11 Inspiring Quotes and Poem About Dealing With Rejection

Check out this mind food when you need to pick yourself back up from rejection.

From Denny:  Rejection is one of the toughest situations people do to each other. It's inevitable. You don't get that job. You don't attract that person for romance. Even the family dog doesn't want to know you some days. Bad days happen and happen for a reason. Look at it this way. It sure makes those good times we experience that much sweeter because we have a stark comparison against which to measure it.

Like anything, Life gets easier if we take the time to reflect upon disappointments and rejection - but in a positive way. I was reminded recently of some people who rejected me when in college, though I accepted them wholeheartedly. Yet, all these years later it is just now these fellow women have realized they were being petty and insecure.

While I was sad at the time about what appeared to be rejection for no good reason it was these years later they revealed to me why they did what they did. Turns out it was jealousy, fear and insecurity. They had put me up on some imaginary inner plateau, assuming I was something I wasn't.

The short explanation is they really didn't have good people skills and could not "read" people well to properly assess my offer of friendship. Today they regret their rejection of the many good people in their lives, a pattern they found themselves repeating far too often. They now realize the source of their terrible unhappiness for so many years is because they rejected the good people capable of long term friendships in favor of the shallow mean-spirited people who later abandoned them to rejection.

I've always been blessed with an uncommon ability to see into people's hearts. I saw the best in them; I saw their talents long before they did. I also knew they had low self-esteem and the chances were high they would reject the friendship. I offered it anyway to give them the opportunity of choice and decision.

Lately, on the web, I've been running across many sites where people have been lamenting rejection, stuck as how to deal effectively with it. Their pain was palpable, weeping on the surface and interfering with living day to day. So, I sat down and thought a while about it and wrote a poem. There are also several favorite quotes listed about how famous people have learned how to rethink rejection and benefit from it.



Quotes

Life's blows cannot break a person whose spirit is warmed at the fire of enthusiasm. - Norman Vincent Peale, Preacher and Author

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. - Jimmy Dean, Actor, Singer and Businessman

I think that you have to believe in your destiny; that you will succeed, you will meet a lot of rejection and it is not always a straight path, there will be detours - so enjoy the view. - Michael York, actor

Don’t Take Anything Personally. Nothings others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering. - Don Miguel Ruiz, New Age Author

Life is a succession of lessons, which must be lived to be understood. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Author, Poet and Philosopher

There's nothing like rejection to make you do an inventory of yourself. - James Lee Burke, American Author

Dear to us are those who love us... but dearer are those who reject us as unworthy, for they add another life; they build a heaven before us whereof we had not dreamed, and thereby supply to us new powers out of the recesses of the spirit, and urge us to new and unattempted performances. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Author, Poet and Philosopher

True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful. - Paul Sweeney, Author

An objection is not a rejection; it is simply a request for more information. - Bo Bennett, Businessman and Author

Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. - Marcus Aurelius

Do not waste yourself in rejection; do not bark against the bad, but chant the beauty of the good. - Ralph Waldo Emerson


Even God has a sense of humor about how to handle repeated rejection. Take a look.






Poem From God


How many times have you lamented the experience of constant rejections in life?
How many times have you dreaded getting up in the morning to face more rejection?
Writers, artists, actors, sales and customer service people intimately know rejection.
So do the unemployed know rejection, especially those without jobs for months, years.







Do you ever sit down in an emotional puddle and roll in the misery of getting rejected?
“Who hasn’t?” would be a more accurate question. Everyone has visited the Pity Party.
People advise you to “Get over it!” but you can’t seem to pull yourself out of the dark pit.
Others tell you to quit being so sensitive but the hurt of rejection lingers with a stench.







You wonder to yourself how to deal effectively with the sting of repeated rejection?
It’s good to look at rejection from a completely different perspective: God’s.
How does the Creator of the Universe deal with repeated rejection? What’s His take?
God has a great sense of humor, for, after all, we are made in His Image, right?







