“Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” – Andre Gide
How arrogant to believe you know it all
The possibility of knowing more has gone
Today is another first step on this journey
Hands, heart, ears, head and mind open
Nothing will deflate your inflated self faster than living in a foreign country. Being an outsider reveals your most fundamental traits – flaws and all.
Shanna Trenholm
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful for the sounds of crazy music around me every day. It makes me smile.
Dying is an art, like everything else. I do it exceptionally well. I do it so it feels like hell. I do it so it feels real.
Sylvia Plath
The world dies each time I close my eyes
And born again when I open them once more
Yet I treat this miracle with little surprise
As if knowing what lies beyond each door
Over today’s painting I’m filled with pride; it will be equalled by tomorrow’s despair over the very same pictures.
Rockwell Kent
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to see little (fat) Kim Chi running around our house and going crazy, just like a good healthy cat. She’s so happy.
*Inspired and pilfered from Khalil Gibran’s parable ‘The Madman’
17th Apr 2024 – Submitted to WDYS
You cannot define a person on just one thing. You can’t just forget all these wonderful and good things that a person has done because one thing didn’t come off the way you thought it should come off.
Aretha Franklin
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to have found my regular breakfast of yoghurt and muesli. My modern version of cornflakes and milk.
I divided myself in seven ways
Separating each part contained within
And so then each in turn displays
A rebellion against the others begin
Baring madness, laughter and pain
Loving, sadness, hunger and labour
All combined to make whole again
In a happy submission to each neighbour
Based on a Khalil Gibran parable of the same title.
Better to be tempted and resist, than be disappointed.
Jubal, Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful for the fun I had yesterday at Sports Day. It was very pleasant and the time went quickly.
Stepping into traffic is a foolish test
There’s too many variables to control
A longer vision would be for the best
And more satisfying for the soul
Instant reward carries too much risk
All can be lost on a second spin
Life is a long time to exist
And goodness lies deep within
We receive three educations, one from our parents, one from our school masters and one from the world. The third contradicts all that the first two teach us.
Baron De Montesquieu
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful that I have no classes for the next two days and should be able to find some free time for myself.
21st Jun 2024 – Submmited to Word of the Day Challenge
Don’t ask me what’s next, tell me what’s next!
Seth Godin
The alternative is to draw the map instead of reading it.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful for a surprise holiday today. And the last two days of the week are sports days, so no teaching!
On the eve of Valentine’s Day
When she woke from a comfortable sleep
She had dreamed a dream of killing him
An ex that had never gone deep
Then she started to question herself
As this feeling disturbed her so
What was the meaning of this dream?
Was what she wanted to know
Why are my insides twisted into knots? Am I in control here or is my anxiety?
Ryan Holiday, Daily Stoic
Who is in control here? What principles are guiding me?
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful for my house where I can have guests here without any real problems. Everything is here for them.
Sliding open the doors
A comforting cool coats
My bare arms
The sun, still hidden
Begins painting the horizon
Dewy leaves tickle my toes
A patient cat stretches
Before balancing on my shoulders
Soft meows multiply
As others join in chorus
Good morning boys and girl
It’s breakfast time in heaven
Miracles every day
The bowls are full of food
And water never-ending
Eat, drink, sleep and play
Any man that takes money two ways would take it three ways.
Mrs Douglas, Stranger In A Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to be part of Aing’s graduation ceremony today and to meet some of her family. And to meet Gus, Nu and Mink over these last few days.
We broke down the fence
It couldn’t hold us back
Stomped around the cornfield
As if under some attack
Stamping our feet in furrows
Over the husks, we run
We knew we’d later be in trouble
But it was so much damn fun
We screamed for each other
As the leaves flapped our faces
Circling in wide loops
Running made-up races
Finally, we were exhausted
And we settled down to rest
Summer with my friends
In a cornfield is the best
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great.
Mark Twain
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to Nong Fern to bring me lots of snacks from Hat Yai.
1994ever 