Listen UP: Terror and tears. Listen UP: Timing and fears. Listen UP: Worrying and cares. It’s a dirge. It’s a lamentation…of a nation!:(

Listen UP: Choice and choosing. Listen UP: Helping? or boozing?…can’t drown this pain?…better refrain. Listen UP: Violence and silence..Listen UP: Justice and guidance…can love prevail?…better avail. Listen UP: Stupid? and Smart? should Listen UP: Stop! and Start…healing, no revenge, no retaliation…IS a compassion nation.

My HEARTFELT THOUGHTS, PRAYERS & SYMPATHIES to ALL BEAUTIFUL-FRAGILE-LIFE affected by Boston’s Marathon Bombing Tragedy 2013!:(

Did You know: “The race — which draws more than 20,000 participants — is the world’s oldest annual marathon, dating to 1897.” ~Cnn:“Sadness, resolve as Boston comes to grips with deadly marathon bombing.”

Growing up in Massachusetts and having many warm, loving memories of this special place and (special) events…it NEVER occurred to me that some day in the future–someone would violently exploit this part of Boston’s culture. How awful…this and any exploitation and violence.

Why is it so hard for some of us to get along?? Why is it so hard for some of us to have peace?? Why is it so hard for some to forgive?? Obviously, one thing’s for sure: the horrible bombing event was not motivated by love and compassion. That’s why the culture of compassion MUST be TAUGHT. Compassion must be a priority.

THANK YOU for making Compassion a Priority in Your life!:)

Read this blurb: “Why is World Peace so Elusive?” 2 Reasons: Self-interest and ambition.

Also, hatred and prejudice…”What is Prejudice?”…

“Researchers struggle to define prejudice. Some say it is “a negative attitude or feeling toward an individual based solely on that individual’s membership in a certain group.” Others say that this attitude is based on “insufficient information,” which leads to the “prejudgment of members of [a] group.” Whatever the case, prejudices can be formed against another person because of his race, weight, gender, language, religion or virtually any perceived difference.”

It’s soooooooo sad that human history both ancient and recent is: “Man has dominated man …

What is holding your mind? What is holding your heart? Love? Fear? Accurate Knowledge? Superstition? Impartiality? Partiality? Nationalism? Universal Hospitality?

Sadly, we live in a divided world, country(s), region(s), neighborhood(s). A world/globe divided by mind-made/man-made/fear-made/prejudice-made borders, boundaries, divisions, differences, discriminations and fears.

Are you personally able to promote peace by embracing the concept of an International Brotherhood of Breathing-Fragile-Life encompassing our globe? Of course, how can one embrace an International Brotherhood if one cannot embrace their local neighbor? How can one embrace their local Neighbor if one cannot embrace their Mother, Father, Sister, Brother under the same roof?

Human Race = Fragile Family! Family = Gift! Do You Cherish Your Family?  Do You Appreciate Your Gift? i do!:) (Who doesn’t like getting a gift?:)

The human condition is flawed…on varying levels so, at times, family doesn’t get along like it should!:( How can we all: “better” get along?

We all need to get better, get well: mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually…one way is by cultivating love and compassion and empathy and forgiveness!:) It takes education and patience. It takes work and effort. It takes practice and application…in the home, in the neighborhood, at school, at work, etc.

i like/prefer simple, practical solutions to challenges: tweaking. So, i like “practical,” ancient wisdom:

“Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely, if anyone has a cause for complaint against another…Clothe yourselves with love, for it is the perfect bond of union.” (Colossians 3:13, 14)

All of us have a cause for complaint!…i’m sure some of my Readers have a cause of complaint toward me that i may not be aware of…SORRY!:(…THANKS for putting up with me! SORRY to offend & THANKS for Reading/Supporting my blog!:)…when i’m trying to put up with someone who’s irritating me or worse…i try to think of the situation like this:  As a Mom…babies are so cute, adorable and loveable…yet, they do seemingly offensive/gross stuff..i.e. spit up on you, poop on you, etc. You LOVE the baby sooo much…you don’t hold it against …

Hoping this artwork sample brings a smile to your day!:) Art therapy is a good, healthy stress-reliever and stress-manager. The kids had been asking to do some painting (with me) for a while. So, this mama decided to enjoy some “relaxing” (whatever that means:)–art time with my girls…(usually they do a lot of art stuff with Daddy!)

