Have I Done Any Good

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

Text and music: Will L. Thompson, 1847–1909, alt.

Uncertain World

It’s an uncertain world we live in, and life can easily go awry
We obsess over time and money and every object our money can buy
The things that we should cherish are the very things we push away
And what we spend our time on, not worthy of the time of day

We toil, strive, dig and claw to get our small piece of the pie
But on receipt we realize within the crust it’s plain and dry
Oh yes, we all expected, a luscious filling to be sure
A bite or two of humble pie is a quite effective cure

No human man, not rich, nor poor, will achieve all of his heart’s desires
But if he did, what’s the point, when more is learned passing thru fire
And why want more than is sufficient, why take advantage of each other
This is the rule of the jungle, not how we should treat one another

Why rule with fear, why wonder, are there enough resources here
Of course there are, why worry, why should we take a lion’s share
Common sense teaches that if we take, we must always put some back
If all we do is take and take, then yes, resources we may lack

We hear of change, progression, and many new age points of view
Traditions are traditions for a reason, most are tried and true
Media says, we can’t be still, inactive, we must do something quick
But change and action aren’t good when discarding the very ways that work

That’s how we got here, changing laws, special interests, lobbying
New taxes, rules and regulations, often do more harm than good
Why fix it when it isn’t broken, at least it wasn’t in the first place
Why have a world where some have all and some are left quite hopeless

There’s proof that some have no regard for the “folks” around them
But simply live to fill their pockets, their stepping stones are humans
The office we once trusted has become a puppet theatre
Behind the scenes the puppet masters laugh at us and sneer

And war, they say it’s necessary, how can we really know
Haven’t you seen the fallout when you strike the first blow
What is this credit, it is a vice, a snare, temptation, a made up way
To purchase items we don’t need and for them cannot even pay

But blinded by our status, our pride and our impatience
We run full bore, down the path to sure financial death
That’s why I speak of times of old, not because I want to live there
But we can learn quite clearly from history and what it has to share

The old ways aren’t old fashioned, why care about fashion anyway
Are we letting someone else tell us how to live our day
Strip down the mask and take a look at the person who you really are
It’s not about your clothes, where you live or even your fancy car

It really is uncertain, this spinning orb we live upon
But what is always certain, one day the money will be gone

-Liz

12/8/11

Sonnet for Heaven Below

No, it wasn't Macondo, and it wasn't Calcutta in time past
But subway magic turned the tunnels into Beautyrest mattresses
And plenty of God's children started sleeping there. Some
Were actually Angels fatigued from long hours and no pay.


This is an aside, but I have to alert you. Angels run
Around, don't shave or bathe; acid rain fractures their
Feathers, and French fries and coca-cola corrupt
The color of their skin and make them sing hoarsely.
The gossamer shoes so perfect for kicking clouds
Stain and tear on the concrete and in the hard light
Of the city they start to look like abandoned barges
Foundering in the cancerous waters of the Gowanus Canal.


Shabby gossamer shoes always arouse the derision of smart New Yorkers
Mercifully, Angels aren't tourists, so they are spared total disdain


~Jack Agueros

BECOMING

“The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”

