Legacy - Week Fourteen

"To be or not to be, that is the question." (Shakespeare) In literature, words so boldly asked of ones self. Now apply it to current life. Who do you want to be? With whom do you want to be with? How do you want to be remembered? What do you want to be remembered for? A legacy. A Legend. Intense. I know!

 

My legacy, what is left of me when I move to the higher ground of life beyond life, remains but bittersweet pieces for others to put together of my life and my memories. Moments in time that are left undone but still existing in the Universe. In a previous poem I wrote words relating similarly to this topic. "The greater truth from the greater self, our eyes blind to see. Unveil the shadow before thine eyes, propel your life to be." Taking steps toward the realization of my personal legend which will leave my legacy in life has been challenging, rewarding, educational and uplifting. But those are only baby step trophies to the real deal. I still do not know what my personal legend is. I can humbly admit this fact. What has changed though, I now have the mindset to "propel my life to be". A thought process I have not acted on until recently.

 

Leaving memories and a legacy is a key part to life. Historians, Writers, Actors; examples of all who have left legacies, their marks in this world with achievements, epic novels and classic films. Their moments in which we remember them. There is a certain level of magnitude that goes into marking the world with "you". A magnitude that commonly gets swept under the rug. People in nature, have the built in feature of being great at something. It is how the human mind works. It is up to us to uncover what it is that we are great  at and give into it.

 

Ideally, I would like to believe my personal legend embodies goodness, kindness, happiness and brilliance. Qualities in which I know I would want to be remembered for. The best part of me that my children can be proud of. Something they can brag about to their children, and their children's children. A lineage of comfort from memories of who I was to them. Leaving all materialistic value to the side and leaving them something to hold on to.  A memoir or a novel or even a book of short stories will be printed and authored by myself. A piece of me I will leave to the my girls, (and the world) to learn what I have learned in life, know what I know and feel what I have felt.

 

Legacies should not be mistaken for value. Royalty, hierarchy and status know no bounds to the legacies people can leave. You do not need money to create your legacy. What you do need, however, is translucent sight into the soul of who you are, what you are great at and the positive forces you radiate into life around you. That is something I am still and now working on.

 

 

 

Poem of the Week

Epitaph/Poem

 

 

"Her"

 

 

Her head lay still

Her final  rest

Her voice whispered silence

Palms to her chest

 

Her heart of gold

Reached miles at length

Her legacy of life

Was her greatest strength

 

The Universe beyond

Her eyes could light

She had one wish

Just love, don’t fight

 

For life was short

She understood

Her taste for life

Was pure and good

 

Her need for knowledge

Was not unforeseen

Her limitless reality

Started out as a dream

 

The words she wrote

Left marks in time

A writer’s path

She would define

 

She reached sky’s limits

With hard work and risk

Passion for love

Was her personal bliss

 

Her death portrays

A lesson to learn

For a life with limits

Creates a wrong turn

 

Her absence herewith

Brings tears from the stars

Her smile is missed as

Her soul watches from far.

Gratitude...at Work! - Week Thirteen

Gratitude at the Work Place.

 

Work is a responsibility for most of us. It is a “must maintain” notion in the paycheck to paycheck lives that today’s economy has forced us to lead. The word responsibility does not thrust excitement into our brains. We hear responsibility and instantly visions of duties, chores and appointments pop into our minds, when sometimes all we want to do is nothing. In the work force of my life, i.e. my current work reality, finding the greater good is a big part of getting through the days. That greater good  that I’m speaking of means the best part of work that I am grateful for. A steady income, learning new things and my gateway to adult conversation.

 

Most people do not have a steady weekly/biweekly income. A guaranteed paycheck each week. That is something I am profoundly grateful for. Having this steady income enables me to live independently. Knowing that check is coming each week is a security to my family’s livelihood. Yes, it is my responsibility to ensure that paycheck comes each week. That entails showing up, doing the job I am paid to do and leaving. I am grateful that I am able to walk into the doors of work each day, when so many are out of a job.

