Carol A. Hand
Listen deeply to the world around you
You’ll hear both joy and pain
Listen deeply to what’s within
Find your balance once again
Take a moment to reflect
It’s been ever so through time
Generosity and cruelty coexist
Happiness and suffering intertwine
Remember the old adage
“The best way to do is to be”
Give thanks for this instant
And the beauty you’re able to see
A blue jay chasing a squirrel
The sounds of traffic passing near
The song of the wind chimes in the breeze
The sights and sounds of life right here
Photo: “Blue Jay with Peanut” (Wikipedia)
Savor these reflective moments
They won’t come again – they’re one of a kind
But these memories of beauty will remain
Forever there, touching your heart and calming your mind
Copyright Notice: © Carol A. Hand and carolahand, 2013-2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carol A. Hand and carolahand with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Voices from the Margins 
Such a nice sentiment to close out a rewarding week. Thank you Carol.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your lovely words. I look forward to reading your recent posts to find out about the latest developments with your advocacy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Carol. So true. Especially loved the way you expressed the following:
Take a moment to reflect
It’s been ever so through time
Generosity and cruelty coexist
Happiness and suffering intertwine
LikeLiked by 3 people
I appreciate your always kind and thoughtful comments a great deal, Rosaliene.
LikeLike
I firmly believe many of us males, in particular, have lost touch with what you are speaking of in your beautiful prose here. I struggle with this, and I always have to some extent, even when I was young and not yet aware of “my responsibilities as a man.”
We have been conditioned (all of us) over time, to lose sight of who we are: unique individuals living in a natural world filled with great beauty and life. But men, in particular, have been, for the most part, conditioned (programmed) to see only “the reality” of their situation, to look at the world and life through a black, gray and white vision, where beauty and true life hardly, if ever, exist.
Just as many women have been programmed to think of themselves as being “weak” and thus in need of being “subservient” to this despotic patriarchal system, most men have been programmed in almost the exact opposite extreme.
All of us need to throw off these shackles of “tradition” and learn how to be truly free, so we can look past the pain and sorrow and see the beauty.
I’m trying, but…!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for sharing such important, honest insights, Sojourner. Growing up and living between cultures does bestow some gifts, although as you say, we all have conditioning to overcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely reminder to live in the moment – your wording is very meaningful: Savor these reflective moments, they won’t come again – just beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Bernadette. ❤
LikeLike
I so needed this today-thank you for the reminder to just breath and to be-
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words, Meg. (I’ll admit that I did wonder how your day was when I read your most recent post.) Sending my best wishes to all 🙂
LikeLike
such a happy bluebird!
seems it also got around
to my post 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Synchronicity 🙂
Thank you for your lovely comments, David, and your always peace-inspiring posts.
LikeLike
how wonderfully
bluebird spread around
happiness today 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, a tragic day when we need to remember there’s beauty in life, too.
LikeLike