Write about Your Guest House

Guest House

      - Rumi

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

Rumi makes points about life's randomness and how to deal with it.  

Everyone lives in a house with four rooms physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Acceptance, gratitude, and laughter help us achieve balance when challenges arise in our rooms.  

Write about your unexpected visitors and how they expanded your knowledge of yourself.  Use dialogue and humor to delve into these concerns.

Relish the View

Be Your Own Role Model - Marcus Mariota

‘You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.’ ~ Alan Alda

When Abraham Maslow said, "It isn't normal to know what we want. It is a rare and difficult psychological achievement," he referred to an individual's long-term yearnings. 

Maslow focused on the all-around characteristics of what one plans to become. He also meant the qualities one looks for in allies and the feelings individuals want to experience each day.

Consider psychological achievements you wish to make.

What dilemma would you like to resolve? 

Which powers will you need to actuate?

How will you discover emotions that need a boost of ingenuity?












“Laugh at yourself, but don’t doubt yourself. Be bold. Let the strength of your desire give force and moment to your every step. Move with all of yourself. - Alan Alda

Don't let the opinions of any audience affect your purpose. As Polonious says in Hamlet, "To thine own self be true."

Bolster your vigor by tapping into innovation with creative energy.

                Make motivations spark enthusiasm rather than worry and distress.

                                    Find harmony among all your inner voices.

Negotiate for fun and flavors.

Make mistakes. Just don't let the pencil's eraser get used more than the pencil's point.

Get ready for a jolt of brilliance.

Travel beyond the wilderness.

Keep upward and climb a mental mountain, rising above limitations. 

Relax and relish your view.

To Honor Our Veterans

Soldier, rest1 They warfare o'er,
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,

Dream of battled fields no more.

Days of danger, nights of waking. 

-Sir Walter Scott

Veterans Day became a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and celebrated as 'Armistice Day.'" This legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

United States Senate Resolution 143, passed on Aug. 4, 2001, designated the week of Nov. 11 through Nov. 17, 2001, as "National Veterans Awareness Week." The resolution calls for educational efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

Take time today to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country and those who currently assist with our protection.

For those unable to travel to the graves of their loved ones, there are websites like FindAGrave.com, where one can create a cyber-monument and leave a "virtual" note or bouquet.