Poetic Resurrection

Awakening Dreams - Inspire Me Perception

In continuing the celebration of poetry month. Poetic Resurrection will have two poet interviews. We again will welcome Martina Reisz Newberry and a newcomer to our podcast, Diana Rosen.
In this episode, I will discuss and read a few poems from Inspire Me: Perception. Inspire Me: Perception was recently re-edited and we will release a compilation book of the first two Inspire Me books this month with a preview of five poems from my upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. Enjoy!
The poems in this episode include “Silhouette”—a poem about a traumatic experience “Food”—a poem about my love of food and how a loving family makes fun of you and currently the most popular poem “Tomorrow” about how we view life and rethinking our perceptions. Various lines from “Tomorrow” have been quoted by several websites.
 
Silhouette
A dark shadow appears—soul shakes, the body suspends. A story of an altered spirit who’ll manifest soon in the deepest of night. Shadow essence of two-week visit encompasses my thoughts and sleep. If present, she’ll be safe. Who do you speak of, spirit? A man’s silhouette in the early morning as the streetlights gleam upon glistening muscle tone. The sun peeks as my roommate dreams, unconscious of his gaze. In the darkness, a gun rises in his hand, aims at roommate’s head. Silence takes over as the smoke aura scars her fate. Dream propels my slumber, and I go to her room. If I’m present, she’ll be safe repeats. Sunlight dances on my face as the night’s story whispers away. She awakens, “Had that dream again, didn’t you?” “Yes.” Three full moons calendar the sky. Gotham called for her home—She’s safe. Chitown childhood friends summer evening visit—Sunset Strip. Summer heat, sleep half nude as evening completes at midnight. Vocal and joyful friends jest of a man at the window where the drapes bellow. Amusement drains the night as the muscles gleaming silhouette appears. She runs into my bedroom, gun points at third eye—forced out of comfort into the lifeless living room. Essence extends my body as I guard the front door. “Think you’re going somewhere?” He shouts. Gun points for me to sit by piano. The silent melody piano bench where I abide. “On the floor,” he casts me as he bares my skin from sheet. Little sister weeps and window slams, fearing discovery of his carnal acts. Guilt survival mission defuses the present. Escaping—leap two steps—first landing. Leap again, gun at head. Blinding movie screen of my life flashes, steals my sight. Land on corner of step and propelled onto the ground. Not dying, not tonight! Street or parking lot?  A straight shot I will not be as I hide beside cars until I can jump a concrete fence that divides the building. Footsteps dissipate. Blood curdling screams echo in the distance. I climb many staircases and a man stands with two dogs. “Please call the police,” I beg. “I think my friend’s dead.” His girlfriend’s pink robe drapes a childhood fear. We hide. Police state, “Stay inside.”  Helicopter’s beaming lights—Treble sirens and watchful dogs ease chaotic street. An hour-and-a-half, a knock. Police state, “He escaped—assaulted another woman and stole her car.”  Friends approach in a cloud of disbelief, sobbing. They heard my fall, calling—No answer—Saw my death in his hands. Police, “He’ll return.” Neighbor held us safe, and we slept on her floor. My scarred friends left the next day. Never went back. He never paid. Warning from silhouette, but I didn’t understand. Premonition, and it’s real impact. Checking doors and windows for a year, but I know I saved my friends because—I was there.
 
Food
ReminiscingFood stories that my family tellsAbout behaviorDon’t remember, age three or four
Learned to walk, learned to climbKitchen chair, telephone booksGod forbid family wouldBuy a step ladder to make my life easier
An old refrigerator (not old back then)Lever—jump up and pull downSister wonders why fridge is ajarOpens door—Surprise, it’s me!
Sitting on a shelf eating an appleShe grabs me, fights to get fruitTug of war ensuesShe wants a chewed apple?
Stomping away (I had such an attitude)Fruit in hand—I wonSister retells story as family laughsI am offended by their laughter
Rope around stove, fridgePadlock on pantry? Chocks for candy!Where’s the fruit?Watch fire in stove—I love fireplaces
Upset, storm off to yellow vinyl 50’s sofaJump up and slide back downJump up again and againOh well, I’ll throw myself on floor
Crying because I’m a miffed childCheck to see if they’re watchingMom comes over and hugs meSit on the big vinyl sofa—Finally!
 
