Saturday, December 21, 2013

Remember Me

It saddens me to hear stories of individuals who maybe unknowingly hurt or judge others they do not know or understand, while quoting Bible scriptures in the name of Jesus. These things are usually taken out of context on all sides to create hype or make someone feel right. It is because of this history that many individuals avoid the church and might not ever know what it feels like to receive unconditional love in the true Spirit of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. I am sorry. Forgive those who know not what they do. Forgive me when I fail to understand. Forgive me when I mess up and lack patience and kindness. We all fall short sometimes.

Christmas card that my daughter
Kaiya made a few years ago
I hope you know that you are loved, as you are, wherever you are in your personal journey. In this love, I hope you will enjoy giving and receiving this holiday season. In this light, I want to share a song that came through me in December, 2011. This reflects my personal journey and faith walk, so I am thankful that I can share freely. Know that I embrace all people and get that we might have different beliefs and experiences. However you connect, I wish you love, joy and peace all year. I love you!

Live, Give, Love, Laugh and Learn,
Shawna

Remember Me
- by Shawna Ray 2011

In the busyness of shopping malls
In the stress that comes with making meals
In this season that is filled with frills
A baby cries off in the distance

Remember me
Pure love and peace
Remember me
Your joy complete
My gift is free for eternity
Remember me

If acquiring things takes priority
Then the meaning here is unredeemed
There are people who are truly in need
Find your balance; give and receive

Remember me
Pure love and peace
Remember me
Your joy complete
My gift is free for eternity
Remember me

Remember December
Hold the baby near
Remember December
Look for light all year

Remember December
Slow it down to hear
The stillness of Spirit
Calling you near

Remember me
Pure love and peace
Remember me
Your joy complete
My gift is free for eternity
Remember me
Remember me



Friday, December 20, 2013

Moments and Memories


So this is it - the grand experiment
It's Christmas time and all my money's spent
In every scene there's so much marketing
Trying to make us scream, "I want!"

So what if I start sharing blame for this?
Stop trying to prove that I am more or less
My fashion sense, style and "etiquette"
Well I can't hardly spell that word

I want more time with you
I want hugs that are free
Please don't buy me any thing
Lend a hand, meet a need
I'm buying time to appreciate
All I have, may be cliche'
I want more love and peace
Making moments and memories

It can be tense, when family and friends
Bring baggage in years of experience
We get weighed down by all the bitterness
When freedom comes within forgiveness

Don't get me wrong, we need some boundaries
To have the space and remain healthy
It's never ending this growth and change
Let the good retain our focus

I want more time with you
I want hugs that are free
Please don't buy me any thing
Lend a hand, meet a need
Buying time to appreciate
All I have, may be cliche'
I want more love and peace
Making Moments and memories

Story telling, children laughing
Comfy cuddles on the couch
Music playing while we're cooking
No comparing, free from stress
Let it go and keep on smiling
There is value wrapped in kindness
Happiness is self contentment
Opening gifts with pure intent

I want more time with you
I want hugs that are free
Please don't buy me any thing
Lend a hand, meet a need
Buying time to appreciate
All I have, may be cliche'
Still I want more love and peace
Welcoming authenticity
Light the night with new awareness
Giving love and living peace
Sharing more moments and memories

-------
I posted these songs lyrics last year around Thanksgiving and want to share this again today with a reminder to spend more time with and less money on those we love this holiday season. 

A friend from college texted today to say that she was mailing me some gifts. She lives twenty minutes away from me and we have not seen each other in a while. In fact, we really need to talk through a misunderstanding. It made me laugh that she would buy me things, but not actually make time to talk to me. I don't have a lot of money and don't want to feel guilty for not buying her anything. I described this as "surburbia syndrome" and that pissed her off even more. We live such different lives and maybe it is time to let this friendship go. I just see things differently and am not so good at faking it. I want to see my friends face to face and if someone is in need, I want to give them a hug and let them know that I love them. 

Some people seem to hide so well behind their texts, emails  and "things" that keep a safe distance. They want to feel better about themselves by keeping up with token gifts and cards. This keeps the card and gift manufacturers in business, but it honestly does very little to truly build and strengthen relationships in my opinion. I guess we all have different love languages. Quality time is what means the most to me. And I am just tired of faking it when I hear things that have been said behind my back. Don't send me a card or gift and think that we are friends. If that makes me the odd one out, then so be it. I want to know who my true friends are and invest my time and energy with them. 

Life is short. Be present and make time for moments and memories in the now with those you truly love and respect this holiday season. 

Live, Give, Love, Laugh, Learn,
Shawna








Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Interesting

I walked into the coffee shop
So over it I didn’t stop
To notice that the energy was shifting
Sipping chai I sat a while
Looked over captured by a smile
The rush was instantaneous feelings
You walked up with a book in hand
And asked if I had any plans
I said hello explaining I was writing
You asked if I had anything
That you could read, ironically
The book you had just finished I was reading
(Side note: I was reading The Fault in our Stars at the time)

Pour a cup of conversation
Finding you completely interesting
Sip into a sort of daydream
Like the way you say exactly what you’re thinking
“This is some delicious dialog”
Thank you for treating me 
You are interesting

I get so bored with simple minds
And you my friend are countertype
A killer grin inquiring, “What’s your story?”
“My story or the one I’m writing?”
“Either one is cool with me”
Your candor and your wit feel so inviting
I gotta go but here’s my number
Snow is falling in December
Three weeks later you are asking to personify
That day was an experience
As if you’d read my narrative
But fiction novels can’t compare to air supply

Pour a cup of conversation
Finding you completely interesting
Sip into a sort of daydream
Like the way you say exactly what you’re thinking
“This is some delicious dialog”
Thank you for treating me
With respect and a side of sensuality
A jolt of hope inspiring creativity
All I know is I am finding you completely
Interesting
Interesting

- by shawna ray