To Robert Browning, With Love

“What’s the earth

With all it’s art, verse, music, worth–

Compared with love

found, gained, kept?”

~ Robert Browning

Big Heart of Art - 1000 Visual MashupsBig Heart of Art - 1000 Visual MashupsBig Heart of Art - 1000 Visual Mashups

 

 Dear Robert,

You got it mostly right. This world ~ with all it’s art, verse, music ~ simply would not be, without love. Love is the root of adornment and adoration. Love is the reason for it all.

Love ~ found, gained, kept ~ is at the bottom of everything worthy of aspiration. Love is the aspiration.

Romantic love, friendly love, passionate love, familial love. Love of the creator. Love for fellow men. Love for loving’s sake.

I AM what I AM, you are what your are, we are who we are… in love, through love, by love, because of love.

Deny love - deny yourself.

Love. The opposite of fear. And we all know the only thing to fear is fear itself.

Think on that for a bit.

 

 

 

These Hands

Yeah, yeah. I know the drill. Hands are the true indicator of a woman’s age.

But let’s get serious…

These Hands

Among other things

Have raised

Babies

Vegetables

Spirits

And Hell

Why wouldn’t I love them?

Open Eyes, Open Mind, Open Heart

 

Vow to release the old, rigid ways 

They hinder each step of the journey. 

Open to options, to love and forays 

Don’t let judgment inhibit the glory. 

Eyes wide open 

See what is real 

Eternal, soul-building, enduring. 

Consider, think, choose 

How to fit in those scenes 

Witness? Player? 

Defensive? 

Alluring? 

Then open up.

Prepared

For the ride of your life.

Dear Leo, About John… and LOVE

“Love is life.

All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.

Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone.

Love is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source.”

~ Leo Tolstoy



Dear Leo,

Did you know that  I’m a Leo, too? Yep.  Born on August second. Smack dab in the middle of The Leo Zone. I am FULL of Leo-glow… strong, creative and enthusiastic, open-minded, faithful and loving. I’m a little bit dramatic, like to make an entrance, and want to leave an impression.

I can be dogmatic, pompous, and am sometimes patronizing. I’ve been called stubborn and opinionated, and overly idealistic. Although I hate to admit it, I’m a little vain. And I must be boastful since, on occasion, I really do think “It is good to be queen,” while secretly yearning for a ruby-studded tiara. I am uncomplicated. I have few secrets. What you see is what you get.

How is it that I am aware of all these things? How do I so thoroughly understand my assets, flaws and foibles? Simple. You, Mr. Tolstoy were right. We only understand when we are willing to love, and I have learned to love. I’ve benefited from  exceptional living examples, numerous historic role models, and a lover and friend who loves me unconditionally. I have learned to love. Not all of us do. How lucky am I? I live love, give love, take love, make love. I AM love.  I live. I breathe. I love.

So thank you, Leo, for so famously putting into words what is certainly the universe’s driving force and eternal truth. But I have to say, you and I are also alike in our verbosity. John Lennon put all that in a nutshell. And then in a song. Using only 5 words. “All you need is love.”

And there you have it.

Love to you, Leo!

Choose

“Happiness Depends Upon Ourselves”

        ~ Aristotle

Dear Ari,

 When you’re right, you’re right.

 Love, Kim

 ~ CHOOSE ~

~ ? ~

Choose to be happy

To depend on yourself

To find joy by the end of each day.

~

Choose to be honest

To live only the truth

No regrets; ne’er deceive or betray.

~

Choose to be valiant

To look fear in the face

Straighten shoulders; lift your chin and love.

~

Choose to be brilliant

To let your light so shine

That the Gods seek you out, from above.

~

This

Is to live.

Choose.

~ ? ~