Walking in Nature Eyes behold nature’s beauty. Trees dance in its loveliness. Breeze sweeps over the hills. Water ripples in the streams.   Walking in nature is delightful. Sad memories just flutter by. Hearts leap with abundant joy. Flowers decorate its rolling paths.   Animals roam in the green pastures. Birds celebrate this festive season. Birth is renewed around the farms. Musicians greet these new portrayals.   But what does happiness mean? Why walk to the sounds of creation? How is one’s spirit renewed? Nature is an incredible change agent.   Picking apples and pears in orchards. Collecting grapes from rural vineyards. Tasting wines that titillate the tastebuds. Enjoying the beauty of nature’s abundance.  

  A Conflicted World What does life mean? Are there lessons to be learned? Do people just live and die? How should they live?   Take life one day at a time. Enjoy every moment fully. Be sure to smell the roses. And have a glass of wine.   Life is shorter than you think. Days pass by that many hardly remember. But are they open to the undulations of change? This is the only way to pursue happiness.   Our families grow up before our eyes. Some people decide to have hobbies. They pursue their dreams with a purpose. These decisions mean a lot for older adults.   Older folks are faced with challenges. Many of their afflictions are health issues. These conditions cause unexpected problems. Some may see their dreams of life shattered. But why don’t they live like optimists? It’s one way of living sanely in a conflicted world.     

  The Sun’s Beauty Sunshine brightens the day. What a glorious sight! The sun enlivens spirits. And there’s joy all around.   It’s a ball of fire in the heavens. Life on earth comes alive. These soothing rays cause happiness. People rejoice over its glaring presence.   At times this universal light is dim. Many in nations will wonder why? What does such dimness foretell? Is it the end of a wonderful time?   But the sun will always shine. Why worry about such phases? Just think how it impacts the landscape. And the seas that rejoice with its appearance.   Sunshine in lives brings a glowing happiness. Such symbolism stresses how people feel.   It’s when they happen to behold a rainbow. They will embrace hope and beauty of the sky.

  Living Positively How are you feeling? Are you able to sleep? Do you have an appetite? Are you crushed by emotions?   You may be experiencing Thoughts that are unhealthy That are sucking your energy But where should you turn?   The answers rest with yourself. Learn how to beat these blues. Talk them through with good friends. And listen to their encouragement.   Embrace activities that are life-affirming. Play some games that you like. Socialize with friends that are positive. And watch your bad thoughts fade away.   Rethink the way you deal with stress. Try to motivate yourself to have hobbies. Soon, you’ll realize things aren’t that bad. For your new way of living is positive.  

  The Transcendentalists Robert A. Gross’s The Transcendentalists and Their World is a comprehensive study of life in the early 1800s in Concord, Massachusetts. This book amplified on the conflict between a community mindset versus a focus on an individualistic orientation. This tension was captured in the first part of the book that described Concord before the 1830s. The second half dealt mainly with the lives of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and the anti-abolition movement. Early life in Concord was dominated by its First Church, farming, politics, school, and the militia. Its pastor was Ezra Ripley and all residents were expected to attend church. Concord paid the bills for Ripley’s service. Many residents in this community were farmers, and the Whigs controlled politics. Only White males were allowed to vote. The society had a grammar school for young children, and young men served in the militia. Ripley’s church was liberal because it was open to changes in or...

  Therapy Dogs A therapy pet could be a number of animals – Dogs, cats, llamas, miniature pigs, mini-horses, or birds. But many people choose dogs. They could be an emotional support, Therapy, and certified service dogs.   Why are these dogs necessary? Many people attest to the benefits of having such pets. For they lift their mood, relieve stress, And help them recover from health problems, While at home, in hospitals, and mental institutions.   Classrooms are also a good place for these animals, And students benefit during physical exercise. Interactions with dogs, lower blood pressure, And having them around are stimulating, For they help people with pain management.   There’s a difference between a “therapy dog” and “service dog.” A therapy dog helps their clients physically and emotionally, While a service dog performs tasks That these individuals are unable to do themselves.

  Beautiful Fire Fire burns brightly. Love adorns its light. It’s a promise come true. And joy is in the air.   What does this mean? Can people trust these flames? Why is fire important? Let’s rejoice with each flicker.   Some suffer because of fire Sweeping through the landscape They calculate all its damages In the environment of trees aflame.   Yet, others experience fire’s goodness. They keep warm in winter with its flame. Food is cooked that’s very delicious. And candles are lit by striking a match.   So, let us embrace fire’s beauty. God’s gift of its virtuous flames. People do rejoice living in glory. Fire has captured their emotions. It burns brightly by soothing hearts.  

