It Only Takes One

It only takes one

To make the world go forwards

To make the world go backwards

It only takes one.

It only takes one

To make a country go forwards

To make a country go backwards

It only takes one.

It only takes one

To make a society go forwards

To make a society go backwards

It only takes one.

It only takes one

To make a community go forwards

To make a community go backwards

It only takes one.

It only takes one

To make an organization go forwards

To make an organization go backwards

It only takes one.

It only takes one

To make a family go forwards

To make a family go backwards

It only takes one.

To unite

It only takes one.

To divide

It only takes one.

To create harmony

It only takes one.

To create disharmony

It only takes one.

To create security

It only takes one.

To create insecurity

It only takes one.

To create ease

It only takes one.

To create unease or disease.

It only takes one.

To make things worse...

For a family, an organization, a society, a community, a country, the world…

It only takes one.

To make things better…

For a family, an organization, a society, a community, a country, the world…

It only takes one.

It only takes one.

What Treasures Our Memories Hold

What treasures our memories hold

So deep under the surface

No scuba divers can reach! 

And when they want to surface, they just do

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

Suddenly the tune of a song

Suddenly a face.

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

Suddenly a scent

Suddenly a taste

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

Suddenly an experience

Suddenly a scene

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

Suddenly a sequence of events

Suddenly a dream

Unbidden

Unbidden.

Suddenly a thought

Suddenly a mood

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

Suddenly something you used to own

Suddenly a food.

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

Something you read

Something you heard

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

Something useful

Something absurd

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

Fragments from our past 

Intruding on our present

Entering without notice

Filling us with their presence

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

What treasures our memories hold

So deep under the surface

No scuba divers can reach! 

And when they want to surface, they just do

Unbidden.

Unbidden.

A Single Day

A single day of sunshine

A single day of rain

A single day of freedom from anxiety

A single day without pain.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

A single day of inspired creativity

A single day of oomph and flair

A single day of meaningful conversation

A single day of knowing someone cares.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

A single day of looking your best

A single day of feeling worthwhile

A single day of unexpected blessings

A single day of good humor and smiles.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

A single day of joyous cooking

A single day of things going right

A single day of being in top form

A single day of being in company that's cheery and bright.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

A single day of being listened to

A single day of feeling understood

A single day of feeling important

A single day of nothing to spoil your mood.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

A single day of going out

A single day of having fun

A single day of eating well

A single day of getting things done.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

Hope and comfort rests in these things.

Dear Reader, let us create hope and comfort, and where we can't directly create hope and comfort, to pray for hope and comfort for those who need it, remembering that hope and comfort can come from a single day of something going satisfactorily.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday.  I know that Super Bowl Day is one of those single days that is precious to many Americans, and I hope you had a perfect day, even if the team you rooted for didn't win.

P.S. This piece was written for my brother David, who knew how much even a single day of hope and comfort could matter to someone, and who did everything in his power to make those single days of hope and comfort happen for anyone who crossed his path.

Is The Circle Wide Enough?

Is the circle wide enough?

Is it wide enough to include the people who don't look like us?

We have to widen the circle

To include

Those that it excludes

Widen the circle

Widen, widen

Stretch the circle,

Stretch, stretch.

We have to forget the thought,

"Don't look like us"

Forget the thought,  "Different, Different".

We have to the widen the circle

Widen the circle.

Is the circle wide enough?

Is it wide enough to include the people who don't think like us?

We have to widen the circle

To include

Those that it excludes

Widen the circle

Widen, widen

Stretch the circle,

Stretch, stretch.

We have to forget the thought,

"Don't think like us"

Forget the thought,  "Different, Different".

We have to widen the circle

Widen the circle.

Is the circle wide enough?

Is it wide enough to include the people who don't feel like us?

We have to widen the circle

To include

Those who don't feel like us

We have to widen the circle

Widen the circle

Widen, widen

Stretch the circle,

Stretch, stretch.

We have to change ourselves out of the thought,

"Don't feel like us"

Change ourselves into the thought,  "More similar than different.  More similar than different".

We have to the widen the circle

Widen the circle.

By changing our thoughts.

Is the circle wide enough?

Is it wide enough to include the people who don't pray like us?

No?

Then we have to widen the circle

Widen the circle

To include

Those who don't pray like us

Widen the circle

Widen, widen

Stretch the circle,

Stretch, stretch.

We have to forget the thought,

"Don't pray like us"

Forget the thought,  "Different, Different".

We have to the widen the circle

Widen the circle.

More similar than different

More similar than different.

We have to escape the mental trap of words like

"Unholy, Unholy",

We have to escape the mental trap

For it is just a fear trap

Just a fear trap

A fear that the circle will snap

If we widen the circle

But of course it won't.

We have to pick up our tents

And pitch it outside the circle

We have to make the unfamiliar familiar

Experience what's outside the circle

So we can bring it into the circle

Bring it in

Bring the outside inside

And make the circle wider.

Let us not be afraid the circle will snap

If we stretch it

For that is a fear trap

Nothing but a fear trap.

Instead of our camp and their camp

Let's shine a lamp

Shine a lamp.

Don't let fear stop you from widening the circle

It's time to widen the circle

It's time

It's time.

Is the circle wide enough?

Is the circle wide enough?