It's all about joy!

It's all about Joy

seek the things in life that bring you pleasure -

seek the work, people, and places,

the experiences that bring you pleasure

for pleasure is medicine

seek the things that fill you with love

the work, places, and experiences that fill you with love

the people that fill you with love to overflowing,

for love has the power to heal

know this… pleasure

when accompanied by love

creates a rapturous feeling

a euphoria, a deep-down, divine,

light-shining , light-feeling joy

that is natural and healing

we need it

we crave it.

we seek it.

when it is missing from our lives

we will seek it

continuously and endlessly

when we have it...

when we have that feeling in our lives...

that deep down divine joy...

we are happier and healthier,

our light glows stronger

our love feels warmer

and spreads farther

and the world shines that much brighter

Maybe we are...

(photograph by The Hidden Garden)

A friend once asked me if i thought the world would be different if i had not be born.  it was an interesting concept and got me to wondering about people who bring special qualities or traits to the world. What about those who are known as strong or brave or wise or smart or talented? We admire those qualities and some of us long for those qualities… or to be those people. But, i wonder, are they always happy to be known for their quality? Do they always want to be their quality?  I think not - any label - good or bad, is limiting. We don’t know…

maybe the smart wish

they could be naive for a day and watch as

people look askance at what

being unaware looks like

and maybe the wise sometimes long to

give foolish responses that no one would notice…

right away

maybe the brave dream about hiding

from danger

and the happy long for a good, hard cry

maybe the truly independent

are lonely

and looking for

just one last word or glance

from someone… anyone

maybe the bad long to be good

and the evil crave the chance to be angelic

just as the right wish once to be wrong

maybe the lost really know where the path is

the confused know what lies ahead

and the committed long to act with reckless abandon

maybe yesterday knows what tomorrow will bring

as an infant remembers a heartbeat

and snow what it feels like to be rain

maybe we lose ourselves in the rhythm

only to find ourselves in the pages of a book

hoping the reader will get on with it…

and change the page

maybe daylight is waiting for the light to fade

as darkness awaits the stars

and maybe the trees have seen enough

and long one day to walk away..

either way, we are who we are

and what we are

…

but aren’t there moments when

we long to lose it for just a while

if for no other reason than to celebrate

when we return home

to who and what we are…

ahhh…  

-- asd --

an updated blog post - poems, prayers and reflection for sista girls

Even sISTA gIRLS sometimes need a little prayer... especially on a rainy day. Rainy days cause me to pause and reflect. Today, on this first day of November - a month of thankfulness and gratitude, please keep us and ours in your prayers... as we keep you and yours uplifted in prayer. We are spreading smiles and love this November, knowing the world will right up and all will be well. In the meantime, here is a little poem to fill your day.

Hope is a bird singing before the sun does rise

Hope is a flower’s fragrance even sweeter as it dies

Hope is a brilliant sky that preludes that day’s end

Hope is a “really, you too” that signals a new friend

Hope is a thing inspired on a warm and sunny day

Hope is a thing desired when the sunshine’s gone away

Hope is the thing you turn to when your life’s about to bust

Hope is a thing believed in when there’s nothing left to trust

and here is a prayer to fill your heart and spirit

may your day be filled with friends and laughter

may your weekend be filled with family and goodness

may your body be filled with good health

may your heart be filled with light and loving kindness

may your world be filled with beauty

may your soul be filled with peace and joy

may life be filled with sunshine

may your life overflow with happiness and love

and may you always have  sISTA gIRLS to share it all with

LOVE YOU ALL ... TAKE CARE ... until tomorrow

Thankful Thursday

Just wanted to take a minute to say thank you. Thank you for being a part of sISTA gIRLS,.. thank you for reading our posts, thank you for logging in to us, Please continue to spread the word about and share this blog with others . We're hoping to do big things in the name of sISTA gIRLS.

I know I have said this before, but friends are a blessing from above. They share your joys and your griefs, your up and your downs, your good times and your bad. They are a source of laughter and comfort. My friends have been a source of strength for me and I am grateful for them. I am proud to be their friend and to call them mine. We are happy to share with you who read our blog and are truly happy to share stories and posts with you.