Tomorrow
If I were to die tomorrowWould I have organized my homeWould I have left my paperwork in orderWould I have made it easier for my familyIf I were to die tomorrowWould I have followed and completed my dreamsWould I have loved the way I wanted to loveWould I have visited the world like I wanted toIf I were to die tomorrow Would I have told those that I loved that I love them Would I have seen the beauty in my own life Can I say that I lived my life to its fullest
If I were to die tomorrowWould I have lived today Would I have loved differently Would I have felt my life was complete If I would die tomorrow A sadness would be thereTo know I wasted so much timeIf I were to die tomorrowI would make the unknown I’d face the unknown I was so afraid ofAs I choose my life today with strength and joy
 
Music
Relaxing Piano Music by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4273-relaxing-piano-music
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Awakening Dreams - Inspire Me: Raw

In celebration of poetry month. Poetic Resurrection will interview poets and links to previous poet interviews. In this episode, I will be discussing and reading a few poems from Inspire Me: Raw. Inspire Me: Raw was recently re-edited and a compilation book of the first two Inspire Me books will be released this month with a preview of five poems from my upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. Enjoy!
Citizen poem was written several months before Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. When this happened, I was surprised that many didn’t know Puerto Ricans are American Citizens. This poem explains how many Puerto Ricans feel.
Citizen
Curly red hair
Freckled skin
Speaking Spanish
Not fitting in
 
People’s biases
Perceptions
Ignorance
—Citizen
 
Where are you from?
How did you get here?
Was it a struggle?
No—Citizen
 
No boats
No tunnels
No hiding
Airplanes
 
I belong here
Born here
Educated
—Citizen
 
Forget was written about a woman who lived in the tenement where I grew up in Chicago. As a child I would catch her crying in the hallway after her husband physically abused her.
Forget
Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
The times I run out and say nothing to you
The times I am angry and pretending to be  okay
The times I don’t come home at night
 
Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
When your anger lashes out at me
When you drink too often and hurt me
When you disappear into an aberrant abyss of time
 
Sometimes I do remember: often, actually
Your cruel words that hurtYour desire to touch that repulses
Your anger at who you’ve become
 
I remember and choose to forget
Do you love? As those you love are hurt
Do you know the emergency room—a second home?
Do you understand—Inner scars show more than the ones I wear?
 
Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
The raising of happy children here
The life we thought was possible
The comfort of a safe, loving home
 
Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
How reality needs exposure
How I’ve always remembered
How lights slowly dim on you
 
Go Go Boots is about being a ten-year-old child and wanting to be thin so she could wear the sixties fashions. They didn’t fit.
Go-Go Boots
At 10
Made a mistake
Told my teacher that I
Want to lose weight
 
First diet included
Liver, once a week—Yuk!
Different recipes, so nasty
That’s not what I was seeking
 
Stood in line for free lunch
Menu: peanut butter cookies
My favorite munchies
I wanted one—Damn!
 
“Hide one for me, please”
When teacher’s not looking
Don’t want to get teased for
Failing program on first day
 
My mom states, “You’re only ten!
No reason for a diet”
Wanting to be model thin
Groovy clothes—Buy them
Go-Go boots the stylish trend
 
Chubby clothes too short
Regular pants too long
Big kid bell bottoms reach calves
Average size bells at ankles
 
Others smoke bongs
Skunk weed smell
Permeates halls
Hide don’t tell—jail fate in ‘68
 
What to do with weight
Insecurities begin
Entire life, same shit—wasted time
And now I’m fine
 
