life: acoustic & amplified

poetry, quotes & thoughts about life

Archive for the category “Tenderness”

10 Jan 2013

A Blessing for One Who is Exhausted

by John O’Donohue

When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,
Time takes on the strain until it breaks;
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight,

The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before
Now become laborsome events of will.

Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.

The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground.
Something within you has closed down;
And you cannot push yourself back to life.

You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drove you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self
You have forsaken for the race of days.

At first your thinking will darken
And sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.

You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.

Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.

Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.

Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart
And the joy that dwells far within slow time.

Worn
Tenth Avenue North
Album: The Struggle

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes to keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed by the weight of this world
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that’s frail and torn
I wanna know the sun can rise from the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

I know I need to lift my eyes up
But im too weak
Life just won’t let up
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that’s frail and torn
I wanna know the sun can rise from the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn
My prayers are wearing thin
And I’m worn
Even before the day begins
I’m worn
I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn
Heaven come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that’s frail and torn
I wanna know the sun can rise from the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause all that’s dead inside will be reborn

Though I’m worn
Yeah I’m worn

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Posted in attitude, awareness, beloved, Blessing, compassion, dark, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, Gratitude, inspiration, Life, Love, Tenderness, thankfulness | Leave a comment
15 Dec 2012

sorrow

It is not into a Christmas card-perfect scene
of loveliness and reverence that Jesus comes,
but into this rough world
of poverty and human trafficking,
factory fires and school shootings.
Here, in our grief and terror,
and in our secret shame
of who we human beings are,
Jesus comes to bring us God’s love,
and also to show us who we really are.
Yes, it is awful that such tragedies happen at Christmas time,
but this is the time for them;
this is the whole point of Christmas:
it is into the darkness that the light comes.
Our world is full of violence and sadness,
but no sooner do terrible things happen
than God comes among us
to be with us in our brokenness,
with healing and forgiveness,
comes as a child—
amazing, always a child—
comes saying, “I still love you,
and even in world of hurt
I will always be with you.”
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
http://www.unfoldinglight.net

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Posted in attitude, awareness, Beliefs, courage, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, forgiveness, Freedom, Glory, Gospel, Grieving, healing, Life, Love, Peace, People, Poetry, Prayer, Purpose, Reflection, Tenderness, thankfulness | Leave a comment
14 Dec 2012

Nothing is more repugnant to capable, reasonable people than grace. – John Wesley

God often loves us with gifts we thought we didn’t need, which transform us into people we don’t necessarily want to be. With our advanced degrees, armies, government programs, material comforts and self-fulfillment techniques, we assume that religion is about giving a little of our power in order to confirm to ourselves that we are indeed as self-sufficient as we claim.
Then this stranger comes to us, blesses us with a gift, and calls us to see ourselves as we are – empty-handed recipients of a gracious God who, rather than leave us to our own devices, gave us a baby.
– William Willimon

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the gift of generosity and compassion,
the gift of humility, of trust, of joy.
Pray for the gift of gentleness,
the gift of a healing spirit.
Put the gifts you want for Christmas
on your list, and let God know.
Think of them as you’re shopping.
Ask deliberately for them,
and they will come,
secretly, in the night.
For Christ will come
and find shelter in your heart,
whether or not you leave milk and cookies.
And even though I’ve promised,
you’ll still be surprised.

Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
http://www.unfoldinglight.net

Posted in attitude, Becoming Yourself, Beliefs, beloved, Faith, find art at pinterest, Happy Holiday!, Letting Go, power, Reflection, Tenderness, thankfulness, truth, Vulnerability | Leave a comment
27 Nov 2012
1 Comment

a Psalm of David

Psalm 23

David declares, The Lord is my shepherd.

1 The Lord is my ashepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

______________________________________________________________________________

God’s grace covers us all~
Regardless of who we are and what we bring...He loves us.
 In sickness, rebellion, fear, and abandonment…He loves us.
With all the stories we bring from our past…He loves us.
 In our times of great joy and terrible despair…He loves us. 

Do you ever question God’s love for you?

He absolutely loves you.