It is true that gratitude is abundance. We have grown since we first started and every day I am grateful for all of you. You have made the difference in our lives. We hope to continue this for as long as possible. All we ask is that you continue to join us and that you share us with your friends and family and join in the conversation. Together we can highlight and work on supportive female friendships. 

Today ... listen, lend an ear, spend time together, enjoy each other ... basically do what I know you do so well ... be a friend... and... be grateful for those you had, those you have,  those you will have and for the opportunity to be one to someone else. Remember, we need each other and accomplish more when we look to each other. 

Thank YOU for being our friend

for traveling down this road with us, 

and back again

our hearts are full 

you are all our pals... our confidants

One day we'll throw a party

we'll invite each and everyone of you

and you will see 

what a joy friendship can be

the theme of our party will be

ThaNK YOU for being our FRieND!!!

another day of rain musings and sharing

it is a rainy day today and as you know from my prior posts, I love the rain. My back is bugging me today and it is cold so i am not going out to jump in puddles or dance. Instead I am sitting under my favorite blanket while i write this and drinking a nice hot cup of coffee - decaf of course. 

If I can't be out in the rain, snuggled under a blanket warm and toasty is the next best thing. The ultimate would be if I were in front a fireplace and sharing the moment with loved ones - all in due time.

Anyway, I thought I would share with you a newly updated rain post from a prior blog. I hope you enjoy. Please feel free to comment and share. In the meantime, enjoy your day (and night) ... rain or shine...

I was originally going to write about being virtuous. But that has flown from my mind. Instead, as I sit here under my favorite blanket and listen to the sounds of a rainy day just outside my front room window; as I - earlier, opened the window and felt the cool, wet caress of the wind across my face...I remembered just how much I love the rain. I remembered all the things I love to do in the rain. I am enjoying reminiscing about the rain and it is good.

One of my favorite memories is a day I frolicked in the rain with my daughter. It was a hot, rainy day in August. It was during a summer downpour. My daughter and I ran out of the house, into the rain in our lightweight, summer dresses, much to the chagrin of my mother. She fussed a little (she's used to my impulses), but we did not care. We jumped in puddles, splashed each other, got drenched and giggled in girlish delight. We had a great time.

As I remember that and other times of fun in the rain, I can't help but think - isn't it amazing, all the different things we can do in the rain. We can walk and talk in the rain, snuggle and hold hands in the rain. We can lay under mounds of blankets and watch old movies in the rain. We can sing and dance in the rain, eat fondue and stew in the rain. We can have crazy sex or make gentle love in the rain. 

And how many of us actually take the time to think about the beauty of rain? It can be cold and chilling, cool and refreshing, or slick and warm. It can cause you to put on more clothes or totally disrobe. Rain is a great creation. It can destroy as easily as it can create. It helps young things to grow, just as living life to the fullest can help one to grow in many different and exciting ways. And just as too much or too little rain can inhibit progress, so can overindulgence or living life on the sidelines. One can cause illness, addictions or death. The other can cause dust to grow under your feet. When, finally, you get back out into the game of life, you may find that life has left you behind. However, I have also found that sometimes sitting on the sidelines and paying attention can reveal unbelievable insights. And that works because I can catch up. But, I digress...

Rainy days bring out my contemplative nature. So, here I am sharing my thoughts with you. What is flowing through my mind now...poetry

A short verse on rainy day fairies

Rainy day fairies
Who carry the hope of tomorrow
Drop the future on me
and pray
that I am ready

A verse or two from a piece on rain

It is life sustaining
But not the essence of life
It can be cool and healing
Warm and soothing

And though it can be
continuous and damaging
It is a thing of beauty
A gift from above

Ah, rain and raindrops. But it is getting late and I have so much to do. I must bid you adieu. But before I go, for the next week... take a moment each day, stop what you are doing, go outside and take in all the beauty that surrounds you: the weather, the people, the buildings and nature. All of that has been created by a Higher Power, from whom the foundation of all creation stems. That Higher Power created and continues to create just for you and me, and as you are appreciating the beauty of creation, if it is raining and you are too embarrassed to splash in a puddle, catch a raindrop on your tongue. Then smile and know that, though life is not always easy, it is good. Oh, then go find someone special and kiss in the rain. Just because.