Gratitude in work is commonly unspoken of. We wake up and we grunt and moan, another day, another dollar! But every so often a spark hits me while I am in work and I realize I’ve learned something completely new. Another piece of knowledge to add to my growing collection, whether it be a medical term, a legal term or something about myself that is pointed out to me. Knowledge is power and I try to take in as much as I can, when I can.

 

Lastly, my workplace grants me the time for adult conversation. Time away from the ABC’s and 123’s of being a Mommy and able to speak freely with adults about….well….adult things! That is my balance and without it, I’d fall. I am grateful to be able to have that kind of balance as opposed to the everyday mommy/baby talks of life.

 

 









Poem of the Week

Hip Hop Resume’

 

Right here you have

One of a kind

It won’t take you long

To understand my rhyme.

 

A proactive approach

I will fiercely take

To hire me right now

Would not be a mistake.

 

Always on point

And I show up on time

The words I can write

Will blow your mind.

 

Creatively smart

And assertive too

All of these qualities

I hold strong and true.







 

A Twisted Tale - Week Twelve

Story One

A Perfect Place                          

 

The story of a girl, unsure of her direction, but the direction she was headed was very sure of her. A future with tens across the board laid out before her. A picture perfect tall tale of strength, life and bliss. All of which was not easily attained but for this girl, very well deserved.  Hard work ethic burst within her claiming everything she knew she needed to do for the life she wanted to capture. A life full of irreplaceable memories, irreplaceable people and irreplaceable moments.  What her visions brought was a life without limits. No, I am not speaking of fancy yachts, lavish clothing or a vault full of precious jewels. Living beyond the walls of humble is not a style this girl could ever wear. What I am referring to is comfort. Enough to know her family will be ok for a long time. Enough to know that her children would not want for anything, but would also know to work hard for what they do want. 

 

To attain this level of comfort, she had an idea. She wrote fearlessly. Her fearless behavior lead to a New York Times Best Seller. This would set her career in motion. That is just one piece of the legend she created for herself. A plan set in stone is clearly not a good plan because obstacles do jump out when you are least expecting them. Security, peace of mind and a steady income were part two to this woman’s plan. A degree. A flexible career to be able to be present for the most superior moments of her children’s life; a key element to a blissful life. The moments, those moments, precious as ever, where an award is given, a piano is played or a smile or even tear crosses one of her child's faces. Those are the moments you cannot get back if missed. Those are the moments where she would be present.

 

And her husband. The one person, after years and years of memories, fights and love, the one person who stuck by her. The one person who still taught her details about herself which she would never realize. The one person who looks at her on the worst of days and tells her she is perfect. He would be there every step of the way.

 

Story Two

The Twist

 

Her perfection was before her. Her life was all she dreamt it could be. Yes, there were ups and downs but generally she was happy and she knew it. She felt it within. Her family was intact. Growing together, learning from each other, creating memories and legacies to be remembered. Until one day, she met a man. A smile lead to a hello, a hello lead to a how are you and a connection took place. Something unstoppable. Something unexpected. Most would call it love at first sight. A friendship grew between the two. Magnetic in nature. Each poured their hearts out to one another daily about thoughts, life, love, happiness and the future. The twist, how could these two be together without hurting everyone they love and in hindsight, how could these two not be together knowing what they both feel. The friendship outgrew into something bigger than they had anticipated. It was pure love. Undeniable in nature. But conflicted love. The choice to be together would be life altering. The choice to leave was irrational. The choice to stay was unreasonable. The decision seemed impossible. She knew what she had to do. She knew she had met her soul mate. A term in which most people never truly understood the meaning of.  She let go of her present life. The life she had worked so hard for. The life she knew and she was accustomed to. She pressed forward and took a leap of faith so big her world spun.

 

Story Three

All or nothing

 

The life she once knew was shredded to pieces. She had success without fail, her children were still hers, but she was remorseful for hurting a man that had been so good to her for so many years. She defended her actions to everyone. She was conflicted in feelings. At times, her thoughts of regret seemed imminent. She took her leap of faith, she made her own choice, she walked barefoot down her own path. She felt at times it was a path covered in shattered glass and streams of tears. She had hurt people only to be selfishly happy and she did not regret it. She knew she made the right choice. She knew this was the person she needed to spend the rest of her life with. She did not expect him. The Universe, clever in its ways, placed him in her life for a reason. A reason in which she would spend the rest of her life trying to figure out.