D. H. Oaks

BECOMING

What am I becoming, is it everything I can

Am I someone useful, to my fellow man

Am I a good example, of what we all should be

Are my actions, beliefs and words, all in harmony

Everyday I’m living, am I living well

If someone else was watching, would my story tell

That my life’s intentions, were good, fine and true

Or do my actions come across, differently to you

Am I hypocritical, or am I simply human

Do I hold myself, to the same heights I hold you to

Am I unforgiving, judgmental, and unloving

Or do I come across, as a person who’s accepting

In my heart are many truths, but also so much pain

In my mind are many faults, and I can be quite vain

I can be unhappy, and so create no joy

I strive to overcome my faults and good thoughts to employ

I long to feel serene and surround myself with beauty

I wish to live a long life, of goodness and of purity

My actions and desires, they don’t quite meet as yet

I’m trying to remember who I am, and not forget

I seek help from my family, and those who show me love

And also from the things I’ve learned, of my home above

Negativity, depression, these creep into my mind

And when I alter how I live, I sometimes become blind

The pain and suffering of this life is difficult to bear

Sometimes it seems there’s no one in my life that really cares

But there are times when I feel love, shining bright and true

And then I know I’m on the path, doing what I should do

I’m striving to achieve the life I dream of, in the quiet

But in this loud, confusing world, I sometimes can forget

So I place things around me, to help remind me daily

What traits I want, what traits I need and who I want to be

I need to learn forgiveness, both for myself and others

How can I say I’m loving, if I can’t forgive my brothers

I hope they will forgive me too, together we will see

It’s so much better, for us all to live in harmony

We’re all so busy with the little things we do each day

We forget to think of others, to listen and to pray

But when we take the time to perform an act of kindness

It generates much growth in us, brings forth happiness

These are the things I think of, when I pause to ponder

How can it take so long to grow and change, it makes me wonder

That very thought then logically, will turn my mind to see

I believe in change and that it takes eternity

So if I always keep on going, and I focus on my growing

I will remember my dream is, to never stop becoming

There’s always hope, I cannot quit, not ever, so it seems

I must endure until the end, to reach all of my dreams

-Liz

5/18/11

How Is It Possible

How is it possible that we cannot love those we were meant to… sent to

And to some who have experienced love and tenderness withheld, I want to help, to heal, and yet… I find that sometimes I need the love and tenderness delivered, and so am both selfless and selfish simultaneously

And the suffering we’ve shared is so deep, so real, but ultimately, shared

And in the sharing, understanding, a joint comprehension of seen and unseen traits, actions and reactions, behaviors, laserpoint

When they say it hurts your heart, it cuts like a knife; these things are the true pains, pain that brings you to your knees

And passion, ah, passion, mixed with love, is a drug, consuming at times, but addictive and lasting in ways never known or spoken

And when you thought someone loved you, I mean really loved you and learned that indeed, they never did, couldn’t, really…

Maybe they loved the thought of you, or loved you in what small way they could, disregarding love, the way you needed it, not intimate or heartfelt, but because they felt they had to, but not enough to last, or even enough at all

And when you experience love for others that brings tears to your eyes, chokes the voice from your throat, reduces it to a soft whisper

It is hard to comprehend that some may never experience this for a single soul, or a single minute, not even for themselves

The love that changes, transforms, brings realization and unselfishness, sharing of souls and belief, a compass

And some forms of love, more shallow, less concrete, not love really, but some form of emotion, maybe

I don’t understand it, I think I can see it, but not very clearly, don’t know why, why some do not desire more, to give or to get

What kind of life lessons could teach us not to love, not to want to, or to accept it for ourselves, terrible lessons to be sure,

but then, there is another explanation, almost worse, yes worse, do some just come that way… inability to feel compassion, love

It seems to me so, knowledge born of experience; ashes speak of a fire long gone, at one time blazing brightly, extinguished cruelly

And the pain of that knowledge burns, hurts, creates empathy and sympathy, empathy being the more meaningful

Yet how can we feel empathy for one who does not care, or is that a pretense, so hard to believe, it is,

 is any spent emotion wasted, who benefits from it, giver or taker

Each side of the coin tells a story, each story’s flow is its own key to the perception and insight and reality of the teller

Each teller of tales cannot help but put a spin on the tale, a personal, twisted version, of the tale itself, recreating it

And motives enter in, are there ever good motives, motive is motive, should we operate as such, with an agenda, is that ever honest

And is it hypocritical to join in, when you may not fit in, but you dearly want to be a part of something, outside of yourself, something good and true, even though you are not yet good and true yourself

And why would some reject others, when everyone is suffering some form of lack, need, desire, disease, and yet possibly brings an important piece

