From Chaos & Confusion to Clarity & Confidence

From Chaos & Confusion to Clarity & Confidence is a poem about my journey of self discovery... ...

I was lost
My life without force
I was confused
My love refused

I lived for my image
My life was a stage
I was trapped in a corporate cage
My mind was filled with rage

My heart was crying
I could not hear
My body was aching
I did not heal
My mind was screaming
I trembled in fear
My spirits were lost
I was no longer here

The crying became louder
I began to hear
The aching more intense
I began to feel
My mind screamed in defense
I could no longer hide from my fear
I gathered my spirits
And hold them dear

My spirits were all I had
I have abandoned my race
The heat was fierce
I burned in disgrace
I surrendered to spirits
And I was embraced
Love and abundance follow
Showering me with grace

The experience was transcendental
Life could never be the same
How can I go back?
To a life so lame
How can I be complete?
If my spirits are in shame
I can only go forward
My heart burns with a flame!

Photo 1 = Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus in Melbourne
Photo 2 = Aged Hawker in Taiwan
Photo 3 = Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae in Melbourne

Which Wolf Will You Feed?

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

The Terrorists Have Won!

The terrorists have won! They have won not because they have instilled terror in our hearts. They have won because they triggered the anger in our hearts. They have won because our leaders chose to transmute our fears into hatred.

The world is in need of leaders such as Mohandas Gandhi who understands that true power comes from non-violence. Leaders who know that there is no way to peace, because peace is the way. Non-violence does not come from thin air, nor does it come from violence. It springs from a deep understanding and experience of the power of compassion and love.

In the current world of chaos, we all need the strength of Muhammad Ali. Not his physical strength in the boxing ring, but his spiritual strength to stand up for his beliefs. His strength to refuse to fight, even in the face of a jail term and opposition from his peers. His courage to refuse to murder and kill other fellow beings because he knows deep in his heart that it is not the right thing to do.

Do you have the strength to face terror without the double edged sword of anger and violence? Do you have the courage to face your fears and stand firm for what you believe? Do not look to anyone for answers. The answer lies within you. You have the strength and the courage within you. Find it.