It’s elusive
But needed
Without it
It’s hard to move forward
It’s hard to function
There’s a heavy feeling
Of darkness and despair
When we are knocked down
Hope lifts us up
To try again
To reach again
To be
Beyond ourselves
And our own limits
Hope inspires us
To new heights
It fills us with light
It gets us to look for better days
To focus on the possible
To open our hearts
Hope is everything

Sometimes in our toughest times, we are given a miracle of hope

They can be unexpected but needed

In those times, we should never give up, and believe

We will be given what we need when we most need it

We are here for a purpose with our own destiny

It’s elusive
But needed
Without it
It’s hard to move forward
It’s hard to function
There’s a heavy feeling
Of darkness and despair
When we are knocked down
Hope lifts us up
To try again
To reach again
To be
Beyond ourselves
And our own limits
Hope inspires us
To new heights
It fills us with light
It gets us to look for better days
Hope is everything

It’s elusive
But needed
Without it
It’s hard to move forward
It’s hard to function
There’s a heavy feeling
Of darkness and despair
When we are knocked down
Hope lifts us up
To try again
To reach again
To be
Beyond ourselves
And our own limits
Hope inspires us
To new heights
It fills us with light
It gets us to look for better days
To focus on the possible
To open our hearts
Hope is everything

When hope is lost
Heavy darkness comes
Light diminishes
The idea of tomorrow fades
We feel mired down
Like we are stuck

When hope is lost
People lose their north
They lose their sense of purpose
Seeking any sliver of light to lift them
To show them the way
Seeking anything to inspire
Once again

When hope is lost and darkness comes
We hunger for the light
Desperation enters
We long for hope
We need it

Even when it looks like it there is no hope. Don’t give up

Believe

Even when there is darkness all around, light will find a way through

Believe

Even when things seem difficult and impossible, things will get done

Believe

Because in the end everything will work out. The impossible becomes possible and light wins over darkness

Believe

When hope is lost
Heavy darkness settles in
Light diminishes
The idea of tomorrow fades
We feel mired down in muck
We are paralyzed
People lose their north
They lose their sense of purpose
Seeking any sliver of light to lift them
To show them the way
Seeking anything to inspire
When hope is lost and darkness comes
We hunger for the light
We tire of the heaviness
We long for hope
Anything
When hope returns
We lift ourselves up
We seek the light
Want to stand in the sun
And never leave
Let the light and warmth heal
When hope returns
We have a can do feeling
We believe once again
We are willing to try
We offer a hand
We smile brightly
Laughter can be heard
We are inspired
We can create
Music gets louder
People dance
Hope is everything

Even when it looks like it there is no hope. Don’t give up

Believe

Even when there is darkness all around, light will always find a way through

Believe

Even when things seem difficult and impossible, things will get done

Believe

Because in the end everything will work out. The impossible becomes possible and light wins over darkness

Believe
Never lose hope
It lights up the world

Hope outside my door

I can feel it
It is trying to come in
It glitters like gold
It wants to lift the day
To spread the light

Hope is outside my door

To erase darkness and despair
To bring laughter and joy
To bring the sun

Hope is outside my door

To let say everything will be alright
To inspire me
To push me forward

Hope is outside my door

To shine a bright light
To show me the moon
To help me remember my path
To bring possibilities

Hope is outside my door

I can feel it
It is trying to come in
It glitters like gold
With rubies
And emeralds
It wants to lift the day
To spread light all around

Hope is outside my door

To erase the darkness and despair
To bring laughter and joy
To bring the bright yellow sun
It’s just waiting

To say everything will be alright
To inspire me
To push me forward

Hope is outside my door

To shine a light
To show me the moon
To show me the stars
To help me remember my path
To bring possibilities

Hope is outside my door
I just have to open it

Summer is here
Arrived with a fury
With vengeance
The sun is intense
Burning
Skies are crystal clear
It’s getting very hot
Hot as hades
I am not good with heat
I prefer much cooler weather
When it gets like this
Chocolate can melt
I can melt
An egg can fry
Animals seek shade
Anywhere
Because of their fur coats
Birds seek needed water
Plants turn brown
Wilting
Dying
My cat looks miserable
We all want a reprieve
Seeking something cool
Hoping for a break
Hot as hades

