The Golden Shore!

Beyond the horizon

Of a calm azure sea,

I have sailed through

Many storms, here

I am! I rest at the

Golden shore.

Just like the albatross ,

Riding the winds

Searching, learning,

Growing gradually

Accustomed to the

Turbulence of the

Forever tumbling

Gale. I have reached

The Golden Shore.

Fighting Titans, as I was

Sailing with heavy burdens

like Atlas of long

Before.

I have accepted my role,

Fulfilled my chores, and

Grew and learned and

Befriended the wind, the oceans,

And the waves.

I was awake in my dreams,

I was present in my wake,

And I submitted to my fate

With grace and wisdom.

I saw Medusa through

True mirrors and realized

That its beauty is fake.

I counted stars while

I stood upon the ground

Firm and strong.

I am not Icarus, I understood,

I learned not to

Trust falsehood.

I kept my head straight,

Fish rot from the head

Down, they said. I learned.

Through storms, and alluring

Brass beaches, I fought,

Like a true warrior inviolable.

Like Tarik, who burned all

His ships upon reaching

The Golden Shore.

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The Age of Darkness, the Age of Light-and the Sea.©

In the midst of the darkness of this long night… my heart is filled with uncertainty and my soul is restless. Yearning and anticipation are taking me on a roller coaster ride. It has been like this every night for as long as I can remember. But this feeling is getting intensified lately. I have learned to heed my intuition, and it never fails me. Now, I feel like something is going to happen. Never have we, as the people of this age, lived in such a contradiction since Charles Dickens wrote these words of wisdom:

” It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest seeing aies insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. ” Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, Book the First, Chapter I.

It’s a time that we’re seeing all the evil of humanity awaken like vampires spreading through the land. Those who want to divide us and take us back to the darkest of ages where a man was void of his human rights and measured by the color of his skin instead of the merits of his deeds and the substance of his character.

On the other side, never we have gotten together, unified under a sense of comradery , as this time, for humanity, civil rights, equality, freedom, kindness… all the best of humane traits, transcending race, religion, nationality, and all other bars and walls of division.

I found myself, this night, waiting for the dawn of day and yearning for the sea! Such a great urge to be looking at my beloved Pacific Ocean on the Oregon Coast. You, the reader, may wonder what is the relevance?!! At times like this, when I am restless and filled with anxiety, I think of the sea. He is my best friend. The only being that can listen and understand. The only friend on this beautiful and sad Earth who can fill me with hope in spite of pain and despair. The sea is wise yet playful, vast enough to contain the world yet can be contained in my gaze and my heart, mighty yet gentle… and most importantly- the sea is a generator of hope.

Waves live all around the shores, living a life filled with stories; yet as soon as one wave reaches its final destination, resting at last in the shore’s embrace- a new wave will immediately be born in its wake, back to the sea, to live a new life, a brand new life of its own. An endless story of life-infinite.

Yes, here I am, in the middle of the darkness of this restless night, I find myself yearning for the sea. Dreaming to stand by its shores, where earth meets the sky, as if standing by the edge of humanity, at the age when we are tested and trialed if we, as the people, are deserving of it!

Aidan & the Kaleidoscope 2

Little Children coloring and making cards for Aidan and Ella-Full Time Islamic School

Aidan & The Kaleidoscope

Fellowship of Goodness

Somewhere in a valley in California, women from different faith groups, United Methodists, Catholics, Mormons, Jewish, and Muslims all got together to help each other in a very dynamic and unique fellowship-to spread love, care, and understanding in our communities. The group cares for refugees, victims of cancer and their families, needy members of the community, widows and widowers group, make a wish for terminally ill seniors, and much more. Every time we meet at the Interfaith meetings, or at the Kaleidoscope group, or to one of the sisters’ houses for shared dinner-there is enough love, compassion, and humanity to fill the whole world.

I am so proud to be one of them. I pray that many communities around the nation and the whole world would follow our example.

One of the projects was caring for Aidan and his little sister Ella. He is a little boy undergoing a prolonged stay in the hospital for cancer treatment and needs a cheer. We cannot forget about his little sister, lest she feels neglected. I have asked you, my dear readers around the world in my last post to join in.

Aidan’s mom reported that Aidan was so happy receiving all those cards, and it really cheered him up and eased his agonizing long hospital stay.

Just because the world is full of chaos and perils, this doesn’t mean that goodness and cheerfulness cease to exist. As long as we strive to be good and fair and just.. as long as we continue to seek the truth, as long as we believe in God and certain of His Justice and Compassion-Humanity is still good and there is still hope.

©Gainperspectiveblog2/24/2017

Falling Men and Cosmic Dust©

It this world that we live in with all its chaotic disorder, we may feel anxious and have difficulty apprehend a future that is prosperous or safe. The atrocious massacre of civilians in Aleppo, terrorism, racism and nationalism that seems to be on the rise world wide-all are sore bleeding wounds that shatters our sense of equilibrium and threatens our sense of humanity.

The following words came to my mind:

Have you seen the dark shadow?

Numerous reports confirmed,

All over the globe, of a hollow

Dark smoky mass discerned

To be increasing in size and

Weight on the human chest

Upon encounter. Sadness,

Sorrow feelings that grow

Within, whenever this object

Flow upon the horizon.

It continues to cause destruction,

Chaos, and despair. It is in the air,

Polluting our water, deforming our

Spirit, crushing our soul…within and

Wherever it landed. Piercing shrieks

Are heard precede its arrival spreading

Terror. Humans are forced to their knees,

Covering their ears, void of humanity.

Everyone run for dear life, void of intellect

Or rational thinking. Hearing no logic,

Listening not to reason. Feet crushing bodies

As they run away blinded by fear and darkness-

Scattering in horror like wild beasts.