Open arms are wonderful, open hearts, beautiful, open eyes are honest, open ears, thoughtful, open minds, answer to all

Oh, those days of light hearts, streaming sunrays through high, puffy clouds, peaceful innocence, why can’t I capture this moment forever

Why the dark days and low, dense gray clouds, heavy shoulders, increased gravity, lessened strength, heavy, so heavy

But do those times truly define me, which am I, outside or in, dark or light, truth, brightness, things that inspire me

I’m compelled to communicate, some may never understand, but it is so much better than the alternative, solitary, alone, not a smile to be found, stretching nothing, going nowhere, fear

I would rather suffer some, if it means more joy, more light, more love, it’s hard to grasp, comprehend, fathom, but success brings with it a certain strength and desire for more

How to measure success, is it better received immediately or anticipated, time-earned promises, does it benefit others

When it all comes together, all beauty is in the eyes of all of the beholders, those who choose to see; experiences deliver the recognition of truth

And truth floats, lifts and changes, creates, shares, becomes more, and more is not one, and so I see you, and you, and you

And the joy in your face echoes mine, mirrored forever, I hope to tie it down gently, with a soft, swirling ribbon that dances in a cool breeze, and entice it to stay, willingly, always

-Liz 5/12/11

Competition

This is not a competition, whoever told you that it was

Is it something deep inside you, that makes you want to win because

You think a prize is what’s in store, a trophy, money, medallion shiny

You think you must be all important; this to you is what’s defining

This is not a competition, what made you think that anyway

You are so obsessed with winning, taking everything away

From those around you, innocent, of competition and desire

Those who simply want to try, to live for good, for something higher

This is not a competition, a bad foundation from the start

Implies we’re all against each other, builds certain strengths, but kills the heart

Compromise and cooperation, will outlast any competition

Emotion, love, togetherness, are useful in all situations

This is not a competition, so strengths admired can be varied

Can be soft, yet strong and tender, illuminate and also carry

Others with them, peacefully, inclusive, weakness will not matter

Truth shines forth, like a beacon, once false beliefs begin to shatter

This is not a competition; I know that because I’ve had to follow

Someone stronger, someone wiser, someone who already knows

But then at times of personal strength, I have myself become a leader

For the wisdom that I’ve gained is valuable, by some is needed

This is not a competition, if you laugh and scoff at me

Your pride is strong, belief unchanging, obviously you cannot see

So blind yourself, go right ahead, but it hurts you and everyone

And you’ll be humbled painfully, before your journey is quite done

This is not a competition; I’ve learned that in so many ways

I’ve won, I’ve lost, I realize that this life is so not a game

Yes there’re teams, both good and bad, of that I am most positive

So pick your team, according to, which way you ultimately want to live

This is not a competition; it’s a journey to be taken

Join with others, see with vision, and your soul, it will awaken

With your teammates, help each other, lift and pull and stride and strive

Leave none behind that want to join you, keeping brotherhood alive

This is not a competition, although it’s true, there’s losing, winning

But “winners” sometimes get their way, by using others and by sinning

And so on you and your life view, it seriously will depend

It’s not about a win or lose, but the team you choose, in the end

-Liz

5/12/11

Better Days

And you asked me what I want this year
and I try to make this kind and clear
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
'cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
and designer love and empty things
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words and sing out loud
'cause everyone is forgiven now
'cause tonight's the night the world begins again

I need some place simple where we could live
and something only you can give
and that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
and the one poor child who saved this world
and there's ten million more who probably could
if we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

So take these words and sing out loud
'cause everyone is forgiven now

'cause tonight's the night the world begins again

I wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words and sing out loud
'cause everyone is forgiven now
'cause tonight's the night the world begins again

