Don't Let Anything Slip Through The Cracks

Don't let anything slip through the cracks

That can add to the quality of your days

Make a list of changes that need to be made

And then start taking action, phase by phase.

Take stock of everything in your life, dear reader

And then start putting steps in place

To get your life to where you want it to be -

A happier, more satisfying place.

 

Lace up those sneakers, lace up, lace up

If your health needs some tender loving care

Don't let your health go down, down, down, and slip through the cracks

Go to the gym, or get some sunlight and air.

 

Get out your dustpan and broom, get them out, get them out

If your home needs some love and attention

Don't let another day go by

Tackle things, section by section.

 

Get on the phone, on email, or in person

If unfortunate circumstances have put a gulf between you and someone

Time is precious, and gets more precious each day

Don't leave this task undone.

 

Get out your calculator, and a spreadsheet or notebook

And take stock of your assets and debts

Consult a financial advisor, or research the snowball method

And get off the treadmill of paying interest.

 

Open your pantry and refrigerator, dear reader

And look at it with a new eye

Get rid of everything that's old, or not good for you

Make changes that will make your refrigerator and life shine.

 

Yes, don't let slip through the cracks, dear reader

Anything that can add to the quality of your days

Take stock right now, right now, right now

And then start taking action, one step at a time, and phase by phase.

One step at a time, and phase by phase, dear reader

One step at a time, phase by phase

Do that, and sooner or later you will find

Can you guess what you will find, dear reader?

You are exactly right.

You will find you are in a much better place!

Tear Out The Chapters

Tear out the chapters

Of the times when I was angry and mad

Tear out the chapters

Of the times when I was gloomy and sad.

Tear out the chapters

Of the times when I drank until I passed out 

Tear out the chapters

Of the times I took up jobs only to walk out.

Tear out the chapters

Of all the relationships I've entered and failed 

Tear out the chapters 

Of all the unflattering parts of my personal and professional tale.  

Tear out the chapters

Of all the money I've lost 

All the stupid mistakes I’ve made 

From debt to unwise gambles, from taxes to stocks.  

Tear out the chapters

Of the past dressing choices I made 

Sweaters in the Madras heat 

Day and night, wearing shades.  

Tear out the chapters

Of me getting upset about silly matters 

All those harsh words and actions

With child, siblings, parents, friends, others.

Tear out the chapters

Of all the blessings I did not appreciate 

All the things I failed to do 

While I was a self-absorbed ingrate.    

Ok, now that this is done 

What I need to see 

Is whether what is left 

Is a picture that’s true of me.  

No, it is not a true picture, dear reader 

Because without the light and shadow 

You will not see where I started from 

And where I want to go.  

So as tough as this is for me, dear reader 

I have to own what I've done 

It is only by coming out from the shadows 

We can set sail for the sun.    

I regret all the mistakes I made dear reader 

And I regret all the wild oats I’ve sown 

But through meditation and self-observation 

I’ve made sure I have grown.

So, let's put back the chapters 

Of when I was angry and mad 

And let's put back the chapters 

Of when I was gloomy and sad.

Let's put back the chapters

Of when I drank until I passed out 

Let's put back the chapters 

Of when I took up jobs only to walk out. 

Let's put back the chapters

Of all the relationships I failed 

Let's put back the chapters 

Of all the unflattering parts of my personal and professional tale.    

Thank you for accompanying me, dear reader 

On this round trip that was crucial for me 

Because at the end of it, I've gained something important 

Can you guess what it is?  

I've gained humility!

We think, We think, We think

Taken at The Sea Ranch by my sister Betty

We think we think, we think

And all around us, incredible sights and sounds

Go down the sink

Because we think, we think, we think

 

We fret, we fret, we fret

And all around us nature puts on shows we miss

Golden sunrises, radiant sunsets

Because we fret, we fret, we fret

We cry, we cry, we cry

And all the while, the miracle of life and its wonders

Pass us by

Just pass us by

Because we cry, we cry, we cry

  

We scold, we scold, we scold,

And all around us there are wonders to behold

And miracles in them that are still undiscovered and untold

Because we scold, we scold, we scold

 

We stew, we stew, we stew

And storms in teacups brew

When all around us are incredible views

Birds and flowers, shrubs and pebbles of every hue

But we stew, we stew, we stew

 

We mope, mope, mope

When all around us are beautiful trails and slopes

At which we could refresh our minds and spirits

But we mope, we mope, we mope

 

And all the while…

Time is ticking away

Tick, Tick, Tick

Ticking away

Tick, Tick, Tick

Ticking away

Tick, Tick, Tick

Because we think, we think, we think

Let Your Dreams Be Your Dreams

Let your dreams be your dreams

Let your children's dreams be your children's dreams

Dreams are meant to be as numerous as the stars in the sky

 

You want your child to be a doctor or engineer

It's what equals respect and status in your eyes

Your child wants to be a teacher, writer, firefighter, or something else

It's what equals meaning and fulfillment in your child's eyes

 

Let your dreams be your dreams

Let your children's dreams be your children's dreams

Dreams are meant to be as numerous as the stars in the sky

 

You want your child to fit in with their clothing style

You fear people will look at them and sneer and hide a giggle

They want to express a unique style

For which they are willing to pay any price, even that of being a social misfit

 

Let your dreams be your dreams

Let your children's dreams be your children's dreams

Dreams are meant to be as numerous as the stars in the sky

 

You want them to share your religious and political beliefs

They are growing, and as part of their growth, they are forming a different worldview from you

One they hope not to have to hide from you, for fear of rejection or disappointment

 

Let your dreams be your dreams

Let your children's dreams be your children's dreams

Dreams are meant to be as numerous as the stars in the sky

 

You want your child to look at music and art as hobbies

They want to give those things a bigger place in their life

They value it enough to live on the financial edge

 

Let your dreams be your dreams

Let your children's dreams be your children's dreams

Dreams are meant to be as numerous as the stars in the sky

 

You want them to fit standard social norms

Ones that have existed from the beginning of social time

They want a life outside of those norms

Hoping to be accepted and embraced by you, rather than cast aside

 

Let your dreams be your dreams

Let your children's dreams be your children's dreams

Dreams are meant to be as numerous as the stars in the sky

 

You want them to marry and have children

They want to be single and follow their own path

They want you to understand, not fuss

 

Let your dreams be your dreams

Let your children's dreams be your children's dreams

Dreams are meant to be as numerous as the stars in the sky

 

You want them to buy a house

Wealth is measured in assets - this is what you think

They want to live in a trailer and travel

Wealth is measured in experiences - this is what they think

Let your dreams be your dreams

Let your children's dreams be your children's dreams

Dreams are meant to be as numerous as the stars in the sky

Let your dreams be your dreams

Let your children's dreams be your children's dreams

Dreams are meant to be as numerous as the stars in the sky