For Rachel

Because you see beyond yourself...

 "While we are busy looking at ourselves, shooting stars fall"

 - Akiane

From Rachel

"People always ask me who my best friend is.. But I never have a solid answer. I have too many great friends, but none like my mom. She is a great blessing in my life and I am so thankful for her. So from now on when people ask who my best friend is, it isn't going to be a question I'm going to ask myself, I'll have my mind made up right away! My mom is my BEST friend. :)"

- Facebook post
5/1/12

Not Yet

As you walk, as you pass, there is no romance or balance in the voices
Just a chilly laughter
Do not mix with the crowds yet - the spirit has not changed them
As you walk, as you pass, you defend all the defeated and defenseless fears
But gold still refuses to be sifted
Do not blossom yet - all the shovels are looking for you
As you walk, as you pass, there is a helmet on each crown
And life seems like an illusion that can never be conceived by you
Do not open your eyes yet - the cages are still bigger than the land
- Akiane

A metaphor of my life-

A ship caught in the turbulent ocean
Seeking a glimpse of light
The moon’s pull of the tide
Dim silver light reflected off the dark clouds
... The rage of the wildfire
The caress of candlelight
The strength of the redwood
The frailty of the falling leaf
Faced with a choice at the edge of a cliff
Overcoming the mountain in front of me
The choppy waters pacify
A lighthouse appears from the fog
The ship is sailed by a new captain
Dawn beginning to break
The stability of a rock
The fluency of a river
The surety of the sky
The piercing purity of light
Finding the parachute strapped to my back from the start
And the map leading to the valley of rest
 
-Kenyon

Don't Need Proof - for don & lance

Havin’ a bad day, ever have one of those?
Surrounded by people, still feelin’ alone
Wish you were here or that I was there
Wishes can’t help me, wish I didn’t care

Send me a smile, and some of your love

Share some of you, a small piece, a hug
Feelin’ so empty, feeling so low
Feelings like this, wish they would go

So far away, you are today

Still you are near, feel you inside
Like part of me, that I can’t hide
I’m only me, when you’re by my side

The best part of me, is what you’ve done to me

The best part of you, is what you give freely
I know you won’t read this, you never do
But I will still write it, I simply have to

You may never know, what words I write for you

But that doesn’t mean what I write isn’t true

You don’t need to see, what you know is real

You don’t need proof, of what you already feel

- liz

4/23/12

Differences Between a Constitutional Republic and a Democracy 

A Constitutional Republic is a state where the officials are elected as representatives of the people, and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits the government's power over citizens.  A Constitutional Republic is the current form of government in the United States. However in recent years, many people have criticized the federal government for moving away from a Constitutional Republic, as defined by the Constitution, and towards a pure democracy^.

Democracy means the people rule and can do anything they want by majority rule. In the U.S. "super majorities" (over 50%) are required for many decisions, such as ratifying a treaty or passing a constitutional amendment. Republicanism means there is a system of rule of law, or inalienable rights, which no majority can vote out.  Alexis de Tocqueville wrote:  If, on the other hand, a legislative power could be so constituted as to represent the majority without necessarily being the slave of its passions, an executive so as to retain a proper share of authority, and a judiciary so as to remain independent of the other two powers, a government would be formed which would still be democratic while incurring scarcely any risk of tyranny.

A Republic, by definition, has two principle elements. First, it is controlled by Law; therefore, it does not control Law. Second, it recognizes the private independent sovereign nature of each person (man or woman) of competent age and capacity; therefore, a Republic must be representative in its nature.  A Republic recognizes Law is unchangeable, or at least that it can only be changed by a higher source than government. In a Republic the concept of “collective sovereignty” cannot exist, except with recognition that the State or nation, as a body of sovereigns, can speak through one elected voice; though that one voice can never lawfully interfere with the private rights of the individual sovereigns.  The purpose of a Constitutional Republic is to place limits on the tyranny of the majority over the rights and freedoms of the individual.

