You + Me = Us

Sometimes, inspiration takes us down a different path than the one we set out on.

I recently wrote an article on the topic of volunteerism. I am not sure, yet, if I delivered the piece that was expected; I wrote the only way I know how. I expressed our human need to take part in something more significant and outside of ourselves. 

Sometimes, we don't know where it comes from.

We are so far removed from our historical reference points. We just know - some of us are driven from a seemingly outside force. But, it's not from the outside. Our internal sensors are calibrated to look for others that are like us. To take care of other beings. To cultivate, generate, and protect. 

Sometimes, we deny ourselves.

Love, respect, and decency. We are deserving of them, our very existence mandates it. Yes, we deny ourselves the basic of needs by our very own hands. We harm ourselves by setting us apart from everyone else. 

Photo Credit: NailedUPSC

May the Fourth be with You (and Me, too)

This past 4th of July I felt genuine happiness to be alive.  I felt whole - more whole than I have in years. I'm light on baggage, it seems. 2018 turned out to be better than the year before. So much so, I now breathe easy at the thoughts of future endeavors. I am not typically this calm. Never been less anxious about the outcome. I know not what to attribute this to.

In the past, my writings dealt with the perception of floating or not being anchored. I didn't have a sense of purpose after my 'great depression' of 2008-2010 - give or take a year or two. I've amped up my writing and increased the volume (so to speak) by making them more public. Poetry became the most useful outlet to get through the worst of it. As my depression eases and I experience more and more days of genuine happiness, I write less poetry and more prose. 

In the past 10-months, I have written more meaningful pieces with well thought out ideas and focus on the topics. It feels empowering. It feels energizing. The written word is more sacred than ever before. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hippie/2475835909