Success

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success. -  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Before delivering his State of the Union address, President Obama greets Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords with a hug. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Still watering.......

Still watering my dream,
still nurturing this theme,
Still knowing that it'll come true
still believing that it's real.

Can't quite see it, but I feel it
I can smell it, but not taste it,
Still pruning what's not needed....
Still watering this dream!
 copyright© 2012 Brenda Gale

A music legend, Etta James, has passed away.....R.I.P.

Etta James, whose assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as "The Wallflower," "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and the wedding favorite "At Last," has died, according to her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon. She was 73. She died from complications from leukemia with her husband, Artis Mills, and her sons by her side, De Leon said.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside, California. She would have turned 74 Wednesday. " This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world," De Leon said. "She was a true original who could sing it all -- her music defied category.http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/20/showbiz/etta-james-obit/index.html 

Red Tails

Through war with honor...through adversity with courage....and through it all with each other! "Red Tails" opens in theaters across the country on Friday, 1/20/12. Be sure to spread the word and capture the glory of the all African-American fighter-pilot unit and the story of the brave, courageous Tuskegee Airmen.

My sweet little visitor.......

When I was young, my Mom told me that whenever I saw a redbird, someone was thinking of me and that I should blow it a kiss......so I always do.

Happy Birthday First Lady Michelle Obama!

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama (born January 17, 1964) is the wife of the 44th and incumbent President of the United States, Barack Obama, and is the first African-American First Lady of the United States.

Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Celebrating/Honoring/Remembering the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The following is the end of Dr. King's "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, which would be his last. Dr. King spoke on April 3, 1968, at the Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters) in Memphis, Tennessee. The next day, King was assassinated.

"We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't really matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live - a long life; longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy Birthday Dr. King!

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A Time That I Recall

A place that feels familiar
A space which I recall
Scenes that bring me comfort
A life that was my all.

A time that I remember
Moments that are recalled
Laughter in the distance
Love that never stalled.

It is to be remembered
Forever in my heart...
A space that I will treasure
A time that I recall. copyright© 2012 Brenda Gale

The Soul

.......And the God of Gods Created the soul, fashioning it for beauty. 

  

He gave unto it the gentleness of a breeze at dawn, the scent of flowers, the loveliness of moonlight.

He gave unto it also the cup of joy, and He said:

"You shall not drink of this cup save that you have forgotten the past and renounced the future."

 He gave unto it also the cup of sorrow, saying:

"Drink that you may understand the meaning of joy."

Then God bestowed within the soul love that would depart with the first sigh of content,

And sweetness that would flee from the first word of arrogance.

He made a heavenly sign to guide it in the path of truth.

He placed in its depths an eye that would behold the unseen.

He created within it a fancy to flow like a river with phantoms and moving figures.

He clothed it in garments of longing woven by angels, from the rainbow.

     Within it He placed also the darkness of bewilderment, which is the shadow of light. 

 And God took fire from the forge of anger,

Wind blowing from the desert of ignorance;

Sand He gathered from the seashore of selffulness

And dust from beneath the feet of the ages; 

 Thus He fashioned man, 
 And unto man He gave blind strength that leaps into a flame in moments of mad passion, and lies down before desire.

God gave him life which is the shadow of death. 

 And the God of Gods smiled and wept, and He knew a love which hath no bound nor end; 
 Thus He united man and his soul. 

-- by Kahlil Gibran

Always looking on the bright side.......

Live your life in such a way that you're always looking on the bright side.  If negativity starts to rear its ugly head in your pathway.....either choose a different path or replace the energy with Positive thoughts. You're always in control of your thoughts, so look on the bright side.  If something has ended....say good-bye and move on to the next stage and be excited about the new chapter.  Get on with life......get in your lane......swerve if you must.....but keep it moving! Always look for the best in what might appear to be 'not so good' at the moment.......You're on your way.......keep smiling.....keep shining.......Always be looking on the bright side, because if you're travelling in your lane, following your intuitive spirit.....you're heading in the right direction!

Reaching and Rising......spirit keeps lifting me higher

Reaching and Rising.....Rejoicing in the beauty of this moment.  Anticipating the miracles that will unfold. The miracles that have been planned....the miracles that are vibrating on my frequency. The miracles which are seeking me.  I'm rising to the occasion, welcoming this guest.  Positioned to reap the benefits of........and the gift of the miracle.
Reaching and Rising........ Life / Spirit just keeps lifting me higher!

I Choose, because....I can

Symbols

Symbols dancing and responding
to my emotions
Clouds forming, sometimes raining
down my tears.
Dusk appearing and starting
a new cycle
Of remembering what
once was and what
could have been.
Symbols dancing and responding
to my happiness
flowers blooming and reflecting
all life's beauty
Sunshine beaming
and warming hearts that have been cold
Soft wind blowing
stirring and refreshing more
of what I've learned, what
I've lost, what I've found,
What I've loved.
Symbols dancing
reminding me
of life
of good
of Love.
© 2012 Brenda Gale

                                                                                              ___________________

Be on Purpose

Are you reaching? Are you feeling a pull in a higher direction for your life? Don't shrug off your intuition and leave your life to chance.  There are greater things which you must achieve and you know the direction that leads you there.  Don't settle for the status-quo or the 'I'm doing okay right here' voice that continues to play in your head.

Forget about how others are waiting to critique you; you are the student and life is the teacher. Bring all that you have to the classroom and go with the flow of the task within your soul.  Express in whatever manner allows that surrender.  It might be a song, a dance, a painting, a speech, a faster speed on the track.....only you know what that liberation will feel like...only you know what it looks like and sounds like.

Guess what? We want to experience it also.  Don't be afraid to be YOU ~ to express the YOU that was created in the beginning.......Don't you dare leave here without leaving that part of YOU! - Blessings on your journey!
© 2012 Brenda Gale

I'll make choices today, because I can....

How Sweet it is...

There's pleasure in knowing that I can Choose.

I'm reading and writing, protecting and fighting, loving or leaving, staying and cleaving, simply...Because I can......choose.

I'll make choices today, just as I did yesterday, yes....because I can.

This divine gift....this pleasure of freedom.....this beauty of choosing....This awareness of being able to......Choose.

Are you aware that you can

Choose?

Have you been awakened to your choices,

your options? You have them......so Choose....

to Love.....

To decide on those things that bring to your life.....

Love, strength, beauty.....freedom.

Choose.....Because you can.....

That's why I do it.......Because I can!

copyright© 2012 Brenda Gale