 
Music by: Gotama “Forgiveness”
Visit https://gotama-music.bandcamp.com

Awakening Dreams - Season 4 Intro

In this week’s episode and intro to season four, we’re going to discuss Awakening Dreams. The next book entitled, Inspire Me: In Time of Need, we changed the subtitled to Awakening Dreams. In Time of Need was a working title and since the pandemic has lessened, Awakening Dreams is a much better description of what many have experience.   
There is a newly re-edited compilation book coming out this month. Includes the first two books in the Inspire Me series and then five poems from my upcoming book—Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. The topic for this season is awakening dreams. What dreams and aspirations have you had which led you to a new way of thinking and living? Mine started with reading the book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”. After that, I became a self-help junkie and couldn’t read enough books on the subject. I also learned that reading them even though they make you think about your beliefs and actions, the concepts need to be applied. Since then, I only read the books that pertaining to my development at this time. What I have learned and this is so cliché is that you need to live in the present. While worrying about the future and the past, we miss the present. Lao Tzu stated: “If you live in the past, you’re depressed. If you live in the future, you have anxiety. If you live in the present, you have peace.”
In all my soul searching, and that is what it is unless you apply the knowledge you’ve acquired. We need to reflect and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. When I stopped being defensive, which came from insecurity, I became accepting of what my beliefs and behaviors were and how many weren’t even mine. Allow yourself to feel, being grateful even when situations are challenging. And, knowing you have value.
The poem for this week is Vulnerable from Inspire Me: Raw.
Vulnerable
 
Call upon angels for clarity
Are they listening?
Meditate, feeling the joy
That enchants the heart
 
Meditate, letting go
Bliss surrounds me
Chill flows through my spine
Inspiration finds me
 
Energy flows through my fingers
Onto a notebook page
Close eyes and let life be
Unafraid to be exposed
 
Allowing myself to be
Love and consideration
How can this be hostile?
Vulnerable exposition
 
Cold sharpness, head to toe
Release, remove my mask
Golden light surrounds
Fulfills my existence
 
Many blessings
Music: With These Wings by essesq
Jonathan Livingston Seagull: https://amzn.to/3u5oihk
 
Further reading on awakening:
https://chopra.com/articles/10-signs-of-spiritual-enlightenment-awakening

Women’s History Month - Poets

In finishing Women’s History Month, these accomplished poets have the essence of life and experience. With all the women in this month, I have learned much about them and myself. I am truly grateful to all the women on the podcast. Please listen to these inspiring talks. It is with honor I present:
Martina Reisz Newberry does a reading of the poem “Subsequence” from Blues for French Roast with Chicory. We discuss the suffix “ess”, ageism and creativity and how it affects the perceptions of being. Cultural perceptions of age and value are discussed and explored.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-being-with-martina-reisz-newberry/
Poet/actor Jasmine Di Angelo reads her poem “Halves of Halves”. The poem reflects on being multicultural from Denmark and coming to Los Angeles at a young age. Check out this unique discussion on identity and acceptance.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-jasmine-diangelo/
Los Angeles Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson, we discuss her poem “Invention”, her experiences of being an adoptee. We laugh about rejection letters and go into detail about her journey to becoming the Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles. It was great to have previously interviewed her for Poetic Resurrection website, and several books later she is the Poet Laureate of Los Angeles.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-lynne-thompson/
Luivette Resto reads her poem Living on Islands Not Found on Maps. How growing up bi-culturally and using Spanglish or as I like to call it “fusion of words”. We had a great time conversing about Puerto Rican culture. I love guests I can laugh with and laugh we did.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-luivette-resto/
Until next season, be joyful and kind. Many blessings.
 