Summer is here
Arrived with a fury
The sun is intense
Burning
Skies are crystal clear
It’s getting hot
Hot as hades
I am not good with heat
I prefer much cooler weather
When it gets like this
Chocolate can melt
I can melt
An egg can fry
Animals seek shade
Anywhere
Because of their fur coats
Birds seek needed water
Plants turn brown
Wilting
We all want a reprieve
Seeking something cool
Hot as hades

Summer is coming 
It’s that time of year
The sun is intense 
Almost burning
Skies are clear 
It’s heating up
Hot as hades
I am not good with heat
I prefer cooler weather 
With calming breezes
When it gets like this
Chocolate can melt
An egg can fry
Cats seek shade
Anywhere 
Because of their fur coats
Birds seek needed water
Plants turn brown 
Wilting 
Seeking reprieve
Water becomes valuable
Like gold

Green palm trees trying to keep their green
Bright blue skies without a hint of white clouds
Steaming sidewalks
The signs of summer

Warm sultry breezes at night
Blow across my face
Gently seducing me
Black velvet skies
Decorated with sparkling diamond stars
The signs of summer

Flowers and flowering plants craving water
Reaching towards the light
Wind chimes churning in the breeze
Animals searching for a slice of shade
The signs of summer

Women dressed in light flowing dresses
Bright colors and patterns
Making them look like butterflies when they move
The signs of summer

Men wearing straw hats
Sunglasses
Light shirts
Linen pants with sandals
The signs of summer

Cool breezes coming late into the night offering a soothing touch to the sleeping
The signs of summer

Hot Burning Days

Green palm trees trying to keep their green
Bright blue skies without a hint of white clouds
Steaming sidewalks
Hot to the touch
Searing sun
The signs of summer

Warm sultry breezes at night
Blow across my face
Gently seducing me
With their hypnotic tickles
Black velvet skies
Decorated with sparkling diamond stars
The signs of summer

Flowers and flowering plants craving water
Reaching towards the light
Wind chimes churning in the breeze
Animals searching for a slice of shade
The signs of summer

Women dressed in light flowing dresses
Bright colors and patterns
Making them look like butterflies when they move
The signs of summer

Men wearing straw hats
Sunglasses
Light shirts
Linen pants with sandals
The signs of summer

Cool breezes arriving late into the night
Offering a soothing reprieve
The signs of summer

Hot burning days
Green palm trees trying to keep their color
Bright blue skies without a hint of white clouds
Searing sun
Steaming sidewalks

The signs of summer

Warm sultry breezes at night
Blow across my face
Gently seducing me
Black velvet skies
Decorated with sparkling diamond stars

The signs of summer

Flowers and flowering plants craving water like an addict
Reaching towards the light
Wind chimes churning in the breeze with a gentle tune
Animals searching for a slice of shade hunting for water

The signs of summer

Women dressed in light flowing dresses
Bright colors and patterns
Looking like butterflies when they move

The signs of summer

Men wearing straw hats
Sunglasses
Light shirts
Linen pants with sandals

The signs of summer

Cool breezes coming late into the night offering a soothing touch to the sleeping

The signs of summer

As you look out the window
Nighttime is approaching
You see bright pink streaks against a grey blue canvas
They are hot pink
Like the lipstick
The pink brightens becoming more intense and deep
It’s mesmerizing to the eye
As time clicks by the streaks of pink start to separate like cotton candy
Dusk is fast approaching bringing a coat of light black
The pink color disappears replaced by nighttime once again

You look out the window as nighttime approaches
It’s that time of day
You see bright pink streaks against a grey blue canvas
The pink brightens as night inches closer
The color becomes more intense and deeper
It’s almost a bright hot pink
As time clicks by the streaks of pink start to slowly pull apart like cotton candy threads
It’s stunning to watch
Dusk is approaching bringing a coat of light blackness
The lipstick pink color disappears replaced by the start of nighttime darkness once again

Ribbons of purple and gold
Scatter across the sky
Against rose colored buildings
Like a Monet painting

