Commonality in Humanity

Perception is blinding, it's based on the past
Resistance is fighting, the present in shift 
We are...
Finding commonality in humanity
and every living thing
There's meaning and opportunity
to open and up and see
with new understanding

Expanding, creating, we're serving the whole
Still working and playing in a changing world
We are...
Finding commonality in humanity

and every living thing

There's meaning and opportunity

to open and up and see

with new understanding

Thankful in blessings

Hopeful in healing

Praying, revealing

Giving, receiving

Finding commonality in humanity

and every living thing

There's meaning and opportunity

to open and up and see

with new understanding

- shawna ray, today 11/3/13

Living the Dream

"Forget about the days when it's been cloudy,  but don't forget your hours in the SUN...

Forget about the times you've been defeated,  but don't forget the VICTORIES you've won...

Forget about mistakes that you can't change now,  but don't forget the lessons that you've LEARNED...

Forget about misfortunes you've encountered, but don't forget the times your luck has TURNED...

Forget about the days when you've been lonely,  but don't forget the friendly SMILES you've seen...

Forget about the plans that didn't seem to work out right, but don't forget to always have a DREAM."

-Amanda Bradley

I'm staying at my Mom's house, where this artwork and poem by Amanda Bradley hangs as an optimist reminder in the guest bedroom. I love her use of the...A symbol of the neverending process of growth and discovery in achieving our goals and dreams,  while living each day with hope. 

Lately I have been struggling with the weight of frustration and wondering if I will ever fully achieve my dreams. I think sometimes we set these lofty goals and dreams in motion and then we're surprised and challenged by the shift and the shish that comes out. Or maybe this is just me? See how I tend to want to bring everyone into this with me in we? But I do think this part is true for everyone...Each experience and lesson received is a step toward where we need to be. It's all part of the process. 

Looking back while organizing my office this week, I think I have made it much harder and longer by constantly stepping down. I have backed off when encountering resistance and dissapointment. I would retreat to my comfort zone and wallow in my pitty party. I have wasted so much energy telling friends all about who did me wrong or what I am going through, so I could feel affirmed in my position as a victim. At this point I think my friends and family are sick of hearing about it. I too am sick and tired of being sick and wounded, waving the "woa is me I'm a single mother" banner. 

But the lesson and achievement comes through the process...Not what happens to you, but how you choose to handle it! The key is to remember the moments of sunshine, victories and that which you have accomplished, lessons learned and smiles you have seen and shared along the way. 

It's all good. Keep moving forward, living the dream...

Rainbows from Rain

Artwork by Lojove 

Jump'n in puddles, lett'n it splatter

Haters will hate but it don't matter

Bubbling up I'm saved by laughter

Coming in from the rain

Contrasting the dramedy

Love lights up the sky

Finding rainbows from rain

Rainbows from rain

Happily after dreaming of better

Sing'n along dog days are over

Keep'n it mov'n, pushing the chatter

Out of my brain

Contrasting the dramedy

Love lights up the sky

Finding rainbows from rain

Rainbows from rain

Holding my own pot of gold

Giving to lighten the load

Playing to level the field

Sharing the stories that beg to be told

Contrasting the dramedy

Love lights up the sky

Finding rainbows from rain

Rainbows from rain

Forecasting bright futures ahead

Finding rainbows from rain

Forecasting bright futures ahead

Finding rainbows from rain

Jump'n in puddles lett'n it splatter

Haters will hate but it don't matter

Talkin' Guitar

Arm around body

Neck is inviting
Input the jack please
Bridge keeps it guarded
Vibrating whammy
Inlay surrounding

Music is the movement of soul ...

I'm talkin' guitar
'Cuz you get me like that
Bend into my heart
Moving down my frets
You know who you are
The head is at high pitch
So factor in firmness
Just talkin' guitar

Fingers are walking
Pick up the action
Chords are singing
Making sweet lovin
Smack it down, groov'n
Tear it up shredding

Music  is the rock and the roll ...