  Raindrops Keep Falling   People rejoice that rain is coming. Just look at the changes in the sky. The clouds sweep by and are darker.    They know the signs and prepare.   Bring out the umbrellas from storage. Put on the long-forgotten raincoats That is if they plan on going outdoors It’s the only way not to be soaked.   Somehow, it’s always best to be indoors. This is especially so when it’s night. Take comfort and curl up in bed. And listen to the rain’s pattering sounds.   Farmers are sad when there’s a drought. Trees come alive as the rain begins to fall. Cattle are happy greeting the drops with delight. It’s as though farms are renewed with a new day.   But rain can also cause people some problems. Too much water may result in terrible flooding. It may be difficult for levees to contain the streams. But rainfall is beautiful and essential for the land. Without the blessing of rain living thi...

  Crack in Brick Wall Bang! Something stops you. What should you do? Where must you turn? How could you move on?   A brick wall comes in your life. You might be set on a career. But unhelpful circumstances arise. These could be the cause of an illness.   Would such illness dampen your spirit? Do you see your situation as hopeless? You’re struck with some terrible disease. Could treatment really help your condition?   Your situation is quite serious. Where should you turn? What should you do? This treatment doesn’t seem to be working.   Yet, you endeavor to continue with trials. Then, there’s a crack in the brick wall. A new hope is alive with a break through. The brick wall crumbles unexpectedly. You’re able to achieve your life’s dream.

  Dreams from My Father Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance is a rather captivating work. It focused on Obama’s life in Hawaii, living conditions in New York, experiences in Chicago, trip to Kenya, and his marriage to Michelle. Life in Hawaii and Indonesia was dominated with details of his early life. Obama benefited from an education at exclusive schools. He worked hard and did well. All along he was encouraged by his mother Anna, grandfather Gramps, and grandmother Toot. Insights were given concerning his adolescent years, his friends at Punahou school, and boyhood misdeeds. But he was able to stay out of trouble. After graduating from Occidental College in Los Angeles, Obama moved to New York City where he attended Columbia University. Readers learned of his struggles while living in Harlem, graduation, and jobs in the city. But his goal was to become a community organizer. He later got this chance and relocated in 1983 to Chicago. Commu...

  Save Our Youth American youths are handicapped. Their goals are being shattered. Who should be blamed for such travesty? What should adults do to avoid this dilemma?   Where is the youth’s role models? Why is the air so poisoned? Some public officials are responsible. These individuals spill gas on the flames.   These officials’ lives are deplorable. They are known to have broken marriages. Some children are born out of wedlock. Still, these are the ones who are elected.   Others tell glaring lies in the public arena. People often hear them on radio and TV. Yet, these are the leaders of the nation. Unabashedly, they do so in God’s name.   Young people are the future of the nation. Imagine how they are bogged down with contradictions. These statements are harmful and confusing to young minds. Why aren’t public officials ideal role models to American youths? It’s time for change in this diverse society that Ameri...

  Dancing a Jig Oh! What a beautiful melody. A song that soothes the soul. It warms a tender heart And makes people shed a tear.   Some songs make people sad. They find peace with themselves. Individuals tell of undying love. Others say they titillate their souls.   But there are also happy songs. Those that make heads spin. Words that cause hearts to flutter. These are just what the doctor orders.   But what do people like to sing? Where do they celebrate? In which country do they live? Songs touch them wherever they are.   Songs are music to people’s ears. They move groups to dance a jig. Some like to hop and jump for joy. For they are able to tap into a new reality.  

  Life-Affirming Truth Uphold what’s good. Nurture what’s beautiful. Embrace life’s affirmations. Let justice prevail.   Why buy into falsehoods? Why tamper with the truth? What will people gain? A frigid wind is blowing.   Let trumpets blast. Let’s clear the air. Abuse has no place. It only wrecks good lives.   Bugles may sound. Deceivers may rule. But where’s the victory? It’s tarnished with deception.   A battle with words prevails. Choose your side. People shiver when it’s cold, But delight in the warmth. Bad lies are just devastating.  

  Luminous Sadness You’re older now. And your life is ebbing. Is this the end? No one knows.   Fleeting years pass by. Where has time gone? You’re no longer young. And your face is wrinkled.   How do you feel? It’s rather depressing. You rather be in bed. But you have to rally on.   This is a new reality. In the second half of life. For you’re living with pain. But your mind is clear.   It’s just another hill. Yes, you’ve fallen down. Yet, you know in your heart. You’ll rise again. It’s a luminous sadness. It’s the nature of your older life.  

  Blindsided Richard M. Cohen’s Lifting a Life Above Illness: Blindsided - A Reluctant Memoir spoke to readers who are facing chronic health problems. The writer explained his difficulties with living with multiple sclerosis and cancer among other trials. His health problems led to numerous side effects to which he had to make adjustments. Coping with these diseases were essential in Cohen’s life. His inability to walk normally, problems with his speech, and multiple cancer operations of his colon were daunting. Despite these problems Cohen had to work, raise a family, and cope with these afflictions. But these difficulties affected his job as a senior producer at CBS, PBS, CNN, and later at Fox. Cohen’s work often required that he travels. Initially, his health wasn’t as bad. So, he made a number of international trips including Israel, Palestine, Beirut, Poland, and El Salvador. These demands were rather stressful. Cohen also covered some major national political events of ...