Music: Los Angeles by Quincas Moreira
 
#life #lessons #living #poetry #poets

Women’s History Month - Healing Poets

Women’s History Month – Healing Poets
Poetic Resurrection has featured various female poets. the talks are divided by the essence of the topic. There are two types of poets on this podcast. This week we will discuss healing poets. The difference between the two since poetry is healing in itself is these talks have the sense of healing others as in self-help/mindfulness. I, myself fit under this category and you can catch any of the many poems on the podcast. For the sake of this episode, I will add a link to the bottom to my talk on Grieving Dreams and the poem Quiet from Inspire Me: Perception.
The following episodes can be found on all podcast platforms including: Apple/Itunes, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Audible and wherever podcasts are played.
Maryam Ghouth discusses the three-part poetry film Journey of Becoming. A reading of the poem Your Autonomy, (part I) of ‘The Journey of Becoming’, which is a series of philosophical poetry films about self-realization. The purpose behind this film is to describe the struggles we face when we step away from the trodden path to follow our own unique path. 
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-becoming-with-maryam-ghouth/
Louise Alexandra Erskine. We have an amazing discussion with the lovely Louise. We discuss her poetry, toxic relationships, parenting, and being a single mother raising boys and how her poetry and photography clarified and taught her acceptance of being imperfect. We are all a work in progress.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-of-imperfection-with-louise-alexandra-erskine/
Melissa da Silva discusses her book Lose Me with readings of several of her poems. Her journey from a toxic relationship to self-acceptance and love. We discuss grieving of lost love.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-of-a-relationship-with-melissa-da-silva/
Trini Rodriguez. We have an informative talk with Trini discussing Native American and Mexican American sweat-lodges and how this brings you closer to your soul. She reads her poem I’ve Been a Woman. We discuss healing and talking circles and how they facilitate the “self” in becoming “whole” and the Aztec (Sun) calendar and how it guides you to the essence of your character.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-of-healing-with-trini-rodriquez/
Dr. Egypt Iredia performs a reading of her poem My Child-Like Eyes and the concept and development of the poem. We discuss her journey from a medical doctor, developing a holistic method for her patients, and her love for hidden knowledge and healing.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-dr-egypt-iredia/
A talk on Grieving Dreams and how we strive for a dream only to realize we need to let it go. A reading of the poem Quiet from Inspire Me: Perception.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-grieving-dreams/
Music:
Healing by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3860-healing
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Women’s History Month - Women Leaders

Thank you for tuning in to the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. In celebration of Women's History Month, I am honoring the amazing women that have been on the podcast, and I hope you join me by listening to them and their incredible stories and gifts of knowledge. I’ve been honored by having such brilliant women on my podcast and this week we are focusing on leadership. Next week we will celebrate female poets and writers. Please stay tuned.
Poetic Resurrection is available on all podcast platforms including, Apple Music, Google, Pandora, iHeart, Amazon, and many others.
Evelyn Lozada Eccard, Perceptions of Employment - Mentoring & Coaching: We discuss how to choose the correct job/position which works with your personality. We discuss various topics from employment, and how to prep yourself with knowledge and understanding to help you in your next job interview. Evelyn Lozada Eccard is a leadership coach and the founder of Bravo Leadership International. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-employment-mentoring-coaching/
Che'Rae Adams, Soul of Writing: We discuss what it takes to write a good story and how the story germinates from the soul. That inner voice drawing us to write our story. We discuss the concept sentence, the why of writing and even when we write a memoir or solo show there is a beginning, middle, and an end. Che'Rae Adams is the artistic director of PlayPenn in Philadelphia. Her credits include teacher, director, producer, and dramaturg. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-of-writing-with-cherae-adams/
Nancy Hinman, Perceptions of Trauma: In this episode, how our beliefs affect our behavior and emotional state. We address alternative practices for helping oneself. Nancy Hinman, Ph.D., LMFT is a doctor in Depth Psychology with an emphasis on Psychotherapy. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-trauma-with-dr-nancy-hinman/
Jaclyn Steele: Soul Connection, we discuss how our soul's calling intertwines our lives, beliefs, and our connection with others. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-connection-with-jaclyn-steele/
Dominey Drew, Perceptions in Expectations in Relationships. In this informative episode, we discuss experiences and expectations in relationships. We talk about various gender misconceptions and stories that might derail a relationship. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-expectations-in-relationships/
Isabella Lozada, Perceptions of a Teenager: In this episode, we interview my niece, because I wanted to get the perspective of a teenager and their thoughts regarding the pandemic before and after. Isabella Lozada (at the time of recording) is a sophomore in high school. She enjoys playing lacrosse and hanging out with her friends. Her interests are in advertising and acting, and she plans on further pursuing them. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-a-teenager/
Barb Moses, Perceptions of Joy. An introspective view of how gratitude and self-acceptance affect Joy. Barb Moses is the Founder and CEO of High5 Leadership, who created this business to inspire others. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-joy-with-barb-moses/
Corine La Font Perceptions of Toxic Relationships. In this episode, we take an in-depth look at Corine La Font's experiences and how she overcame toxicity in her life with self-acceptance and self-compassion. Corine La Font is a PR practitioner, Speaker, Podcaster, Author, and Business Coach. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-toxic-relationships/
 