Words and Photo from by:
Junelle Jacobsen
blog~ http://www.yes-and-amen.com/

In August I did a Newsletter Issue featuring Junelle and her awesome inspiration over at
http://songsfromthevalley.com/August%2012%205.13%20Inspiration.pdf

 

Posted in attitude, awareness, beloved, Blessing, Choice, confidence, Death, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, inspiration, Life, Love, Peace, People, perceptions, Poetry, Reflection, soul and spirit, strength, success, Tenderness, thankfulness, Trust, Uncategorized
18 Nov 2012

Forgiveness is a perfectly selfish act. It sets you free from the past. – Brian Tracy

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
– Ephesians 4:32

Forgiveness. It’s not an easy word for many of us. Ok, I don’t really know about others, but I know my own stubborn self and how hard it is for me to forgive, and then, rest in my forgiveness. I work through painful, difficult issues, I let go, and I think I have won the battle, but all the sudden I round a corner and, it seems, outta no-where, BAM – there it is again, and I realize I haven’t quite reached as far into that forgiveness force field as I had intended to go, and so I start again. I am so glad that I realize that life, and this forgiveness thing, is a process, and that I have made progress, and so that encourages me to work through it again…and again…and…!

One day I think I fine, and then the next, unexpectedly, I can plunge down hard – just by driving past a house, having a conversation, getting a glimpse of a something, hearing a song, or melling a familiar smell. I filled with pain, loss, anger, sadness, grief, regret and longing. I get overloaded with these feelings today, additionally I have can also experince anxiety, exhaustion, overwhelm and the battle with the demons inside my head which say things like, ‘I can’t sing, am ugly, fat and undesirable, and I’m just too stupid, vain and like attention too much to know it. That everything that has ever gone wrong in my life is because of me, and that I will never find anyone who can stand being with me because I am weird and unloveable.’

All of this is mixed up and complicated in my head and I have to sort it all out and begin to let go of one layer at a time, as I work to identify the lies and change the story. Then I work at forgiveness, first for myself, others, and the ‘house’ in question. It’s not easy, and I many times, and hours, I just pray, with Anne Lamont, “help me, help me, help me” until the pain eases and I can move forward in a measure of peace.

Like a baby learning to walk, each time I get up from being ‘stuck’, I gain ground, I get a little farther, a little stronger on my feet, and I pray that some day I will have arrived at the goal and will run freely in the yard of freedom! I want to live in the Land of the Free and Forgiven, and in order to do so I know I must let go of any resentment and anger I am still holding to and just breathe love. Just breathe. Just love. I know I am loved and forgiven and so I am called to forgive. I try very hard to be easy on myself, because I realize I will probably be in heaven when that finally occurs completely, and that’s ok! I will run through the golden streets with children and puppies at my heels yelling, ‘wooo hooo! Thank you!!!! I have learned the way of forgiveness!’ Until then I continue to hold myself accountable and keep doing the work!

New issue of the newsletter on this subject of Forgiveness at www.songsfromthevalley.com

Posted in awareness, compassion, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, forgiveness, Freedom, giving, Gratitude, Happiness, Letting Go, Life, Love, Peace, People, perceptions, Reflection, Relationships, Songs from the Valley, soul and spirit, strength, success, Tenderness, thankfulness, Thoughts, touch, Uncategorized, Vulnerability, worry | Leave a comment
14 Nov 2012

whatever it is

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Whatever it is
it can change
Whatever has gotten buried so deep in you
it’s become your blood
the only way you have ever known
the only way you have ever been
it can change.
Whatever turns in your chest like a heavy stone
whatever keeps you
clutching your heart
to try and stop the bleeding
whatever feels so
much bigger than you
you can never see its edges
it can bend
it can re-form itself into something new
it can change.
So bow to whatever it is as it is now
even as that breaks you
kiss it with every cell in you
sit down next to its fire
and let your fingers stain with ash.
Curse it too
curse it to survive
to vent the heat.
See the costs, see what’s been lost
but don’t weep for it
for every bird looking down at you can see
everything has its perfect timeline
like the line across your palm
its perfect arc for pain.
Sweet one:
your journey here
is like no other journey
and the gift waiting
for each of us
at the end
is the same.

Tara Mohr
http://www.taramohr.com/2012/11/i-find-hope-here/#comment-4824

Posted in attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, Beginning, Change, Choice, courage, determination, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, inspiration, Letting Go, Life, Love, power, soul and spirit, strength, success, Tenderness, thankfulness, Trust, truth | Leave a comment
12 Nov 2012

perfect hug

I walked into a flock of hugs
Then I walked into arms of love
Arms so strong
Encircling me
Reach so deep
inside of me
My knees almost gave way
I wanted to stay there forever
Connected to this tenderness, strength and kindness
With you touching my back

AL 11/12/12

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Posted in awareness, beauty, beloved, Encouragement, find art at pinterest, healing, intimacy, kindness, Life, Love, Miracles, People, Poetry, Reflection, soul and spirit, strength, Tenderness, thankfulness, Vulnerability | Leave a comment
14 Oct 2012

true beauty comes from the heart

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow’d to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair’d the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

“She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron

Posted in attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, beloved, Blessing, Faith, find art at pinterest, Happiness, kindness, laugh, Letting Go, Life, Love, Poetry, Smile, soul and spirit, Tenderness, thankfulness | Leave a comment
12 Oct 2012

be soft. do not let the world make you hard – Kurt Vonnegut

photo by Nici Tietjen Derosie
http://artshapedworld.com/
http://artshapedworld.blogspot.com/

Just a few timeless life lessons we all learn on the road of life…

1. Beauty comes from within. – You will never be beautiful like me.  You can only be beautiful like you.  One does not become beautiful by trying to be beautiful.  One becomes beautiful by finding beauty in what’s already within.

