Posted on January 16, 2013 by russtowne

What a beautiful and powerful poetic message. I like it so much that I’m reblogging it! Thank you for sharing it, Ivon!
Russ

ivonprefontaine's avatarTeacher as Transformer

John Fox wrote this beautiful poem. He is part of an organization called The Institute for Poetic Medicine. When people feel deeply listened to they feel cared for, cradled lovingly, and able to speak their truth. When we listen to each other this it is magical and peaceful. I know I feel wanted.

When someone deeply listens to you
it is like holding out a dented cup
you’ve had since childhood
and watching it fill up with
cold, fresh water.
When it balances on top of the brim,
you are understood.
When it overflows and touches your skin,
you are loved.

When someone deeply listens to you
the room where you stay
starts a new life
and the place where you wrote
your first poem
begins to glow in your mind’s eye.
It is as if gold has been discovered!

When someone deeply listens to you
your barefeet are on…

View original post 15 more words

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Where Troubles Melt Like Lemon Drops

Posted on January 16, 2013 by russtowne

The link below is to a group of children from Newtown’s Sandy Hook Elementary School singing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.

Stunningly beautiful heartfelt innocence.

May their hearts heal as quickly as their voices and faces have melted mine.

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/children-record-song-benefit-newtown-conn-causes-131022810–abc-news-topstories.html

Russ

Posted in Adversity, Beauty, Children, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Healing, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Posted on January 15, 2013 by russtowne

Long live love bridges!

Russ

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Abled

Posted on January 15, 2013 by russtowne

I’ve often found that “disabled” people are some of the most “abled” people I know. I’ve learned much about living and life from people who have been labeled disabled.

I’ll bet that many of you have found the same.

I now often make eye contact, smile, and say hello to people who are labeled disabled, and if the situation permits, I talk with them if they appear to welcome it.

These are gifts that I give to myself.

I’ll bet that many of you do the same.

With love,
Russ

Posted in Acceptance, Adversity, Challenges, Gifts, LIfe Lessons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

No Doubt

Posted on January 14, 2013 by russtowne

I have
No doubt
That it
Is when
I look
Within
That I
Will thrive
Without
–Russ Towne

Posted in Introspection, Poetry I Wrote, Quotes I Wrote | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

A Beautiful Choice

Posted on January 14, 2013 by russtowne

I just read a saying at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/I-stop-for-suffering/263956387017672?sk=photos_stream that I liked and thought you might too:

“It’s up to you to find beauty in the ugliest days.”

When I read it, this popped into my head:

A Beautiful Choice

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder
The same place that beauty is found
Why focus on the ugly
When beauty is all around?

–Russ Towne

Posted in Beauty, Choices, Focus, Poetry I Wrote, Quotes I Love | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Two Kinds of Light

Posted on January 14, 2013 by russtowne

“There are two kinds of light — the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.”
–James Thurber (Source: wordsmith.org)

May whatever light that shines from this blog always be of the illuminating kind.

With love,
Russ

Posted in Quotes I Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

May This Prove to Be True for You

Posted on January 14, 2013 by russtowne

One of my dear daughters-in-law is carrying my second grandchild. She has experienced extreme morning sickness that often lasts all day even with medication. I often think of what she is going through to bring My Beloved’s and my second son’s first child and our second grandchild into this world.

May This Prove True
For You

When I thought of all
You’re going through
This came to me
And I hope it’s true:

The harder
Your pregnancy
The easier
Your labor
And happier
And healthier
Your child
Will be!

–Russ Towne

Posted in Challenges, Illness, Love, Parenting, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Naturally

Posted on January 13, 2013 by russtowne

All those who love nature
Probably also love their lives
For nature is full of life
And happy lives are full of love.
–Russ Towne

Posted in Life, Love, Nature, Poetry I Wrote, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

No Need For a Key

Posted on January 13, 2013 by russtowne

I just saw a saying at Ute’s delightful blog at http://utesmile.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/what-is-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-2353 that I really love:

“There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.”

Thank you for sharing this great quote, Ute. So much truth and wisdom in so few words. When I read it, this poem began to come to me:

No Need For a Key

I searched for the key to happiness
Sought joy from far and wide
Looked everywhere I could think of
But I never looked inside

And then one day it came to me
When I stopped to take a rest
How much time I had wasted
In my search for happiness

I knew then that I’d been wrong
In that which I had supposed
For all the time I’d sought the key
The door had never been closed!

–Russ Towne

Posted in Choices, Joy & Happiness, Poetry I Wrote, Quotes I Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments