Lyrics, poetry and art all meshed together

Thursday, May 21, 2009

FLOWERS and BLESSINGS



Here's my question to you: HAVE YOU TAKEN THE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES?

I have. A year ago, I didn't (May 19, 2008) I was on a busted couch in Brooklyn, depressed and out of it. Not knowing if I was coming or going. I was very ill, fighting for my life or what little I had left of it. It was my birthday, which to me is like any other day, but on this particular day I really thought about what it would feel like to end it sweetly without being noticed by anyone. That's how bad it was, of course, a year prior (2007) I was diagnosed with Lupus SLE, so I know a lot of what I was feeling was due to the meds including steroids, stress and uncertainty of life. Today, I look back with a lot to be thankful for. My gratitude list looks more like a novel. Every breath I take when I wake up in the morning feels like a newborn feeding her lungs with the pleasures of life.

GRATITUDE:

1. I am HERE. I may not be 100% healthy, but I look at life daily with a smile. I am given little reminders, if i'm able to walk, talk AND write, then I have nothing to complain about, well, unless i'm hungry :)

2. I am appreciated and loved by many, even strangers. Someone once told me I inspire them simply because I have the ability to make them laugh

3. Grateful to create poetry, i'm writing more and more and loving it!

4. Grateful for a new license. I went to the DMV and got my AZ driver's license, it expires when i'm 75 years old, can you believe it? Hmmmmm, at 75, where will I be in my life? Perhaps, baking cookies with organically grown grand-mas or throwing sensual poetry on stage somewhere in front of some young hot men. I know i'll be one sexy grand-ma, no muumuus' allowed in my closet, corsets are acceptable, lol

5. Grateful for good movies like the Kite Runner, it was deep, moving and magnetic

6. Good food and cooking for friends, which is what I did on Monday, it felt great to give and not expect anything in return

7. Flowers and seashells, my mom has the most beautiful seashells in her yard, they are huge, I can almost hear the sea whispering to me when I close my eyes

8. I'll keep this list short and sweet, lastly, grateful for all my blogger friends, thank you for being supportive and pushing me to write my little heart out. I will continue to dream cause we are here to dream, not to look at the number of days we have left to live.







When was the last time you held a seashell in your hand or leaned over to smell some color flowers?






This is my favorite journal, I write on it daily and have kept many pictures that are dear to me of family and friends. I am sad that i'm almost finished with it, but can't wait to get me another one with more blank pages to fill.






I keep many wonderful memories inside my journal, even the cover must be meaningful. It's the perfect gift you can give to yourself



Please tell your friends and other supporters that they can listen to my first radio appearance with Urban Echoes by visiting www.blogtalkradio.com/voicesandvibes

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree... A life of gratitude yields uncommon appreciation for the simplest things. Life can be grand and not a grind, when in gratitude. Thank you for the reminder.

Loving u

MarkDavid.

Harlem Purl said...

's funny you should talk about flowers because I just bought some yesterday acually. I received a lovely bouquet from the men in my life on mothers day which I displayed in my bedroom. I noticed that everytime I would lay down, I could literally smell the roses and it made me think of how I don't take the time to stop and do that a lot in my life. Since then my roses have wilted a bit but I've made a vow to try and keep fresh flowers in my bedroom so that I can thank the lord every mornign for allowing me to smell the flowers.

Love ya Kathy!

Harlem Purl said...

Sorry, I know thats not how you spell your name. I have no idea why I put that K there. Deepest apologies.

Anonymous said...

I appreciated this post of appreciation. So true, we often fail to observe the richness all around us and, depression is a self-inflicted disease born of such lack of observation and appreciation.

Great post, Cathy. I too, am a journal keeper - have been since high school, and there is such treasure stored in those worn and tattered books. Love 'em.

The Old Silly from Free Spirit Blog

Ty said...

I am so glad that you are doing better. You know you gave me quite a scare but am glad that you are regaining your stride.

Curious said...

You're right, too many of us are concerned only with the things that aren't going right for us and fail to see the beauty in the things that we already have like good health or any type of health come to think of it. I'm guilty of that a lot of the time.

Maxine Beneba Clarke said...

Your true appreciation for the 'real' and important things in life is an inspiration.

Lyrically speaking said...

Mark: Thanks so much for the visit, please come again

Miss Purl: yes, the flowers don't stay as long as we wish, flowers bloom then die, but it's the thought that counts, right?

Marvin: Thanks, i'm finding more and more people who keep a journal, so cool

Ty Ty: Thanks so much, yes, thanks to God, family and friends i'm building up my health slowly but surely

Curious: Thanks for appreciating, come again

Maxine: So sweet of you to say, thank you

Rich Fitzgerald said...

I've been trying harder to take the time to smell the flowers. It's hard in this capitalistic soceity in which we live. If you aren't just surviving, you are trying to conquer. Especially males like myself.

get zapped said...

Hello Cathy,

Guess what? I got the package and I'm simply delighted!! Overjoyed too :) It's such a treat receiving and seeing your art in person. I adore all three pieces. I will cherish and show them off. In fact, a fellow friend and blogger who admires your work, got to see your stuff. He was pleased.

So I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I wish you all the happiness and success you deserve. It's great to have your gratitude in the open again. You are an inspiration, as always.

peace and love to you and yours ~M

Blu Jewel said...

I'm late reading this, but am happy to have read it today as I posted something a little similar yesterday and today.

It's so important not to take anything for granted; especially the little things as they leave the most impressive footprints.

Yes, you have much to be grateful for and I'm grateful for you still posting things that continue to inspire me.

Best wishes to you.

Love to live; live to love!

Writing on Board said...

Spent yesterday with friend dying of cancer. We laughed, ate fruit and ice cream and looked at old photos until 3am. Yes. Reminded yesterday and today. Thank you, LIAY.

Dancing with Light said...

Miss Dela...

I am soooooo ♥ Proud of You ♥

- Cairenn

Lyrically speaking said...

Rich: Glad to hear you've been making time to smell the flowers

Getzapped: I know you are loving your gift which you deserve...thanks again for participating

Blu Jewel: Thanks for appreciating, i will stop by your page soon

Writer on Board: Sorry to hear this of your friend, my heart goes out to you...it's nice that you got to spend time laughing, eating and sharing memories,thanks for stopping by

Dancing with light: Thank you, it's been a long journey and i'm still climbing walls and mountains, but at least i'm here and grateful everyday

DeLi said...

oh so inspiring...thank you for sharing...and for visiting my place again :)