Definition of Sovereignty

Sovereignty is having ultimate authority over a territory, with the absolute right to govern. Thus, a sovereign state is one that governs itself, independent of any foreign power, with the full authority to make war or peace and to form treaties or alliances with foreign nations. Sovereignty in government includes the authority to create, execute, and repeal laws, as well as the power to impose and collect taxes.

Popular Sovereignty

Democracy is based on the concept of Popular Sovereignty.  In federal systems of government, such as in the United States, sovereignty also refers to powers that state governments possess independently of the national government. Disputes over this authority led to the American Civil War.  So this form of Sovereignty can lead to state vs. state.

Collective Sovereignty

The people collectively, also known as the Collective Sovereignty, have a similar responsibility towards governments as parents have towards their children. They have the inherent and irremovable authority to instruct and command their elected civil servants.  That the Sovereign people do not need to seek permission from any of the governments they created to speak and act in their Sovereign or Collective Sovereign capacity.

Theory of Sovereignty vs. Today’s Reality

Acting in our Collective Sovereign authority we have also participated in elections every 4 or 5 years. In theory the purpose of the elections is for the Collective Sovereign people to elect public servants from amongst ourselves. However, in reality the so-called democratic leaders have been pre-selected for us by the wealthy and powerful corporations who finance the politicians' campaigns. Those elections have only given the illusion of democracy and are both a challenge and insult to our Collective Sovereign authority - reducing us to a level of voting for pre-selected leaders, signing useless petitions and participating in letter-writing campaigns of questionable origins, value and effects.  We are occasionally asked to vote simply yes or no on referendums, laws and restrictions of which we were not even part of the drafting or creating. Most times we are left out of decisions that directly impact our daily lives. We are told that our government knows best, or that certain knowledge is top secret and somehow beyond our authority.  We have increasingly become subject to licensing, registration, taxation and such restrictive laws that we no longer live or act in a free capacity.  We have become the “silent partner” in our own fate.

We often hear the claim that our nation is a democracy. That wasn’t the vision of the founders. They saw democracy as another form of tyranny. If we’ve become a democracy, I guarantee you that the founders would be deeply disappointed by our betrayal of their vision. The founders intended, and laid out the ground rules, for our nation to be a republic.

The word “democracy” appears nowhere in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution – two most fundamental documents of our nation. Instead of a democracy, the Constitution’s Article IV, Section 4, guarantees “to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government.” Moreover, let’s ask ourselves: Does our pledge of allegiance to the flag say to “the democracy for which it stands,” or does it say to “the republic for which it stands”? Or do we sing “The Battle Hymn of the Democracy” or “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”?
-info from several internet sites

Spider - for Rachel

I slept with a spider last night
He bit me on the thigh
I know he was not invited
He came in on the sly
I think he sought revenge
Because I smashed his cousin
I left it on the wall
To scare of all the others
But he came anyway
I hope he will not stay
I really don’t like spiders
Do you? 

-Liz
4/13/12

Springtime in the Dollhouse Neighborhood

The beauty of this earth is so astounding
Oh!  How can I explain
Sing with sweet refrain
The delicious fragrances that now surround me

Springtime trees lined in a row so tidy
Blossoms swirling in the breeze
Falling softly, rain on me
Gathered up with hands, petals so tiny

Heavenly scents, perfumes that can transform

Breathe in boldly, breath I hold
Planting deeply in my soul

Lasting memory, eternal, soft and warm

Tree-lined streets, these feet cannot resist them
Walk beneath the covering
Hummingbird seen hovering
A bird flies, gently calling in the distance

Picket fences, bordering white rows

Flowers blooming, petals sway
In the breezes, perfect day
All around is happiness that grows

My soul, it swells with every step I take

Emotion rises to the surface
A smile beams upon my face
It seems to me a dream, although awake

