Keep Moving

July 2024’s Poem of the Month, KEEP MOVING, is an attempt to shed light on the importance of “staying the course,” or to “keep moving,” as one goes through life.

Healthwise, exercise (do it the best way you can) is the key to just simply feeling better… feeling like participating with friends, with family… heck, with the world!

And, staying the course with your world around you… your friends and family, your place of residence, your community. And, let’s not forget your own personal reasons for being… your interests, your creative talents, what you have within you to share with the world…

NONE OF THAT WILL HAPPEN UNLESS YOU KEEP MOVING!!!

Scientists can back up the importance of keeping moving for better brain power, better communicative skills, and better attitude. Along with feeling better, one’s curiosity is tweaked, and there are more reasons to explore answers to the questions you raise. 

So then, I’ll step down from my soap box and give you all an opportunity to read the poem. I do hope you enjoy it.

And remember, whatever the question, LOVE is always the answer….

 

KEEP MOVING

For health? Of course, it’s good to keep moving…
To tighten the tush and increase endurance…
Walking is good; climbing stairs works, too;
Or try Pilates or Yoga for added insurance.

Body, Mind and Spirit are all part of the whole.
One cannot affect one without affecting them all.
Move the body, clear the mind and your spirit soars!
The joy in your heart is your own trumpet call!

Success in your life is connected with action.
You might make mistakes, but that’s how you learn.
And, movement is the only way to affect those around you.
So, take the next step. Have no concern.

Keep moving forward… onto the next page.
Learn as you go to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Nobody has a jump on the future, my friend,
But not playing the game will not win the sweepstakes.

L. L. Cool J., the rapper, spoke of attaining one’s freedom
“When you move past your fear and go after your dream,
You become free.” (The doubts disappear, they do.)
It’s never scary, or as difficult as it seems.

The key is movement and the lesson is ‘keep doing it.’
Keep moving… the motion will take you through.
Body, Mind and Spirit — they go hand in hand 
To create a happier, more complete you.

 
Reframing Negative Thoughts

June, 2024’s Poem of the Month pretty much speaks for itself, without need of introduction… only that negative thoughts seem unavoidable because of all the static in the air. (A reminder here that we don’t have to subscribe to any of it if we choose not to…)

So, here is my take on the subject in REFRAMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS, remembering that we are in control of our thoughts and how we live them. Hope you enjoy it…

    “NON NOBIS SOLUM NATI SUMUS” 

    which, translated, means

    “Not for ourselves alone are we born.”

So many great minds have commented on the subject… one of my favorite’s is by a gentleman named Charles Gill: 

    “There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you don’t do them.”

And, do them with love… whatever the question, love is always the answer!

 

HELPING OTHERS (HELP THEMSELVES)

Life can show up in no other way
Than the way in which you perceive it.
So, the onus is on you to enjoy your life, or not.
You live with your choices, I submit.

William James, the father of American psychology, stated
That “the biggest positive discovery for humankind
Was that a human being could alter his life
By simply altering his attitude of mind.”

Your thoughts are the first step in forming your views.
(You’re in charge of your thoughts, dare I mention?)
The difference between misery and happiness
Depends upon what you do with your attention.

Believing negative thoughts is the greatest obstruction to success.
Your dreams become impossible only through your own thinking.
Your thoughts will carry you wherever you want to go.
Weak thoughts won’t take you far… no energy… options shrinking,

What you feel and what is “real” are often very different.
Your thoughts control the outcome, I believe.
If you think the world is conspiring to make you fail,
Then success is impossible for you to achieve.

But wait, is it possible to change one’s thoughts?
Of course, “Change your thinking, change your life!”
You cannot think negative, and live positively…
Positive thoughts reframe your views, no more strife.

Any time spent focusing on what you don’t want
Moves you quickly away from what you do.
Be careful what you think. Your thoughts shape your life,
And negative thoughts are untrue.

Negative people need drama, like oxygen…
Stay positive. (It will take their breath away.)
Fuel your mind and soul with positivity, then
Let that fuel propel you into action every day.

 
Helping Others (Help Themselves)

May 2024’s Poem of the Month, Helping Others (Help Themselves) is a subject very dear to my heart. Since high school days I have been involved in one charity fund raising project or another. And while I am scooting around, putting effort into the various projects, I am feeling so rewarded to be of some help to others… 

Some of my favorite charities come together in the spring to invite their fans to celebrate the season for giving with Galas and fancy parties. It’s always fun to get dressed in formal wear and go with my best beau to a party. (Am I revisiting high school Prom nights??? Maybe…)

It’s also rewarding to volunteer… at a puppy shelter, or a food bank, or putting back-to-school packages together for school kids whose parents need some help in that part of their kids’ lives. There are so many needs!!!

Cicero, who is mentioned in the poem, said this about helping others: 

    “NON NOBIS SOLUM NATI SUMUS” 

    which, translated, means

    “Not for ourselves alone are we born.”

So many great minds have commented on the subject… one of my favorite’s is by a gentleman named Charles Gill: 

    “There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you don’t do them.”

And, do them with love… whatever the question, love is always the answer!

 

HELPING OTHERS (HELP THEMSELVES)

Emerson said it well and, of course, there were others
Who pondered and then commented on our purpose for being.
It’s being useful, and honorable, and compassionate in our dealings,
And to have it make a difference in the lives we are seeing.


Charles Dickens said that “No one is useless in this world
Who lightens others’ burdens” (said with emphasis).
This world is a place for us to learn that we need each other.
Our rewards in life are in direct ratio to our service.


Denzel Washington is credited for sharing this thought:
“It’s not about your success” [your money-making knack}.
“It’s about who you’ve lifted up; who you’ve made better.
It’s about what you’ve given back.”


It’s said that the smallest act of kindness
Is worth more than the grandest intention —
Yes paying lip-service to a generous thought
Cannot compete with the actual kind act, I would mention.


One cannot do all the good the world needs,
But the world needs all the good that one can do.
Helping others is the path to a happy life.
Happiness is a by-product; kindness begins with you.


Tom Brokaw is credited with the words that follow.
When pondered for a moment, they really make sense.
Contemplate them before you discount their power:
“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s harder to make a difference.”


Some plain-spoken words from Winston Churchill:
(Discovering them, I became most appreciative.)
There is no doubt about the meaning behind them.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.


Down through the ages, from Cicero to Gandhi,
Great minds have pondered the purpose of life.
As we lose ourselves in the service of others
We discover our own lives with happiness, not strife.