Music
Peace of Mind by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4199-peace-of-mind
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 

Colors of Life - Season 3 Recap

Welcome to the Poetic Resurrection Podcast's Colors of Life Season 3 recap.
I'd like to thank the following guest for their knowledge and talent on the podcast. There are links below in the notes and you can also find us on Apple/Itunes, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Audible, Google and many other podcast platforms.
Luis J. Rodriguez reads his poem "Always Running". This poem describes the hardships of poverty, love loss, and how he dealt with these experiences.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-luis-j-rodriguez/
 
Luivette Resto read her poem "Living on Islands Not Found on Maps" and discuss the experience of being bi-cultural.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-luivette-resto/
 
Lynne Thompson read her poem "Invention" and her life experience from being an adoptee to becoming the current Los Angeles Poet Laureate.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-lynne-thompson/
 
Jasmine Di Angelo reads her poem "Halves of Halves" which addresses her identity and acceptance.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-jasmine-diangelo/
 
Dr. Egypt Iredia, the first guest for Black History Month. She reads her poem "My Child-Like Eyes" and we discuss the concept and development of the poem.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-dr-egypt-iredia/
 
CEO Spoken King is our second guest for Black History Month. He reads his poem "The Black King Song." Which covers the black experience.
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-ceo-spoken-king/
 
Christoph Jenkins closes off season 3 and Black History Month. He reads several of his haikus and we discuss the meanings of each one. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-christoph-jenkins/
 
We will be on hiatus for the next month, but don't worry, we'll have weekly episodes. When we come back, we'll have more poets, writers, and people of interest, along with fresh stories and poetry. Until then, many blessings.
 
Music: Run Until Your Wings Grow by Late Night Feeler

Colors of Life - Christoph Jenkins

In honor of Black History Month, we close season three of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast with Christoph Jenkins. Haiku poet and founder of The Poet Life, Christoph Jenkins and I discuss various subjects and learned how poets can have an income from being a poet. Great information for poets on this podcast episode.
Christoph Jenkins, Founder & CEO of The Poet Life, is a poet and entrepreneur. He began writing poetry in grade school and soon found it to be his passion. Running The Poet Life has led him to become an advocate in the community and a builder of the Poetry Industry. His company has three pillars that start with the letter "E"; EDUCATE, ENGAGE, ENTERTAIN. The Poet Life educates through their online university, Poet Life University where they teach poets how to start a poetry career. There is also a non-profit arm called Poet Life Academy where they teach students, K-12, how to express themselves through poetry. Christoph is the host of the Poet Life Podcast where he has conversations with poets around the world who have made major headway in the poetry industry. In addition, The Poet Life host their annual festival called the Poet Life Fest in different cities around the country.
Surround yourself with
People and things that grow you
Either grow or die
 
Imposter syndrome
Is attempting to play you
It can’t outcast you
 
If you are dreaming
Without a plan to fulfill
Said dream, keep dreaming
 
@ThePoetLife
ThePoetLife.com 
 
 

Colors of Life - CEO Spoken King

This week on Poetic Resurrection we have CEO Spoken King as our guest. He does a reading of his poem “The Black King Song”.
The Black King Song
By CEO Spoken King
 
Yes, I know who I am.
I'm a black King.
Yes, I'm more than just a man.
So listen to my story,
Because I'm about to tell it as best as I can.
 
The world recently started to love me. 
From my bronze skin to my afro
From my braids to my dreads that bare many knowledge. 
So tell me who from the beginning was actually thinking higher?
Our knowledge helped the world to rise to a higher power.
 
Many say they see my vision and dreams,
And my aspiration to heal people from a role the world wanted us to play.
But down in the trenches, many people start to think a different way. 
Leaving a King with many tears of unforeseen dreams.
Choosing his family over the things God blessed him to have...
To bless the world.
So the question is...
Are you doing the right thing?
 
