Faith – Page 7 – Inspiration for the Mind, Body & Soul

We Must Hold On To Hope

I know you think the world is too dark to even dream in color, but I’ve seen flowers bloom at midnight. I’ve seen kites fly in gray skies and they were real close to looking like the sunrise, and sometimes it takes the most wounded wings, the most broken things to notice how strong the breeze is, how precious the flight.

~ Andrea Gibson

Today, I am truly at a loss for words. My heart and prayers go out to the victims of the mass shooting in Florida and their families, friends and communities. May we all hug our loved ones a little tighter tonight. In a world full of such hate, intolerance and senseless violence, we must hold on to hope for a better tomorrow.

Happiness

by Raymond Carver

So early it’s still almost dark out.
I’m near the window with coffee,
and the usual early morning stuff
that passes for thought.

When I see the boy and his friend
walking up the road
to deliver the newspaper.

They wear caps and sweaters,
and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.
They are so happy
they aren’t saying anything, these boys.

I think if they could, they would take
each other’s arm.
It’s early in the morning,
and they are doing this thing together.

They come on, slowly.
The sky is taking on light,
though the moon still hangs pale over the water.

Such beauty that for a minute
death and ambition, even love,
doesn’t enter into this.

Happiness. It comes on
unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really,
any early morning talk about it.

Happiness. A true understanding of this term eludes many people. Happiness is not found in the physical world, it’s something that is borne from within. It is something that once you find it, it transcends you whole soul, your very being. And, the amazing thing about happiness is that it sneaks up on you when you are least expecting it.

Life’s Harmonies

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Let no man pray that he know not sorrow,
Let no soul ask to be free from pain,
For the gall of to-day is the sweet of to-morrow,
And the moment’s loss is the lifetime’s gain.

Through want of a thing does its worth redouble,
Through hunger’s pangs does the feast content,
And only the heart that has harbored trouble,
Can fully rejoice when joy is sent.

Let no man shrink from the bitter tonics
Of grief, and yearning, and need, and strife,
For the rarest chords in the soul’s harmonies,
Are found in the minor strains of life.

The person who you are today exists because of everything you have gone through in life – this includes the good, bad, painful and truly heartbreaking moments. You are a product of all of your experiences throughout life – this is why you never stop growing and learning as the years creep by. So, be careful in saying you wish you could go back in time and change events or make different choices. For every twist, turn and bump in the road has shaped who you are today.

As You Go Through Life

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Don’t look for the flaws as you go through life;
And even when you find them,
It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind
And look for the virtue behind them.
For the cloudiest night has a hint of light
Somewhere in its shadows hiding;
It is better by far to hunt for a star,
Than the spots on the sun abiding.

The current of life runs ever away
To the bosom of God’s great ocean.
Don’t set your force ‘gainst the river’s course
And think to alter its motion.
Don’t waste a curse on the universe –
Remember it lived before you.
Don’t butt at the storm with your puny form,
But bend and let it go o’er you.

The world will never adjust itself
To suit your whims to the letter.
Some things must go wrong your whole life long,
And the sooner you know it the better.
It is folly to fight with the Infinite,
And go under at last in the wrestle;
The wiser man shapes into God’s plan
As water shapes into a vessel.

Life is an experience meant to be had – don’t fight it. Don’t waste time dissecting every aspect of it and end up overanalyzing life’s journey. Don’t be overly critical, for you will undoubtedly make mistakes – so, learn from them and move forward along the path you have chosen. And at the end of the day, try to relax and enjoy the ride.

Wonder

by Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi

Wonder,
A garden among the flames!
My heart can take on any form:
A meadow for gazelles,
A cloister for monks,
For the idols, sacred ground,
Ka’ba for the circling pilgrim,
The tables of the Torah,
The scrolls of the Quran.
My creed is Love;
Wherever its caravan turns along the way,
That is my belief,
My faith.

As we begin another week, remember it is a time of new beginnings – a time to start anew and lay down the burdens of yesterday. When you first open your eyes, allow wonder and love to fill your soul. In your moment of solitude, allow yourself to really see and feel the beauty that surrounds you.

Have Faith

Joy And Peace In Believing

Poem by William Cowper

Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing on His wings;
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation,
And find it ever new;
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E’en let the unknown to-morrow
Bring with it what it may!

It can bring with it nothing,
But He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing,
Will clothe His people too;
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed;
And He who feeds the ravens
Will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig tree neither
Their wonted fruit shall bear,
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there:
Yet God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For, while in Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.

Let go and let God is one of my favorite turn of phrases to use. No matter what you may face in this life, no matter how painful or how difficult – God will see you through. So, have faith that no matter what tomorrow brings, you can handle it so long as you let go and let God.

Dreams

Poem by David Herbert Lawrence

All people dream, but not equally.
Those who dream by night
in the dusty recesses of their mind,
Wake in the morning to find that it was vanity.

But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people,
For they dream their dreams with open eyes,
And make them come true.

Never lose sight of your dreams. Dream big and work to make your dreams a reality. Don’t foreclose the door on opportunity because it seems like a longshot. Be courageous enough to dream with your eyes open, to envision what you want your future to look like – for everything is possible when you truly believe.

Each Day a Life

Each Day A Life

by Robert William Service

I count each day a little life,
With birth and death complete;
I cloister it from care and strife
And keep it sane and sweet.

With eager eyes I greet the morn,
Exultant as a boy,
Knowing that I am newly born
To wonder and to joy.

And when the sunset splendours wane
And ripe for rest am I,
Knowing that I will live again,
Exultantly I die.

O that all Life were but a Day
Sunny and sweet and sane!
And that at Even I might say:
“I sleep to wake again.”

As another week comes to a close, I wanted to emphasize that you should strive to always live each day to the fullest. I love the concept of treating each day as if it were a new life. If you treat each day as a new life, you allow yourself to experience the wondrous joy and excitement that each morning brings. Never forget that life is truly all about the perspective you choose to view it from.

The Steps We Take

Poem by LeKeisha Suggs

In life, things rarely go as planned
And it seems like one disappointment after another
You soon realize that maybe reality isn’t so grand
But you must accept, life is a unique journey like no other

And with this comes many ups and downs
So, stop overthinking every step you take
And focus on enjoying the sights and sounds
For you will learn, the privilege of life is worth every ache

Here is a poem I wrote after a tough couple of days. I hope each of you are able to connect with my words and my message. I invite you to comment and share your thoughts!

Infinite Hope

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

On the surface, this quote may seem deceptively simple. However, when you really take a moment to think about each word, the true power of Dr. King’s statement resonates with your very being. In this life, each of us will face unimaginable disappointments and setbacks. But, you cannot allow for these obstacles to destroy your hope that things can and will get better. In these times of great difficulty, you must rely more than ever on your faith in humanity, in people, in this world and in God that no matter how long the night, the dawn will break.