NO MORE SILENCE – STOP ABUSE

Sexual sadism refers to causing pain, humiliation, fear, or some form of physical or mental harm to another person to achieve sexual gratification. Sadistic acts include restraint (such as with ropes, chains, or handcuffs), imprisonment, biting, spanking, whipping, or beating, Extreme sexual sadism can be criminal, and lead to serious harm or even the death of another person.

A Key to Success

A key to achieving success and happiness can be found in the community around us. Through meaningful involvement that benefits others we can leave a lasting legacy and build relationships that will allow us to grow. Giving helps us define our purpose and realize dreams.

"Good night and sweet dreams"

Sweet Dreams

Coming dawn

 Sunlight’s kiss

Rose colored sky now is welcoming  

Time to wake up and smile

Morning coffee

Working out

Brisk shower

Setting goals

Taking time

Each day moving one step forward

Simply because you had the courage

Laughing often

Always learning

Celebrating Success

Day’s end

Reflection time

Calm following the colors of sunset.

Evening songbirds sing a melodic serenade

Coming twilight

Lingering shadows

Sweet dreams

Definition of sweet dreams. —used to express good wishes for pleasant dreams when someone is going to sleep. "Good night and sweet dreams."

Winter's Cold Embrace

Unrequited love or one-sided love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such by the beloved. The beloved may not be aware of the admirer's deep and strong romantic affection, or may consciously reject it

On the night before Christmas

On the night before Christmas

driving home from the mall;

Mom crashed into Santa-

knocked him into a wall.

The bundle of toys

that was once on his back,

lay scattered and broken -

nothing left in the sack

There was blood on his chin  

and his clothes were askew.

His eyes - ‌that once twinkled

were now black and blue.

He spoke not a word -

just jumped up on his feet;
and quick as a whistle  

disappeared down the street.

Though our stockings were hung

by the chimney with cheer,

we know that St. Nicholas

won’t be coming this year.

Peace comes to us...

I recently had an insight that maybe instead of focusing on fixing my flaws, it's more important to accept and be at peace with them, I've resisted this notion for most of my life, worried that if I actually accepted things I thought were wrong they'd somehow never change and I'd be stuck with them. 

Ironically, it's only through acceptance that I found healing and transformation, which ultimately helped bring about the actual changes I was looking for and brought me a peace that gave me true liberation.

Life's A Blank Canvas

Cary and Randy - just together

People who knew them early in their careers said Cary Grant and Randolph Scott lived openly gay lives behind closed doors, but, as was the case with many actors, arranged marriages were the order of the day. Studios had to protect their financial properties and interests. The name "Bachelor Hall" and the reported parade of women through there was orchestrated by the studios, who wanted to keep their valuable actors away from any scandal.

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you

As this yuletide time approaches

with its season of good cheer,

midst colored lights and tinsel;

I try hard to persevere.

There was a time I welcomed Christmas

with glad tidings from the start;

but sadness now envelopes me,

for you left and broke my heart.

I'll just forget the holiday,

no cheer for me this year.

So solemn now I trudge along,

trying not to shed a tear.

A Period of Adjustment

When a relationship ends, it’s normal to move through a painful period of adjustment. If you sprained your ankle, you would cut yourself some slack, and take time out to heal. Many folks are reluctant to handle psychological pain as they do the physical. This “healing time” can be a perfect opportunity to learn to live alone, enjoy being independent and by yourself.  Many come to cherish this time of self exploration and freedom. They can do what they want – when they want – without having to compromise. Most say that once they get settled into this lifestyle, ironically, it’s then they connect with someone else that’s a much better match for them.

A Beautiful Image

Every life is touched by happiness, joy, good times and bad, and a million other bits and pieces. Too often we focus only on certain parts and allow them to define who we are. But we are so much more than a few individual experiences.

The beauty and magic of thinking of life as a kaleidoscope is that we can take all of the moments of our lives, the good, the bad, and even the ugly –

shuffle the sparkly bits and pieces together and create a spectacularly beautiful image.  

We have the power to embrace the metaphor of a kaleidoscope, to keep moving, growing, and seeing the beauty in each new perspective as a natural part of our journey to becoming the person we are meant to be. 

Desperate

Words can inflict emotional pain...

Verbal abuse happens when a partner or family member uses verbal assault or humiliation to undermine another person's self-esteem and self-worth. These behaviors  can create emotional pain and mental anguish and are every bit as damaging as physical abuse. After exposure to verbal abuse, victims may develop clinical depression or other stress-related illnesses. Typically, in romantic or family relationships, verbal abuse increases in intensity and frequency over time. Anger underlies, motivates and perpetuates verbally abusive behavior.

If you are repeatedly exposed to verbal abuse from a partner it may be necessary to temporarily or permanently end the relationship. If the abuser is a family member, or friend who is part of your larger social network the only way to avoid the abuse—or at least minimize its damaging effects—is to limit contact with the abuser or only interact with them in public when surrounded by non-abusive people.

Inside my Memory Book

Inside my memory book,

you come alive.

With the turn of every page

I hear the laughter in your voice,

and see your noble face

Our past is present for me now.

I can feel an evening breeze,

as starlight and moon glow

dazzle us with summer magic.

We sit side by side 

to talk and talk –

like two poets reading verse aloud.

I hear your words, 

and try hard to retrieve them all –

to make them my own.

I remember a trip

on my twenty- first birthday.

The clickety-clack of the rails

still echoes in my head.

We’d dreamt so long of flying free.