What fun!…What a mess!:)

A week later and i’m still finding “traces” of colorful, acrylic paint in odd places. You cannot get creative without a mess. I live with VERY creative people!:) It’s like i blinked and walked away for a split-second and…OH NO!-lol:)

The kids did GREAT cleaning up and mopping the tile for me, which i appreciated!! Let them paint inside and outside…grass looks great green and other colors, too.

Before kids, i was a neat freak…sorta, everything organized and in its place…sparkly clean!! I still “prefer” organization and cleanliness. Though, i’m “realistic” about the natural messes kids need to make in order to learn and grow. Learning and growing requires mess to a degree. Creativity requires a measure of mess and i’ve learned to adjust. Making adjustments is an essential part of life.

I’m still constantly cleaning and trying to keep organized and get the kids to do their fair share. (FYI: i don’t expect kids to do the share of an adult nor be able to organize or clean like an adult.) I just “try” to set an example of organization/cleanliness and hope they follow…fast!

At times, keeping things organized and very clean…is like trying to shovel in a blizzard! “Almost” impossible…i just work harder.

The snow constantly keeps coming at you. Working “smarter” means: You gotta wait till the snow stops then clear it away!:) I strive “not to let” my need for clean encroach on their need to create (within reason)! I don’t want to stifle their learning processes…taking things apart, making new things out of  junk or baking, cooking. My kids like creating with junk, etc. i don’t mind some junk/stuff…i “prefer” less stuff…minimalist at heart…sorta.

I’m always …

Woman! Women of the Earth!

BEATIFUL-BREATHING-FRAGILE-LIFE

YOU are more than

eye

candy

for others to salivate over!

You are more than

a toy

 to be played with and discarded when done!

You are more than

a pawn

manipulated by physical, mental and emotional force!

You are more than

some BODY

somebody’s:

Mother

SISTER

Daughter

WIFE

Girl

You are WORTHY

worthy of

LOVE

RESPECT

HONOR

as a fragile vessel

a piece of porcelain

a piece of lace

a piece of velvet

and

a piece of grace!

Ceci n’est pas…une poeme!

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey –there is an average of 207,754victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year.

There are 525,600 minutes in a non-leap year. That makes 31,536,000 seconds/year. So, 31,536,000 divided by 207,754 comes out to 1 sexual assault every 152 seconds, or about 1 every 2 minutes.~Rainn (The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.)

Ceci n’est pas…une blague!
Types of Sexual Violence:

Sexual harassment: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in which submission to or rejection of such conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s work or school performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or school environment.

Stalking: The impact …

“Spend less. Read More.” Awesome slogan from Thrift books…yeah, that’s it…READ more!:) Not to stereotype women, but i’m “not” a shopper! I do it when i have to: run in/run out…get what i “need” at a cheap price.

Well, unless it’s a bookstore or i’m talking to somebody interesting, then i may linger a little. If held captive in a store -lol (cause of hubby and kids or whatever)…just read or find somebody to talk to! I don’t leave home without reading material.

The other day I “had to” go to Walmart…walk through the door and…a GIGANTIC mountain chain on each side greets/meets me! Stacks upon stacks ceiling high of doritos/chips/junk food/soda…Wow! this is really contributing to wellness and moderation on so many levels;)…and then rows and rows of endless items to clutter my mind and my home. Like with 4 kids and hubby, 2 cats, etc. to take care of already…get me out of Walmart quick…more stuff = less time. More stuff = less freedom! Walking into Walmart is an exercise in self-control. (So is composing this blog!:)

Self-control is a positive trait to cultivate. Learning when to speak up or shut up…for somebody like me, can come in handy!:) Learning when it’s safe to stop or go or proceed in tiny, cautious increments is essential. Exercising self-control is critical to preservation of life and relationships.

Actually, my mind is swirling and whirling with various topics for posting consideration. Between reading, research, real-life experiences of late, etc. i’m compiling a list or organizing my writing/learning which is a time-consuming process/event all on its own. Do you find yourself in various states of organization (self-control)? (i’m in the middle of reading a quick book: Organization for Dummies and of course, like a dummy, i’ve misplaced/lost it among my other books!:)

photo credit: donovanbeeson

I LOVE organization and order…the beauty of precision and efficiency and conscientiousness, but not to the …

Prince sang: “I would die 4 U” and the Gingerbread man (yes, Gingerbread man:) sang: “Run, run, run as fast as you can. You’ll never catch me I’m the Gingerbread man. He trusted the fox to help his plan and that was the end of the Gingerbread man.“~by Shauna Tominey (www.storytimesongs.com)

“Let me help you. I’m your friend. I can take you away from all this. Hop on my tail and I’ll take you across the river.” So the Gingerbread man jumped onto the fox’s tail. A while later, the fox said-”Jump onto my back. I’m sinking, you don’t want to get wet.”  So the Gingerbread man jumped onto the fox’s back. A while later, the fox said, ‘Jump onto my head. I’m sinking, you don’t want to get wet.’ So the Gingerbread man jumped onto the fox’s head. Finally, the fox flicked the Gingerbread man up in the air, opened his mouth and gobbled him up with his sharp, sharp teeth. When he was done he laughed and licked his lips. Gingerbread, gingerbread that’s stuff for me. Gingerbread, gingerbread I’ve had some for my tea.” ~The Story Museum “Gingerbread Man”

i “would” die “for” You! (if You want me to) Would you die for me, too?! (Think about it! I’ll get back to that in a few…a few words or so. Besides, your answer “would” depend on your view of death…oh and life, too and your view of me and you, (relationships in general)…and whether or not you eat (or are tempted by) gingerbread-lol:)

Do you run away from problems/challenges or face them/endure them /resolve them? Who do You trust as “friend”? Who do you trust for guidance/help? (It’s a lonely life with no one to trust.)

Would your “friend” die for You or gobble You up when sinking?!

Yeah, you may be “thinking” who is this chick and WHY is she asking such (life/death) question(s)??? Where is this post headed?? Read on/find out. (Though, not sure if i can round out this topic in 1 post or not?) All i can do …

Some are asking some: Put down your gun?? what about…

put down your bullets?? Pick up your helping hand?!

put down your fists?? Pick up your compassion?!

put down your video games??  Pick up your book?!

put down your verbal abuse??  Pick up your loving speech?!

put down your alcohol abuse??  Pick up your water?!

put down your cigarettes?? Pick up your (sugarless) gum?!

put down your donuts?? Pick up your veggies?!

put down your over-consumption?? Pick up your conservation?!

put down your self-indulgence?? Pick up your self-sacrifice?!

put down your selfishness?? Pick up your selflessness?!

put down your vengeance?? Pick up your forgiveness?!

put down your prejudice?? Pick up your impartiality?!

put down your war?? Pick up your peace (not piece)?!

put down your hate?? Pick up your love?!

put down your tears?? Pick up your laughter?!

put down your apathy?? Pick up your empathy?!

put down your frown?? Pick up your smile?!

We cannot ask anyone to do anything we are not willing to do ourselves!:) What am i willing to do? What are you willing to do?! Will You/i treat others the way we want to be treated?

photo credit: andrew and hobbes   photo credit: WingedWolf

What will you put down? What will you pick up? Will you reach out? Will you help someone put down or pick up? Will you take their hand? Will you take my hand? I’ll take yours!

Every day we all put down and we all pick up…what pattern are we setting in our putting down and picking up? Love? Compassion? Unselfishness? Forgiveness? Truth? Wellness? Peace? How far will you and i walk? What will you carry? Who will you carry?

LOVE WALKS, RUNS FAR…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… with a little help and a little tenderness…we’ll rise above (poor choices)…we’ll get there!:)

My Deepest Heartfelt Sympathy to All Directly and Indirectly

Touched byTragedy! 

Our hearts, our thoughts, our prayers, our tears are with the Newtown Community & Beyond!

Comfort, hugs and hope–a balsam to soothe the soul! What is balsam?

Balsam is a general term to describe an oily, resinous substance secreted by various plants and bushes. The fir, spruce and poplar are among balsamiferous trees. Balsamic oil is used medicinally and contains benzoic or cinnamic acid. It is also used as a perfume and is aromatic contrasted by a musty smell. It is applied to wounds! If you read ancient literature, you will come across references to the special healing properties of balsam.

Wounds…many are wounded and J’ai le coeur brise: heartbroken, mindbroken, crushed over the school massacre in Connecticut. Others are crushed and heartbroken by compounded tragedy that has touched their lives through the years. Many are mourning and in need of hugs, comforting words, hope…balsam.

