jpeschel1

Find A Song

How can I live in a world
Where outside my window
Birds are singing
And the sun is lighting up my day?

At the same time, bombs are exploding
Structures are ablaze,
Leaving behind death and
The living moving franticly away.

How can it be
That I long for peace
And freedom,
Simple joy in every day?

While there’s another
Who keeps grabbing, rabidly,
For everything.
Pushing the rest of us away.

Outside my window,
The birds continue to sing,
Just living their life
In the middle of all this everything!

And I think,
So should I, and I try
To stay focused on the moment.
I need to find a song to sing.

Bridge

I stand on a bridge
In the middle of
Yesterday and tomorrow.

Stuck
Wanting to go back
Dreaming forward.

A wind blows
Find your balance.
Now!

#WordPrompt

Flowers Always Face The Sun

Flowers do not ask permission.
They’re stubborn. Persistent.
Pushing their way up.
Forcing beauty upon you.

The sun doesn’t ask for help.
It’s determined. Ornery.
Radiating warmth
Whether you want it or not.

Be that persistent flower.
Don’t ask.
Just push through darkness.
Bloom wherever you are planted.

Be that determined sunshine.
Regardless of distance and brutal cold
Rise every day, no matter what.
Keep shining.

Flowers and sunshine.
The world’s adamant reminder
That there is and always will be
Beauty and light all around us.

But cold, dark days are thrown at us,
Leaving us longing for sunshine and flowers.
In your darkest moments,
Turn towards the light.

Flowers always face the sun.
Be a flower. Face the sun.
Stand in power and conviction.
Beauty and light will prevail.

Sunflowers In A Storm

Sweet, brilliant flowers
Reaching, growing,
Always turning toward the sun

Free to sway with
Each gentle breeze
Opening as each day’s begun.

Fragile, though.
Vulnerable
To weather’s wrath.

Uncontrollable forces
That rip at, burn,
And smash.

Storms rage.
Winds whip angrily
Hour after hour after hour.

Clouds burst.
Rain pours down
On all the gentle flowers.

Flowers try to hold on
To their bloom,
But petals drop and scatter.

The ground
Absorbs what it can
But to the rain, the ground doesn’t matter.

The storms damage
Lay strewn all around
Leaves hang heavy with grief

Still the sun pushes through
Radiating warmth
The earth gives a sigh of relief.

Seeds drop
And spread
On rain-soaked ground

Laying in wait.
Preparing.
Quietly. Not making a sound

While the sun
Works mightily
To push away the cloud.

The roots
Link arms underground
Preparing to rise again, mighty and proud.

Oh The Places I’ll Sit

The sun is shining
The temperature is warm
So get out of that chair
It’s gotten impressionistically warn!

Time to get up, get out,
Put on your shoes and get on your way
I feel the energy
This is going to be a great day!

I go to my woods
I’m ready to walk
But then…I see a robin
Who seemed to want to talk.

So I sat on a stump
And chatted a bit
I have to admit
It felt good to sit.

But no! I’m here to get moving
Let’s get back up and go
Well…then I saw the creeping phlox
Putting on this incredible show

I had to take a moment
Just to enjoy it’s delicate charm
I felt that sitting just a bit
Wouldn’t do any harm

Then up I get. Time to go
I’m movin’ right along
Listening to the birds
Enjoying their individual song.

Oh… but wait,
There’s a willow just beginning to weep
How can I not take a moment
The power of this imagine so deep.

Then a waterfall reminded me
“Keep moving. Get on your way”
It was so loud and insistent
OK, OK, OK!

I’m walking,
I’m walking.
Working up a sweat

But then….

I saw the turtle and
That was
The end of it!

Look at the images in the water ripples. What do you see?

The turtle message is crystal clear
Slow down.
Savor all the little bits
And so I find a good log and…I sit!

The Photos are Mine. The Poem is Mine, but…

The title of the poem has a nod to Dr. Seuss. I just thought that was fun. So then I took pictures of things as I walked and really didn’t look at them closely until I brought them up on my computer. And then, there in the ripples of the water were two characters. I googled Dr. Seuss characters and Yertle the Turtle comes pretty close to the character on the left and although there were no particular dog characters that matched, there was an archived book that came out in July, 2015 that’s called “What Pet Shall I Get”. Dr. Seuss was a dog lover.

