Magpie Tales-Resolutions

Resolutions

I gave up
Thinking and started doing
I gave up
Doubting myself and took a risk
I gave up
Living in silence and anger
Choosing laughter and love
Started looking at the horizon
Found out what I was made of
What was true
What was real
For me
For you
I gave up
Not being me
Therefore,
I am new.


C. M. Jackson 2012

and yes, I gave up cigarettes too!! Happy New Year to all and thanks to Tess for  The Mag and the inspiration!!

Happy New Year

A new year ...a fresh start...here's to the possibilities!

A Sputnik Moment

President Obama, in his State of the Union Speech, spoke about a sputnik moment --our generation's time to rise to the challenge in an ever changing and competitive world. The call to innovate and educate while not new, was needed. There was a concern from the pundits as to whether everyone would 'get' the reference to sputnik. Hello--there's google and yes,'young people' will look it up if they don't understand the reference.

I also found the opening moments inspiring "each of us is a part of something greater - something more consequential than party or political preference."

It is up to all of us, regardless of age and politics, to do something to institute change, peacefully, thinking of Gabrielle Giffords and in memory of Christina Taylor Green.

Let's each of us do what ever we can to acknowledge the joy Congresswoman Giffords feels in working for her constituents and Christina's excitement in meeting Giffords so that their efforts are not in vain.

Magpie Tales-Lessons learned

Crashing into brick walls
Develops character
Loving and losing
Opens the heart for true love
Missed opportunities
Awaken the mind to possibilities
Failures
Drive the potential for future success
Doors closing
Signal a new beginning
Fear, sadness and doubt
Are just moments in a life
Filled with blessings
Count them

C.M. Jackson 2010

Inspiration and more may be found at Magpie Tales.

Flash 55-A New Day

A new reality
Nothing to do with
The economy
More about my
Psychology
Work for the man
Anything’s possible
But make a plan
Find a way
Dream
Amidst the day to day
Scheme
Take time to play
Let go of the past
For this much I know
Time moves fast
So many places to go

C.M. Jackson 2010

According to a recent study, the recession ended in June 2009....if you can say it 55 words--you know what to do, go talk to the g-man. Happy Friday and here's to the next upturn !

Flash 55-Snapshots

I hum
An unknown song
Lights of the big city
In my rearview mirror
Fading
I wind my way
Home
Through traffic
Horns blaring
New Mexico vistas
Still flashing like
A slide show
On the windshield
Of my mind
Smell of pinon
Wafts alongside
Falafel and pretzels
I exist between
Two worlds
For now

Smiling

C.M. Jackson 2010


If you can say it in 55 words --Well, what are you waiting for? Go tell the G-Man! It's Friday Flash 55!!

Independence Day

TO THE FOUNDING FATHERS

Your light still lingers in our distant morning,
A star that we perceive across the void.

We chart our passage by your words, still burning

Long after your bright core has been destroyed.

No longer do we speak of "natural" rights,

Nor can we think that Reason guides our will.

We've been through far too many gruesome nights

To hope we have reduced our lust to kill.

Yet hope remains the engine of our fire,
Hope that someday all of us will be

Happy in the least that we require:

Well-fed, well-housed, safe, secure, and free.

This dream we still pursue. Though darkness come,

Your wisdom, hope, and courage through us run.

Author Unknown

Graduation Day

My nephew Christopher graduates today with a double major in chemistry. We are all so proud of him and doing a happy dance for his hard work and accomplishment! I am thrilled for him and his future. Great job, Chris! As you move on to the next stage of your life, this is my wish for you with love.

Theme Thursday--Late

"There is an immeasurable distance between late and too late."



Og Mandino
 

Jump into that fountain and feel the sun on your face. Walk into the room fashionably late and meet someone who changes your world. Work hard for many years and take time to teach someone who will in turn teach you. It is all possible when one chooses to see the possibilities.

Walking the walk, talking the talk

The best way out is always through.


Robert Frost

Times are rough for everyone right now. I acknowledge this as I review my past year and start to work on my next two years' business plan.  I sigh, I shout and wonder which direction to go. I am certain that I am not alone all the while angry at this new environment. I am lucky in that I have work that engages and pays me well. Yet, I know something is different and if I do not recognize the difference and therefore, change my approach, success is not guaranteed. The range of emotions that go along with this understanding are not fun nor exhilarating but rather annoying and terrifying. It is not unlike hiking in those lovely wooden shoes--painful, I am certain.
 