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. 

Langston Hughes (writer 1902-1967)

what do you ache for, part one

once again I am sharing a post from a prior blog. this post is on a section of the poem The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. I hope you like, share and comment. Thank you all and remember to take care of you.

"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dream of meeting your heart's longing."
-- Oriah Mountain Dreamer --

This is so simple for me. I ache to experience clarity of emotion so that I can: (1) be happy with who I am and what I do with my life, (2) experience deep, abiding, true love with my family, my friends and a man I can share my life with; and (3) share true, inner happiness with those I love. I dream of meeting my heart's longing every day of my life, every chance I can- just for the fun of it.

As I have said in the past. I was a shadow of myself for many years. Then one day, without warning, I threw off my shell and ventured back into the real world. In doing so, I realized that, at least in a sense, I was beginning a whole, new phase of my life. With that realization, I chose to examine who I was and what I wanted. I knew I wanted to be my highest self, the best me I could be and so I began traveling this road of self-improvement. I began to really examine my life and my emotions. It was with a little anxiety and a modicum of trepidation that I searched my heart. I knew it would mean change and that is hard for me. I knew it would mean being honest with myself about myself and my emotions. Nevertheless, I dared to enter grounds that were previously uncharted. There, I discovered my heart's true longings and the thing that makes me ache - clarity of emotion.

Emotions are strange things. They can lie to us about the world and our place in it. They can deceive us and play tricks on our mind. If we do not take the time to get in touch with them, we can lose perspective, sometimes trusting them exclusively and often to our detriment. Emotions can also be based on false reality - things that are not necessarily true (although they may be true for us). Alternatively, if we close them up or ignore them, when we open them up again, they become one big mass of contradictions and confusion.

We question them, even when they are real, because we have forgotten how to trust them and when to trust them. So clarity of emotion is a good thing. It means our emotions have been examined, considered and put into proper perspective. For me, it means I am becoming more open with them; that I consider them, that I am beginning to know how and when to trust them. Clarity of emotion allows us to seek to experience the emotions that we need in our life and then to appreciate their reality when we finally experience them. For me, that is love of family, friends and a man I choose to share my life with.

Love of family, friends and a man has become more important to me as I have matured. Every day, when I pray, I say thank you for my family, I pray them joy, happiness, peace and the manifestation of their dream lives. I also thank God for their presence in my life and pray that we continue to grow together, that our familial bonds may be strengthened by love and kindness, gentleness and forgiveness. We have not always been close though we have always loved each other. I think it has taken time and maturity for us to appreciate all that each of us has been through and to accept each other, flawed and imperfect. I think we have all come to realize that love is the greatest gift we can give each other. I know I have! That is what comes of clarity of emotion.

That's it for this week. I will continue my thoughts on this part of The Invitation next week. In the meantime, examine your heart. What do you ache for? Are you taking steps to reach your heart's longing? Remember, this is the only life you have and this is the time to go for it! Take a chance and reach for your heart's longings. The worst is to wake up and realize you have wasted days on everything but what is important to You. So... GO FOR IT!

If life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life, let's all get wasted and have the time of our lives.
-- Kurt Cobain --

my soul remembers friendship

I really enjoy reading the works of Rumi. I think he is a brilliant soul with a deeply compassionate and loving heart. he says the soul is the best memory. I have written on it in the past. I agree that the soul's memory is the best and the ultimate but i still believe my heart and my mind play a major part in who and why and how I love. they all work together.This poem is in honor of our souls and the friends we love, with our heart, mind, soul and spirit. HERE'S TO FRIENDSHIPS and sISTA gIRLS. LONG MAY WE LOVE

My soul remembers what my heart has forgot

My soul remembers what the mind cannot

My soul is there when the body dies

My soul remains ‘cause my spirit’s wise

My friendship’s true … My mind reasons so

My friend is you … my heart feels love’s flow

My friend ... our friendship fills my heart and mind

And my soul says that we … my friend … are one of a kind

So my soul remembers you when my heart’s forgot

My soul remembers you when my mind cannot

My soul remembers you when my body dies

Because my spirit loves you and my spirit is wise

"What, you too" friends

this is the last throw-back. if you enjoy it and have the time...please check out some of our very first posts...and share us with others. And thank you for taking this friendship journey with us.

