Many years ago a young man traveled to a far away land
He met a young woman while there
They became sweethearts
When Valentines Day came he had never experienced it
But he went and found a gold heart box of chocolates decorated with an orange rose
He put it in a brown paper bag with a card to give to his sweetheart
When he saw her, he handed her the bag and smiled a big, bright smile

He said happy Valentines Day!

The sweetheart box

You are standing on a beach
The sun is out, the sky is a clear blue
There are a few white clouds in the sky -- very delicate
The sun is not hot, the air is not cool. It is just right.
There is a light breeze.

As you look out into the water, you see the color, a light turquoise.
The water dances like the gemstones -- glimmering like diamonds.
As you walk into the water, you do not feel wet.
Your color changes to the same as that of the water.
As you walk further into the water, your shape and consistency change.
You melt and meld into the sea.
You feel warm, safe and at peace.
You are finally home.
You are the sea.

Ever since she was a child
She was protected
Something was always there
To keep her safe
Like a shield
It was invisible

When she went out
When she was with others
While she slept
Whatever she needed
Came to her
When there was hurt and pain
She healed
When there was peril and danger
She was safe

It wasn’t of the spirit
It was something else
But it was always there
Covering her
Protecting her
It would never leave her
It would be there till the end
Like a shield
A force of protection

It is wintertime.
You are deep in the forest. There are pine trees and other trees all around.
Snow and pine cones are scattered on the ground.
There is a strong scent of pine.
It is refreshing.
It is gently snowing. Large size flakes start falling.
As they hit the ground they melt.
As you stand in the forest -- there are no sounds except a few birds in the trees softly chirping.
It is so quiet you can almost hear the snow fall.
You feel your heartbeat.
You close your eyes to listen to the quiet and feel the stillness of the moment.
Snowflakes gently touch your face but you are not cold.
There is total peace around you.
Harmony with nature.
When you open your eyes, you see a doe looking at you.
It is sublime.
Still, quiet and peaceful.

Music

Music and memories go together
Like salt and pepper
One complements the other
One triggers the other
Listening to a song can easily transport one back to a memory or time
A certain memory can bring back a certain feeling
It’s as if one stepped into a time machine to relive that moment
Music can also inspire, ignite and calm the soul
It can heal ones wounds and evoke strong feelings
Music can take me back to a sweet memory of my father shoveling the snow outside during a winter storm
Or my father taking my hand as a small girl to enter a Brazilian ceremony many decades ago
Or to remember a colleague playing a song by the Temptations in the office one Friday morning to help start the day
Music and memories inspire our lives to be so much more like an artists’ painting

Everything is a balance
In the end
Light wins over dark
Love over hate
Goodness over evil
Freedom over oppression
Truth over lies
Integrity over corruption
Right over wrong
Kindness over cruelty
Healing over pain
Love is powerful energy
It can change the world
In an instant
Light up the world
With one small act
It can make a difference

Balance

Surreal

Sometimes life seems surreal
That it’s not real
When I look back
I can’t believe my age
Have I really lived this long?
Where did the years go
They just flew by
In an instant
Yet I remember things
As if they just happened
Deep inside I still feel like me
Even if I don’t look the same
My hopes are still there
So are my dreams
Yet I am at the last third of my journey Instead of the beginning
How did that happen
Is this all a dream
So I will wake up some day
If not, I need to get busy

Surreal