One day I sat down to listen to what God had to say about dealing with rejection.
And God said, “Do you think I don’t know rejection? Every day I go to work.
“Half the people on this planet wake up refusing to have anything to do with Me.
“I go to work anyway. The song of Love calls to their hearts and I await their answer.”



Denny Lyon
Copyright 8 Oct 2010
All Rights Reserved


*** Check out this related post:

Inspiring Quotes About Dealing With Rejection - Some great advice from famous people about handling rejection.




Photo Credits - Flickr provides this new code that also links the photo back to the photographer's page when you click on the photo. Here are the page links too:


Discarded roses on the street photo by Todd Huffman @ flickr

The Deepest Pain - rejection words in the sand photo by juliejordanscott @ flickr

Empty glass or full glass photo by Princess K8 @ flickr



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

A Healing Spiritual Poem: Waking The Day

Spiritual symbolism is all around us in our daily life, ready to help heal and balance.





From Denny: Writing on several levels simultaneously is always a joy, especially in the form of poetry. People find it more enjoyable to interpret the poems on their own. But since this is my spiritual blog I thought I'd mention some of the most obvious spiritual symbols present in this poem.


water = spirituality
mist and fog = Spirit
herons and egrets = change coming
the moon = represents change and feminine spiritual energy
the sun = life giving and masculine spiritual energy
cats = healing
golden color = ancient healing light and knowledge
planet Venus = Love
night and day = balance and transition
stumbling in the dark = how we often find our way in life
coffee drink = comfort and celebration of the new
humor = brings joy into our hearts

The reason this is a healing poem is because it speaks to connecting with all around us and viewing all in our life as a spiritual experience, therefore drawing strength and balance.



When the day - and I - awaken, present in the moment.





Waking The Day


When I suddenly awakened from the long night’s hot summer sleep
The energizing scent of coffee brewing wafted around the corner.
I stumbled in the dark, bouncing off the doorway, fumbling for the kitchen lights.
I saw cats waiting eagerly at the back door, wide-eyed nocturnal keepers of the yard.





Measuring out fresh food into their three bowls, then wisely throwing open the door.
They looked up at me, measuring me more than their food, wondering how awake,
Hugging the doorway, quietly gliding through the opening instead of their usual burst.
The golden tiger cat squeaked his morning gossip of the neighborhood nightly report.





Steaming dark brown coffee breathed foggy swirls, spilling into the pristine mug.
The hot libation slid down my throat as it gave off its sweet Ethiopian perfume.
Drinking coffee before speaking plays first in the slumbering beginnings at my house.
Glancing at the cats, all lined in a row, they ate heartily as if miners just off a long shift.






I stepped out into the night to view the sparkling stars before they faded to the day.
The sky was astounding in its simple beauty; the love planet Venus the brightest smile.
How could anyone not smile in return when the planets seem to speak lovingly to us?
So many stars, so many messages written in the sky, our Universe speaks unceasingly.





Pouring another offering of coffee, I pulled up a chair on the porch to view the lake.
I could witness early morning on the water a thousand times, never to be disappointed.
Smoke rose on the water, little ghostly fingers walking forward on the mirrored surface.
Three mallard ducks emerged from the mist, swimming my way, dancing long strides.






Huge prehistoric wings filled the air with a swooping sound and blanketed darkness.
A blue heron landed to fish his breakfast, blending into the smoky gray surrounding mist.
Soon a white egret flew in from the east, careful to move down to another fishing hole.
In the dim light a neighbor fished, sitting, pole in hand as his coffee scent filled the air.







Faint pink embers, the growing light, were filling the sky just above the rooftop horizon.
The blue heron stalked the shallows on his long legs, searching the moving warm waters.
A sudden splash, beak dove down, retrieving a huge fish he flung high on to the bank.
The egret caught small fishes, silver glints in the sunlight, tossed into the air, swallowed.





Two cups of coffee later it was time to check back in the house to rouse my husband.
Entering the room, he slumbered peacefully, his breath shallow; I knew he was awake.
The golden tiger cat pounced onto the bed and onto his chest, demanding attention.
His eyes closed, my husband smiled and knew he had not fooled either one of us.




