What is Love?

What is love?

What does it mean to live  in love? 

Imagine a world where we all walk in love

An infinite LOVE                                                  

Not bound by the artificial walls we build of

Us vs. them.

A  LOVE  that  transcends    all    boundaries  and      borders 

All classes and colors; 

All genders and non-genders;

All LIFE

All species

Simply love 

Binding all branches together into one trunk 

One living spirit rooted upon Earth like the banyan tree

I'm A Radical Now

As a kid I followed the rules

Studied hard, got A’s in school.

Wanted to be good

Wanted to please my parents

Grew up with LOVE all around

Thought everyone did

And wanted to share it.

Lived a sheltered life in a small Michigan town

Now the world is upside down

LOVE 

is a radical idea.  

Look all around me

I’m surrounded by hate.

Look inside me, scared at the hate I find.

Hate intolerant people,

Hate fear mongers,

Hate ignorance.

That’s no better.

Can I change?

Have to change

Have to LOVE EVERYONE.

But can I

LOVE them simply for their humanity?

LOVE

The insanely slow driver in front of me,

The rude cashier,

The lady that despises me,

The man that despises you,

Can I LOVE them all?

Never thought I’d be a radical

Never thought LOVE was radical.

No longer following

I’M A RADICAL NOW

Not afraid

Not angry

Not judging

But loving

LOVING

LOVING.

LOVING EVERYONE.

Won’t change the world

But LOVE will change MINE.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

With Love,

Kathy :)

The Good Fight

Yesterday, Jess and I were talking about the never ending malicious behaviour of humans toward one another, in particular certain groups or societies against other groups or societies.  She asked me what I thought could be done.  I have no special qualifications to answer a such a question.  I’m simply a human, a mom, a wife, just like any other human living on this planet; from Sydney to Mumbai to Beirut to New York City.  I have the same hopes and dreams as anyone else.  But I’ve learned that when your 19 year old engages you in a discussion you cherish it and keep it going.  So I answered.  

Her main concern:  How do we fight against injustice among two groups of people? Is war/bombing the hell out of a place, the only way to stop the cycle of brutality and terror?  As a peace loving young adult she desperately wanted there to be another answer.  

Hmm.  As I write this, I realize I should have turned the question around for her to answer, to figure out on her own what could be done.  To have her really think about the problem and see what her infinitely creative mind could come up with.  But instead I had to give her my input.

I don’t think there is any one quick solution that will rid us of malicious behaviour of one group toward another.  No matter what is done there will always be people trying to gain power over another group, taking advantage of and using them for their benefit.  Magnifying differences among us to create inequalities.  Bombing or destroying “the enemy” only creates a new generation of  “enemies” to fight later.  

So is it a useless, Sisyphean task, of rolling the boulder uphill everyday only to watch it roll back down?  And do we even know which side is the “right” side?  We choose arbitrarily the side that aligns more with our own ideals and experiences, but there is not one group throughout history that has been totally innocent.  We all have a black mark on our record, so who is the real enemy?  

It is within ourselves.  It is the fears, resentments, jealousies, insecurities, and anger that we hold on to, the black spot within us all that is the real enemy.  Only when we defeat the cancer that is growing within can we look outside.  Is it an infinite task?  Sure, but each day as we strive to rid ourselves of darkness and do good in each moment, loving ourselves and one another, we bring ourselves and our world closer to a new and brighter dawn.    

What are your thoughts?

Kathy :)

Get out and make someone smile today!

Measure Your Life in Love

Hi Everybody!

I’m finally back! 

I didn’t intend to take an entire year off blogging, but a whole lot of crazy stuff happened last year and all my creative energy seemed to be sucked into a giant black hole.  

But 2016 is a new year!  

I’ve taken lots of time to think, read, and recharge and I’m throwing myself full steam ahead into life.  

I learned a lot last year. Living through 2015, brought to the surface a lot of things which I already knew deep down but maybe had hidden; like no matter how hard I try, sometimes I just can’t protect my kids from going through traumatic experiences and that’s okay because usually they come out of it stronger; that I need to be thankful every day for all the love, family, and friendships I’ve been given; and that for me the purpose of life is love.  

The love of my husband, my kids, my parents and brothers, and in-laws, the love of my friends and maybe this sounds weird, but the love of all life, everyone and every living creature I come across. Life is precious and I intend to fully live and love in each moment I’m given. To smell a rose, and feel its petal’s velvety softness, to rescue a ladybug drowning in my dishwater, to reaching a box on the top shelf for an elderly lady at the grocery store.  If I can brighten one life each day I will have done my job.   

I’m excited about this year and the changes that I’m making, in my blog and my life.  I can’t see what the future holds but I know that as long as I live and love in the moment, everything else will be okay.  

I missed you guys and I can’t wait to see what you have all been up to!  

Kathy

H is for Hugo

This year, my theme is Quotes from A-Z.  Each day I will post a quote from a person whose name starts with each day's letter.  It will be short and sweet but hopefully it will bring a moment of inspiration, laughter, or meditation to your busy day.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the quotes in the comments or what other quote is your favorite by that day's person. On each Saturday, I will list all the quotes from the week and you can vote to tell me which was your favorite!


H is for Victor Hugo
(1802-1885) French novelist and poet

Victor Hugo by Etienne Carjat 1876
Wikipedia

“To love another person is to see the face of God.”- Les Miserables












Give someone special some extra love and attention today!

Kathy :)

IWSG

Well today is the first Wednesday of October already!  I can't believe it.  That means it is time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh.

I don't want to be a big downer, but I have felt quite insecure these past few weeks...months.  I don't even really know why, other than it seems like my life just keeps getting crazier and crazier and I hardly have time to sleep let alone sit down to write something decent.

But sometimes I wonder what I bring.  Do I have anything unique to say that hasn't already been said by a million other writers?  I'm not sure. I'd like to use my love of writing for something good, to inspire or help others.  But how?  I feel like I don't know enough.

Yesterday, I was reading a book by Karen Armstrong about Buddha.  It said that every day on his search for enlightenment, he would sit and direct the feeling of love to every corner of the Earth, sowing the seeds of friendship to every single living thing, even his enemies.

I thought that was wonderful.  Maybe sending love and support is enough.  Maybe one comment I make can help someone's day be a little brighter.  And the IWSG is such a great way for all of us to send even just a little love and support all around the globe.  Thanks Alex for creating a platform for us to help each other!

So here is my little bit of love that I'm sending to all of you! (I'm closing my eyes and concentrating so I can get it to each and every one of you!)  I hope your week is full of good thoughts.

Have a great day!!!

Kathy :)