My Camino : Sanctuary of Safe Harbors

"As if summoned by seagulls, we come back to the beach where we can cast off the shoes and our everyday cares tell time by the tides and live in the moment .

Our search for shells an echo of childhood and the surf's refrain is music remembered "

     

     - author unknown

------

Sometimes the Sanctuary of Safe Harbors

Sometimes the world's chaotic madness 

Seems to be spinning out of control.

Sometimes  a pilgrimage on one's Camino

Storms of all types and sizes surge within and without.

Sometimes seeking sanctuary of safe harbors 

Is considered an escape , a desire for refuge,

A place for security,

A need for retreat and sanctification.

Verdant spaces, beaches, retreats, houses of prayer -

Holy safe haven places all - simple sacramental space.

Even Lake Wobegonites had their 'Storm Homes'.

The great teacher and other mystics comprehend

The cosmic nature within the universe

And the maginifence of the light

That nourishes and bathes searchers

Desiring solitude,

The consolation and the illumination 

Found in the serenity and the solemnity 

Of everything and everyone.

Sitting in the stillness and silence

Savoring the ascent of the promised perpetual peace.

Another miracle for the grateful, 

The present , and mindful to the wonder - the beauty

Of the mystical truth.

Breathe...

- JF Sobecki (2022)

-----

Exit Zero

What is that voice, that essence, that power

That calls to wayward wandering sailor pilgrims?

What is the source of their uncontrolled

yearning to travel to that safe harbor ?

What is this place, this home of serenity and solitude,

Where the voice of God becomes the wind itself

That blows the sand and salt air and provides lift for coasting gulls

And puffs the sails of all that venture to the great sea?

What is this place that finds a way to nourish equally all

The spirits who are present ?

What is this place where both the sunrise and sunsets 

Are majestic providing immediate consolation 

to all the hearts who turn to the horizon?

What is this lighthouse that can be seen by any eyes 

Of seafaring spirits who dare to see or

What is this lifeboat always ready for any swimmer who struggles with

The tides that come in and go out ?

What is this place that is free from the hurricanes

And storms regardless  of their source or nature?

How is it that in this place the sound of the surf magically

Soothing souls and the sand on the beach relieves

The burden of wearied travelers?

It is said that essence of joy and hope reside in this place.

Nourishment, revitalization, re-energizing, relief, inspiration,

relaxation  and redemption are just a few of the gifts

of this perpetual retreat that has always been and always will be.

This place of origin and endings, this source of peace

And love…. The alpha and omega.

Nature’s cathedral , sacred space , holy ground….

They call it Exit O….

JF Sobecki  (2012 - previously posted on this blog))

---------------

                                              Storm Home - Lake Wobegon - G. Keilor

                                                         https://youtu.be/13S3peEqcQY

                                                               Santiago - David Whyte

                                                                                  

                                                              https://youtu.be/eYzIayVDN5o

                                                              Finisterre - D. Whyte

                                                                https://youtu.be/u9Lu85L111Y

                                                        These Are Days - V. Morrison

                                                                                   

                                             
                                                              https://youtu.be/_lyve_egY8o

                                                            The Beach - The Avett Brothers

                                                                                  

                                                            https://youtu.be/pKFJ8V5CNJQ

                                                   I Have a Need For Solitude - MC Carpenter

                                                                                     

                                                              https://youtu.be/S3ZMq24XnLk

                                                 Hard Times Come Again No More - J Taylor

                                                                               

                                                          https://youtu.be/uv2AcfmvIuw

                                                    How Can A Poor Man Live - R Cooder

                                                                                   

                                                               https://youtu.be/LI0BtL_6Y50

   

amdg

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC

"Simplicity, Integrity, Peace , Community , Equality , Stewardship"

Special Edition: Welcome Sean Joseph Malone

Special Edition: welcome Sean Joseph Malone  

"Dear Child of God, you are loved with a 

love that nothing can shake, a love

that loved you long before you were created, 

a love that will be there long 

after everything has disappeared.”