Whilst in this special place, linger alone

Never to be lonely
Quiet thoughts speak to me
Prayers of gratitude rise for my home

Gurgling fountain, cool, clear water swirling

Dollhouse neighborhood
Pretty flowers, painted wood
The beauty of this earth is so astounding

-Liz
4/12/12

Submission

What is submission, is it to give in
Is it to give up, never to win
Is it for the weak, the feeble-minded

Or for the strong, the most determined

Is it a compromise, a trust to form

Choose to submit, be forewarned

Submission to those who desire to use

Is but unhappiness, each will lose

How courageous it is to give of will

A difficult struggle, climbing a hill

Submit to the Savior, our cup to fill

Submit to the Spirit, when we are still

Submit to the Love we feel for each other

As a small child, submits to his mother

Submit to a loved one, to eventual death

Submit to obedience, giving your best

Submission can be a beautiful task

When it creates a bond that will last

Submit to your Lord, submit all your will

Trust in His care, His gift on the hill

He submitted completely, the Greatest of all

He submitted for man, because of the fall

Give all you can, give to others until

You’ve given enough, for He gave you free will

- Liz

4/11/12

The Savior showed us a great example of such a prayer of submission. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane as He worked out the Atonement that His Father’s will would be done. He knew that His Father’s will would be for Him to do what was so painful and so terrible that we cannot comprehend it. He prayed not simply to accept the Father’s will but to do it. He showed us the way to pray in perfect and determined submission.  - Henry B Eyring

The total submission of our will to His is one of the most difficult obstacles we face on our journey toward eternal life. - Lowell D Wood

The Savior’s perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Christ’s example teaches us that a broken heart (versus a proud heart) is an eternal attribute of godliness. When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are. The sacrifice so entailed is a sacrifice of pride in all its forms. Like malleable clay in the hands of a skilled potter, the brokenhearted can be molded and shaped in the hands of the Master. - Bruce D Porter

As we come unto Christ, we must surrender our worldly ways, our pride, and our selfishness. As we yield to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we should experience a “mighty change in [our] hearts” (Alma 5:14)  - Lowell D Wood

Forget Me Not

"There is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet. Please never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves (and others), that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for the golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the "why" of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and lift you.  And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves and cherishes you."

-President Uchtdorf, 2011

Flying

I wished I'd worn
The boots of angels
So that I
Had walked the sky

Or fluttered downy
Hands of birds, and
Having done so fly

At least leaped
Like a squirrel
Branch to branch
Gave it a try

 

- Don

Completion

How elusive completion is, but that’s no reason not to finish

Don’t be afraid to begin again, each try is like a root taking hold

You feel it each time you stretch yourself, or start over

These are the times you show yourself and everyone around you

What you are made of, you can be trusted, relied on and not fear

But each day you wake, you must renew this new belief

Every time you fall and forget your newfound strength, exercise yourself

Rise up, head held high, breathe deep and slow and stand strong

Aim for your target, reach for your dreams, believe in yourself

- Anonymous

The little dissatisfaction which every artist feels at the completion of a work forms the germ of a new work.

- Berthold Auerback

When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live.

- Greg Anderson

Harmony

We all want to be loved and acknowledged for what we have to offer.  Yet, we don’t always appreciate what others have to offer us.  So learn to be in harmony with what is around you.  Be quiet, sit back, observe, be open to differences, learning and change, and see exactly what is occurring before you.  At times, you won’t immediately recognize that it may be precisely what you need.  Is this coincidence or fate?   Everything and everyone in your life has a possible purpose and deserves attention on some level.  Don't make the mistake of embracing knowledge in lieu of experience.  Experience life.  Knowledge without experience is incomplete.  True knowledge never ends, pays attention and is pliable, may we always be surprised to learn we didn't know it all.  May we always be willing to alter our opinions or to add to the knowledge we already possess, when a truth is presented to us.  Truth is the only constant.  Be as a child, not set in your ways, but open to new ideas, thoughts and feelings.  Let go of cynicism and instead practice discernment.  Always be learning, listening, and growing.  Never stop becoming.