Hot pink sundown

A bright golden ball slowly lowers
Another day is closing
Nighttime awaits in the wings

Hot pink sundown

There’s a small  sliver of moon
Sitting high up in the sky
Against the gray blue backdrop
Almost invisible

Hot pink sundown

The air is crisp and cool
It’s wintertime once again
Animals and people bundled up
Staying off the cold

Hot pink sundown

Small white lights abound
Decorating a terrace
A remnant of the season past
Offering a welcome feeling
Darkness is not far behind
Welcoming in a new night

Hot pink sundown

Green palm trees trying to keep their green
Leaves starting to turn brown
Bright blue skies without a hint of white clouds
Steaming sidewalks
The signs of summer

Warm sultry breezes at night
Offering a coolness to the air
Blow across my face
Gently seducing me
Black velvet skies
Decorated with sparkling diamond stars
The signs of summer

Flowers and flowering plants craving water
Reaching towards the light
Birds seeking a welcome drink
Wind chimes churning in the breeze
Animals searching for a slice of shade
The signs of summer

Women dressed in light flowing dresses
Bright colors and patterns
Making them look like butterflies
The signs of summer

Men wearing straw hats
Sunglasses
Light shirts
Linen pants with sandals
The signs of summer

Cool breezes coming late into the night
Offering a soothing touch to the sleeping
Before the heat starts again
The signs of summer

Hot steamy coffee

On a cold day
With breathe visible
Bones chilled
Body aching
Longing for warmth

Hot steamy coffee

To soothe the cold
To warm up the soul
To calm the mind and set it free

Hot steamy coffee

To jumpstart the day
To motivate the body

Hot steamy coffee

Hot Steamy Coffee

Hot steamy coffee
On a cold day
With breathe visible
Bones chilled
Body aching
Longing for warmth

Hot steamy coffee
To soothe the cold
To warm up the soul
To calm the mind and set it free

Hot steamy coffee
To jumpstart the day
To motivate the body

Hot steamy coffee

Hot steamy coffee
On a cold day
With breathe visible
Bones chilled
Body aching
Longing for warmth

Hot steamy coffee
To soothe the cold
To warm up the soul
To calm the mind and set it free

Hot steamy coffee
To jumpstart the day
To motivate the body

Hot steamy coffee

Hot steamy nights
Heavy night air
Just hanging
No clean air to breathe or feel
It’s just hot
Not comfortable
No refreshment on the horizon
Just pure heat
Breezes come
But don’t cool
No solace offered
I crave a hint of freshness
Anything
Torturing my dreams
Taking away calm sleep
Causing dreams of winter
Praying it will end soon
Hot steamy nights

Hot heavy air fills the sky
It sits like a weight
No breeze to feel
Wind chimes silent in the wind
People down on the street seeking relief

Windows open searching for something, anything light and breezy
Something to cool to refresh after the searing heat of the day
Nighttime starting to come against a gray dark sky
Bright lights turned on to attract customers
Blues, reds, yellows and greens

Temperatures hopefully will start to drop
Doors open hoping to cool the air
Terraces full of people enjoying the view

Things start to slow down in preparation for the shift of the day
People waiting hoping to feel coolness against the skin as night finally comes

Hot heavy air fills the sky
It’s suffocating
No breeze to feel
Wind chimes silent in the wind

Windows open searching for something, anything light and breezy
Nighttime starting to come against the grey dark sky

Temperatures will start to drop
Doors open up hoping to receive
some comfort with cooler air

Green and grey against the canvas of nature

Things starting to slow down in preparation for the night to come

Hoping to feel the coolness against the skin as the day ends and night comes

Looking for a light breeze to come and blow across my face

A warm summer wind whips through the air and the trees
Causing them to shake to the rhythm and the beat
Lightning dabbles the sky like the quick stroke of a paint brush
Tree limbs bend as the wind darts through them
The sky lightens up from the electric charge moving through the sky
The air fills with the sound of loud thunder
A summer storm is fast approaching
Playing the wind chimes outside like a musical instrument
As they clang back and forth to the rhythm of the wind