Friendship is one big conversation. We talk on the phone, in each other's home, over dinner, over drinks, in school, at work. In the beginning of a friendship we try to find areas where we agree. But as we go along and begin to trust each other we learn that disagreeing is okay and will not dissolve a friendship that is true.

C.S. Lewis describes this the best ... “Friendship arises out of mere Companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one." 

... It is when two such persons discover one another, when, whether with immense difficulties and semi-articulate fumblings or with what would seem to us amazing and elliptical speed, they share their vision - it is then that Friendship is born. And instantly they stand together in an immense solitude.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

I am never sure which is better, spending time with acquaintances and discovering a friendship or spending time in the beauty of a friendship that has lasted a lifetime.Just as there is something to be said for the new dress you put on in anticipation of the day and the reactions you will get, there is the comfort that slides over you as you put on your favorite robe and curl up with a good book. Each has its unique delight. 

Still, most times when we talk about friendships, we talk about the lasting ones. So, today, instead ... we will honor new friendships. Specifically the "you too" moment when you realize you can indeed be friends.

She, being friendless and feeling alone.

Choose this day to explore.

Casting care to the wind,

She set out walking.

She eventually found herself in a park

Birds were singing, couples were strolling

The sun was shining

 But shadows were lengthening

A mime was performing

All in white, even his face

A performer, dressed all in blue,

 Was singing a sad song … beautifully

She stopped to watch and listen.

Then, caught up in the beauty of the moment,

And much to her surprise,

She began to cry.

Embarrassed, she looked around

The woman standing next to her,

Was offering her a tissue.

“Would you like a hankie?”

‘Thank you for your kindness”

She smiled as she reached for the tissue.

Surprised by the kindness,

She looked up at the gifter.

What she saw took her aback

For the woman was also crying

“You too …” she said, a smile breaking thru

And in that moment a friendship was born

Some Rain Must Fall

i am a big fan of rain. I like to dance and play in it. i like to stroll in it. i have even been known to grill outside in it. i don't just enjoy rain; i feel the rain. i am present for rain and appreciate every drop that falls. i open my arms to feel the rain caress every part of me. i open mouth to catch as many drops as possible and laugh as the raindrops soak my body and nourish my soul.

it rained last night and i went outside as usual to enjoy the rain. but it was not the same. i could not stay outside. i felt like the bird in the picture, hiding behind the flowers. i went inside the protection of my house to observe the rain from a distance. today it is raining and once again  i will be observing it from the peace and comfort of my home.

it is raining in my heart and that rain has begun to fill me up so there is no room for the rain outside. i am, however, aware that this is a temporary state. the rain inside me will fill to overflow and i will let it overflow. as it flows from me, i will begin to replace the rain with sunshine and moonlight. when i am filled with sunshine and moonlight, the overflow will spread to others and i will once again be able to play in the rain. 

how do i know this? i believe. not only does rain fall outside in the world, it falls in our lives. but it does not last. the sun will shine again and the moon will, once again, light our path at night. cycles come and go. we live them and learn from them. but mostly, we just go on. into my life some rain has fallen. but i will go on.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem The Rainy Day. in it, he writes" Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary." i have put my own spin on this. forgive my inadequacy in comparison.