Now the cage had opened and

sweet freedom called our names.

Breathing heavy in the twilight,

we inhaled joy and wonder

Life lessons filled our souls.

Now as your face eases

back into the shadows

of my mind’s eye

I smile and hide

all the pain

I feel inside

but tears still come

from my heart.

I loved you then,

and I love you now.

Deutsches Jungvolk

A fearsome love for their “fatherland”

overwhelmed them as they salute

and start to goose step forward.

With fierce unbridled hate,

today’s feud was won.

The next conquest

was now theirs

to fight

for.

German boys were encouraged and later required to join Hitler Youth Groups. This kept the control of young people in preparation for when they became adults. Its members were viewed as ensuring the future of Nazi Germany and were indoctrinated in Nazi ideology, including racism. The group appropriated many of its activities of the Boy Scout movement which was banned in 1935, including camping and hiking. However, over time it changed in content and intention. Many activities closely resembled military training, with weapons training, assault course circuits and basic tactics. The aim was to instill the motivation that would enable its members to fight faithfully for Nazi Germany as soldiers. There was greater emphasis on physical fitness, hardness and military training than on academic study. Sacrifice for the cause was inculcated into their training. The idea that "Germany must live" even if they youth members had to die was "hammered" into them.

White Winter Kisses

Warm Summer Kisses

UNDER THE FULL MOON

Under the full moon

a lone silver cloud,

edged like a razor,

floats across the sky.

Within the shadows

I stand crouched low waiting.  

Whispering your name,

salty hot tears now

trailing down my cheeks.

My sad memories are filled

with bits of ugly truth.

Shielding me from this –

I am your prisoner.

 You are remorseless.

As the needle permeates skin

my trembling hands

pop the balloon.

Sliding down heaven's dark rim

a sultry arousing passion

shatters me beyond repair.

You are there

watching me nod.

Just a Kiss

Our Heart Calms the Storm...

"Heart" in this case is used to represent the things we feel without considering rationally.  When we listen with our hearts, the stress and worries we create in our minds lose their power. Instead, we begin to find our natural groove. When we listen with our hearts, it is easy to decipher what is true and what is fiction.  This is where deep understanding comes from.

Living on Borrowed Time

This year I noticed patterns - new life arriving and many lives being tragically lost. There is no rhyme or reason to many of these events, but a friend had it right when he said, "None of us get out of here alive"...

We will all meet this same fate one way or another. If we can come to terms with this, we can really live. Acceptance is the key to living and dying well.

A Bit of Magic

I DREAM OF DANCING

I dream of dancing

With a dark handsome prince.

love songs are playing -

fireworks light up the night.

i move with the melody
As HIS fingers pirouette over me.

These are all the things

I’m longing for.

Pure Love

Pure unconditional love is the strongest vibration force in universe. There is no greater power. It surpasses all entities, elements, and emotions. This love has the capacity to cleanse away negativity and heal old wounds. By living with pure love we radiate joy and our world becomes a better place to exist.

Only God knows why...

Winter's Firmament

Petals of Marigolds

Petals of marigolds unfold as 

storm clouds melt away.

Maybe today you'll take a risk –

I'd like to see you try.

Unfold, unfold my marigold;

trivial matters don't persist.

Love does in fact exist.

You take a breath,

and begin to sing.

"I have a dream"...

Solely seeking civil rights,

he solemnly stands,

shouting stirring soliloquies

to silent scores of worshipers.

Tenderly touching his heart,

he speaks his strong inspiring words,

“I have a dream”.

Martin Luther King Jr. (born January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using the tactics of nonviolence and civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs and inspired by the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi. King also helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Overwhelmed by desire…

                   Overwhelmed by desire she responds as he

                   Relentlessly continues kissing her – stroking her breasts 

                   Gently moving down her body – moist lips pinpointing her sweet spot –

                   Angling in – he begins loving and kneading her with his tongue –

                   Sensing her heighten passion he slowly penetrates now –

                   Moving – thrusting – harder – faster – till she cries out with pleasure

Autumn's Amber Glow

Crimson Trumpet Vines

Broken Promises

If a parent consistently breaks their promises, their child may learn that people's word cannot be trusted, and that it's okay to promise something and not follow through.

When we keep promises we help our kids develop an understanding of trust and respect for others. It also projects the image that we are truthful and believable, which helps to create a sense of security. 

Magic Moments

We must stop and think carefully about what we really in life and what brings the most happiness. It may be difficult to make a commitment.  However, there is nothing more important than figuring out what is right for you and making it happen.

Hummingbirds

Brilliant

hummingbirds with

gleaming emerald green wings

show off their stunning

iridescence 

Tears to my Heart

Sketching your sweet face

with my memory-pencil

brings tears to my heart.

When we lose someone, we must remember what it was we loved about that person and realize that we are stronger, wiser, and more compassionate because of knowing them. Each moment together we were given was gift that creates the threads of memories and dreams that last forever.

Melodies of Love

Melodies of love

now resonate in twilight.

Once before this night is over,

play your sweet love song to me;

each note coming straight 

from your heart.

Music is a big part of people's lives and with very good reason. There's always a song that connects us to a feeling, a person, or a place. If anyone were to ask me what the connection between music and love is, I'd say that through music, we can touch our lover's soul.

FLAWS

Flaws teach us

not to judge others.

To be stronger;

   to love the gift ~ 

 without the

wrapping

paper.

Love your flaws. Own your quirks. And know that you are just as perfect as anyone else, exactly as you are. Be happy with being you.