I am a person
I am alive
I have feelings
I have needs and desires
I am no different than another
I can be hurt
I can cry
I can mourn
I can and need love
I need care, a home, sustenance
I need to belong
I want to walk free
To live my life without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
At other times, not
I am no different
For I am human

I am a person
I am alive
I have feelings
I have needs and desires
I am no different than another
I can be hurt
I can cry
I can mourn
I can and need love
I need care, a home, sustenance
I need to belong
I want peace not war
I want to walk free
To live my life without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
At other times, not
I am no different
Than another
For I am human
We all are

It is an early summer’s day
The sun is out
The sky is a perfect bright blue
There are a few white clouds scattered through the sky like a thin white veil
There is a slight breeze -- not too warm, not too cold
You are sitting in a field of tall grass
The grass is a light sand color
The grass sways gently to the breeze and makes a soft rustling sound
As you sit in the field
A cloud of butterflies  start to surround you
They are all colors -- purple, blue, yellow, red, and gold
As you put out your hands, they light onto your hand
Then, in the distance a humming bird appears
It is beautiful
Bright green with just a touch of pink
It’s feathers almost shimmer in the light
It is so small it could fit in the palm of your hand
As you watch it, its movements slow down
You can almost see the wings beat
Your heart starts beating at the same rhythm
As you close your eyes and listen to the breeze
The hummingbird gently touches your face before flying away

You are in a moment of truth bliss and peace

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will just walk away

If you love me
I will love you back
With all my heart

If you offer a chair
I will sit with you
I will give my time

If you offer peace
I will join you
Hand in hand

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will just walk away

If you love me
I will love you back
With all my heart

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will walk away

If you love me
I will love you back

If you offer a chair
I will sit with you

If you offer peace
I will join you

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will walk away

If you love me
I will love you back

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will walk away

If you love me
I will love you back

If you offer a chair
I will sit with you

If you offer peace
I will join you

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will walk away

If you love me
I will love you back

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will walk away

If you love me
I will love you back

If you offer a chair
I will sit with you

If you offer peace
I will join you

If you hurt me I will not hurt you
I will walk away

If you love me
I will love you back

She was staying at the beach
Her room was on the boardwalk
The beach was beautiful
White sand
Smooth as silk
Turquoise water
Warm sun but not too hot
When the sun hit the water
The reflection looked like shimmering diamonds

One night after dinner she sat on a bench
Facing the ocean
Watching the moon and sea do their dance together
The moon shone brightly down on the waves
Highlighting the white tips of the waves
As the moon continued to shine
The water seemed to move in an almost hypnotic way
Getting stronger and stronger
Drawing her to it

She was entranced
She could not pull herself away
Though time passed and it was time to go
She couldn’t
She was transfixed
By the moment
She watched the dance of the moon and the sea
As they spun their magic together

I am a person
I am alive
I want to live
Just like you
I have feelings
I have hopes and dreams
I have needs
I am no different from another
I need love
I need care
A home
Food and water
I want to walk free
To be able to live my life
Without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
Other times I am not
I am no different than another
I just want to be
Like you
In the end
We are all the same

I am elusive
Hard to find
Sometimes I disappear into the night
Sometimes I look like a ghost
A vapor barely there
I can be the light mist in the wind
I am invisible

I can be a shadow on the wall
A faint outline of a person
Almost disappearing
Almost not there

I am elusive
Hard to pin down
Always moving to and fro
I am a phantom
I am the dream that is not real
That disappears when you wake
The butterfly you cannot keep
A moment in time that passes

I am elusive
Never really there

I am from a different place
I am from a different time
I have walked a different path
I traveled a long distance
In many ways to arrive

I am from a different place
I am from a different time
I have walked a different path

I can be like a feather
Blowing in the wind
Untethered
Light to the touch
Almost invisible

I can be like a bird
Soaring high in the sky
Enjoying the glory of flying

I can be like a cat
Quiet and watching
The world go by

I am from a different place
I am from a different time
I walked a different path
I traveled a long distance
In many ways to arrive

I am on a path and journey
There have been twists and turns
That’s what took me here
At this place and time