Painting With Words

I have been having fun with a poetry group during this pandemic. Writing one or more poems a week is a good challenge. Throughout the election and the painful weeks leading up to and including the Inauguration, January 20, 2021, many of my poems spoke of fear and anger and frustration. Then, along came Amanda Gorman with her beautiful, bright, truthful but optimistic poem “The Hill We Climb”, and our group was lit on fire!

I Started To Write – Really Write

First I wanted to write a poem like her’s. I wanted it to tell a story. I listened to how she read that poem over and over again and marked up my printed version with hashmarks every time she took a breath. Then I’d practice reading her words out loud, breaking where she broke, running one sentence into another, pausing to emphasize certain words and I realized that hearing the poem, hearing her read it, made the poem come alive!

Hearing The Words

Hearing the words of the poem sounded so much different/better than simply trying to read the words. And I realize that has been what our poetry group has been for each other. We write then we read it out loud to the group. We can emphasize, pause, and then reflect on the poem when finished. It’s magical!

Now WordPress Had A Podcast Version

So there I was, scrolling through my emails when I see one from WordPress saying that I could easily turn anyone of my blogs into a podcast using Anchor. Now, I’m a curious sort of person so I had tried Anchor once before thinking it would be fun to join the podcast craze but I didn’t last long. But now, the idea of marrying my poems with a podcast seems absolutely perfect. So I’m going to give it a try with this week’s poem(s).

WordPress, if this works, I will be a very happy blog/podcast aspiring poet!

Saying “Yes” To Your Life

How many times have you been told “No” and you allowed that simple word to stop you?

Over my many years, I have entered into areas where someone thought I didn’t belong.

Going to college. Getting a divorce. These are two that leap to my consciousness right now. There were many smaller events as well. Little things that told me that I was not worthy of having that thing, going that direction, being with that person. Well intentioned people who tried to block my life from happening. I have done it, as well, to others, I have to admit. Somehow thinking that we know better how someone is supposed to play out their life’s journey keeps us busily away from seriously focusing on our own.

Rules, Protocols, Traditions, Beliefs

There are all these rules, protocols, traditions, beliefs along your journey that you feel obligated to uphold. And so you do… until some defining moment when something stronger intervenes. It’s a pull, a push, a strong sensation that no matter what others think or believe, you are destined to do something different. And while others are shouting “No, No, No”, there is a stronger voice that’s louder; “It’s time. It’s time. It’s time.”

It’s Time!

It’s these times, when you go against all logic, all learned behavior, all past traditions, and you follow destiny. These are the moments when you accept YOU. Not someone else’s vision of you but you, the one unique being that God created you to be. And, later, while looking in that rear view mirror, you are somehow surprised! How did I get here? How was I so fortunate? How did I manage to make this happen?

It was destiny’s push that filled your brain with a positive message. Words that strongly repeated “Yes, I can!”, while others were saying “No.”

“Yes I Can”

Words of confirmation: “I am capable”. “I am smart.” “I am worthy!” Marching orders. Repeat them. Shout them out loud as you put one foot in front of the other and move…forward!

I Have One Life

And it belongs to me. I have been put on this earth to carry out some mission. I am unique just like you are unique. My mission was predetermined before I was born. I believe that I have spent most of my life trying to figure out what that mission actually was supposed to be. It’s taken me a lifetime to realize that I had choices every single step of the way. And it has been those choices that either held me back or opened me up to the life I am supposed to live.

So Begin Today

Today, I will begin. I will say “Yes” to my life as it unfolds. I will not throw up barriers. I will not let fear or judgement close doors that were presented for me to open. It’s never to late to say “Yes” to your life. It’s never too late.

I am capable!

I am smart!

I am worthy!

Call On The Butterfly When It’s Time To Change

It’s Time For A Change

Time to once again find the courage to break free of a self-imposed cocoon. I need you right now, Butterfly. Remind me:

Lighten up. Stop taking everything so seriously. It’s time to make a change. In spite of the challenges, you’ll get through this transition…as always, remember, “this too shall pass”. (Farmer, S.D., 2006)

Ok, ok. I can do this.

Every Single Time, I Freak Out!

I’ve lived long enough to have experienced change before. Many times, actually. Yet, every single time, my brain goes into “freak out” mode. Still, still, I never ever let that fear stop me from making that change! NEVER!

