There are so many quotes on the subject of truth; the one that stands out the strongest is “The truth will set you free!…” And one very clever person added: “…But not until it is finished with you!”

And I think I like Booker T. Washington’s comment on the subject, just about best of all: “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it is accepted by a majority.”

Albert Einstein said, “Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”

The quotes on the subject have continued on down through the ages, but truth seems to be very difficult to find these days, especially amongst some of our politicians, the representatives we elect to “represent” us in Congress; and, perhaps the media, and, and, and…. The beat goes on…

I believe that truth begins on the personal level. We must first tell ourselves the truth, then it is easier to tell the truth to someone else… it becomes a habit, a way of life. Telling yourself the truth, and then living that truth, emboldens the feeling, the belief, you have about yourself. Your confidence level increases. Fear dissipates and you have the freedom to be the wonderful you that you are!

I guess “The truth will set you free!” deserves to be the quote most favored.

TRUTH

Buddha says, “Three things cannot be hidden:
The sun, the moon and the truth…”
The lesson is strong and should be learned
While you are still in your youth.

Truth is compared to the oil on the water…
The level of the oil doesn’t drop,
No matter how much water you add to depress it.
Truth and oil will always float to the top.

Denying the truth does not change the facts.
They are there before you, night and day.
Truth, like the sun, can be shut out for a time,
But it is always there. It won’t go away.

Truth exists; only lies are invented.
(I have this on great authority!)
The truth is still the truth, even if no one believes it.
A lie is still a lie, even if supported by a majority.

My New Year’s Resolution for 2022, besides being happy and grateful each day, is to send out my Poems of the Month early enough in the month that you have time to read and enjoy them sometime before the next month begins.

So, here goes with January 2022’s offering... It’s called “Vision,” a subject about which I am deeply enamored. It was the first new poem I wrote for the Advent Season 2021!

With Vision, goals get accomplished, and life moves along at the pace you’ve set for yourselves, and you’re generally a happier person… Lots of Benefits!

I hope you enjoy this offering…

VISION

Sight is what your eyes produce
And vision is sourced from the heart.
So, never let what your eyes can see
Affect your vision. Know them apart.

Vision is more than seeing what can be…
It’s an appeal to your better qualities.
It’s a call to be something more than you are…
An opportunity to reach your potentialities.

Vision with action can change the world!
This life is your one chance to reach your goal!
Don’t let fear or doubt keep you from accomplishing;
Keep moving forward… you are in control.

There’s a Japanese proverb that puts a spin
On the subject of vision… here I share:
“Vision without action is daydreaming;
Action without vision is a nightmare!”

Without vision for your future you’ll return to your past.
Your reality will be determined by outdated perceptions.
Oh, and always chase your vision, not the money…
Money will follow, with few exceptions.

This month’s poem, called “At Home,” strikes a chord with me, and I hope it will strike one with you, too. Celebrating the holidays with loved ones is always the preferred choice, but sometimes things come up that prevent it from happening.

The poem “At Home” is from a collection of Advent Poetry 2021 (that’s right, hot-off-the-press!). It’s especially appropriate, I think, fort this year, for many reasons, not the least of which is the need for many of us to make “home” wherever we are.

So, sit back and enjoy what is real for you at the moment. It’s what you have! And… relax, it’s yours to enjoy.

Happy End of 2021… Look forward to 2022!!!

AT HOME
(There’s no place like it… )

A house is made of brick and mortar, but
A home is made by the people who live there.
Home is where love resides and memories are created;
Friends are always welcome and family is forever.

Benjamin Franklin commented, “A house is not a home unless
It contains food and fire for the body and the mind.’
Our homes should inspire us to go out into the world
And do great things that are honest and kind.

We each carry our homes within us,
Which enables us to fly through the air.
It’s not about finding a home, so much,
As finding yourself… then “being at home” there.

The ache for home lives in all of us,
Where we can go as we are… no concealing.
Home is where you hang your heart…
Home may not be a place, but a feeling.