This says it all...

"On The Turning Away"
Pink Floyd

On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And the words they say
Which we won't understand
"Don't accept that what's happening
Is just a case of others' suffering
Or you'll find that you're joining in
The turning away"

It's a sin that somehow
Light is changing to shadow
And casting it's shroud
Over all we have known
Unaware how the ranks have grown
Driven on by a heart of stone
We could find that we're all alone
In the dream of the proud

On the wings of the night
As the daytime is stirring
Where the speechless unite
In a silent accord
Using words you will find are strange
And mesmerized as they light the flame
Feel the new wind of change
On the wings of the night

No more turning away
From the weak and the weary
No more turning away
From the coldness inside
Just a world that we all must share
It's not enough just to stand and stare
Is it only a dream that there'll be
No more turning away?

"All that counts, nothing more, love is what we came here for..."

I've been sitting here in tears for the past hour. Maybe it's hormones, maybe it's stress... but I think there's more to it. See, I've been thinking about the illness in our society -- in our world -- about how deep it goes and how much suffering it causes. Sometimes I just say, "F*ck! How the hell are we going to change this?"

Yes, we are all different -- but we're all HUMAN. We're all in this together. What has happened to compassion? When did we start mistaking sex for intimacy? How did we breed so much apathy? When did materialism, sexism, racism, fundamentalism, violence, greed, war, hatred, and fear become fashionable? Sometimes I swear I'll snap and run wild through this town smashing televisions, knocking over magazine stands, and throwing tar on designer clothes. You know, pull one of those "Jesus in the temple" moves.

Think for a moment about love. No, I mean REALLY get in touch with that warm, intense sensation that fills your heart when you truly LOVE another deeply. Do you remember that feeling? Yes? Now, think about what you see in the world. How much love greets you when you walk outside your door? How much love do you feel when you're watching television? How about when you're driving in traffic?

It's either LOVE or it isn't. Nothing except LOVE counts. If you're not seeing LOVE everywhere, then what are YOU going to do about it? Yeah, YOU. It starts with a single individual -- just like the Whos down in Whoville. Just like Martin Luther King, Jr. Just like Gandhi. Just like Siddhartha. And yes... just like Jesus.

By the way, did I happen to mention that I LOVE YOU? Yes, all of you. And I wish the very best for you... always. I wish you joy, abundance, peace, health, security, warmth, laughter, and -- above all else -- I wish you LOVE. Okay... I'm going to listen to some "happy" music now. :-)

Open The Door
(Michael McDonald)

We're lost, baby, that's ok
We may not always understand
We may not always know the way
We can cry and we can hurt sometimes
But we both know what's important
At the end of the line
It's not always the case that we know just what to do
But when it comes to me and you

[Chorus:]
We've both been here before
So let love open up the door
What love will surely show us
Ain't that what we came here for?
So let love open the door

Maybe it's time that we hold on tight
In each others embrace
We might just see the morning light
'cause when we touch
It's like a brand new start
It's there we find the music in each others heart
And we might just discover that we don't always see what's for real
Love is somethin' that you feel

[Chorus]

We've both been here before
So let love open up the door
What love will surely show us
Ain't that what we came here for?
It ain't nothin' new
Just a chance to finally see this love through
This love has one purpose (and)
Never asks for anything more
So let love open the door

Sometimes words only mean so much
They don't say how we feel
They don't keep us in touch
It's too late once we drift apart
All that's left are the pieces of two broken hearts

[Chorus]

Love is sweet, love is kind
Love will open up your mind
Let love open up the door
All that counts, nothin' more
Love is what we came here for
Let love open up the door

Just the facts, ma'am...

I haven't been around because sickness visited with my family recently. Each of us, one at a time, have suffered from a stomach virus. I'm always the last to become infected and I either suffer longer or five times worse than everyone else in the house. This virus... it hammered away at my defenses for five days before my immune system crumbled.

Since I'm still not up to par, this blog will be something easy. You know, one of those things that gets forwarded on MySpace or in emails to friends. In other words, this is mostly for self-amusement and may be of no interest to others. :-)

I am: a wife, a mother, a friend, a poet, a jewelry maker, a group owner, a philosopher, an energy worker, and a student of life.

I think: too much. I've realized that I often get so caught up with the thoughts and ideas in my head that I don't truly experience all of the wonderful moments in life.

I know: how to read a map better than most of the men I've known. :-)

I want: this nation to become a place I'm proud to call home.

I have: three children who always know how to make me laugh... even when I don't want to.

I wish: for LOVE to fill the hearts of every being. LOVE is the answer, you know?

I hate: to hear someone chewing.

I miss: being young, healthy, and energetic.

I fear: nothing except fear itself.

I feel: loved... but often misunderstood.

I hear: Open the Door by Michael McDonald.

I smell: the warm, musky scent of a fragrant candle.

I crave: inspiration.

I search: for open minds, loving hearts, and compassionate souls.

I wonder: if my ex-husband will be convicted at his trial this month.

I regret: nothing.

I love: my husband, my children, my friends, walking through cool creeks on a summer day, clean sheets, making others laugh, crushed ice, evening thunderstorms, the sound of a crackling fire, chocolate-covered strawberries, the smell of freshly ground coffee, and so much more!

I ache: to the core of my being when I see people suffering.

I care about: freedom of choice, the separation of church and state, medicinal marijuana, the homeless, the poor, national health care... I'll stop here. :-)

I always: remind myself that everything is in divine and perfect order.

I am not: coming back to this planet next time around unless some major remodeling takes place.

I believe: "that robots are stealing my luggage." ~Steve Martin

I dance: with my daughter's when they have parties.

I sing: when I'm 100% sure no one can hear me.

I don't always: say the right words to convey my feelings.

I fight: the urge to buy more books... I do so on a regular basis.

I write: when the mood hits.

I win: at Pictionary 90% of the time.

I lose: addresses and phone numbers.

I never: lie.

I confuse: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt sometimes.

I listen: to others and try to really hear what they are saying and feeling.

I can usually be found: browsing around in the card aisle of a store for at least thirty minutes.

I am scared: of bugs, flying, and other drivers.

I am happy about: The shift I've felt since the recent election.

I need: my family, my friends, my computer, my books, my music, my coffee, and my tea. ("I love coffee, I love tea. I love the java jive and it loves me!")