Denny Lyon
Copyright 17 Sept 2010
All Rights Reserved



Photo Credits


Steaming coffee in white cup photo by Kvasov Andrey @ flickr

Pink embers sunrise photo by Indy Kethdy @ flickr

Two great white egrets photo by flythebirdpath~} teddy @ flickr

The night sky photo by James Jordan @ flickr (combination of two photos)

Smoke on the water photo by flamesworddragon @ flickr

Ducks swimming under full moon photo by joiseyshowaa @ flickr

Fairy tale moon photo by davedehetre @ flickr

Golden cat in shadow photo by 1 suisse @ flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

2012: What Will Happen to Earth and Us?

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*** What you can do to ensure your safety and survival as geologic time rapidly changes - and the resulting paradigm shift of humanity - is in the process of occurring.





What is already happening to fulfill the 2012 predictions

From Denny: A lot is predicted to happen to our planet Earth in the year of 2012. What people are not paying close enough attention to is that the geologic changes are already happening.

There have been high level earthquakes around the globe. When large magnitude earth quakes above magnitude 7.0 happen, they affect the Earth's magnetic poles. Earth's magnetic poles have already shifted slightly and now our orbit has changed as well. Whole continents have moved because of these earthquakes, causing a chain reaction of earthquakes.

Geologic time moving faster than normal, glacial melting, resulting flooding

While geologic time moves slowly, we happen to be living in an era of constant change. The north and south poles are giving up their ice sheets. It's those ice sheets which have acted as the Earth's cooling mechanism for 10,000 years. Now that the glaciers are melting - whether through humanity's excessive use of fossil fuels and air pollution or through a natural cycle of the planet freezing and cooling - the fact remains there is now more water in the oceans and in the air which brings massive flooding. Pakistan is currently experiencing terrible flooding that has killed thousands. The worst flooding also happens to be in the area of the Taliban supporters and strongholds. Coincidence? The Taliban terrorize their own Islamic neighbors, all in the name of religion as they see it: a brutal, vicious take on normally peaceful Islam.

"So goes Russia, so goes the rest of the world" - Christian prophecy

Because there are no longer the glaciers to retard summer heat there are now massive waves of high heat across the globe and the resulting raging fires that go along with very dry land and forests. Russia is currently experiencing terrible forest fires outside their capital city of Moscow and the resulting air pollution is devastating to the health of the residents. These are the first fires and high summer heat that Russia has ever experienced. Coincidence? The Russian crime syndicates have wreaked such havoc on the country, driving greedy consumerism and violent drug crime that the country is out of control like the raging fire. For good or for ill, Russia has a great spiritual influence upon the world - as much as America.

2012 End Times Prophecy

The year of 2012 is heralded as The End of Time yet the prophecies also continue counting Time after the Winter Solstice of 2012. What does that mean? Ancient cultures often wove together their science as well as their spiritual understanding.

What the time marker of 2012 is really all about is that culture on this Earth and the Earth as we know it will end - and begin a new cycle. Whenever humanity is no longer advancing spiritually, instead caught up too much in materiality, there is always a cleansing. Sometimes, it is just a cleansing of the planet in a geologic fashion through flooding, earthquakes, famine or fire.

Cleansing the weakest human DNA

In more dire situations, like in the 2012 prophecy, it will be a literal cleansing of the human DNA, the weaker will be dying off in large numbers. Who are the weaker people on this planet? They are the greedy, the contentious, the destructive, those who throw up obstacles in the way of others who are trying to develop. There will be a lot of loss of life starting now in 2010 and it will go on past 2012: earthquakes, flooding, fires, famine and plagues of disease.

How can you survive what is already here and more to come?

How can you be one of the strong who survive? Build up your immune system with literally a good and positive attitude. Quit resenting or being jealous of others or hating because someone is not your same race, religion or culture. Quit being selfish, self-centered, self-absorbed or greedy. Stop grieving and resume your life again. Think of how you can serve others as it will help dissolve the grief.