    —Desmond Tutu

"We are not human beings having a spiritual 

experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."

  - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ

Dear Sean :

I am wondering if you recall and can tell us what it

was like before and as that eternal spark lit your flame delivering you into

this world? You are the one individual I know right now who has most recently

personally experienced the magnificent light , that wonder-filling complete 

abundant love. Yes, that divine DNA is in every aspect of all

creation. However , your entry into this world starting this journey your 

presence reminds us all of the sanctification we receive unconditionally.

We are here....here to be authentic , to be compassionate, selfless, loving,

living in peace, kindness, generosity , merciful and with integrity

using our gifted talents to serve others in need and 

do whatever you can to make this world just a little better.

We are here to love and live in relationship with others. 

No thing will bring you happiness. Any thing that you possess during your 

Odyssey will remain here once the journey ends. I remind my self constantly

that we will be remembered be how we live, love and serve the common welfare 

and not what world possessions we accumulated . Do't worry about being liked.

Just live in truth and you will be respected ... and loved.

Gratitude and humility are two essential constants for us. Let go and trust. 

The river's currents and the wind , the breath of the divine, will carry 

you to where you need to be. Follow your heart . 

Trust your intuition. We do not love or become kind to get a reward 

or recognition. We love and live in kindness

because we are born of love and...it is the right thing to do and to be.

Thomas Merton once commented that if we only love those who 

agree with us then we are only loving reflections of who we believe we are.

Thrive off the love of your mom, dad and sisters (Caroline and Charlotte). 

Savor the love and joy of your cousins (Especially the two beautiful boys - 

Quinn and Ollie) ,your aunts and uncles , good friends 

and of course your grandparents as we have been waiting for you 

and are so delighted that you are here now.

Be your self. Remember that Mother Nature is a special holy grace. 

Poetry and most music are a sacrament. Here's a secret - I have found

serenity in the silence, Mother Nature, poetry and prayer. 

You are loved always.

Te viglio bene assai, bene assai.

Nonno

------------------------------

                                   Everything is waiting For You - D. Whyte

                                                           

                                        https://youtu.be/b8Kg119Bm_Y

Follow Your Dreams - Poco (J. Messina)

https://youtu.be/b8Kg119Bm_Y

I Hope You Dance - R. Furay

\

https://youtu.be/5qwlheNznQQ

                                                       Live Forever - J. Sobecki ( D. Holcombe)

                                                                                     

                                                               https://youtu.be/6VN_RZTYbr0

                                              Beautiful Boy - J. Lennon

                                                              

                                          https://youtu.be/IbBQ55eb3EM

                     

                                                                                        

                      

amdg

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC

Twenty Six Million Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand Minutes. (6/16/1972)

 

"The Love you take is equal to the love you make."

 - The End  , Lennon and McCartney

                                                     

                                                                     June 16 , 1972

                                        

         

                                              

" Life is what happens when you're busy making plans"

   - John Lennon

-------

Twenty six million two hundred and eighty thousand minutes.

As they sat at the hotel right across the street from the Watergate in Washington, DC

Little did the know the significance of that evening 50 years ago, 

It was Bloomsday and they should have not been surprised

As on their first night thieves broke into the Democratic Party Headquarters.

The prospect of thieves at their door would be

An on and off again perpetual threat.

No matter one's dreams or plans life follows it's own course.

Scientists conclude even with the falling of dominoes seeming aligned perfectly

The pieces may just not fall the way one anticipates.

They should have known this as five years earlier

A greater hand brought their hungry hearts to the same place at the same time.

Introduced by an unexpected friend their eyes met

The conversation began and continues to this moment.

"Every thing has a purpose under heaven."

"Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous"

Isn't the journey one big series of accidents and coincidences?

They set sail hoping for the best. They didn't realize the work they would need .