Sometimes, it slowed me down, though, I have to admit. Fear is such a powerful force. And, slowing down is actually not a bad response. So I will say that fear can be a healthy thing, for a time. But, fear should never be used as a REASON to stop you from changing.

So, over my life time, I have learned how to breathe through fear and embrace change.

Praying Through It All

You know, when I was a little kid, I was taught to say specific prayers. Raised Catholic, I endured rosary after rosary and it was called “praying”. I didn’t get it. I wasn’t praying! I was simply barking out memorized lines of a chant. “Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee…” Over and over again, we would repeat these lines because we needed to ask God for forgiveness for our sins.

It wasn’t until I was older that I actually found the courage to tell my mother that I wanted to just talk to God, not say so many Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s. She did not approve! Still, it was then that I truly learned how to pray. But for years, I didn’t pray because I thought praying was all about asking for something, begging for something and I didn’t think it was right to think that I deserved anything better than anyone else. It was years later that I found that I could actually pray to God in thankfulness. And I did, and I do most every night.

But then there are those times where I am going through a change and my brain is freaking out and I find myself begging for a sign that everything will be ok. It was during one of these “freak out” sessions that I learned of Animal Spirit Guides by Steven D. Farmer. It was at this moment that I felt, for the first time, that I could feel and see guidance from the spirit world. And, for maybe the first time in my life, I felt that I didn’t have to push through a change on my own anymore.

Now, I talk to God but I also talk to family members who have passed before me. I ask them for help freely. And then I pay attention to the signs. Most of the best signs I see in nature with the guidance of the Animal Spirit Guide and a set of cards. Messages From Your Animal Spirit Guide by Steven Farmer is the deck of cards that I use on a regular basis. And when I’m going through a change, I will get messages that may say things that include “go for it” to “slow down” or “step back to see the big picture”.

And Sure Enough, I Get Through It

Yes I do, with the help of my guides, I move through change with strength and conviction but also with thoughtful reflection. Fear does not define me. Fear slows me down. Fear tells me to proceed with caution but I don’t let fear stop me. It’s when I feel fear that I reach out to God and all the spirits of my loved ones and say “I need help with this one. Please, tell me what to do.” And then I listen.

Listen

Pay attention. Messages are all around us. Today, I needed the message of the Butterfly. I am headed into another change.

This Is A Story About A Robin…But You Have To Wait For It!

No, I’m not going to mention this robin right now. Wait for it.

First, I need to share this:

Yesterday was one of those days; an incredible day that ended with me feeling as though I had real purpose.

It started simply enough with me taking my brother to a doctor’s appointment. It wasn’t any simple appointment though. He was to be scheduled for quadruple bypass surgery. The doctor’s office is in an area unfamiliar to my brother so I offered to meet him halfway and drive him in. The first road was blocked with a bridge out. He instantly panicked but luckily I knew a different route. He was thankful, at that moment, for me. The appointment had a twist. We thought we were to schedule surgery, instead he needs to return to meet, first, with another cardiologist. They have to make his heart strong enough for surgery. My brother has a bit of a short fuse, so luckily I was there to keep everything calm. Then, as we tried to set up a schedule for this additional doctor, I felt that the directions had been listed wrong. I was right! He needed a “heart failure” cardiologist not just a regular cardiologist. It was because I had taken notes during our meeting with the surgeon that I was able to catch this and get it checked out and corrected before we made an unnecessary trip in to the wrong doctor. My brother was safely delivered back to our halfway meeting point and he was calm. My duty was done and he was very thankful. I was pleased.

Second Story:

