The Mountain

View at snow capped mountains on a cloudy winter day. Time lapse.

As I was approaching

The highland, where the

Road to the Mountain

Starts; I saw the snow capped

Top first. The Mountain stood

There facing the blows of

The wind carving scars on

His face, and he seemed

patiently bearing the

Heavy burden of the

Falling snow over his

Head. I saw the erusion

That this burden made

On every crevice of

The rocks.

Yet, our Mountain stood

Tall and strong. Perhaps

For the deeply rooted

Faith, that the wind

Will evantually soften,

And the snow will

Melt by time.

©gainperspectiveblog12/1/2021

Then Hope Took Roots©

Under a rocky soil

A stubborn flower

Grew. Aiming for

The sun above,

It raised its head

And stood tall,

And looked strong.

Somewhere deep

underneath the surface,

There in the dark,

Hope was born.

Hope took roots

And lived to tell

A tale of triumph.

©gainperspectiveblog@wordpress.com7/7/2021

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/theodore_roethke_137366?src=t_roots

Critical Thinking, Hope, Inspiration, Poetry, Positive Thinking, Writing

Distance Does Not Matter!©

Crocus Flower Peeking Up Through The Snow. Spring. Southcentral Alaska.

sand of beach caribbean sea

Distance does not matter

To the sea, it does not matter

To the ocean, they still find

each other- waves of devotion

greet the shore.

Distance does not matter

to the river, it still delivers.

Distance does not matter

To the sun, it does not matter

To the moon- rays and beams

Full of warmth

When it shines bright and true.

Distance does not matter

To the heart that loves.

©Gainperspectiveblog2/1/2021

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

My Orange Tree!©

Souls, like plants, are revived by the sunlight and care. I was feeling sick today and under the weather. I thought of just calling off going to teach on Monday until I feel better. Then I looked down from my bedroom window to my garden and saw these magnificent oranges and tangerines alluring me to just pick them up.

I thought of my students on Monday and how lovely it would be to share some of these fresh citrus blessings with them. Suddenly I had this surge of energy and pulled myself out of bed and went down to the garden with a big bag to pick some fruits.

Instantly the fresh citrus scent revived my soul and rejuvenated my energy. I felt much better instantly. And then I peeled an orange and took a bite, heaven!

I thought how in the acts of giving that my orange tree had showed me-with it’s extended boughs laden with the gift of fruits to pick, enjoy, and share- now my aching limbs and tired heart had been energized and healed. There is nothing like the act of giving and sharing to uplift the soul. Don’t you all agree?

P.S. Those pictures I just took are as fresh as the fruits they show. Beautiful California citrus…yummy!

©Gainperspectiveblog12/11/2016