Through the fair weather and storms they slowly learned

The gift of being -  mindful and letting go .

Their Obe Wan advised "Love one another as they are

And not how we want them to be," adding ,

" The greatest way that you can teach your children love

Is to love each other,"

As they were blessed with two children

Who would grow to be two loving mothers in their own right.

The officiant at the wedding ceremonies of their daughters

Reminded all gathered that life itself is a sacrament...

One of trust and faith each other and  in the future.

Another wayward passenger volunteered to the first one

That the purpose of existence is not accumulation of worldly possessions,

It is living in relationships , living in authenticity , 

Peace , selflessness, compassion and trust.

As their Camino reaches the Finisterre their passage together is remembered

and they are humbled and gifted with blank pages yet to be filled .

 - JF Sobecki

-------

                                                       Soneto De La Noche - Pablo Neruda

                                                         https://youtu.be/K3nYUQH2pWU

                                           When I die I want your hands on my eyes:

I want the light and the wheat of your beloved hands
to pass their freshness over me one more time
to feel the smoothness that changed my destiny.

I want you to live while I wait for you, asleep,
I want for your ears to go on hearing the wind,
for you to smell the sea that we loved together
and for you to go on walking the sand where we walked.

I want for what I love to go on living
and as for you I loved you and sang you above everything,
for that, go on flowering, flowery one,

so that you reach all that my love orders for you,
so that my shadow passes through your hair,
so that they know by this the reason for my song.

Translation by Nicholas Luridness

                                                The Wedding Song - Peter Paul and Mary

                                                            https://youtu.be/xxxsTYHvWa4

                                                          She Chose Me - R. Newman

                                                         https://youtu.be/vW76Sw925rI

                                           Until I Gain Control Again - JF Sobecki (R. Crowell)           

https://youtu.be/4sui9f3ahzw

The Island - P. Brady

                                                       https://youtu.be/CD4eS2Xb6Ls

If I Should Fall Behind - JF Sobecki (B. Springsteen)

_____________

admg

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC

Good Luck ? Bad Luck ? Who Knows? : The Letter

One day, a Farmer's horse escaped into the hills. When the farmer’s neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?”

A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills. This time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was “Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?”

Then when the farmer’s son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this was very bad luck. The farmer’s reaction: “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?”

Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer’s son with his broken leg, they let him off.

"Good Luck? Bad Luck? Who knows?

- Ancient Chinese Parable  

-----

"Dear Whit, (Whit Burnett)

So answer the question you asked me all those years ago.

Yes, I am willing to write for the rest of my life and get nothing in return.

Sincerely yours , J.D. Salinger"

" One Day I will Find the right woods and they will be simple."

   - Jack Kerouac

"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood to live."

 - HD Thoreau

"I write to discover what I know."

 - Flannery O'Connor

"I am more of a Quaker than anything else. I believe in the 'still, small voice', and that voice is Christ within us."

    - Emerson, Ralph Waldo 

Little Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting House ( Quakers )

"You ain't gone far enough to say at least I tried

You ain't worked hard enough to say I've done mine

You ain't run far enough to say my legs have failed

You ain't gone far enough

You ain't worked hard enough

You ain't run far enough to say it ain't gonna get any better."

   - Hey Mama, Nathaniel Raitliff

"Spirits are using me

Larger voices calling"

 - Southern Cross, S. Stills 

------

Note from Blogger:

Bored and waiting and waiting and bored in an almost vacant airport terminal. An ancient used bookstore

appears out of nowhere.Sipping a latte, the aisles become some strange maze until this soul is drawn to an aisle of poetry. Lifting assorted volumes whining sounds of unwanted strays whine "Take Me! Take Me!" 

Seeking to conjure genuine compassion for each volume two books jump into the searching hands. "Heap O' Livin" Vol I&II by Edgar A. Guest Published 1916 are saved. One poem within , "Don't Quit" strikes that lost chord. The books purchased and when they find their place on my "To be read" stack a letter in an unaddressed, no stamp envelope slips from the pages. The date on the letter indicates it was written days ago.

