America Land of the Free?

 Back in 1999 -

I wrote a poem while in vacationing in 

 Albuquerque, NM.

I don't remember what the reason was 

I just know that as I sat at her table -

the words just flowed out.

That is usually how my poetry comes to me.

A thought, a sight, a story

and words come out from it.

Today - even in 2017

Eighteen years later...

I looked back on it after 

I read my niece stating that the state of the

world was making her so heavy hearted.

So, I looked it up again.

I realized how it could seem that

I wrote it today.

We are still fighting one another about race

We are still fighting one another about hope

We are still fighting one another about Government

We are still forgetting the soldier who gave us the right

To protest

To complain

To think we're right

 To even stand up and speak.

We are still not giving our children hope 

Our parents are still not able to cope.

What will it take for America to be the great

land that it used to be?

I think -

each person needs to be that change!

AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE?

©1999 DarleneBl

America, land of the free?

I ask, how can this be?

We first see the color of skin,

Before examining the person within.

We fail to respect our land,

Even when it is in God's own hand.

Our children are unable to cope,

Our parents feel there is no hope.

We see the world with a dimly lit light,

Failing to understand each person's plight.

We have hidden from God's wonderful grace,

If we stop to listen, 

We will find that it still has a place.

Let us gather together once again,

For we ALL have so much to gain!!

America, Land of the Free?

It can be, with help from you and me!

When The Past Calls

My past didn't actually call yesterday - 

it came knocking in a text.

I say 'the past' because it's been 2 years since I've seen this 

'friend'.

It was a long time friendship that was full of drama -

and the toxic levels weren't understood

until the ties were gone and I stood alone reflecting.

 

I've also grown during this time.

I'm the same 

and yet I'm not who she used to know.

I realized that my caring nature put me there -

my caring nature also made me stay 

for way too long.

You know when you meet someone that you 'connect' with and it all seems good - 

but as time wears on, 

you realize it's a 80/10 percent effort relationship - 

and you're putting in the 80% or more?  

That was the old me.

I took care of her and our friendship 
I made sure that when I saw danger -
I warned her. 
Time and again she didn't listen.
Time and again she went off the cliff -
who rescued her? 
I did.

My hubby and I dropped everything
many times.

When my world was dark 
and I needed someone to turn on the light
she either wasn't there
or I wasn't a priority.

This became a pattern. 
Eventually it was too much in the last cliff hanger.
I couldn't do it anymore.

At first when things went south - 

it wasn't even a fight with my friend - 

it was with a family member of hers.

 

That day I walked away though -

I waited.

I waited for a phone call.

I waited for a text message.

I waited for an email.

I waited for a Facebook message.

I waited for a knock on my door.

Eventually....I stopped waiting.

I knew the 'sorry' was never going to come.

I knew that 'closure' wasn't going to come.

I knew I'd never hear the knock on my door.

That took an act of responsibility -

that was never going to be acted upon.

Let Them Go!

Why did I wait so long?

I wanted the person to make the choice to contact me 

first.

I'd done all the contacting and work for so long,

I figured it was due time for the other party 

to make their move 

first. 

That move never came.

Then the 'I miss you' & 'You've been on my mind'

text comes -
 2 years later.
Two years too late.

I'm not that person anymore.

The person you broke - grew strong in your absence.

The person you hurt - healed.

The person you 'miss' isn't here anymore. 

You don't miss ME

You miss what I did for you.

So, when the past comes calling - 

depending on your situation -

you might do what I did.

Don't answer. 

It really has nothing new to say.

You no longer are the person they are seeking.

You are strong enough to say NO!

Delete the message 

Block the access

Purge the drama

Walk away with your head held high!

Life is Beautiful

I don't care what anyone says - 

Life is Beautiful!

Yes, we are going to have struggles -

Yes, we are going to have heart ache - 

Yes, we are going to have strife -

Yes, we are going to have disappointments.

And yet, through it all -

we'll have a beautiful life.

The first snow fall of the season - 

pristine white all around - softly falling to the ground.

The first time you see your newborn child -

checking to ensure there are ten toes and ten fingers, 

that all is right with your new creation.

The long hugs with your significant other - 

that healing feeling that you will be safe after all.

The first peek at Spring flowers -

just coming awake after their winter hiatus.

The first smell of coffee in the morning - 

knowledge that you are going to be able to face the day.

These things are just a few of the moments that can make or break your momentum for a beautiful life.

Yes, I know that it's not always this simple.

Life is going to throw hard ball situations at you.

You will love and you'll have to say goodbye.

You will laugh - and you will eventually cry.

You will soar - and one day you'll come crashing down.

You will write or sing - and realize you have no audience.

You will give all you have - and still feel empty.

You will struggle and you will feel defeated.

I am talking about living in the moment.

I am talking about enjoying the ride.

When life literally knocks the breath out of you - 

yes, take a moment to recover.

What I mean is - yes, you're hit - 

Get back up again.

Get out there and play the game again.

Get going and take another chance.

Get the mentality that you won't fall so fast next time.

This life we live isn't meant to just be suffered through.

