life: acoustic & amplified

poetry, quotes & thoughts about life

Archive for the category “beloved”

16 Aug 2014

if there is light it will find you – Charles Bukowski

In “Farewell to Arms” Ernest Hemingway wrote, “The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
– Ocean Palmer quotes EH
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Grace, that miracle which even the darkest night can’t consume — grace that miracle that can only consume you.

Light can pry through the dark. A shaft can come through a window like a lifeline.

The birds on a wire can someday sing —
We have heard them.

– Ann Voskamp
http://www.aholywxperience.com

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Time Stops for Only the Greats: the Loss of Robin Williams

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/12/russell-brand-robin-williams-divine-madness-broken-world

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/08/what-the-church-christians-need-to-know-about-suicide-mental-health/

Depression and the Gift of Grief

Posted in awareness, beloved, courage, dark, Encouragement, find art at pinterest, grace, Life, Love, Trust, Vulnerability, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
15 Aug 2014

Don’t mistake movement for achievement. It’s easy to get faked out by being busy. The question is: “Busy doing what?” – Jim Rohn

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Most people are not apathetic fools—they are engaged and intelligent beyond measure. It’s just that they spend a shocking amount of time studying foolish things, and so they have gained great intelligence in the inconsequential. They know dozens of batting averages, celebrity baby names, and trivial anecdotes from the latest news alert. They know more about television characters than their coworkers; more about the freeway traffic ahead than their financial future; more about the new tech toy than what’s truly missing from their lives.

This of course, does not describe everyone. Yet we have the average American watching four hours of television per day. This amounts to around 13 years of his or her lifetime. Yes, that’s 13 years 24/7 in front of the boob tube. Those years slip by episode-to-episode, and often feel like rest and entertainment. But all research shows they amount to very little joy or meaning in one’s day or life.

The cost is immense: had those 13 years been used for vital and productive endeavor, they would amass to nearly $1,000,000 more in wages and over $2,000,000 in investment opportunity. Let’s not forget how those 13 years could have been used to deepen friendships, travel, create more art, learn languages, develop world-class expertise, contribute, enjoy love, or live life as a human rather than a gape-mouthed consumer of waste.

While television isn’t stealing everyone’s four hours, most of us now suffer from a sort of recurring “browser blackout” or “app amnesia,” losing hours of time each day on our computer or mobile devices without any recollection of what we saw or accomplished. Distraction reigns.

And so the outcome is we have tremendously engaged and intelligent people often tragically consuming and learning meaningless things. We are busy, but at what? We are smart, but at what? We are engaged, but with what?

Not everyone is so lost, but this might help explain the melancholy one feels in our society. For what could be worse than for smart, engaging people to finish their lifetimes without much to show for it but the ability to win a pop culture trivia contest?

Let us refocus our attentions now, for our dreams and our families are waiting on us and there is so much to be felt and enjoyed in life.

Brendon Burchard – Live. Love. Matter.

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Posted in attitude, awareness, beloved, Choice, find art at pinterest, Letting Go, Life, Love, moment, Purpose, soul and spirit, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
13 Aug 2014

yes

You do not have to choose the bruised peach
or misshapen pepper others pass over.
You don’t have to bury
your grandmother’s keys underneath
her camellia bush as the will states.

You don’t need to write a poem about
your grandfather coughing up his lung
into that plastic tube—the machine’s wheezing
almost masking the kvetching sisters
in their Brooklyn kitchen.

You can let the crows amaze your son
without your translation of their cries.
You can lie so long under this
summer shower your imprint
will be left when you rise.

You can be stupid and simple as a heifer.
Cook plum and apple turnovers in the nude.
Revel in the flight of birds without
dreaming of flight. Remember the taste of
raw dough in your mouth as you edged a pie.

Feel the skin on things vibrate. Attune
yourself. Close your eyes. Hum.
Each beat of the world’s pulse demands
only that you feel it. No thoughts.
Just the single syllable: Yes …

See the homeless woman following
the tunings of a dead composer?
She closes her eyes and sways
with the subways. Follow her down,
inside, where the singing resides.

“Permission Granted” by David Allen Sullivan

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Posted in action, Adventure, attitude, awareness, Becoming Yourself, beloved, Choice, courage, determination, Encouragement, find art at pinterest, Freedom, Letting Go, Life, Love, Miracles, mystery, soul and spirit, strength, success, Today, Trust, truth, Winning, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
11 Aug 2014

faith walk

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This is a faith walk. Everything you do must be done by faith in Me. If you keep your eyes focused on Me, you will not fail. I know each thing you must face, because I have already faced them for you. So, My child, do not be afraid. I will not let you be harmed. I will guide you every step of the way. My right hand will protect you. Know that I have prepared the way for you. Just trust Me and press on through.
– Shearon Hurst

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Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known THIS DAY that thou art God of everything, and that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again.
(vs 36-37)
– Buell Kazee

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Faith is the basis of all works in us. Absolute surrender of all self-sufficiency and resourcefulness of self, and absolute faith and trust in God to do something for us, is the attitude a believer must take. Ever it is the question, “Can you believe?” All things are possible to him that believeth.
– Buell Kazee

Posted in Adventure, attitude, awareness, Beliefs, beloved, Blessing, Choice, commitment, confidence, courage, determination, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, Life, Love, Miracles, soul and spirit, success, Trust, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
09 Aug 2014

Modern religion has tended to degenerate into a decent formula whereby people can embellish an otherwise comfortable life. – Alfred North Whitehead

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And the bottom line is: We will be known by our fruits — not by what name we call ourselves or by what fame we want to be known for. We will be known for our actual fruits, not the intentions of our imaginations.

