Re-Post - Lessons from Friends

The lesson slipped up beside me unnoticed and,
like a faint trill of elfin music,
struck a chord deep within me.

A tiny bit of discomfort niggled,
as self-doubt readied to take the floor.

The softness of the musical voice offered wisdom so tender
any self doubt was gently and kindly set aside.

Bending once more over my Morning Pages,
pen in hand, page open to receive,
the lesson sketched out before me with
changes divined because of that gentle air.

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper.

It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.”

~ Maya Angelou

Self Doubt Scrambles!

Crisis lit twin flames of worry and anger

fueled by adrenalin sending self doubt scrambling across the room.

Clinical judgement in a fragile moment reacted toward apparent intolerance.

Firm words spoken with assurance maintained peace while calm was restored.

Self doubt remained in hiding.

“Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Shining Light on Self Doubt

Self doubt, often clothed in shame,
speaks defensive and angry words
hearing only slings and barbs
when disagreement sounds it’s name.

Self doubt clings to heart and to mind
tainting all things real and good;
showing pictures of ‘less than’ 
to make comparison seem unkind.

Self doubt that’s borne of ground-in shame
does not easily wash away
'til compassion for one’s own life
is shown in each new day.

Self doubt's removal, for sure is a need  
to ride through life’s valleys and hills.
Gratitude shines light all around
with acceptance and kindness the creed.

“Your clothes conceal much of your beauty,

yet they hide not the unbeautiful.”

~ Khalil Gibran

Self-Doubt on the Run

Oh my! Oh my!

What should I do?!

Move forward or back ~

that won’t really do.

So it’s sideways I go

or maybe upstairs

Oh I just never know

which direction to take.

Someone will tell me, I’m sure, but too late!

Someone else’s directions don’t always steer right

but I really don’t know what to do!

Such a fright.

So I’ll think and I’ll think while I putter away.

Yet there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll get the job done.

When ~ I’m not certain; learning how should be fun!

“I am the one constant obstacle to my own momentum.”

~ Pete Vellucci, Jr.

Re-Post: A Bridge to Another World

Just a plain, ordinary bridge that looked
strong
solid
straight
not too narrow
not too wide

The night was dark ~ 
how long was the bridge
not so distant lights looked more welcoming than the land just behind ~ hostile and dangerous ~
too dangerous for this traveler of many worlds

But what lay under the bridge
beneath was there a 
deep chasm to be forever lost in
raging river threatening to drown any soul falling in
was the bridge as new and strong as it looked

how could I tell
who could tell me
walking in the world,
sureness of strength and wits
had carried much weight,
but were no longer reliable.

is this the only bridge to be crossed
dare I set foot on it
dare I try to go into this other world 
just to get out of this self-created chaos

no rules are posted for crossing a bridge this size ~
just keep to the side
hold on to the rail should steps falter
keep moving slow and steady.

The choice to turn back always remains ~ but....
what if I am the bridge?

"If you doubt yourself, then indeed 

you stand on shaky ground."

~ Henrik Ibsen

Words, Words, Words

Words scrawled, printed, typed.
Pages and pages of thought, ideas, experience, story…..
Folders stuffed slim or fat
Too much too big too many
Tripping over themselves in a paper and ink muddle

Self-doubt just itching to call the next play.......
Ignored and rejected
self-doubt shuffles away to pout.

“...if you’ve got writer’s block, you aren’t empty - maybe it’s just

like Twitter - overwhelmed, and loading seems to be taking a while...”

~ John Geddes, A Familiar Rain

Honest Reflections

If there is self doubt in this world 
it is because there is lack of self trust.
It is easy enough when a look in the mirror
sees a reflection and knows
skin and eyes are real and true.
Skin, lined or smooth, maps life experience 
certain of ‘not enough’ care and attention.
Reflected eyes without honesty of heart and mind
are clouded windows to the soul.
To scrub away self doubt in this world,
use honest trusting reflection
to cleanse and clear the windows of the soul
to honour the ‘enoughness’ of life experience.

“We always see our worst selves. Our most vulnerable selves.

We need someone else to get close enough to 

tell us we’re wrong. Someone we trust.”

~ David Levithan, Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List