“When I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure.”—PSALM 94:19, Contemporary English Version

What do you need? What can you give? Who can you help feel secure?

Can you choose to live in a manner that reflects your deep appreciation, respect and love for life?! Can you choose compassion? Who in your path can you reach with a kind word of encouragement?…can you say hello to a neighbor you may have previously ignored? Can you do an act of thoughtfulness for another breathing-fragile life today?? every day?? Can you choose unselfishness??

Every breath we take is a privilege not to be taken for granted! Let’s live in a manner that shows we respect other breathing-fragile life. Choosing to live in a negative, damaging, selfish manner destroys. Choosing to live in a positive, healing, helpful, selfless manner builds!:)

What can you help build today? Who can you help heal…by being kind, unselfish and forgiving?! Can you promote peace? Yes, You Can!…Thank You for promoting peace!:)

It will be easy for some to hate. Hate the horrific act. Hate the tragedy. Hate the violence…don’t glorify it or perpetuate it! Please, let’s …

In art theory: 12 basic hues belong to the color wheel: 3 primary, 3 secondary, 6 tertiary…the whole wheel is beautiful, eh?! THANKS to my Readers & fellow Bloggers here @ Psych Central!:)

Partners in Wellness w/jw: 12 Posts in Review for 2012:

12 hues that flew into my field of vision! (Did they fly into yours?:)

2 Keys to Happier Relationships & Partnerships

Got Lemons, Now What?

Who’s in Your Heart?

Forgiveness Fixes: How to Let Go of the Negative and Repair Relationships

Extreme Behavior Emergency Survival Kit

Partners in Wellness: Appreciated, Part 2: Relief and Understanding

No Excuses – Empathy Needed

Women deserve DIGNITY not discrimination!

Climbing Your Mountain/Reaching Your Goal: 4 Tips!

3 Tips for Dealing with Disappointment and Discouragement

Corruption Perception Index: How do You Rank?

Chocolate Genius

Stop? Don’t Stop? (self-control essential!) Your choice! Should walls be white? Should walls be colored? How about both? Do you color on walls? Do you let your kids color on walls?? Please consider the consequences of Stop! or Don’t Stop!:)

May be, you only color in predetermined lines and spaces? May be, you color outside the lines? Are you color-blind? or wall-blind? or line-blind? or boundary-blind? Actually, boundaries do serve as protections!

Compassion adapts to all those variables…blind to lines, blind to …

“How can I Help You?” “Thank You” “Your Welcome” “Sorry” “I Forgive You” “I Love You” “It’ll be alright” “I’m Here for You” “I do!”…what seeds (deeds/words) are you sowing today?!

All of the above? Some of the above?…

Wonderful–Your seed sprinkling will reap positive results!:)

THANKS for being a Caregiver, Friend, Partner, Parent, Person who is an:

*Open Mind: Think!

*Open Heart: Feel!

*Open Mouth: Speak!

*Open Hand: Give!

*Open Eye: See!

*Open Foot: Walk!

 
Think it, feel it, speak it, give it, see it, walk it: Live Love!:)

  photo credit: Serenae photo credit: Phil (darth_philburt)

Have you thought about it: what seeds are politics and religion sowing? Seeds of love or seeds of greed? Seeds of war or seeds of peace? Seeds of unity or seeds of division?

“In many lands, predominant religions have become symbols of patriotic and racial identities. As a result, the lines between nationalistic hatred, racial prejudice, ethnic rivalry, and religious enmity are virtually indistinguishable. This explosive cocktail has the necessary ingredients to tear our world apart.” ~excerpt from article:The Problem with Religion

“Religion seems to be connected with violence virtually everywhere…In recent years, religious violence has erupted among right-wing Christians in the US, angry Muslims and Jews in the Middle East, quarrelling Hindus and Muslims in South Asia, and indigenous religious communities in Africa and Indonesia…The individuals involved in these cases have relied on religion to provide political identities and give license to vengeful ideologies.”-Terror in the Mind of God-The Global Rise of Religious Violence.

Politics (government) and religion are in bed together making war and making money. (But,they’re really loveless and poor.)

Dutch Philosopher Floris van den Berg recommends: “Let’s make the world a better place. Let’s get rid of …