Listen sad heart! As you are repining;

Behind your clouds the sun’s still shining;

Your fate is the common fate of all,

Into each life some rain must fall,

But with supportive friends by your side

Your pain and heartache will soon subside

Your days will no longer be so dreary

Your heart will no longer be so weary

The darkness will fade into the sun’s light

And you, I promise, will be alright

So though some days will be dark and dreary

In time life will once again be quite cheery

the valley

I am glad that there is love in the world and that there are compassionate people in the world. when we go through valleys of dust, it is nice to know there are people willing to travel through the dust to bring you water, people willing to stand on the other side of the valley and wait for you to emerge so they can provide you with food and clothing. Best, there are people willing to find you in the valley and, if you are not ready or unable to emerge, willingly abide with you so that do not have to go through the valley alone.

when life takes you to the valley
filled with nothing but
bones and stones and dust

when the sun rides high in a
pastel blue sky
and the heat beats
hard upon your brow

may a friend track you,
following your footsteps
til she finds you

may she bring
coolness to dry your brow
water to quench your thirst
food to satisfy your body

may she bring an ear for your troubles
a shoulder for you to lean on
a smile to heal your soul

may you walk strong through the valley together
may you find moments to dance
and opportunities to laugh

may you ... together
keep your footing and fight through storms
combat the heat and avoid cutting stones

may you weather it all, persevere 'til the end
and emerge from the valley
victorious with your friend

good morning sISTA gIRLS

Good Morning sISTA gIRLS

It is a big, beautiful morning out there this day. I have awakened early for a change and can actually appreciate the early morning brisk air ... full of promise and possibility.

I know there are those of you out there in the world who are lonely or troubled. May we here at sISTA gIRLS Cafe be there for you. May we be your rock and your shoulder ... if not in person at least in spirit. 

But en I know that is not enough. You must find a way to be there for yourself. For those of you who are lonely, find a church or an organization that interests you and join. Be kind and friendly. Extend the hand of friendship to a fellow member. I am certain it will be received warmly and honestly. Or volunteer to help out somewhere, giving is always rewarded ... as is kindness. Moreover, you will have a good time. Nothing is more rewarding than helping another. It also helps to take your mind off your own problems.

For those of you who are troubled, remember ... we all go through things and even the happiest of people have down days. But, today is a perfect day to begin to heal yourself. Take a walk in the sunshine,let the wind caress your cheeks and play with your hair. Stretch your muscles and fill your lungs with the energy of the world around you. Walking is good for the body and spending time out in the sun is good for you spirit. It can be a real spirit lifter. 

As you walk, enjoy the scenery and say a quick thank you for all the sights you wish to experience ... couples in love, couples with children, those well dressed, those in great shape ... whatever it is. By appreciating others with what you have, you let the universe know what is in your heart so that it can bring your heart's desire to you. What we are grateful for we get more of.

Enjoy today having faith in the possibility of tomorrow. And know that we at the Cafe love you and have your back. We were here yesterday, are here today and we will be here tomorrow.  AND ... In The Meantime ...

May you be in a happy and loving friendship

That your heart might remain open

May your friendship fill you with the confidence to be you

That the light of your true nature might shine forth because of their acceptance of you

May acceptance remove all traces of shame from you, replacing that shame with the joy of self acceptance

That their acceptance might help you to allow others to reveal their true nature to you without shame

May your friendship be healing

That you might become a source of healing for others

May your friendship fill you with trust

That trust might allow you to express yourself openly and honestly to yourself and others

May you be filled with a light and loving heart

That your love might fill the air with beauty and kindness 

May you be happy

That your happiness might radiate from you to fill the world with sunshine

friendship meditations

In light of the prior blog, here is a prayer from John O'Donohue. It is for friends and friendship. 

May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness.
May this change you.
May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold in you.
May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and affinity of belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
May they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth, and light that you need for your journey.
May you never be isolated.
May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your anam cara.

and here is our  prayer for friends and friendship

May we be blessed with friends
May the golden rays of the sun warm our hearts into openness
May we be blessed with friendships
And may the loyalty of the moon fills our hearts with trust
May we be blessed with laughter
Together may it double our joy
May we be blessed with hard times
To share, to learn from and to grow with together
May our friendships be of the soul
That we might never forget their value and importance
May we be surrounded by the light of friendship
Preventing us from stumbling in the dark
May we know the beauty of friendship
That we might see the beauty in the world around us
May we be blessed with happiness
That we might heal each others pain
May we treat each other with loving kindness
Seeking first the goodness in each other
May we blessed with friends
And be grateful for them in our lives