'cause tonight's the night the world begins again

-Goo Goo Dolls

Heart's Vision

Christ, my Brother, please take my pain

Shoulder my burden, ease my shame

Wipe my tears, my strength please raise

Joy to me bring, my soul will you save

My heart it needs lightening, my eyes, they need brightening

My conviction needs fight, to stand for what’s right

Take my hatred for others, my anger and sorrow

Desire for revenge, today and tomorrow

An unrighteous desire for another’s demise

That is not my true nature, above it I’ll rise

Dark clouds please lift, frown lines decrease

Remove from my brow, the stress lines there now

Help me to find, the strength to be kind

And to gently let go, what I cannot control

I long to move forward, the past to forget

Show me the pathway, please keep it lit

I’m trying to follow the things that I know

Soul destroyers and evil, of that I’ll let go

I thought some were placed in my life as an aid

And maybe they were, but their path has strayed

When we judge and betray, it works like a mirror

Reflections will show us, I hope we will hear

For what we invest, will have a return

And with our regret, an anguish shall burn

So Christ, let me learn, never to judge

And from my heart’s vision, never to budge

To spread love and joy and to help everyone

And may my good journey, never be done

Grant me dear Lord, the patience I’ll need

To get through this life of sadness and greed

To see silver linings you’ve place in my way

The love that is shining in faces each day

And for those you have sent, who have pure intent

Who love me for me, and not just for them

If you ask me, I’ll give everything that I am

Everything you have given me, I don’t give a damn

‘Bout the things of this world, love’s in a whirl

Nothing means anything, but love to this girl

As for thy sacrifice, this I need dearly

My own sins, I know them, I see them quite clearly

Grant me much kindness, to myself and to others

I humbly request this from You, my dear Brother

Please pass these things on to our Father above

And send me the answers, wrapped gently in love

♥

-Liz

5/10/11

Fix You

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try, to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try, to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I...

Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I...

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones

And I will try, to fix you

-Coldplay

Glittering Coin

Money makes the world go round

Glittering, glitzy piles of gold

And people trade their souls for such

Morality, loyalty, families are sold

For some, true happiness comes from riches

Their lives are lived for pride and show

While other lives spent digging ditches

In high society, considered low

A life of luxury, leisure and such

Is spent considering only one

Life lived for others, service given

Will help to benefit everyone

I’ve had money and I’ve not

How being humble awakens the soul

Constant struggle, to be giving

Keeps one’s mind and spirit full

Oh, how can we be satisfied

To live a life of selfish pleasures

When all around us, suffering

Is manifested by our brothers

It’s painful to the ones who lose

Their hard work stolen by another

To remain true and keep the faith

Is not to aspire above another

When we are wronged and slandered too

We long to seek revenge for woes

But quiet tongues and steady lives

These are riches too, you know

To some, the coin is all they see

To others, hard work, truth and light

Examine what we choose to treasure

Each has his sense of wrong and right

And in the end, we all will know

Which way we were supposed to go

Do you want to represent

What’s above or what’s below

-Liz

5/4/11

Silently a Flower Blooms

Silently a flower blooms,
In silence it falls away;
Yet here now, at this moment, at this place,
The world of the flower, the whole of the world is blooming.
This is the talk of the flower, the truth of the blossom;
The glory of eternal life is fully shining here.
~ Zenkei Shibayama

Wisdom

"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich."

"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love."

 

— Laozi (Tao Te Ching)

Death of Evil

 

