A Puzzle ~ TRUTH ~ Theme for December 2024

Taking leave of……

Risk taken, risks……

Up-ending what we…….

Tests have a way…..

Holding sway over……

“No legacy is so rich as honestly.”

William Shakespeare

It's a Crazy World!

Communication or gossip, which should it be? After the world news today, I suspect that both will be flowing down the same already murky river bed. Reporters and journalists will attempt to communicate to all that will listen the facts as they glean them. Assuming of course that they are true facts and not the notorious fake news. The most important fact today is that, apparently or for real, the United States President has fallen ill with Coronavirus. Gossip mongers will provide us all with side entertainment in this very unfortunate and unpleasant  show of reality. Who did what and when will be sounded so loudly that they tumble together over and over each other like pebbles, rocks and any other tossed away debris. It is up to each of us to either listen with an honest ear or turn the media off and listen to the birds of the air. Yes, we will all have our opinions. Which ones of them will be coloured by gossip and which by accurate communication? Be careful out there!

“Rumour travels faster, but it don’t stay put as long as truth.”

~ Will Rogers

Touched

Velvety touch, firm grip, clear words ~

Respectful welcome of touch and tone

to meet the spiked edges of fear,

baffle wild splashes of uncertainty,

settle the dust of chaos ~

Honest service to those who still suffer.

“ A firm, hearty handshake gives a good first impression, 

and you’ll never be forgiven is you don’t live up to it.”

~ P. J. O’Rourke, political satirist and journalist

Keep Watch

Possibilities are filled with honesty
When grounded in facts, reality and integrity.

If facts have been twisted or bent
Possibilities become limited

If reality has been polished with pretty words
Possibilities become narrow

If integrity has gone up in smoke
Possibities are seen through the haze.

Possibilities are filled with honesty
When accompanied by healthy principles

“Right time, right place, right people equals success. Wrong time, 

wrong place, wrong people equals most of the real human history.”

~ Idries Shah, Reflections

The Tell

The tell of respect is

A light touch

A firm handshake

A gentle offer of a helping hand

The tell of respect is

Honest eyes and ears

Space stretching wide or near.

Letting go ~ the only help to be given.

“Behaviour is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.”

~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Only Our Senses

Only our senses
Feel respect
Sincere smile
Firm hand shake
Offer of help
Stepping aside if the answer is ‘no’
Reliably honest words and deeds
Kindness even in the heat of debate.
Memories of mentors and teachers.

“All credibility, all good conscience, 

all evidence of truth comes only from the senses.”

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Hateful: A New Definition

Honesty

Awareness

Tolerance

Ethics

Fulfillment

Understanding

Learning

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Passages ~ 1

Leaves
once green and full
nourished by sun, soil and rain
as seasons change
fade and dry
finally drift to earth

Trust
becoming solid and true
nourished by kindness, honesty and love
as decades pass
grows stronger
bonds gentled with time.

“Where is your water? Know your garden.”

~ Hopi teaching

Two Conversations

‘don’t you go home depressed when you keep looking after us over and over again?’

Dimmed grey blue eyes
Pale blanched skin
Thin straight greying hair
Lovely beneath years of the damage of active addictions
A secret that many may never know

‘no I don’t - I may have some sadness, but your story is your own to carry.’

‘do you still love this work?’

Bright blue eyes
Pale skin lightly freckled
Straight blonde stylin’ hair
Lovely and leaning forward into 

the rewards and challenges of addictions nursing.

‘sure do! - I may get discouraged with society’s hoops our clients have to jump through, but all our clients appreciate and need our care and guidance.

It’s been a long, but very humbling, two days at Detox.
Challenging
Busy
Rewarding
Honest, cheerful and tearful talk between clients and nurses 

in efforts to rebuild once more.
So many more than two conversations…….

“I learned that a long walk and calm conversation are an 

incredible combination if you want to build a bridge.”

~ Seth Godin

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