-------

The Letter

April 5, 2022

Seaview , NJ

My Dear Friend Statler,

I know you think I think too much. Well, I was thinking about our exchange the other day.

Tiger Woods  recently struggled through four rounds of competitive golf in four consecutive days walking one of the most hilly arduous courses in the world. It was 400 days since his last official round of golf. Back surgeries , then a life threatening car accident and surgeries attempting to fix broken legs. He didn't do that well playing golf  but his victory was in finishing.

There comes a time when body parts wear us down and we slow down and become more selective in what games we play, how we live and where and when and why we decide to continue to play our our parts in the great play. Oftentimes a better choice is just to be present and be grateful for what we do have and the the run that we have had. Though, someone once observed "Not to decide is to decide."

A confidante once advised as this soul trudged on through that ever-disconcerting maze  that there comes a time when we get to play the back nine ( the finishing holes.) Fatigue and aches , pains and worries can overwhelm and influence how, when and why we may continue or not to play the game. Sometimes it is the good decision just to be present to the now savoring each breath and heart beat of all of creation and this decision is more than sufficient to keep us alive.

There comes a time when some souls become aware that the point of all this  is more than seeking that reward or recognition. Some parts of the play are meant for seasoned professionals and not appropriate for seasoned old people. A former colleague counsels on the necessity and benefits of having a personal mission to achieve while on this journey. Yet, he admits his admiration for "river runners" who let go and allow the river to take them to where they need to be and how.The unseen wind with her mysterious source and the mystical currents often carry these pilgrims as they pray to be mindful and trust in how this is everything, This is it.

While at university back in the day this soul had no plan. Receiving a diploma fueled the separation anxiety. Graduate school seemed a reasonable course of action. There a professor , a student of Blake, guided lost sheep with the ease of a master shepherd. "You can do that. be a teacher", a hidden voice said. Soon this soul then found himself celebrating dead poets.With the blink of an eye teaching turned to counseling the hungry hearts. Escape to another graduate school to get the tools and rules of counseling seemed a good idea at the time. The new university became a cocoon of formation that led to being invited to join the ranks of that academic community. The honorary regalia robed lords of the castle of knowledge  made it known that if they could get rid of those lost sheep they could get more published. The self anointed grand wizards of that ivy covered facade treated the rest as indentured servants. Another secret voice from outside the walls called to secure a role where one could use the skills and tools of teaching and counseling to fill silos without encumbrances. Blue jeans and chalkboards turned into suits and PowerPoints and soon this wandering disciple evolved to an "Obe Wan in Training " a consigliere to E- Suite inhabitants in the business world. "Spirits still using me with larger voices calling."

Perfect storms always arrive without warning. This novitiate soon found himself as captain owner trying to keep the practice from floundering when wind and waves  knocked the the Homeric Galley up and down and all about. She was finally swept away by a riptide. Pieces lay on the shoreline. Depressed and in a way humiliated a mentor called saying," Shit, you really had a good run. Who else do you know who has a cadre of executives around the world on their speed dial?" I was more worried about what my wife would say and how my children would feel. My wife said "OK, let's think about how we can manage this. We can always downsize our lifestyle."

 Do you believe in angels? 

One of those executives on this soul's speed dial reached out calling me,  " What happened to that piss and vinegar that I have come to know and love in you? I guess I have more faith in you than you have in yourself." Just like that he abruptly hung up the phone.

Riding in and out of the funk of feeling like being knocked down by one wave after another wondering where was that light, that hope , that trust and that blessedness I once felt ? Was it all a dream? While meandering a lonely half abandoned shopping mall , a once cathedral of commerce , when suddenly a one of this pilgrim's former college students appeared like Marley's Ghost smiling a joyful grin . Recognizing this wandering soul he reached out his hand and said "Oh Captain, My Captain." I fought back the tears.