 

Poem of the Week

Life Map

 



The people I meet

The visions I see

A life without limits

Laid out for me.

 

Embrace the challenge

Explore the new

Remember the old

But continue on through.

 

Be fearless and brave

Release all self doubt

Understand this life

Will not place me without.

 

Accept my path

Learn my way

Forget others' maps

For they are just a display.

 

The map of my life

Will twist and change

I know for the better

My life will rearrange.

.

 

Visions of the Future - Week Eleven

 

 

 

 

My Future....

The future I envision is solely based on happiness. Sure, there will be sad moments. Those are inevitable. But the happy moments are what I hope to keep me going. I hope to finish school. I know with my schedule it will take longer than most, but it is something I know I need to do. I want a house for my future, my castle. And a husband to spend my life with. Being a wife is a very important role I'd like to uphold at some point. Not just with anyone, but with my soul mate. My daughters. I need to teach them to work hard and save. Its a valuable, necessary lesson of life. I also want to travel. My top three destinations are Ireland, Belize and Italy. In addition, a big fear I have is of open water and boats. Therefore, I'd like to learn as much about boats and boating as humanly possible in order to help conquer those fears. I want to stay fit. It is important to be healthy not only for myself, but for my girls. Another part of my future entails helping people as often as possible. Those who cannot help themselves. Not to be greedy here, but a big family is a MUST. I want my children and my children's children to be surrounded by chaotic love forever. And lastly, anyone who knows me knows Red Lipstick will ALWAYS be a part of my future.


Week Eleven Poem
Looking into the Future

Soon To Be

 

 

Eyes piercing future’s wall;

What will be for me?

A light so bright that I am enthralled

In what lay before me.

 

My castle shaded amongst the trees;

The moon light shining through.

My family nestled in my reach;

A man, yet I am not sure who.

 

Success overcomes my worry;

Fear subsides from my mind.

I am in no rush, nor hurry;

What is left is precious time.

 

Time to travel and capture;

A moment; A breathtaking sight.

The warmth of the sun’s rapture;

Calm water reflecting across light.

 

The future holds a place for me;

I see confidence within.

The past I now leave gracefully;

For my tomorrow will soon begin.
 

Passion - Week Ten

pas·sion

paSHən/

noun

1. strong and barely
controllable emotion.

I am a multifaceted person of passion. This goes without saying. To list passions of mine would be a job in itself. Love; Family; Friends; Colors; Music; Clothing; Writing. Passion breathes inside of me with everything I do. Whatever it is that takes hold of me, I am passionately perfecting it.
 

 

One passion of mine that consumes me daily is the consideration of other people. This could be anyone! Someone as close to me as my daughters or a random stranger I walk by. I feel the constant need to protect and help everyone. People less fortunate steal pieces of my heart every single day.  I have this expression I use. (Those closest to me know it.) I find myself observing people and when someone is disabled, homeless or just lost even I say out loud they are "huggable". I often hold back from wanting to hug random strangers because they have touched my heart just by their existence.  To be a part of these peoples lives, to help them in some way, would be a job worth waking up to every day of my own life.

 

 

 

A big part of what I do right now requires passion. Working in a field where I speak daily to sick people and people who have lost loved ones. People who are left with literally nothing. I am brought to tears at least once a week in my job but the most rewarding part is listening to these people and at the end of the conversation, hearing them say "thank you for listening to me". I know I have helped them just by attentively hearing their words.

 

To selflessly help people would be a service worth looking in to. People who are lost in their lives, who need guidance, direction and financial backing. These people feel hopeless that the world has turned against them and some even feel life is not worth living. Motivating these people by just showing you care would tremendously boost hope in a society where the underprivileged are overlooked. Something as simple as drafting a resume, giving hot food, clothing and teaching these people how to interview could set the wheels in motion for a world worth their time and ours as well.

 

 

 

 

Poem of the Week

 

Writing in Stride

 

My heart moves;                            

The pen moves.

 

Stroke by stroke;

New meaning is found.

 

Life,

Breathed into blank pages.