2. Pain has a purpose. – Pain doesn’t just show up in your life for no reason.  It’s a sign that something in your life needs to change.  This change takes strength.  But remember, it’s not that those who are strong never get weak in the knees, or that they never gasp for a breath.  It’s that while their knees are shaking, they force themselves to breathe and to take another step.  Read The Road Less Traveled.

3. There are right people, and wrong people, for you. – There are fake people, and those who are true friends.  There are people who take the heart out of you, and those who put it back.  You have a choice of who to spend time with.  True friends have an honest heart, and will go out of their way to help you when you need it most.  Stick with the people who never let you down and keep their promises.  You can’t fake that.

4. What you focus on grows. – Do not let the negativity wear off on you.  Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.  Promote what you love instead of discrediting what you dislike.  When you choose to focus on the things you love, you end up finding more joy and more love in life.

5. What you don’t start today, won’t be finished by tomorrow. – There are seven days in the week and someday isn’t one of them.  Ask yourself if what you’re doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.  Read Getting Things Done.

6. Sometimes taking your own advice is hard. – You know what to do, but you can’t seem to accept your own good judgment.  You’ve said the same exact words to others, but listening to your own words is a struggle.  That’s why friends are priceless.  Because sometimes you just need to hear it from someone other than yourself.

7. You can’t live your life solely for other people. – When writing the story of your life, don’t let someone else hold the pen.  You’ve got to do what’s right for you, even if the people you love disagree with your dreams.  Live your life so that when it’s time to ask where the time went, you can answer: “It went to joyful moments of self-discovery, to my search for passion, to doing work that felt like play, to standing up for what I believe in, and to exploring this beautiful world with an open heart.  My time went to living MY life!”

8. Forgiveness is the first step to recovery. – Sometimes we don’t forgive people because they deserve it; we forgive them because they need it, because we need it, and because we cannot move forward without it.  So cry, forgive, learn, and move on.  Let your tears water the seeds of your future growth and happiness.

9. Your beliefs become your reality. – What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for.  You become what you believe.  Even though you cannot control everything that happens, you can control your attitude toward what happens.  And in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.  Read Awaken the Giant Within.

10. Success is rarely easy, but always worth it. – Those who have achieved their dreams know that life is about willpower and persistence.  It’s about hanging on to hope when your heart has had enough, and giving even more when your mind and body want to give up.  Yes, each step may get harder, but the view from the top is priceless, and well worth enduring the journey to get there.

http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/10/11/10-timeless-lessons/#more-473

Posted in art, attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, Choice, courage, create, Encouragement, Faith, Happiness, healing, inspiration, intimacy, Joy, Letting Go, Life, Love, People, Quotes, Reality, strength, success, Tenderness, thankfulness, truth, Uncategorized, Vulnerability | Leave a comment
10 Oct 2012

word of God speak

The Word knows the difference between what is truly you and what is false, imposed, and needing to be removed. God’s knowing presence, God’s judging, is not cruel, not against you (you’re still thinking of that sword). God looks on you only with reverence and love. God sees you, with the eyes of “mercy and grace,” of one who can “sympathize with our weakness… who in every respect has been tested as we are” (v. 16, 15). God’s Word is the living presence that loves you from the inside out.

The living and active Word listens you you deeply. Let that Presence pierce you. Let that Listening lay bare the intentions of your heart, so that you can see yourself clearly, as God sees you. Let that Love sink deep to the marrow of your fears, the bone of your desires, not to cut you up, but to see what does not give you life and free you from it, so that you become more truly and wholly yourself, for the sake of your lovely, precious, holy life.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
http://www.unfoldinglight.net

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Posted in awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, Beliefs, beloved, Blessing, Change, Choice, create, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, Gratitude, intimacy, Life, Love, People, power, Prayer, receiving, soul and spirit, strength, Sweet, Tenderness, thankfulness, Thoughts, Trust, truth, Vulnerability | Leave a comment

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