Holding on to negative emotions bring destruction to ourselves and the planet

All of this holding on to such strong negative emotions brings about great imbalance. This imbalance plays out as serious illness in your life if held too tightly for too long a time. In these strong spiritual times coming, that negative energy also plays out as damaging the planet, bringing about the severe weather we now see. We are literally affecting our own lives, the lives of others and this planet by how we feel. And, if we feel negative, it brings destruction.

Prayer, meditation and positive attitude bring healing and therefore balance to the world

It's been proven time and again by science that prayer, meditation and a positive attitude have healing qualities and build up our immune systems against disease. It's simple. Set aside the negatives of your family culture and your national and religious cultures. How to avoid destruction? Cultivate the Divine Presence inside you and focus upon building good character. It's that spiritual cultivation of goodness that brings balance back into the world, stabilizing it. Balance.

The practice of balance

Balance can only be achieved through spiritual practices. Balance brings us health, Life and Peace. Balance in all areas of our lives: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually brings balance to our outward world as well. When we are not balanced in our inner worlds then the Earth reflects it negatively. When we are balanced then the Earth reflects it positively. Consider focusing upon, and maintaining, balance in your life so you can make a good and positive difference for the rest of the world too. Then everyone wins.







Vision of The Gardener Prophet








The gardener stood at the window in the heat of summer
Gazing at the huge weeds growing stronger and larger,
Sprouting up proudly as tall and wide as the shrubs,
Crowding the beauty, smug, knowing they didn’t belong.
What was not theirs they chose to steal and own out of spite.









The gardener felt helpless, unable to tend the garden,
For the summer heat was too strong to work outside.
Day after day the gardener watched the weeds take over,
Praying for the beauty to survive the onslaught and
Then a break, a pouring rain came to drench the garden.









The gardener hurriedly went out into the cooling wet air
And began pulling the shallow roots, those showy weeds.
The gardener prayed as she pulled and threw them away.
The gardener prophet knew these weeds sprung up to stop her work
As she prayed for all the people of the world to do better.









The gardener prophet prayed as she worked, knowing that
“As below on Earth, so above in Heaven,” hoping this garden
Would influence and clean humanity of the great suffering.
She toiled with the stubborn and contentious weeds for hours,
Refusing to give in and allow beauty to wither and die.









Deep in thought, hunting down the very smallest new weeds,
Suddenly she looked up and there was an Angel appearing.
The Angel looked at her work in the garden and said,
“Tell the people their suffering has been heard in Heaven.
The culling of humanity begins not in 2012 but now in 2010.”









The gardener prophet wiped her eyes of the spattered mud.
Patiently, the strong Angel waited for acknowledgement.
“The Universe is speeding up the time table,” the Angel announced.
“Humanity is past due to reach the next level of development.
“Knowledge and wise teaching have spread the world to generations.








“Contentiousness, lack of compassion, greed and stubbornness
“Grow as weeds all over the world in every society and religion.
“Beauty struggles to survive, grow and thrive, yet can wither and die.
“The world is now again too full of those who choose to destroy, not build.
“And now Death comes stalking them two years early to clean the garden.
“Only Beauty is meant to walk the earth and thrive in the garden of Life,”
Spoke the Angel softly, and then the vision slowly faded from the gardener prophet.








Denny Lyon
Copyright 6 Aug 2010
All Rights Reserved




Photo Credits - All photos are from my garden and are by Denny Lyon, available under Creative Commons copyright with Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives license.