I am a human being, experiencing life mostly in the present time

Somewhere along the road I realized I was a spiritual living in a human body

I celebrate both and let them manifest in resonance with each other

When I connect to another
I remember even though I was born alone and I will die alone, I am not truly alone

I am part of something greater

Believe and light up the world with kindness and care

I am a person
I am alive
I have feelings
I have needs
I am no different than another
I need love
I need care, a home and sustenance
I want to walk free
To be able to live my life without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
Other times I am not
I am no different than another
I am human

I am a person
I am alive
I want to live
I have feelings
I have hopes and dreams
I have needs
I am no different from another
I need love
I need care
A home
Food and water
I want to walk free
To be able to live my life
Without pain or hurt
At times I am alone
Other times I am not
I am no different than another
I just want to be
I just want to be

I am a human being.
I am of the spirit.
Experiencing life.
As it comes.
Mostly in the present.
Somewhere along the road,
I realized that I was a spiritual being.
Within a human body.
I celebrate both.
They are part of the same.
They are one.
When I connect to both.
I remember.
While I was born alone and will die alone.
I am truly not alone.
I am of the spirit.
I am part of the greater whole.
The universe is my home.
I am of the spirit.

I am a human being.
I am of the spirit.
Experiencing life.
As it comes.
Mostly in the present.
Somewhere along the road,
I realized that I was a spiritual being inside a human body.
I celebrate both.
They are part of the same.
They are one.
When I connect to both.
I remember.
While I was born alone and will die alone.
I am truly not alone.
I am of the spirit.
I am part of the greater whole.
The universe is my home.
I am of the spirit.

I am a human being.
I am of the spirit.
Experiencing life.
As it comes.
Mostly in the present.
Somewhere along the road,
I realized that I was a spiritual being.
Within a human body.
I celebrate both.
They are part of the same.
They are one.
When I connect to both.
I remember.
While I was born alone and will die alone.
I am truly not alone.
I am of the spirit.
I am part of the greater whole.
The universe is my home.
I am of the spirit.

In the black velvet darkness when you feel alone light a candle

Watch the flicker of the flame

In the shadow of the light you will see me

I am with you always

I came for you
Only you
Nothing else
If you had been
On the North Pole
I would have gone there
Anywhere
It’s not the place
It’s you
When you left
It broke my heart
My soul and body
I felt intolerable pain
So when a chance came
To see you again
After so much time
How could I resist
I am here for one reason
To follow my journey
To you
After all this time
It’s just about you

After feeling pulled underwater for several months

I can breathe

After feeling uncomfortable

I can breathe

My shackles have been released

I can breathe

My troubles have passed

I can breathe

Like a whale swimming to the surface for air

Once again I can breathe
I am free

I can stand in darkness
I can be consumed by the sheer heaviness of it
How it over powers and takes over

Or I can walk towards and stand in the light
Letting its brilliance soothe and heal me
Letting the warmth massage my soul and body
Giving me much needed relief

I can stand in the darkness and be alone
No one around only silence
Where heavy clouds abound

Or I can stand in the light and be surrounded by love
Bathed in its beauty

Letting the light open and fill my heart and all corners of my life

I can stand in darkness
I can be consumed by the sheer heaviness of it
How it over powers and takes over

Or I can walk towards and stand in the light
Letting its brilliance soothe and heal me
Letting the warmth massage my soul and body
Giving me much needed relief

I can stand in the darkness and be alone
No one around only silence
Where heavy clouds abound

Or I can stand in the light and be surrounded by love
Bathed in its beauty

Letting the light open and fill my heart and all corners of my life

If someone touched your life a long time ago, but you lost touch -- reach out
If someone touched your heart in a very special way -- reach out
If there is someone you never forgot and wish you were still in touch -- reach out
For all those wished second chances -- wish and try again
For all those lost opportunities, try once more
For all the times you lost faith, believe again
For every time you received a kindness, or a break, or something wonderful happened, be grateful and smile
For all the love you have received, love back
For all the smiles you have received, smile back
This is a magical time, whether or not one practices these holidays
Take advantage of this time, to love, to give, to remember, to smile and to reach out