Then, my sister called. She’s been living through several tough years. She hates her job, also has heart issues, and just recently went through breast cancer surgery. Through all of this, she has had a dream of running her own business; a shop of up-cycled treasures. Last summer, we worked together to try it out by setting up displays at flea markets. That worked well enough but made her tired and disappointed. Still, the spring warmth and sunshine has her longing to try again. With her energy level low, I’d offered to drive to her home every Saturday (75 minutes away) to help get things ready. Then she hears that someone has a booth at an antique mall and would like to split the cost with her. I jumped at the chance to encourage this. “I’ll split the cost with you”, I say. Still it took two weeks before she contacted her friend and followed through with signing a 6 month lease for her half. I was there again this Saturday to price some items and take them over this last Saturday. She begins placement of her treasures and I could see that she was in her happy place. She has an eye for design. She started immediately rearranging the items already there, placing them in ways that compliment their value and then started placing hers. In a little over an hour, we were done and she was pleased. But it was yesterday when she called that there was actual joy in her voice. She had returned to her booth to place a few more items. The owner made a special point of telling her how nice the booth looked. She told her more than once. My sister mentioned it to me five times during our conversation. She then shared a story about this job that she hates. She’s been moved back to the deli area; the area that she had said was way too hard on her. Today she was super busy. Why? Because people are glad she’s back! She was overjoyed! Her hate for the job replaced with a new sense of value. I ended this conversation feeling as though I maybe had a bit of role in moving her towards her dream. She was happier than I have heard her in years. And I smiled.

Third Story And This Is Where The Robin Comes In:

I was sitting down, ready to eat and the phone rings yet again. I see who’s calling and my instinct was to ignore it and go on with my dinner. Instead, I answered. “Jane, you’re my bird lady. You have to help me. There is this robin that has been flying into my window all day long. What is wrong with this bird?” I tell her what I know about this kind of bird behavior but truthfully she really just wants to tell me how frustrating it all was and how she’s tried everything to make it just stop. Then she changes topic a bit and tells me how upset she’s been lately with her life and how she even prayed to God to send someone to help her. At that point, I said that maybe the robin was trying to get a message to her and while she continued to share her despair, I looked up the spirit message of the robin and then stopped her and said, “This is the message from the robin.”

If Robin has flown into your life;
Robin signifies stimulation of new growth and renewal in many areas of life. He teaches that any changes can be made with joy, laughter and a song in your heart. This bird shows you how to ride the winds of passion within your heart and become independent and self reliant through this change. The energy of this bird will teach you how to move forward with grace, tenacity, perseverance and assertion. Are you letting go of personal dramas? Ones that no longer serve your higher purpose? Are you exercising compassion and patience in mental, spiritual and emotional areas? This creature will teach how to incorporate new beginnings with faith and trust in the process. It is time to believe in yourself and use the inspiration that is given. Listen carefully. It is time sing your own song for a new period in your life.

When I finished, I waited for a response and instead heard silence. I was worried that I had gone too far. Perhaps she wasn’t interested in the possibility of animals sending messages to her. But instead, she said, “You have no idea how amazing it is to hear that right now and let me tell you why.” She went on to share how so many things have been out of order in her life for the past months, how she had just told her husband that she needed to do something to change it, to bring back the joy in her life, to find her way back to taking care of herself, how she needed to back away from trying to be everything to everyone else. And then she spoke of how much she missed our time together at the gym we had belonged to and I agreed. We had been healthy and strong and we had both been away from that for too long. We made a plan to meet tomorrow to get some exercise. And then she said, “Well, I asked God to send someone to help me and I never thought it would be a bird!” And she laughed. I smiled and then said, “Maybe God sent me.”

I went to bed last night with a happy heart.

Slow Down. Wait For Me!

Wait for me you guys!

Why be in such a hurry?

Let’s enjoy today.

Remember when days seemed to go so slow?

When waiting for something seemed like an endless chore? “I can hardly wait until…I turn sixteen so I can drive.. graduate from high school… turn 21 so I can legally drink… graduate from college… get married… have a baby… buy my first house.” And then something happens. All of a sudden, the “I can’t wait until” becomes “I don’t want to turn 30…40…50…60! Slow down! Hold on! Everything is going too fast!”

And then, something inside your head says, “Just breathe.”

You stop for a moment and do just that and it’s like the first time that you actually heard birds singing or saw that tiny flower poking through the ground. It’s the first time that you stood still and actually felt the warmth of the sun and saw the rays beaming through the branches of a tree. And hearing a baby cry sounds more like a miracle instead of a noise.

Slow down

It’s at this point that you realize that each day is a gift and you have a choice. You can rush through the day and fall exhausted into bed each night feeling as though you will never ever get everything done and time is passing you by. Or, you can find it in yourself to slow down and look at everything as a gift. Today is a gift. My home, the people who surround me, my health, the food in my cupboards, and that sunshine are all gifts.

Enjoy the moment

Once you allow yourself this moment, you realize that nothing is more important…not yesterday…not tomorrow. This moment is a gift. Enjoy it.