So I focus on what brings me joy--Mr. Jackson, Max, my family as I lace up my hiking boots. I fill my pack with snacks,camera, water and start walking. I know as I begin the trail is unknown which is somehow energizing as I walk, the late autumn leaves clinging to the trees. As I take the first hill, I do not question my ability or curse the elevation, I just move forward--it isn't easy and at times, I feel like turning back, but I keep moving forward knowing the answer lies ahead.

Time

No one day is like another,
each tomorow has its special miracle,
its magic moment in which old universes
are destroyed and new stars created.

BY THE RIVER I SAT DOWN AND WEPT-Paulo Coelho

Been traveling on business --Chicago and Boston are amazing cities. While I didn't have time to sightsee, I did have time to think, exchange ideas and meet new people. I feel something new brewing- strength. The tumblers are all starting to 'click' into place. I am starting to see a new path and  possibilities. Very cool.

Now

One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.

- Sigmund Freud


Yesterday, I came home to let Max out and let him stretch his legs. Midday, a pb &j with a tall glass of cold milk , I ate my lunch and watched as the oldest puppy in the world circled the yard, accomplished his task and made certain his world was secure. It took all of twenty minutes, Max circling the yard and me finishing my delectable pb&j. I got him settled back into the house with the assurance that Mr. Jackson (eg the person who gives him treats) would be home in a few hours and got back into my car. I backed down my driveway and as I moved, I noticed something on the fence post. I slowed the car and realized it was probably the biggest praying mantis I had ever seen. I turned the car engine off and ran to get my camera. Running out of the house I turned the camera on and it told me "No CF Card." I started back to the house with intent of finding my card and by the time I reached my desk I decided that this wasn't a photo opportunity. I set my camera down and returned to my car and spent the next ten minutes or so just watching and being.

Just what I needed. Amazing.

National Literacy Day-September 8th

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead

The ability to string together a few letters, understand a word and then a few more words to become a sentence, "See Spot run." was a noteworthy moment in my life. From that point on, I devoured what ever book was put within my reach. Like breathing, reading became a necessary function that enabled me to imagine places and people that were outside my world. The ability to read and as a result, spell and write, set my mind on fire and made the possibilities endless.

I owe much of my success and happiness to the ability to read--it built foundations of understanding,taught compassion, fueled dreams and offered a place of contemplation. Now more than ever I believe that education, not just in the US, but throughout the world, is the answer to many of our concerns.

What can we each do to help make this happen?--here's an example--one small step..imagine the possiblities.

What did you do on your summer vacation?

"The only way round is through." Robert Frost

Here's what's going on--First, on the east coast we really haven't had summer until last week. Second, with this economy I've just had to keep my head down and work. Third, the crickets,locusts,peepers are really confused 'cause there hasn't been any real warm weather and now there is. They are singing out of tune and not in unison. Bizarre. Further or is that fourth? It's August and my toes haven't felt sand on a beach or the dusty rocks of New Mexico. Fifth, I think we need to call a "do over" on this summer.

More soon-c:-)

One Voice

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.


Margaret Mead





I believe in sychronicity---in reading my favorite blogs I noticed that a conversation regarding dreams was developing, one about the dreams we have while sleeping or realizing a dream as witnessed by Susan Boyle's amazing performance.





Susan Boyle--Read each blogger's thoughts as well as hear Susan's gift:


http://www.themetaphoricalmagpie.com/2009/04/this-woman-is-living-her-dream.html


http://rebeccarites.blogspot.com/2009/04/introducing-susan-boyle_15.html





Dreams and their ability to educate, reveal or just make you think:





http://thegoldpuppy.blogspot.com/2009/04/bloggers-in-dreams.html





http://www.themetaphoricalmagpie.com/2009/04/oddball-dreams.html



So after reading, listening --I look forward to my nightly dialogues during sleep as well as admit to crying each time I hear Susan sing. The possibilities that exist if we just put our selves in the moment and just act on our dreams--amazing.

One good thing

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” Buddha



I came of age in the late seventies ---learning to drive and getting gas on odd days. Coming from a working class family, I knew if I crashed the car, one of my parents would be unable to get to work and consequently, there would be some very unhappy days not moments in my life. College was a given based upon my academic performance and ability but not a guarantee. Thankfully, student loans were available. Interest rates for home buyers were at unprecedented levels, inflation and CPI really meant something, there were no jobs and an overwhelming sense of negativity. Yet, with luck and hard work, I was able to achieve and live a life that was far beyond my initial dreams.

So as I review this current economic condition, listening to the reviews of President Obama’s first 100 days, I wonder how we can rise above it all. This is an economic event that is being compared to the great depression and has touched everyone in some way. Distrust and negativity is the current dialogue but not a solution to what ails us.

I can’t help but wonder what would happen if we all just started to voice one good thing?