3 chocolate mint flowers in brush stroke effect Photo by Denny Lyon @ flickr

Field of discarded weeds Photo by Denny Lyon @ flickr

Huge dragonfly on window screen in glowing edges effect Photo by Denny Lyon @ flickr

Bouquet of antique roses in colored pencils effect Photo by Denny Lyon @ flickr

Chocolate mint flowers favored by hummingbirds, colored foil effect Photo by Denny Lyon @ flickr

Purple leaves Photo by Denny Lyon @ flickr

Blue plumbago shade plant Photo by Denny Lyon @ flickr

Bumblebee on lilac chaste tree blossom Photo by Denny Lyon @ flickr

Antique roses in saturated color Photo by Denny Lyon @ flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Hope Transforms Our Lives in Tough Times

*** A poem about how Hope works to transform our lives.





From Denny: With all the political and economic chaos going on in the world - and violent weather - it's important to remember to listen to Hope. It's easy to get jaded as you fight injustice or misfortune.

These trying circumstances that plague humanity often hit hardest when we are not paying attention - or outright refuse - to grow spiritually. We were not sent into this physical life just to pay the bills, have families to populate the Earth and die.

This is a testing ground to produce spiritual awareness of what is greater than our individual selves. It can be easier when you volunteer by choosing to challenge yourself daily, sometimes hourly, to grow.

When we reject spiritual growth that's when Karma (the Law of Cause and Effect) hammers us. Don't let challenges back up until it explodes onto your life in a chaotic mess just to get your attention. Take charge right now by listening to the small quiet voice of Hope that is there to guide you on your way to success.






Hope Transforms

Hope lightly touches our souls,
Gently glides in through the mists of
Troubled minds and chaotic lives and
Quietly strokes our faces to engage.





Awareness soars, promises glisten.
We greet the new companion Hope
Who lingers and comforts a while
Constant faithful friend through crisis





Hope arises from the silence, those
Darkest moments plaguing our lives.
Hope illuminates the despair and
Lifts up our hearts to believe again.





Life crowds us with demanding pressures
Like clanging alarms wake, startling us to grow.
Hope drives us to a greater destination,
Toward fully conscious, awake and Presence.





Hope gives us the Dream then transforms,
Sings our courage, never overwhelmed.
Hope seeks, summons the growing Light.
Conduit of change, quiet Power, Hope dwells within.







Denny Lyon
Copyright 11 June 2010
All Rights Reserved


*** See Also: How Are Hopes, Dreams and Reality Related?

*** See Also: Where Does Hope Guide Us On Our Life Path?

*** See Also: Hope: Unborn Baby Grabs onto Doctors Hand in Surgery

*** See Also: Does Hope Touch Your Soul?

*** See Also: Destress: 3 Great Encouragement Quotes

*** See Also: Have You Ever Thought About The Process of Success?



Photo Credits

Hope under an umbrella photo by Atilla1000 @ flickr

Fenced Hope photo by mattwi1s0n @ flickr

Rays of Hope photo by green umbrella @ flickr

Feather on the shore by patnz @ flickr

Single white feather floating photo by treehouse1977 @ flickr

Feather glistening in the snow photo by Doug and Kim @ flickr


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3 Quotes: Have You Validated Yourself Recently?

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From Denny: Life seems to be one thread weaving into another, especially when I'm writing all these blogs, when one post ends up spurring the writing of another. It just goes to show how connected we all are as we intersect with others on our path.

Today I wrote a poem (for The Social Poets blog) about a heart felt issue for many from generations older than mine. It's an issue which was a stain upon their soul that prevented them from living a full and happy life. They were shunned by society, lies were gossiped about them and people presumed to determine they would "never amount to anything in life and were worthless."

It's a hard burden to bear as a child, growing up under such abuse where all of society is pressing against you. Most hearts shut down at this onslaught of fear, anger, critical judgmental attitude and unadulterated harsh disdain.

Over the years, from the time I was a little girl, I've had discussions like in the poem. As I grew older I realized the tremendous power of words to heal immediately and directly - both for yourself as well as others. Words have the power to open the door for another to heal themselves too like in this conversational story poem.