- liz

March 25, 2009

Serenity

Brother to Brother

May I say something to inspire you, brother?
You have a perfect spirit in your mind.
T’will lead you on from one end to the other
Of this colossal universe—so wide.
You have a loving seraphim to guide you
And God the Father loves you from afar.
He lives within your heart and He will guide you
Beyond the farthest planet, brightest star
And galaxy throughout his vast dominions.
A universal school is what you’ll find
When you leave off enrollment in these regions
And rise to firmaments of Perfect Mind.
God lives within your soul, and He will lead you,
And should you wish to pray, He’ll surely heed you.

-D. E. Glass

Faith & Conviction

"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything" - Alexander Hamilton

"Behold the turtle. He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.” - J. B. Conant.

"Complete trust or confidence in someone or something." - definition

"How may people do you know that you can completely trust?  Sadly, it is inevitably a small percentage." - L. A.

"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith." - H. W. Beecher

"The only faith that wears well and holds its color in all weathers is that which is woven of conviction and set with the sharp mordant of experience." - J. R. Lowell

"If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm." - Mohandas Gandhi

Love & Family

Especially for me and my family: When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace. And there are ways in which we can consciously work to develop feelings of love and kindness. For some of us, the most effective way to do so is through religious practice. For others it may be non-religious practices. What is important is that we each make a sincere effort to take our responsibility for each other and for the natural environment we live in seriously.
- Dalai Lama, 14th

The smile is the beginning of love - Mother Theresa ♥

Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones in floods caused by senseless deforestation in a neighbouring country. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where... individuals and nations are free. True peace with oneself and with the world around us can only be achieved through the development of mental peace. The other phenomena mentioned above are similarly interrelated. Thus, for example, we see that a clean environment, wealth or democracy mean little in the face of war, especially nuclear war, and that material development is not sufficient to ensure human happiness. Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility. In that state of mind you can deal with situations with calmness and reason, while keeping your inner happiness. That is very important. Without this inner peace, no matter how comfortable your life is materially, you may still be worried, disturbed or unhappy because of circumstances - Dalai Lama, 14th

A Starving Soul

An unquenched thirst, depths untold

Look upon a starving soul

A worldwide drought, feasts unknown

No strength to walk, so crawl alone

Unattended, uncared for life

Full of sorrow, knowing strife

Unimportant, less than none

Cherished, not by anyone

Expendable, left to itself

Begging now for unfound help

When the view, itself ignored

Those who hunger, wanting more

Never now to be fulfilled

Left to wonder, ever still

-Liz

You Said

You said that you would never change, that it would not affect you

And that you’d always stay the same, no matter the direction

You know the truth, at least you did, you lived your life about it

The way you’ve turned your back on you is just completely astounding

It seemed so fast, and yet was slow, you’ve completely stepped around it

You never saw it coming, but now you are without it

It’s sad and scary, this precipice you’ve walked yourself out onto

And all alone, all by yourself, you've turned your back on what was you

-Liz

The Tiny Seed - for Don

From a tiny seed, a spark of life appeared quite magically
Would it reach fruition, or would its life end tragically