 

Words,

Scribbled to make sense.

 

Creativity from within

Dancing across a line.

 

A voice,

Wanting to be heard.

 

Understood;

Remembered.

 

Feelings and thoughts;

Unleashed into air.

 

Stroke by stroke;

A creation takes place.

 

The pen moves;

My heart moves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Alchemist Review - Week 9

 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Review

 

“When you really want something, all the Universe conspires in helping to achieve it”. Effortless words spoken have never been more true. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, is a captivating read that challenges you to think beyond your contained realm. This book possesses you to envision  your own personal legend and the possibilities of what your life could be with a little sacrifice, motivation and hope. Coelho’s story focuses on a Shepherd boy, Santiago. Santiago had a recurring dream of a treasure among majestic pyramids in Egypt. This treasure he dreamt of was later brought to his attention by several strangers among a village that he often visited with his sheep. These strangers, a gypsy fortune teller and an ancient King, Melchizedek, would send Santiago on a journey where he would find love, defeat, hope and discover a language without words. Santiago’s faraway journey leads him across a desert encountering all walks of humanity. It is Santiago’s journey and although he had guidance from an Alchemist and people of the desert, it was up to him to complete his journey. He was the deciding factor in his own fate. To turn back to the life that he knew? Or to follow through to the unknown with hopes of finding his treasure.

 

A part of the story that captivated me was when Santiago put complete faith and trust in a stranger he met in a bar. This stranger was going to help Santiago in pursuing his journey by buying a camel and leading Santiago across the desert. Santiago gave all of the money he had from selling his flock to this boy, this stranger that was going to help him. The stranger lead Santiago out of the bar and lost him in a crowd of merchants in the village’s circle. The stranger took everything and ran. Santiago was left with absolutely nothing but the clothes on his back and his stones Urim and Thummim. The stones that Melchizedek had given him as guidance. Santiago slept on the street and awoke with strength. That was not going to stop him or be the end of him. He was going to continue on with his journey regardless of the strangers actions. He could not let the stranger define who Santiago would be in his own life. He pushed forward with nothing and eventually succeeded. It was inspirational to read.

 

What I loved most about this book was the beauty within the message Coelho was sending. The realization that if we let go of the now that we all live in, we can become our own perfection. Coelho instills that we will get knocked down and we will want to turn back but if we rise to the occasion and pursue whatever it is that will become our personal legend, the end result is the treasure. There was nothing I didn’t like about this story. The underlying messages and words spoken from various characters throughout the book were of wisdom, of strength and courage. Fatima, a woman of the desert that Santiago falls in love with, simply says that she is a woman of the desert and Santiago must continue on with his journey regardless of how much they love each other. She will be waiting for his return. Another hidden message. Let love go and if it is meant to be, it will return to you.

 

After reading The Alchemist several times, I have already recommended this book to a few friends. I believe the story is clever and entertaining but the hidden messages within the book can help anyone who feels stuck in a Ground Hog like effect in their lives.  This book, I feel, would be inspirational and helpful to many of us who wake up wishing we had more.



 

 

 

 

A Story of Life

(The Alchemist)

 

A shepherd lay amongst his sheep.

An old Church shelters above.

A captivating sycamore tree in his sight.

And visions that would give him a shove.

 

A personal legend pursued.

A boy entertaining his dreams.

His path to his own perfection.

Sacrifice was part of the scheme .

 

The journey to his treasure

In which he saw in his sleep

Would test the limits of his character.

From a boy to a man he would leap

 

Befriended by several strangers

With tall tales of the desert’s sound.

A glance from a woman in the oasis

Would compel him to stick around.

 

An Alchemist became his ally,

His mentor and his close friend.

Encouraging the boy to push forward.

Leaving love would not be the boy’s end.

 

The boy pressed on his journey.

Leaving love as the Alchemist advised.

This woman was a woman of the desert.

Her love returning would be her prize.

 

The boy reached the majestic pyramids.

The destination where his treasure lay.

Brutality was all he found.

Much to his dismay.

 

After the beating was over

The thief would solemnly speak.

His dreams of treasures under a Sycamore tree

Lead to disappointment and were only for the weak.