Because if God gives you a talent
To bless the world.
He maybe using you to connect with another person across the world. 
Too many of us sleep on our talents and dreams
Instead of being woke.
Too many of us drive off of  the street of life,
And fall into the ditch of broken promises and dream untold.
 
The dilemma the black King holds.
So don't stop our growth.
 
Too many untold dreams lies before my eyes.
I refuse to be another statistic in the world's mind.
Suicide use to be Satan's way to cover my eyes. 
Thank you Lord for waking my third eye.
This is why...
Now I can give you many excuses why I failed. 
But how many will realize I didn't stay knocked down...
But I rose up time after time.
Lead by the holy spirit and the glory divine.
I know if I keep on pushing,
My prayers of peace and finishing the race.
Will be mine!
 
This is the black King's song.
This is not your ordinary rhyme. 
 
The true kings walk in the land of the blind with one eye. 
We bear scars that hold the ultimate truth.
 
People say they are afraid of no man,
But are afraid of progression.
The truth is you can never be afraid of what tomorrow will bring. 
Just live for today,
Our present,
Because tomorrow is unforeseen.
 
This is the true thought process of a black King.
We bare many crowns and many rings,
But deep down inside...
This is the song we sing.
Just to hold our royal family up.
So they won't ever have to sink.
 
CEO Spoken King has been writing poetry since the age of sixteen. Poetry is his therapy and healing. In 2020, he started a podcast to highlight poets, visual artists, actors and more. Then he started to incorporate his music on the podcast. His podcast became more of his passion than just a hobby. 
In 2021, he released his first book entitled Dominik's Words. He was an online radio show host from 2020 to 2021. 
Life is full of opportunities it's our choice to make a difference. 
https://www.facebook.com/CEOSpokenKing
https://linktr.ee/CEOSpokenKingYoutube: CEO Spoken KingTwitch: CEOSpokenKingAnchor: https://anchor.fm/t-corner
You can get his book Dominik’s Words on Amazon https://amzn.to/3p1X0Fx

Colors of Life - Contentment

In this week's episode, we discuss contentment. What is it like to be content? Is it different from being happy? Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. While happiness has many different definitions, it is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction. Kendra Cherry. 
Contentment is an emotional state of satisfaction that can be seen as a mental state, maybe drawn from being at ease in one's situation, body and mind. Contentment could be a state of having accepted one's situation. Wikipedia
Why do we create contingencies when it comes to being content or happy? Will a certain amount of money make us happy? Yes, it can, temporarily. A certain amount of money in the bank can make you feel safe. It can make you feel taken care of. What about success at a job/position? Would this change who you are? If a group or an individual accept me then my life would be better? Would it? Does this mean that we don’t have value unless someone else reassures us? What about fancy/expensive items? Does owning a home make you feel successful? When I retire then I can be free and happy? What about feeling content – right now. “Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want but the realization of how much you already have.” Anonymous.  Look within yourself for a change that wouldn’t cost you anything. What can you do today to feel better about yourself? Take a walk. Look at family and friends' photos and videos. Meditate. Call friends and family. Read a book and if it’s your dream to write one-write the first sentence.
“If one’s life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having a few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements. And finally, there is an intense delight in abandoning faulty states of mind and in cultivating helpful ones in meditation.” Dalai Lama
"He who is contented is rich." Lao Tzu
The poem for this week is Awakening of Spirit from Follow: Akashic Dreaming through Time.
Twinge of sorrow trembles lives’ stories. A visit to the Earth of your creation. Accept rebirth of assignments, hastening an awakening of the spirit. Understand the lifetimes of hurt, anger, disappointment, sacrifice and love. The creator of my malcontent, has always been me. You never meant to harm with the expedited lifetimes. A need to be by your side. Comprehend the intricate truths as the celestial dove glides upon Akashic records. A grateful farewell as the elysian fields emerge. Thank you, Father.
 
Many Blessings.
 
Music: Little Planet by Bensound
 
Follow me on Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/sonia.iris.lozada
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-happiness-4869755
https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_if_you_pursued_contentment_rather_than_happiness