*** For more spiritual poetry please visit Poems From A Spiritual Heart!





Quotes

* What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. - Henry David Thoreau

* Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no ones definition of your life; define yourself. - Harvey Fierstein

* Our Deepest Fear,
Is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is out light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God.
It is not just in some of us,
It is in everyone.
And as we let out own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from out own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. - Marianne Williamson









Love Gift

Leaning on the door frame
I saw the birthday party hum.
People in perpetual motion,
Swirling in and out of the kitchen,
Dealing brightly colored paper plates
Like a deck of cards at a poker game,
Landing soft as a feather in front of the cake.
Melting ice cubes chinked as they carried the cups.
The conversation was full of giggles and loud laughs,
Little children running like yard cats circling the table.







The woman of the day celebrated 100 years of her life.
She sat at the head of the table drinking in the sights,
Smiling and nodding as she was kissed and given gifts
By excited relatives, friendly neighbors and well wishers.
She was happy to be so honored and respected.
There was a twinge of sadness hiding behind her smile.
I drifted toward her to offer my congratulations, and,
As I was invited to sit near her, she began to reminisce.
I sat back and just listened as she recounted her long life.
She spoke of history unfolding, family increasing, friends gone.
She seemed happy, settled and content, except for something missed.







I listened to more than her words; I listened deeper into her heart
And she offered up her troubling hurt from since birth.
She revealed in a hushed whisper she was born illegitimate.
Her father abandoned them, shaming her mother, never to return.
She said it was hard to grow up scorned by neighbors and family
And here she is now, all these years later, honored by their descendants.
She remarked how strange Life can be and felt good that times do change.
Yet the harsh memories still haunted; her family did not know her hurt.
She quickly fell silent, spent, and with searching eyes looked into mine.
She probed for acceptance, reassurance and words that felt right.







I held her gaze tenderly and said what I believed to be true.
She started to tremble, half afraid, half excited; she said she felt new.
I told her none of us can control how we come into this world.
What we can control is how we choose to live and love in this world.
Her voice quivered, as she wept next to me, while the party, like her, began to calm.
“For a life time I’ve craved to hear loving words that I was worthy.”
She settled back into her chair and straightened her shoulders with new pride.
Now the smile was genuine, her heart refreshed; she put down her burden to live.
To her family, her friends, her neighbors, the world: that was her Love Gift.




Denny Lyon
Copyright 14 May 2010
All Rights Reserved


*** For more spiritual poetry please visit Poems From A Spiritual Heart!


Photo Credits

Happy Birthday Cake by Omer Wazir @ flickr

Secret garden gate by ARendle @ flickr

Steps into the light by extranoise @ flickr

Water lilies in the light by tinyfroglet @ flickr





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Shoes in Church poem

From Denny: This is a delightful poem I ran across this week. It's told from a man's perspective of how he was taking his life and opportunities for granted until one day a stranger came into his life during a church service. Let me know what you think.





Shoes in Church

By Doug Warburton



I showered and shaved............. I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat............. In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer.......... As I closed my eyes.

I saw the shoe of the man next to me...... Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side....... I thought,'Why must our soles touch?'

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.



A prayer began: 'Our Father'........ I thought, 'This man with the shoes, has no pride.

They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!'

'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.

The shoe man said A quiet 'Amen.'

I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again.



Aren't we supposed to look our best, When walking through that door?

'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended........... And the songs of praise began.



The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man's voice from the sky.



It was time for the offering........ And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached. Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out.......... What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft 'clink' . As when silver hits tin.



The sermon really bored me......... To tears, and that's no lie.

It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes.



At the end of the service...... As is the custom here.

We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow....... And wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer...... I reached over and shook his hand.



He was old and his skin was dark.... And his hair was truly a mess.

But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest.

He said, 'My names Charlie..... I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'

There were tears in his eyes....... But he had a large, wide grin.



'Let me explain,' he said......... Wiping tears from his eyes.

'I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say "Hi."'

'I know that my appearance.........Is not like all the rest.'

'But I really do try.................To always look my best.'



'I always clean and polish my shoes. Before my very long walk.'

'But by the time I get here.........They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'

My heart filled with pain ...........And I swallowed to hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize.........For daring to sit so near.



He said, 'When I get here...........I know I must look a sight.'