Oh Evil man, how sad it is

Your death is highly celebrated

How much better would it have been

If Peace and Love, you'd generated

A death should never cause me joy

So sorry to have felt this way

But I cannot rejoice an end

Or pass a judgment, come what may

Pain is caused and this I know

We cannot ever comprehend

Life’s not fair, tis’ full of woe

Some must suffer, losing friends

One life begins, a breath is taken

Joy and hope the babe will bring

One life is ended, breathes no longer

Causing crowds to rise and sing

One life taken, by commandment

Saved a nation to be lost

One Life given, Sacrificed

Saved all souls, at great cost

Why, oh why must some choose evil,

Causing doubt and pain and fear

Why must evil fight so strongly,

When choosing good, to hearts is dear

Dead man walking, who can judge

Although it hurts, what man will do

Judgment comes from up above

A death of one cannot undo

Backlash will come, watch our backs

Evil always seeks revenge

The truly good avoid attacks

And wait for Fate, which will avenge

There is no justice to repay

The loss of innocent lives once given

There are no words one can say

Except for hope of a heaven

Evil will come, evil will go

'Til all is said and done and then

Despite suffering, this I know

Goodness will win, in the end

The death of Evil, what I wish

So man can live in harmony

Naïve I might be, called as such

Naïve I hope to always be

-Liz

5/1/11

For Shay

Little girl lost, loves her family
Came here full of strength and love
Tiny cutie, sweet and pretty
Gift from God, Father above

Brothers plenty, sister one
Home and family, light is streaming
Mother, Father, earthly home
Future bright, all she's dreaming

World is hard, full of dread
Tried and tried, promise to keep
Life is not what she expected
Pain and suffering runs so deep

Trials, problems, choices made
Life goes on, she knows not how
From the light she sometimes strayed
God's forgiveness makes her bow

Gifts are given, feels unworthy
She is more than she can know
Love and light for her to see
Comes to her on earth below

Oh, my daughter, sister and friend
Please know the example you are
Please be strong and to us hold
You are shining, Shay, a star

Luv, Liz
4/30/11

My Girl

  Fairy breath kiss, twinkling, twirly, tiptoes

Periwinkle eyes, now green, then blue

Petal pink cheeks, painted toenails

Tender strong heart, so loyal, so true

Sweet and vulnerable, trusting, yet cautious

Shy, but social, smiles, hearts, dreams

Tough little fireball, golden hair falling

Pinks and purples, blues, yellows, greens

Bikinis and friendships, baseball hats on boys

Ducks, bunnies, baby chicks, stuffed soft lambs

Brothers and games, sleepovers on couches

High heels, flip flops, barefoot in sand

Four-wheeling dunes, hunt spot camping

Colt 45 and a Buck-a-boo cutie

Sleeping Shadows, working and play

Shopping mall, Panda, school-clothes-movie

Swift song joys, laughter and tears

Touch screen cell, black shoe lost

Firm foundation, faith and goodness

Strength, conviction, insecurities tossed

Centered and focused, thoughtful, smart

Reliable, organized, family of seven

Priorities set, goals will be met

Mind, heart, eyes and soul of heaven

-Liz
4/26/11

I SAW IN LOUISIANA A LIVE-OAK GROWING

SAW in Louisiana a live-oak growing,

All alone stood it, and the moss hung down from the branches;

Without any companion it grew there, uttering joyous leaves of dark green,

And its look, rude, unbending, lusty, made me think of myself;

But I wonder'd how it could utter joyous leaves, standing alone there, without its friend, its lover near--for I knew I could not;

And broke off a twig with a certain number of leaves upon it, and twined around it a little moss,

And brought it away--and I have placed it in sight in my room;

It is not needed to remind me as of my own dear friends,

(For I believe lately I think of little else than them:)

Yet it remains to me a curious token--it makes me think of manly love;

For all that, and though the live-oak glistens there in Louisiana, solitary, in a wide flat space,

Uttering joyous leaves all its life, without a friend, a lover, near,

I know very well I could not.

by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

PATIENCE

Pretty, succulent fruit from genetically altered seeds

Many years, experiments, and patience, to achieve

Graphs, charts, technique, ideas, data and knowledge unfolds

Try and fail, and try again, and wait upon results

Science is discovery, as is man's view of self

Many years, experience, history, and time itself

Will prove to man which methods work, which throw him way off track

Wisdom, knowledge, truth and light, united bring him back

If patience is a virtue, a trait to be admired

Be willing, wait and be transformed, by bright refining fire

There is no rushing to possess a quality worth its while

For haste consumes, but time provides, the growth which man desires

-Liz

4/15/11