Bounce Back Better

Setbacks are inevitable…

to recover is not a passive movement,

resiliency is an active affirmation,

Absorbing the effects of the injury

affects restoring comfort and happiness –

surpass survival – thrive.

Well-being is not an accident.

Engaged is not a coincidence.

Harmony is not a lucky chance.

Total commitment…

exercise the body, adjust the attitude,

embrace the healing, persevere in prayer.

Aware of the difference, re-focus,

listen to the change –

rest assured – never be the same.

Well-being is not an accident.

Engaged is not a coincidence.

Harmony is not a lucky chance.

Persecuted

Blessed are those who are persecuted

because of righteousness

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven[1]

Abandoned and marginalized,

it’s difficult to bear bias,

harder to endure injustice

to suffer inequality.

Thus, disregarded by blind eyes,

marginalized, and abandoned

the consigned, to the dung heap, hope

for delayed gratification.

Uprightness demands commitment,

truth always asks for sacrifice

and guards blamelessness constantly,

yes, justice can be elusive.

Walking the selfless courage path

entails optimistic patience

and advances the sustained strength

of eternal restoration.

Those who are mistreated

defending decency

enjoy eternal bliss.

[1] Matthew 5: 10

Embracing Change

O God,

I am tired and confused.

Help me be still,

Help me be quiet and listen,

Help me not be overwhelmed by what must be done.

Give me peace as I start anew.

Help me rest assured in your presence,

Help me say, “Yes, I can”,

Help me trust you and myself.

O God,

Bestower of blessings and giver of grace,

embrace me with peace and love,

and embrace all who are dear to me,

for your Word heralds harmony and calls us to communion.

I will hold the tension,

and rest in the holy silence,

secure with your mercy and protection,

I wholeheartedly say, “Here I am”.

O God,

Give me the patience to stay the course,

give me the courage to strive forward,

give me the strength to get up after I stumble.

Show me the Way.

Indeed it is

Core

My core was compromised –

a stomach hernia required repair.

Every movement exercises the core

and the operation made moving hurt.

All movement was painful

but prone was the most challenging.

Three to five days of recuperation

became three to five weeks of restriction.

Indeed, it was unpleasant

and the healing task daunting.

The elastic binder at first a blessing

became a bother and the constraint foregone.

So too, the opioid was of little use

impacting breathing and making me uncomfortable.

My body altered, my being shook,

my gut shuddered; my chakra uttered…

My core is on the mend –

my abdomen is reinforced,

a lump replaced with evenness

to recover flexibility.

My core is restored –

to process needs and wants,

to sustain with patient support,

to practice affirmation.

Peacemaker

Blessed are the peacemaker

for they will be called children of God[1]

Peace does not deliver justice…

to make peace involves everyone’s

sacrifice for the common good.

Pacificism deescalates,

submits right action as good will,

and thus, promotes freedom from strife.

Communion asks all get along –

simply dwell non-competitively

as neighbors not adversaries.

Reconciliation affords

inclusive accommodation

in the midst of acrimony.

Those who find ways to soothe

fulfill the covenant.

[1] Matthew 5: 9

Merciful

Blessed are the merciful

for they will be shown mercy.[1]

Above peace, empathy’s comfort,

beyond justice, compassion’s heart,

hence harmony’s restoration.

Cooperation heals our wounds,

our listening first, speaks volumes,

and keeps judgment from directing.

Forgiving includes forgetting –

unfailing generosity

fulfills unconditional love,

Intrinsic to our covenant,

relief precludes anxiety,

concern excludes retribution.

Those who take care of their neighbor

will be treated with gentleness.

[1] Matthew 5: 7

Pace

“When I walk, I walk slow.

When I run, I run fast.”[1]

There is a time to be watchful.

There is a time to be enthused.

There is a time to be measured.

There is a time to be nimble.

Walking is a time to relish the view –

to be aware of surroundings,

to absorb the Wind’s gentle breath,

to feel the Earth’s warmth with each step.

Running is a time to enjoy the deed –

to impact the situation

to commit with Water’s intent

to fulfill Fire’s fearlessness

“When I walk, I walk slow.

When I run, I run fast.”

There is a time to be open.

There is a time to be breathless.

There is a time to be gentle.

There is a time to be leading.

Life has a lot of twists and turns

I sometimes walk and sometimes run,

To move forward and not dither

I focus and maintain right pace.

With eyes that see and ears that hear

I sometimes walk and sometimes run,

to explore, to find, a new way

and I will never be the same.

[1] Wren William Maulbeck

Meek

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

The kind and gentle will persist,

continue to have compassion,

they will always yield to neighbor

and obey the union of wills.

The kind of heart form endless bonds,

the gentle of spirit promote

symbiotic relationships

benefitting all those involved.

Meekness is not intuitive.

It entails rigorous practice,

and requires a true presence,

and complete accompaniment.

Co-creating a legacy,

a heritage of gentleness,

gives back to accommodators

strengthening cultural kindness.

Those who wholeheartedly submit

will have their share of earth’s future.

Carefulness

My Lady and My God,

May we see with your eyes and hear with your ears,

the needs and wants of our neighbor,

Grant that we have the patience, courage, and strength,

to love as you love.

Engender in us the tenderness, kindness, and gentleness

to promote communion with all things.

Prevent us from hurting anyone in any way,

rather encourage us to take care of everyone in every way.

Forgive us our offenses,

and inspire us to forgive those who have offended us.

For we know being careful

begins with your care for us,

and ends with us being careful with our neighbor

Indeed it is.

Cover

Cooperation can be difficult,

to have each other’s back…

I told her that she is protected,

I will provide her cover.

Assurance is idyllic and wonderful,

what happens stays between us…

She will never be canceled,

regardless what nay-sayers uncover.

There are no guarantees,

but there are always possibilities…

I am with her always, open

to the opportunities we discover.

Sometimes the way is unclear,

and our path appears to be blocked…

She must not fear losing her balance,

I am here and we will recover.

Secure with faith we can rest,

having walked side by side…

I showed her I safeguarded

her place with complete cover.