Nations upon nations have succumbed

To defeat-no survivals. Except those

Who flee, leaving behind memories of

Happiness destroyed & crumbled.

Masses have tried to assemble with candles,

Courageous hearts, extended hands, and hope to

Defeat this Dark Hollow Shadow. Their light

Was not strong enough, their hearts were not courageous

Enough,their hands were trembling, and the hope was crushed.

Years and years went by, and the darkness increased and persisted.

Down beneath the ashes, a flicker of light had survived.

A child, an innocent being, not yet corrupted by the Darkness-noticed

It and removed the ashes. Many hearts, souls, and hands were extended

Towards it. As one man, they all moved towards the light to protect it.

They tended to it with unity and love until it grew and grew to resemble the hope

That was crushed long ago. Together they hold the light up towards darkness, Guided and strong they marched.

Their cheers shook the land, their words echoed throughout the globe:

“Divided no more, divided we have fallen and fallen. United

Now and always, we stand.”

©Gainperspectiveblog12/29/2016

I have to Differ!©

I sadly would have to differ

With you, if you are racist.

I differ because I am not,

And sadly because you are.

I stand up for Fairness, for Justice,

For freedom of choice,

I call for Unity, I call for Peace.

I stand up against war.

I stand up for humanity.

What do you stand for?

©Gainperspectiveblog8/23/2016

Trébuchet of Deadly Words©

And they took their words

Turned them into stones

And trébuchet , trébuchet

Broke my heart. Rising smoke

And clouds of doubt formed

Above skies of mistrust and hurt.

Looking deep the broken mirror

Of my heart and saw nothing.

This is how it ended. This is how it died.

©Gainperspective8/12/2016

It’s Time for Peace©

It’s time for peace

It is time! I hear the call

From all corners of the globe.

I saw them breaking the wall

In Berlin. I hear peace chanting far East

In Tienanmen Square …over there

Rolling through the green hills

Of China over India and Afghanistan.

South the equator, brothers in new

South Africa, united under one nation.

Echoed in Tahrir Square in Egypt

Time square NY, Champs-Elysee Paris-

Everywhere good people getting together, in the face of evil

In the face of war. Behold, I see the white dove

Spreading out her wings, searching for that

Green olive branch to land-weary and sad.

People are holding up their hands

Together, everybody chanting, all of them saying:

No more hate, no more discrimination.

Our Earth is aching and bleeding

Pleading for her children-Calling for

Peace. Peace. Peace for all.

©Gainperspectiveblog7/15/2016

Beware of the Jabberwockies!©

Beware of the Jabberwockies, I said

Beasts among us my friend.

Beware of them dweebs

Energy sucking bleeps.

Judgmental, negative hordes-

Pull-you-downers slither toads.

Stay strong, clear, and focus

On your course no matter

What they throw at you.

Do not let their words

Smother your dream

Or cloud your sky.

Just brush it off by saying

To yourself: “Callooh! Callay!” , it’s all just noise.

Beware of the Jabberwockies, I say.

Rise and shine and meet your destiny.

You are awesome, you are strong-

You slay!

What happened to lessons learned

From Vietnam? From Wars Slogans-

What have we gained? Shipping Our

Youth again… marching down a jet’s belly,

Or sending them crammed somewhere

Across the sea to a destination abroad.

Why awaken the scary Balrog with

His breath of fire and his whips of flame?

Another war machine hungry to conquer,

Thirsty for blood, creating havoc, howling

With guns- seeking power, seeking fame.

Heavy smoke and grey clouds are spreading

Through the land. Fear mongers yelling and

Shouting crying wolf, when will we learn to

Hear the lies? Security, prosperity, sovereignty

Are the products of peace not war. When will we

Understand? Some their children followed the pipers-

To green fields with rows upon rows of white graves.

How many more beloved sons and daughters must we

Pay with their lives? When will we ever figure out the game?

Echos are heard now from the valleys, from the rolling

Green hills, from dwellers rushing rising with

The sun, on the highways to earn their living-

The echo of their song: Let us live in peace, live and let live , they’re singing,

We can hear the lies, no more wars, no more death.

They are singing: Let the sunshine in. Let the sunshine in.

Change-means-that-what-was__quotes-by-Esther-Dyson-47

Your-life-does-not-get-better-by-chance-it-gets-better-by-change.-Jim-Rohn

All through human history, humanity goes through periods of change, a shift in its story-line, either a change to better or worse- we are witnessing such times. Our role as individuals, as well as our responsibility, is in what we do with it…what we do during such times.

The ground is shaking and trembling

Beneath my feet as I stride. Stars are

Falling from above. Dark is the hour

But, I sense the dawn struggling as

The light is trailing…I hear wailing

Screams all around.

Shrills of souls in agony, wandering

Yet not lost. Searching, I join them

Looking for Justice, yearning for freedom

Finding none. So far, the hope is yet

Kindled, a flame that flickers weak

But steady-beneath the ashes, under

Frost.

I hear callers of temptations, seducers

To give up the search. Sirens alluring

Calling for segregation, calling me to

Serve myself-leaving the rest behind.

Rest, indulge, and sleep-I hear their

Flute. I see their flaming pit of fire

Sparks but no light. Darkness is their

Call, darkness surrounds their flame.

I go back to those who call for justice

I go back to the wandering souls. I hear

Truth in their words, I sense goodness

In their claims. Surrounded with so much

Evil, we push through and through. Together

We will reach, together-hope is born anew.

Light is finally pulling through.

After a hard and painful labor,

A new morning is born. Darkness

Defeated, victory to those who are

United, together we made it. Love

Binds us, and disdain to injustice

Pulled us with force undefeated.

This much I know.

gainperspectiveblog

Hope in the goodness of Humanity.

Category: Good vs. Evil