'But I thought if I could touch you. Then maybe our souls might unite.'

I was silent for a moment........... Knowing whatever was said would pale in comparison...

I spoke from my heart, not my head.



'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part.

That the best of any man............ Is what is found in his heart.'

The rest, I thought, ......... This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.



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A Beautiful Poem For When We Dream

*** Are you honoring yourself every moment of your life?

From Denny: Every Friday I put up an original poem for the Libations Friday segment over at my news, politics and poetry blog, The Social Poets. I also like to pair wonderful photography from my friends over at flickr with my poems. Discover someone new and enjoy their photos! Here is this week's offering:





Today was one of those triumphant days when a friend broke through into a new realization of where fear had taken her was a place she did not find comfortable. There comes a time in our spiritual development that we cannot return to the "tried and true" of third dimensional thinking and doing. We must finally stop, be still, patient, learn to wait and trust. When we do, life falls into place faster and into a better fit.

Often we are restless but cannot pinpoint as to why. We rush off to solve our immediate problems by creating still another. Usually, it's best to stop long enough to listen inside ourselves to learn where we belong at each moment of our life. When we do, we ease into a harmonious perfect rhythm that enriches us on so many levels. Take the time to honor yourself today and grow in your awareness.






Honoring Ourselves






Today I was faraway deep in thought,
Tapping away the late winter sighs and
Pondering the way of honoring ourselves,
Gathering the movies of life in my mind.







I looked over my shoulder at the day that was
And smiled to the moments of the hours
That touched lightly in their passing each other,
Stepping the path of the footprints left behind.







The natural rhythms of the day progressed,
Cooking meals, cleaning dishes and laundry,
Working at the office, returning to reunite,
Unwinding into easy conversations enjoyed.







Pulling the warm covers over as we sleep,
Cats crawling up to claim their blanket spot,
We talk quietly aloud of our heart’s thoughts,
Easing from the day into the calming night.







Sliding into rest, our eyes flutter and close,
Our silent dreams liberated once again,
Our tour guide clutches us tightly as we
Journey on the wings of our thoughts.







The sights we see, all that’s imagined is true,
Collecting thoughts, creating fresh reality,
We spiral down through the dark to view,
Awakening to our creation of the new day.








Denny Lyon
Copyright 5 March 2010
All Rights Reserved



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PHOTO CREDITS

Eagle flying between day and dream Photo by alicepopkorn @ flickr

Oceans of waterfalls Photo by Big Jobs @ flickr

Peace found at the water's edge Photo by lepiaf.geo @ flickr

Daydreaming Tree sunset landscape Photo by Harold Laudeus @ flickr

Daydreaming in the fields Photo by h.koppdelaney @ flickr

Footprints within the dream Photo by lepiaf.geo @ flickr

Eagle gliding low over the ocean Photo by lepiaf.geo @ flickr

Awakening single flower Photo by Harold Laudeus @ flickr

5 Powerful Soul Affirmations, Soul Journey Poem

Photo by h.koppdelaney @ flickr, a practicing Buddhist from Germany

5 Powerful Soul Affirmations, Soul Journey Poem

"Soul affirmations are a way to look at nourishing your patient ancient soul and convincing your ego to play nice, cooperate and learn to share with others while letting your soul out to play. It’s a way to blend the wise with the younger part of self still in the learning stage.

Our egos are trained and shaped and often defeated by the family and national culture into which we are born. Once we become adults it is up to us to parent those parts of ourselves that have been undernourished, neglected. Often we have been denied acceptance, understanding and love."

By Denny Lyon @ HubPages

From Denny: As we go into the holiday season and the cooling weather to prepare for winter when Nature sleeps and rests, our thoughts turn inward to reexamine our lives and meditate upon inner healing.

Though I choose to be a mystical Christian, this article can really apply to any religion or life philosophy based upon self-improvement so we can better understand the Life around us. There are wonderful art photos for the poem too, enjoy!

5 Powerful Soul Affirmations, Soul Journey Poem