The greatest of these is love. And love’s actual fruit is service: Love bears service. Love says: Let me serve.

And the actual fruit of serving is peace: Service grows peace. Service says: Let me help bring peace. Which means — all of us are simply just one hand reach away from working for world peace.
– Ann Voskamp

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Life is never about being correct, but only and always about being connected. Just stay connected. At all costs stay connected. Our only holiness is by participation and surrender to the Body of Love, and not by any private performance. Because Love is One, and this Love is either shared and passed on or it is not the Great Love at all. The One Love is always eager.
– Richard Rohr

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both the receiving of love, and the letting go of it for others, are always. very real dying to our present state. Whenever we choose to love, we will – and must – die to who ever we were before we loved. Our former self is taken from us by the object of our love. We only realize this is what has happened after the letting go.
– Richard Rohr

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Posted in action, Adventure, attitude, awareness, Becoming Yourself, beloved, Blessing, Choice, commitment, community, compassion, connection, courage, Faith, find art at pinterest, Gospel, Growth, kindness, Life, Love, mystery, People, Relationships, soul and spirit, success, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
04 Aug 2014

avatar

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hiding in this cage
of visible matter

is the invisible
lifebird

pay attention
to her

she is singing
your song

“07” [“Hiding in this cage”], attributed to Kabir, from Beloved, May I Enter: Short Poems.

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Posted in attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, beloved, Blessing, Faith, find art at pinterest, soul and spirit, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
31 Jul 2014

only grace

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Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.
– John Newton

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And I have no idea why all of us keep holding each other to a standard of perfection instead of letting us all be held by the arms of grace.

We are not here to be perfect. We are here to be real – to let Christ be real in us.
– Ann Voskamp
http://www.aholyexperience.com

Posted in attitude, awareness, beloved, Change, Choice, Faith, find art at pinterest, forgiveness, Freedom, grace, Gratitude, Life, power, soul and spirit, Tenderness, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
26 Jul 2014

At the end of the day: do others feel loved in your presence? This is the spiritual bottom line. – Masin Kipp

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I have walk long and alone. I have sought truth in my life and I have been careful about sharing it with others – even in my closest relationships.
I thought it was mainly because of the dogma of fundamentalism I grew up in, but I have recently discovered it is mainly because of the rejection, control, verbal, mental and sexual abuse I have been through.

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Holding my truth, my way of living as sacred to me was my way of protection.
I am seeking to be more open, more honest with my truth, open myself in new ways in close relationships. I must admit, it is somewhat terrifying – which makes me know it’s the right thing.

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As I walk into this brave new place I am aware of all that has brought me here, and I am grateful for all of my learning which allows me to step into this personal place of revealing my naked truths to others. I believe in the importance of it. I believe it is the only way I will truly overcome the shadows, wounds and pain of my life and come into the fullness of joy in my life.

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Life is a process. Only love can break a heart. Only love can mend it again.
We are here for both parts – IF we will step into the place which will allow us to fly and be free – even with patched up, broken and battered wings.

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Posted in action, Adventure, beauty, Becoming Yourself, beloved, courage, Faith, find art at pinterest, Freedom, Gratitude, healing, intimacy, Joy, Life, Love, People, Relationships, soul and spirit, Trust, truth, Vulnerability, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
25 Jul 2014

You know me

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You are a creation of God unequaled anywhere in the universe…. Thank Him for yourself and then for all the rest of His glorious handiwork.
–Norman Vincent Peale

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
– Matthew 10:30

“Every human has four endowments — self-awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom… The power to choose, to respond, to change.”

— Stephen R. Covey

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭1-24‬ KJV)

Posted in awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, beloved, confidence, Faith, find art at pinterest, Glory, Gospel, Gratitude, intimacy, Life, Love, Prayer, Relationships, soul and spirit, Tenderness, thankfulness, Trust, truth, www.pinterest.com | Leave a comment
23 Jul 2014

there will be miracles

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I don’t want another Raven!
(even tho I’m so grateful for all of them, don’t get me wrong)
I don’t want more manna,
or water out of rocks –
spoken to
or struck in desperation –
I don’t want another temp job
regardless of pay
or qualification.
I want my life’s work.
My soul sustaining work.
My love song to the world work.
I don’t want to look back with sad eyes to the
‘What if’s’,
trying not to turn into a pillar of salt,
or Rip Van Winkle,
dreaming of the ocean,
springtime in Connecticut,
apple trees
and dandelion wishes.
I’ve cleared the past,
scoured the memories,
returned the hooks,
and the books.
Burned the bridges,
learned the lessons well,
made room for the new,
the view,
the unlimited possibility
of today.
I don’t want a fan,
someone to control me,
abuse me,
or a man to take care of me.
I want a life partner.
A co-builder of eternal structures.
A co-architect of a life full of goodness,
truth,
kindness
and sharing.
I don’t want to sit still any longer.
I don’t want to let another important day go by.
my patience has been monumental,
my obedience marathon,
My testing long and brutal.
I’m ready,
I’m so very ready.
and so I ask –
for no more stop gaps,
no more ravens,
no more small or large miracles in this particular arena of wilderness.
God, take me forward
into new battles,
new playing grounds,
new levels of faith.
allow me to step forward
today,
this very moment if it pleases You,
into my work,
into Your will and work.
As in all things,
Your will be done
here in me on earth
as it is in heaven.
today
and everyday
may it be so

Amy Lloyd
7/22/14

there is enough loveliness, enough beauty, enough peace, enough love in this world — enough food in this world – if we would just share?
– Ann Voskamp

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