I'm talkin' guitar

'Cuz you get me like that

Bend into my heart

Moving down my frets

You know who you are

The head is at high pitch

So factor in firmness

Just talkin' guitar
   

I wanna hear that.....(bluesy guitar solo)

Well if you want to bend it skinny there's electric
Peddle to distort pitch, rock it then you drop it

And if you want to feell it, strum it on acoustic
Hear it in the lyric anytime you choose it

Music with a full body tone
Unplugged sing a la la la la la la la looooooooong
Come on and sing a la la la la la la la looooong... 

I'm talkin' guitar

'Cuz you get me like that

Bend into my heart

Moving down my frets

You know who you are

The head is at high pitch

So factor in firmness

Just talkin' guitar
I'm just talkin' guitar

- shawna ray, song lyrics, © Dec 25, 2011, Inspired by John Mayer

Live, Give, Love, Laugh and Learn, 

- Shawna Ray sharing again today, 9/22/13

Keep Love Alive

"If you weren't so afraid of letting go
You wouldn't feel so free when you do it"
If you didn't hold capacity to love
Your heart would not feel full when you've filled it
But the rush falls down
And the in love fades
When you're on the ground
With the time it takes

To stoke the flame
And jump again
A fellow friend
Knows how and when
To keep love alive
Alive
Keep love alive
And love again

So the trick is knowing who you really are
To find the one that fits- you will know it
Some people tend to only love the chase
The fragile soul will break if you throw it
Then the trust falls down
And the guard is placed
To keep others out
While inside you crave

To stoke the flame
And jump again
A fellow friend
Knows how and when
To keep love alive
Alive
Keep love alive
And love again

Letting go of the heavy
That you carry from before
You will love when you're ready
Are you ready to give more?

Stoke the flame
And jump again
A fellow friend
Knows how and when
To keep love alive
Alive
Keep love alive
The ever never end

-by shawna ray, today, 8/19/13
Quote in the first line shared by Paul, TheRipplesproject.org
Source unknown, originally shared by Nikki, Oxford, UK
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

You Again

I keep waiting for you to make a move
You keep waiting for me to change my tune
All this time on my own I'm still not grown
Colors fade into grey, wrapped in blankets at home

Wires crossed and moments missed
Weigh the cost, craving your kiss
Hear your voice inside my head
Wish I could see you again

You are still the one who can make me sing
When you strum it's sparking my chemistry
From afar I've learned how to get away
Now I think its time for me to rearrange

Wires crossed and moments missed
Weigh the cost, craving your kiss
Hear your voice inside my head
Wish I could see you again

Wish I could be with you again
Am I crazy? Have we ever been?
I keep sensing lives that I missed
You keep right on, drawing me in
Again and again and again and again

Wires crossed and moments missed
Weigh the cost, craving your kiss
Hear your voice inside my head
Wish I could see you again

-shawna ray, today 7/27/13

Twisted

I wrote this song years ago but found myself on the crazy train again this week. Added that last part. Passive aggressive is also a means of control. Stop the cycle! Find the meaning. Learn the lesson. Keep moving forward...

Live, give, love, laugh and learn,

Shawna

TWISTED
By shawna ray

What is it with you people who abuse?
What is it with me wanting to believe?
That I can change your brain
Mistaking love for need
Think I can be your saint
Without enabling

This twisted reality
Caught up in crazy
Twisted reality
You pull the rug from underneath
And it gets twisted
Twisted, twisted

What's up with this game?
Hiding from bully
What's up with the way
You try to control me?
Why does it have to be
All your way or nothing?
Why do I try to please?
Loosing and falling prey

It's twisted reality
Caught up in crazy
Twisted reality
You pull the rug from underneath
And it gets twisted
Twisted, twisted

What is twisted cannot be straightened
What is lacking cannot be counted
I've been riding the crazy train
And I am finally getting off..
It's twisted reality
Caught up in crazy
Twisted reality
You pull the rug from underneath
And it gets twisted
Twisted, twisted

Time will need taken for healing
Careful I don't do the same thing
To one who is weaker than me
No more cycling on the crazy train
It'd twisted!

(Ecc 1:15)

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®