going to share this post and your blog with my followers!! My goal this year is to showcase other bloggers and their posts that I like with my followers. It is scheduled to go live tomorrow 1/6/12 at 11AM EST at http://shhhhhjustbetweenume.blogspot.com I have included links to your page and your blog button. I hope it brings an increase in your readers and followers.”

It’s such a warm feeling to know others appreciate your work. Thank you again Tiffany!!!

If you get a moment, stop by her page and enter her coffee giveaway at http://shhhhhjustbetweenume.blogspot.com/2012/01/tylers-coffee-giveaway-ends-114.html You could win Tyler’s coffee!!

…and coffee is always a treat!!!

Our strength ...

Picture From MysticMama

Strong women don't wait for time, we make it. We don't wait for love, we feel it. We don't wait for money, we earn it. We don't wait for the right path to take, we make one. We don't wait for the right opportunity, we create it. We don't go for less, only the best. We don't compare ourselves to others, we are unique. We don't complain about our misfortunes, we transform them. We don't avoid failure, we welcome challenges. We don't dwell on our mistakes, we learn from them. We don't back down, we find a way around. We don't close our eyes, we open our hearts. We don't run from life, we embrace it! ~Unknown

How nice is this??

So, I'm thinking I have a lot of changes to make as I plan my return to my soul's home in July. I don't really want to take furniture that I have fallen out of love with and plan to sell or donate several things. The first will be my kitchen set and I am drooling to replace it with this luscious set, particularly those wonderful chairs … stylized after mid-20^th century varnished steel chairs. So fresh and clean!! They can be found at Sundance so you know they are much more than I would chose to afford ... but boy they sure are nice. I’m hoping I might be able to find something similar that is less expensive.

I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a good many of my plans for my move here and plenty of pictures of my fancies. Wish me luck that all works out well. 

Yummy salad recipe

I love this recipe from Southern Lady Magazine, probably because I really, really like pomegranates. They say hmmmm … they say pomegranates are very good for you. I just think they taste good and they certainly make the salad look pretty. I like pretty food. I think the prettier the food, the better it is for you. ‘Cause when you surround yourself with pretty, well you just become pretty … you are what you eat after all.

Spinach Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Makes 4 servings
1 (6-ounce) bag baby spinach
1 cup matchstick carrots
1/2 cup broccoli sprouts
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
3 tangerines, sectioned
1/3 cup pomegranate arils
Pomegranate Vinaigrette (recipe follows)
1. In a medium bowl, combine baby spinach, carrots, broccoli sprouts, and red onion.
2. Divide spinach mixture evenly among 4 salad plates. Top each salad with tangerine sections and pomegranate arils. Drizzle with Pomegranate Vinaigrette just before serving.

Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Makes about 1 cup
1/2 cup fresh pomegranate juice
2 tablespoons pomegranate-infused balsamic vinegar*
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
1. In a small bowl, combine pomegranate juice, vinegar, and honey, whisking until honey dissolves. Add shallot, salt, and pepper, whisking to combine well. Gradually add olive oil, whisking to combine.
*You may substitute white balsamic vinegar for pomegranate-infused balsamic vinegar.

2011

The year is slowly passing away … to say the least 2011 was an unsettling year for many of us. Yet, the essence of unsettled experiences is what brings us to some of the most rewarding conclusions, to the roads that are meant to be crooked. I’m standing at the beginning of a crooked road, longing for 2012 to get started, anxious to just follow the dots, shed the burdens of the past, lift up into timeless wonder. My bones tell me it’s the right way to go.
Tomorrow, I will burn sage to release all that has been in 2011 and  whisper prayers for courage, for love and support, for energy and guiding light in the coming year
We are all moving into change. Embrace it and move deep into your heart … peace and love, my friend!
~M.

2012 Drink to try … with Pendleton Whisky

Pendleton Sagebrush
3 parts Pendleton Whisky
1 part triple sec
1 part fresh squeezed oj
1 part fresh squeezed lime juice
Top off with ginger ale

Muddle sage leaf with orange slice in glass; add liquids; pour into old fashioned glass; garnish with an orange slice and a sage leaf.

 

Pendleton® Whisky Launches Pendleton 1910™100% Canadian Rye Whisky
Aged 12 years, limited release premium rye whisky offers smooth flavor profile

Love this …

Check out Hint Jewlery on her blog for some very unique and pretty jewlery.

Merry Christmas my friend!

The Vault …

For hours of uninterrupted fun and in honor of everything being interesting, follow this link to The Vault. The FBI has made thousands of files available in a new online resource called The Vault.

“The Vault is our new electronic reading room, containing more than 3,000 documents that have been scanned from paper into digital copies so you can read them in the comfort of your home or office. 
Included here are many new files that have been released to the public but never added to this website; dozens of records previously posted on our site but removed as requests diminished; files from our previous electronic reading room, and new, previously unreleased files.” ~~~ from the FBI website section The Vault

Being of unsound mind and having lived in New Mexico for many a year, of course, I chose the subject … - Unexplained Phenomenon 

Walt said …

“this is what you shall do: love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning god, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body.”
—
walt whitman

Good friends are really family!

I have wonderful friends who always remember me. Without them, my life would not be complete!

Thank you for the beautiful flowers … you know who you are …

Create anyway

Image by B Tal via Flickr

I am finding so many great quotes and sayings that I just want to share with you!!! Here's another ...

‎"People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you;
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight;
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten;
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway." - Mother Teresa