This life we live is meant to be a 'curtain call'.

Love and live.

Try and succeed.

Laugh and cry

and most of all remember:

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL <3

Looking Back - A Poem

Looking Back

*A Poem*

At times, I find myself looking back 

like you would in the rear view

- - - 

I reflect upon the memories dancing in my mind, sorting out what was true.

The past is a tricky world, 

it's colors are not always clear enough to fully see

- - - 

The visions float in and out -

 distorted by emotions that used to be.

The initial grieving process is long and painful 

and slowly brings acceptance

- - - 

Time continues to close the gaping wounds inflicted and eventually is past tense.

We cannot change the actual events 

from what has already 

been placed in history 

- - - 

Instead - we grow to a comforted place where it becomes part of our story.

Events, people, places and trials all combine 

within us to create 

who we are to be

- - - 

Past, present and especially future continue building our character that all can see.

Looking back in order to learn 

what not to repeat, 

the times we found that we had to pause

- - -

Pause to perfect ourselves in ways 

that we may not immediately see or 

even know the cause.

As we take that second glance - 

delving backwards for only a fleeting stay

- - -

Never stay too long in the past - 

rush back renewed to your present day.

Embrace your flaws, your cracks, your past scars 

for they are all lessons for the now

- - -

Lessons to remind you of what it takes 

to be strong today, 

teaching you how.

Invest In Others

Invest in Others

Have you ever been in a crowd 

but felt surrounded by loneliness?

I think we've all been there 

 at least one time in our lives.

When I was a young girl, 

I had a 'crew' that I always hung out with.

My mother wasn't always supportive

so when we moved for High School,

I lost touch with my friends.

I always thought they had forgotten me,

that I wasn't important enough to remember,

that I wasn't important enough to write to 

(yes, letters were still the norm back then)

that I wasn't important enough to call. 

It wasn't the case, but I didn't know it then.

A young girl's mind can totally

warp the truth.

Who am I kidding? 

Anyone's mind, no matter the age

can warp the truth.

Adults battle being alone.

Adults battle being lonely.

Is there truly a difference?

I agree with this poster - but it took time.

I was thinking about the differences today- 

I have been growing away from

loneliness and finding 

that when I am alone - 

I am still okay.

I am also learning to turn loneliness around:

I am learning how to 

Invest in Others.

Last week I went to an event and 

I found myself withdrawing.

Standing off to the side observing, 

but not interacting.

I knew everyone there - 

and they knew me

but old habits die hard as they say.

Sitting back - quietly observing 

when in reality 

I was choosing 

to be lonely.

I was choosing

to be alone in the crowd.

My friend caught me in the act and called me out.

She and I together interacted with the group.

I learn each time how to do better

I learn about myself - I also learn about others.

It's okay to sit back and LISTEN and observe.

However, 

don't stay there forever.Get out of your comfort zone!!

We all have at least 1 thing in common.

Begin there!

I also learned from my friend something 

I've heard before: 'Be Interested'

With the holidays coming 

how are you investing in others?

Don't invest in others for your own gain

to feel important - to be SEEN.

When you invest in others 

you could gain strong friendships

you could gain confidence in crowds

you could gain a sense of purpose.

It can literally change your life!

It can also change theirs!

*DarleneBl* 

The Struggle for the Positive Outlook

The Struggle for the Positive Outlook

How many times do you struggle?

Do you ever want to quit or just give in?

I know that for some - struggle is a daily, moment by moment situation.

It is either caused by their own choices

or impacted by others choices.

Like my previous post about the 'Ripple Effect' - 

struggles are hard to ignore.

When you are faced with an uphill battle - 

I bet we've all related to this feeling:

 

From a scientific standpoint - 

if we don't keep pushing that boulder uphill and maintain control - 

it will come towards us 

and crush us under it's weight.

How do you find yourself

not giving in to the

 struggle?

How do you not feel like every day is a 

fight?

Have you ever realized that what you focus on 

the most is usually what will happen?  

If you focus on NOT getting a specific task accomplished - 

you will NOT accomplish it.

If you focus on what you DO want to accomplish,

you will likely successfully get it done.

Can the same be applied to your thought process?

Norman Vincent Peale said this:

" Believe you are defeated, believe it long enough, and it is likely to become a fact."

In Norman Vincent Peale's book 

'The Power of Positive Thinking' - 

his concept was that 

we ALL have the power 

to change how we think. 

When we feed positive thoughts in - 

we eventually will look at our situations, 

our trials, our struggles 

in a more positive 

light 

with a positive 

outcome.

The definition of positive  

in this reference:

Full of hope and confidence, or giving cause for hope and confidence; a positive attitude;

Certain and without any doubt.

Doubt?  Can doubt exist in a positive mind?

Yes, I think that it can!

How?

Because when you doubt - 

you question - 

you strive for a deeper answer 

or solution.

You GROW!

Will every day be positive?

Will you be able to be strong 

when you want to quit?

I cannot answer these questions for you!

Only YOU have the POWER

 to be POSITIVE

However, on a lighter note,

I believe that

Dr Suess 

has the answer:

DarleneBl

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