The tiny seed began to grow, he sprouted and grew taller

But when he looked around himself, somehow he was still smaller

He stretched himself and tried to plant his roots in somewhere stable

Try as he might, without support he found he wasn’t able

He floundered and he shook and despite all this still grew

‘Cuz time will pass and we all grow no matter what we do

He wished and hoped for tenderness, the potter’s hand to know

But all alone he felt his heart sinking ever so low

With just enough of nourishment to keep him from sure death

But not enough to flourish, to enjoy this time on earth

He looked around and saw some others, beautiful and full

Their growth, their lives, were more than his, it wasn’t fair to know

Their potters seemed aware of them and treated them with care

His potter’s love was absent, it seemed no one was there

The anger and the fear in him slowly began to root

And twined itself around him and became his very thought

He turned inside himself and wondered why, was he not worthy

He searched and dug down deep, to try and find his inner beauty

The potter seemed so busy, many important tasks performed

So he knew he didn’t matter much, and simply could not conform

He fought against so many things, he tried to find his place

The others marched in line, he didn’t want to keep the pace

All alone and all along, he searched for truth and light

What was it that eluded him, what good were wrong and right

When right felt wrong, was wrong then right, he tried to find the way

The potter was a hypocrite, his heart was hardened clay

But what he had forgotten is there always was another

One who had made, created him and one that was his brother

The care they took to place him here, was evident, though hidden

They placed some others ‘round him, who both loved and needed him

These others looked to him for care as well, and now he knew

He knew his worth, he knew of love, he knew of what was true

He blossomed and he took the time to fill their pots with water

And when they looked into his heart, they knew he was their brother
Together they will grow, so that their roots will take strong hold

The love and care they freely share will reach to heights untold

The potter grew so old and feeble, they soon forgot that he existed

Replaced by the creator, now their minds and hearts were gently lifted

And so he will become the strong, tall plant he was, he always knew

That he is loved and has potential, the truth is clear, that we all do

-Liz

2/14/12

May I Forget...

INSUFFICIENCY

When I attain to utter forth in verse
Some inward thought, my soul throbs audibly
Along my pulses, yearning to be free
And something farther, fuller, higher, rehearse,
To the individual, true, and the universe,
In consummation of right harmony:
But, like a wind-exposed distorted tree,
We are blown against for ever by the curse
Which breathes through Nature. Oh, the world is weak!
The effluence of each is false to all,
And what we best conceive we fail to speak.
Wait, soul, until thine ashen garments fall,
And then resume thy broken strains, and seek
Fit peroration without let or thrall.

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Life

Live a fearless life, not a reckless life, but a life without fear. Do not be good merely for fear of consequences, but for a pure desire for good. Truth never accompanies fear. Truth is strength.  -LA

What are the first 4 letters of analyze?  Anal.  Don't analyze everything, experience it.  Get it into your gut.  Really feel it.  -Dr. Wayne Dyer

Only that which is real, never changes.

Take your shoes off.  Allow.  -Dr. Wayne Dyer

There Is A Green Hill Far Away...

There is a green hill far away, without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified, who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell, what pains he had to bear.
But we believe it was for us he hung and suffered there.

There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin.
He only could unlock the gate of heav’n and let us in.

Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved!  And we must love him too,
And trust in his redeeming blood, And try his works to do.

And try his works to do... please, try his works to do.

Be of Good Cheer

Be of good cheer, though trials may come

Spend time on others, there’s work to be done

Strive to light up the darkest of places

Behold the joy in our loved one’s faces

Trials are not reserved for the strong

Weaknesses not overcome, are wrongs

Answers to problems are readily found

When all about us, much love abounds

With humble actions, each can become

The greatest example to everyone

To those who are sad, suffering dearly

Through our affection, we can show clearly

The concern we feel when we look in the eyes

Of one who suffers and internally dies

Take care of each other, and rise above

Despite tribulation, we can feel loved

Be of good cheer and spread only good

Doesn’t this sound like something we should

Choosing to do what we know is right

Will always lead us back into the light

From the darkest of places, we can find hope

Within our souls, we find strength to cope

When with each other, learned lessons are shared

We then truly show, how much we care

Lost in the memories of what went before

Searching for answers, wanting for more

When our vessels are empty, and need to be filled

Be of good cheer and gladness will spill

More joy will be found, than can be contained

Within our hearts, and more still remains

Reach and discover the love that is there

Waiting for us to embrace, and then share

-Liz

1/10/12