Hope rises like a flame

Out of the darkness,

Hope rises like a flame:

A prayer ignited and fueled by the light

that lies at the root, at the source of all.

Alone but never lonely

Sometimes it’s good to just sit back and chill out...

Alone doesn’t have to feel lonely.

Not asking for what we need

How often we get the world upside down;

growing angry with others

for things they didn’t do or say

when really the root of the problem

is our own failure to ask for what we need,

preferring instead to righteously assume

that the other person should just know.

For all the times I’ve done that? I’m sorry...

Carved by loving hands

How many times have I walked by this door,

and never really looked at it?

How is it I never noticed how amazingly beautiful it is?

Take a minute today to step out of your head,

out of your preoccupation with what’s ahead,

or what you’ve left behind,

and notice what’s right here, right now,

the beautiful opportunity that is offered you,

carved by loving hands into the present.

The love that lies beneath

Take some time today

to touch into the deeper reality of things.

It may not be pretty.

but in stripping away that rough surface,

you may expose the solid core

of love that lies beneath...

Plans and limitations

The most important lesson my art has taught me is this:

If we determine what we want to achieve

when we start out, then all we’ve done

is to limit where we end up.

All stages of growth are beautiful

Whether you’re budding, blossoming,

or in full bloom, you’re beautiful —

and right where you need to be!