TGIF Friday can sometimes be lonely on a dark snow covered road

I love Fridays, and actually, I get to experience

one again tomorrow. You see, I've been working

shift work for the first time in my life, going on

two years .......

One who works any 7 day of the week and any 

morning, afternoon or evening or a combination

of any of them all. There is nothing more

wholesome and rewarding as Friday.

A tradition we start in our teens, move into our

dating years, into our children's lives and all 

back again. Most important, in all of those 

memories are the friends we hold dear. 

Yes, I mean you. One who thinks to reach out

every single day. Perhaps for some that is their

brightness for their day. You bring that to

people, the world, and so much more. If you

don't. You should.

I drove along the lonely road

exhaust falling behind as hazy residue

The snow covering winter's total darkness

from light

The city behind with failing from sight

I had a talk with myself in my mind asking: 

are you living the life you designed?

Well, no, my honest voice spoke

Not out loud, for others to vote

It shows in your face when looking down

A slight crease, warding off forming a frown

The music in the background drowned out by the

whop whop whop of the wipers

You realize you've been gripping the wheel so

tightly as though fleeing vipers

Suddenly your grip loosens up ad your chin rises

Your eyes open wider in rejoicements to see

you've arrived at you journey's end without

hitting a tree

The radio's music tempo on the radio reacts

with an upbeat change -even if it is only

snow within eye's range.

You wanted to drive to dispell the worry and conquer the fear

To master the feelings that linger near

So take a drive in sleet and rain

Out of the city lights to clear your brain

Not realizing it as the symbol it was

Daily we face limitations clouded in fuzz

The gift that you strive forward to is 

a new appreciation of facing your fears

Like the miles on the snow ridden highway 

with music's melodic soothing

To hip hop lyrics, guitar strings beats it brings.

Startling us back to the light we should focus on

Appreciate life even on abandoned roads

Forget about work, life's worries, those fears

Instead, reflect upon nice acts of kindness

There is always someone not waiting, nor hoping

for a kind hand to reach out

That may be who you needed to remember as,

for and being about.

 

Your gift is wrapped, even with a bow,

Who it is waiting for, may never know

 

While the whole world may wonder

how you found the calmness you glow

It is for you, about you, the forgiving you,

the worries bursting with warm memories

How odd that it is. All day long, every day, we

see those we know, meet and care about 

Not ones we end up staking our lives, intentions

clouded by being part of a crew.

Forgetting to realize how important we are too.

Wanting to be close to that important crew

It is with caring and optimism that allows gratitude to renew

Written by Jeannette Marshall

Footprints in the soil

I was first given the gift of the poem "Footprints in the sand" when I left a company with many friends, advocates and supporters about 15 years ago.  It was the image from the same poem.  Not long after, this poem was chosen by my mother-in-law for the keepsake for a man whom she had been married to for 40 plus years as her farewell gift of love:

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking
along the beach with the Lord
Many scenes from my life flashed 
across the sky.  In each scene I
noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of
footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed in low
periods of my life, when I was suffering
from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could
only see one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord: "You promised me
Lord that if I followed you, you would
walk with me always.  But I noticed that
in my most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints
in the sand.  Why, when I needed you most
have you not been there for me? 
The Lord replied: The years you have only
seen one set of footprints, my child,
is when I have carried you."

How lucky and amazing it is that one's farewell in unique circumstances and miles apart were given as a gift, as a send off to someone beloved or held dear.

I was thinking,  how lucky one is when there is someone who wants to follow in their own unique path, with the imprint of your wisdom imparted to them.  Really, footprints in the soil.

The soil, because of the wisdom can become deeply rooted in the receiver's philosophy to bloom at times of despair, discouragement and perhaps depression.  We dig deep to find the wisdom of those before us to provide inspiration when we are grasping at something that we are unaware, yet desperately seeking. 

How lucky one is to have someone who seeks your advice and an ear to listen as they sort out their feelings, their goals and struggling for a path or confirmation we are on the right one.  We all wonder.  We all seek guidance.

As we grasp for understanding for what unsettles us, we are seeking that one person who can understand our restlessness.  Fortunate are those who find that person, whether it is a parent, a friend, a sibling, a mentor, spiritual guider or willing advisor.

When we realize that there is someone reaching out to grasp your hand to guide you upon  self reflection and seeking understanding.  Some people don't have that gift to receive.  Others, don't appreciate that they have that gift to give.

Recognize that you have had agony, frustration and strongly desire to extend that guidance.  When it is before you, take it.  Similarly, don't disregard the kind words of encouragement or discredit the accolades that person extends to you.  Remember you are not in the best frame of mind or self-belief.  They may not be bias by love, but objective in understanding.  You just may need those words of encouragement when you find yourself at the bottom of the valley with a mountain of optimism before you that you cannot climb on your own.

Help others plant themselves in the soil of your wisdom.  Don't force upon them your passion for wanting them to avoid the same pitfalls you have found yourself in.  That exuberance may alienate the opportunity for them to absorb your wish for them to avoid the same pain you have experienced.  They have to be willing and accepting of your inspiration.  They will not accept any words of encouragement until they are willing to embrace them.  You may need to repeat those words more than once until they can see it for themselves.

Frustrating as that may seem, the want to clear the soil so that optimism may bloom, patience may be needed.  Hold on dearly to their need to reach out as a small bud would in soil.  You can nurture that need and wet their appetite to your desire to help them bloom.  Reach their fullest potential.  

You cannot force them to see.  No matter how hard you try.  No matter how much you want to help them avoid the pain that you have had.  They will only accept the advice when they are open to it.

Don't take it as disappointment or a sign that your experience isn't worth listening to.  Understand that it will sprout and bloom on its own accord and in its own time.   Sometimes it is delayed, sometimes immediate.  You nor them can bend it to your will.  It happens at the right time.

Yes, you see the flower that is before your eyes. It may be that the flower does not see itself as such because it is merely a sprout and cannot see the beauty that is unfolding.

Patience is wisdom.  Understanding is enlightenment.  When they both meet, wonders can happen.

Neither can embrace it or help it to be without understanding the other's role in footprints in the soil.

Be thankful that you have someone seeking your guidance.  Appreciate that you have someone whom you can reveal your deepest desire for them to reach their maximum potential.  Together, you can uncover what may be hidden in a seed.  Ready to bloom.  Likely to flourish.

"Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind.  To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue."
                                                                                        ~Buddha