M.E.'s Thoughts

How many people find it really hard to relax? As I was watching Iron Man 3 the other night I felt myself thinking how lazy I am. Here is this guy who never sleeps, builds extravagant machinery on a perpetual basis and flies all over the world fighting the bad guys. And here I had slept in that morning... Yet as I was talking to a friend today at lunch, she commented on how much energy I have and how insanely busy my schedule is. Apparently, booking a lunch date with me is next to impossible. When I told her how lazy I have been feeling lately, she almost fell off her chair laughing! Her response?? "You haven't even been able to sit still through our hour long meal!!" How many of us are working harder than we have ever in our life and yet feel like we are not doing enough? When there is a free hour in our day, we wonder what we are missing; what we have forgotten to get done. When I have no immediate tasks in front of me, I often find myself searching my mental ...

My strength is withered Eyes heavy with drain Awakening from sleep Less alive than the day before Arms too weighted To lift in surrender Each breath an effort Beneath leaden lungs Standing frozen The stifling air around Making slightest movement A Herculean effort Desire deadened Defeated apathy Crawling across numb skin  Curling tendrils around every limb Shadows of happiness Mocking empty days Joys of yesterday Feeding the present darkness I am finished Drained of all capacity Cumbrous weights Ground me still Worn limbs dragging Through sticky syrup The cloying sweetness Of strategic deceit Who will carry me Move my spirit From this barrenness Into a new day Who will save me From sinking deep Into sand of sorrow To stand supremely strong Who will feed me Pour out life anew Intrude my space With streams of strength

Exhaustion, Droplets streaking lines down a dusty mask Sunlight glaring off shards of shattered armour A floodlight filling the silent stage Heaving, Lungs burning raw with each inhalation Defeat and smoke mingling in recessed cavities To be sent out again with a rush Shaken, Muscles tensed and pulsating in stillness On deadened ground feet charred and blistered stand The earth wasted after the violent eruption Silence, Deafening in its peaceful lull Moments of time shocked into hesitation The field reverently posed for picture Jubilant, Arms raised in exaltation, lacerations forgotten Voice bellowing with triumph, labored breath ignored Head lifted to glory, eyes open to the sun's daze The struggle is of yesterday Threats banished from the mind Danger dissolved, energies restored Wounds beginning already to clot And in the silence A rapturous cheer The enemy has been defeated All affliction is forgotten In victory

Lounging luxuriously under a chalkboard sky The slate a cloudless, pristine cerulean Blank anticipation dripping sweetly Possibilities boundless Raising a brush loaded with imagination A swirling hand making lazy wisps Twirly cues and curls Wide, broad swings of abandon Playfully interrupted by  Intricate, patterned sketches Breezes smudging lines Shifting shapes into new creations Mingling this and that together Sweetly harmonious Leaning back in simple admiration Reaching up to swipe here Adding a splash and smatter there Amusedly, with a shake of the head The giant etch-a-sketch sky clears The canvas again heavy with expectancy A perfectly sublime way To spend a languid pause in time Painting dreams in the sky

Who really wants to be told what to do? Many of us grumble about being “micromanaged”, “dictated to”, “preached at” and simply “bossed around” but we don’t do much about it. If we want to be given responsibility, we need to TAKE responsibility for ourselves. There are a great number of articles and blogs out there to help managers and leaders learn how to motivate and inspire their “team” but ultimately the ones who have the power to make this happen are you, the team members!  So, here’s how to take control (sorry, it’s not sugar coated): 1. Assess your value. Time spent at a desk is not equal to dedication. It’s about what you bring. What value are you adding besides the “honor of your presence”? Remember, quality is worth more than quantity. 2. Take action. Often we are afraid of taking action or making a decision because we will be held accountable for the outcomes. But who do you think is more admired? The risk-taker or the side-line sitter? 3. Ask question...

I believe, You are here always, forever I believe, that Your love covers all I believe, You sent Your Son to die and I believe, You saved us from the fall I know, You protect me as I sleep I know, You want only the best of best I know, You see my deepest dreams and I know, You are a place of rest I may stray, from Your perfect path I may fall, along the way I may think, I need to know it all But I BELIEVE, that You know all and that's all I need to know. I believe, You made me as I am I believe, You gifted me with life I believe, creation knows Your voice and I believe Your power conquers strife I know, You have me in your hand I know, You shelter me from the storm I know, You offer grace and peace and I know, You love my broken form I may lose, my sight from time to time I may let, my flesh get in the way I may think, I need to know it all But I BELIEVE, that You know all and that's all I need to know.

Delve into my mind One day a darkened nest Of tangled webs. Hopeless deceit Trapping me in frozen chaos Delve into my mind One day joy’s playground; Songs bursting, Airy innocence Sending me soaring into oblivion Delve into my mind One day the vacant expanse; Exhaustion choking, Velvety blackness Lulling me into dull complacency Delve into my mind One day a tranquil chamber; Soothing contentment, Warm and silky Blanketing me in cushiony revival Delve into my mind Welcome to my confidences Laid strewn in raw truth; Beautiful in ugliness Simple in confusion Delve into my mind Embracing me as I am, No secreted alcoves Encompassed in entirety   Loved as I am