Carol A. Hand
***
Let me be fully present here, in this moment
Focusing on opportunities to send out love and healing
Not frozen in yesterday’s hurts and disappointments
Not constrained by the bleakness of the surrounding landscape
Not controlled by the fear and chaos swirling about in other places
Not concerned about tomorrow’s uncertainty
I only have this moment,
now,
to radiate peace and joy
***
***
Acknowledgments:
For my beloved daughter who inspired these reflections…
Title drawn from the work of Baba Ram Dass (1971), Be Here Now.
***
Voices from the Margins 
I read this book a long time ago and found it truly inspiring, as is your poem – and an apt reminder to me as I too am feeling the pressure of today’s (family) concerns and tomorrow’s uncertainty.
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Chris, it’s always a delight to hear from you. Those were the hopeful days of youth when everything seemed possible! Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Sending hugs and best wishes. ❤
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A most powerful and timely reminder. Thank you.
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Thank you for your always kind and lovely comments, Carrie. ❤
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Beautiful. On a day where I felt everything was spinning out of control this helped to bring back much needed perspective. Thank you.
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Thank you for your lovely comments, Maria, and for sharing your feelings about these challenging times. I send you love and comforting virtual hugs, dear friend. ❤
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Truth. Stillness is a beautiful thing.
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Thank you so much for your lovely comments. ❤
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Beautiful and grounding. Thank you, Carol ~ Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!
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Blessings to you, Tori, and think you for your lovely comments. ❤
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No time to waste on regrets!
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Ah! Wise words, Feral C4t. Thank you. 🙂
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I think in our lives Stress takes away all the joy of today! It is beautiful refreshing poem to remind us to be happy in the present.
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Dear Sana, thank you so much for sharing your important insights, and for your kind words. ❤
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“Let me be fully present here, in radiance peace and joy.”
What more need I add?
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Chi Miigwetch for your lovely comments, Eddie. ❤
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wonderful encouragement, Carol!
being here now
with all its beauty
& non-beauty,
suggests personal
accountability
& honest reckoning 🙂
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Such profound insights, David, and eloquently-said. Chi miigwetch, dear friend. ❤
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Wonderful poem, Carol ❤
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Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Helen, and for the crucial work you do to heighten awareness about the wonder of life. ❤
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Thank you dear Carol. I am humbled. I am asking myself what else I can do to make people realize that we truly need to take care of Mother Earth – as She is taking care of us. Lots of darkness right now.
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Helen, you touch so many hearts and raise awareness with the beauty and love woven into your advocacy, photos and stories. But, as you point out, it’s not easy to hold hope in dark times when those in power prefer to remain deaf and blind to both beauty and suffering. Your work, though, gives me hope. ❤
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Wow, inspiring uplifting poem that calms my busy mind! The layout reflects the words perfectly with ‘now’ placed serenely by itself in the centre. I love how this has been written as a result of your daughter’s reflections,
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Thank you for your always thoughtful, lovely comments, Annika. Our children inspire us to be the best we can, don’t they? 🙂
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Your words are comforting and beautiful. Thank you.
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Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments, Marahu. ❤
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