Box Of Love​

Box Of Love​

This is a very special gift    
that you can never view.
The reason it’s so special is    
it’s just from us to you.   

Whenever you are lonely,
or feel a little blue,
You only have to hold this gift
and know we think of you.

You should never unwrap it.
Please leave the ribbon tied.
Hold the box close to your heart,
It’s filled with LOVE inside!

Boxes Of Love by Sandy Brandvold

The poem originated on a box given to my Mother-in-Law, in Oregon, when my Father-in-Law died (at 56).  Alice kept it on her dresser until she died at 70...so, it obviously meant something to her.  I never did learn which friend gave it to her as it was done anonymously.  When I helped the family pack up her things, I asked if I could have the Box of Love.  Twenty years later, I rekindled the power of those words and the gesture of love, by giving them to girlfriends I had made in Sedona.  The idea of recreating them for Operation Special Delivery came from those friends!!!  I'm so pleased that the love will be spread again.  Just think, if the new recipients keep them, and their children see them...someday it may go round again with a whole new generation!

​Find out more about the kind ladies of sedonakind.org over at their website, perhaps send a few boxes of love yourself?

A priceless gift

A fav of Horsegirl 21 over at Kindspring.org

Walk in your Truth

by Daniel Horgan (a fav of Suse15 from Kindspring.org)

Turn off the distractions. Shut off the lights. Close the door. Pull the blinds.

Sit…in silence…

Breathe.

Let your mind…wander.

Feel the air…glide…over your skin.

Don’t stop. Keep breathing.

Now focus…on the truth.

Not the truth that others have assigned you.

Not the truth that you were taught to believe.

I want you to forget the labels…self-described, bullied into belief.

I want you to dream.

Not the dreams of others. Not the demands imposed upon you.

I want you to…imagine…who you will become…what you will do…where you will go.

I want you to imagine…who you were born to be.

I want you to…see it…and feel it…and explore it.

Don’t stop. Keep breathing.

Let out…that sigh of relief.

Aren’t you tired?

Tired of hiding behind all those masks?

Tired of running for fear of failure?

Tired of jumping when someone says jump?

Tired of being pushed around…and down…of falling?

Tired of hurting and losing…when you know you were born to win?

Sit in silence…

Turn off the noise…the name calling, the titles, the judgements, the scores.

Tune out the laughter…turn away from the fingers pointing.

Breathe in…and out.

Let your mind…wander.

Don’t resist the visions of possibility…the dreams of determination.

Soak in the sunlight of success…stand proudly in the footsteps you have chosen.

Don’t stop. Keep reaching.

Be grateful for this opportunity.

This birth of a new beginning.

Take off the uniform of conformity.

Pick up your pen and write your next chapter.

Don’t use the words of others…craft your own mission.

Focus on discovering your purpose.

Lean into your passion with conviction.

Stand up for your beliefs. Speak out your truth.

Don’t shy away from progress the moment that challenge arrives.

Don’t resist reality to create another façade.

Don’t let lies envelop you…suffocate your voice and paralyze your practice.

Sit…in…silence.

Embrace what you have been given.

Celebrate what’s unique.

Be confident in what you are capable of achieving.

Let the naysayers be your motivation.

Let the critics put wind in your sails.

Connect what you have to offer…with what the world needs.

Surround yourself with people…who fuel your strength to…

Walk in your truth.

http://www.dghorgangroup.com/2016/05/29/walk-in-your-truth/

... and a most beautiful wren

while still shadowed and gray
there bursts a song
from a Carolina wren
full of the anticipated day

plump brown wee bird
with upturned tail
pointing like an arrow
persistent without fail

we have a deal
the wren and me

dried mealworms
sprinkled on the wicker chair
inside the storm window's edge
and in the nooks crannied in stone
for his song's exclaim
trumpeting our never alone

mj 1.8.16 poem and drawing

A most beautiful Robin

Recorded at 7:15am, 29 May 2000, Cranberry Glades Botanical Area near Raintown, West Virginia. © Lang Elliott.


Special thanks to Marie Read (marieread.com) for use of her splendid photo of a singing robin in a red maple tree.


https://soundcloud.com/musicofnature/a-most-beautiful-robin


Lang Elliot has many, many more wonderful ear poetry from the natural world over at his Soundcloud channel https://soundcloud.com/musicofnature where you can also find details of his website, blog, podcast and Facebook.