Do you remember the line form that old Richard Thompson song?

"There is no rest for the one's God Blest and he blest you most of all."

Good luck, bad luck who knows?

I have returned to meditations on gratitude.

Sorry for the ramble

Pax Tecum

Wally

-------------

( JF Sobecki)

   Don't Quit - E A Gust

https://youtu.be/S-WoZXTFp0w

                                                     

   Old Friends- Simon and Garfunkel

                     https://youtu.be/6YpK-qrGQrg
    

                             

         Song of Myself (last lines) - W. Whitman

                      https://youtu.be/hPLHVQpm1JA

                       Looking for My Life - G.Harrison 

   

                    https://youtu.be/zd0tA3d-xwc

                            

      In My Hour of Darkness- G. Parsons

 
                     https://youtu.be/KzuSeaMy-aU

    King of Bohemia - L. Rondstadt(R. Thompson)

            https://youtu.be/hrUJLRBLrLE

                      

                               

    I Remember Everything - J Prine

 
                https://youtu.be/L21Tc_DtL6M

                               Wheels

                 https://youtu.be/rbB3zv1EC9s

    Coda : 

                                                    

   For The Children - The gift is you

 All Of You - ( from the movie Encanto)

)

               https://youtu.be/hrMxx8EV4JU

                               

                                            

    Still Running - N. Raetliff

         https://youtu.be/T-WT3IE2CRk

                                             

amdg

 

Copyright All Rights Reserved 2022 JF Sobecki LLC

Contata

 Bansky

 

"All my life I have lived in a kind of haste

and darkness of desire, ambition, accomplishment.

Now the bird is singing , but not anymore of

this would. And something inside myself is fluttering and leaping, is trying 

to type it down in lumped-up language, in outcry, in patience, in

music, in a snow-white book."

- Mary Oliver

"Hope is the gateway to contemplation, because contemplation is an experience

of divine things and we cannot experience what we do not some way possess."

- Thomas Merton

 

" How can one expect others to pick themselves by their bootstraps

when these others don't even have shoes or boots?"

- B.H.

----------------------------                                                 

Contata

Sweet starlings' pre-dawn cantata:

Soft sanctifying soothing Songs of Songs

Solo chime the holy Divine  metronome 

Perfect time no doubt,

For any ears who hear .

Slow rising mother sun

Illuminates all aspects of creation

Warming wandering weary spirits ,

Searching hearts consoled with the hope.

Hope for compassion,

Hope for true serenity,

Hope for the healing ,

Prayers , unified exhale, making room 

For mercy and redemption

In the pastoral cathedral of paradise .

Words of wisdom waft with in the wind..

No thing is here to be on its own.

Every thing , every one is interconnected.

The consolation of harmony is present as a

Mystical thread holds this patchwork together creating

One magnificent symphony in disguise.

There is not one atom, musical note or aspect of existence

Unaccounted for without holy purpose .

Yet refugees , in murmurations and

Desperate caravans seek safe harbors.

Marginalized immigrants and deportees

Unite with the poorest of the poor

Chanting mantra supplicates for daily bread.

Meanwhile passerine politely peck for food.

Weary hearts lay down 

Hoping for comfort and consolation.

Hoping for that second chance.

Hoping for a helping hand.

Remembering how the great teacher on the mount 

Nourished and nurtured "any and all" who came in hope.

Rivers seem to flow forever,

Currents carrying vessels. pilgrims , flotsam and jetsam 

Without judgement 

to that unchartered sea of mercy.

Navigation dictated by faith,

Hoping for salvation,

Hoping for the perfect love, and

Hoping for the grace.

Seeking the most sacred grail

Letting go led by the Paraclete's hymn.

Players on fields of dreams comprehend

That it is how you play ....

That transforms the blessed game into

The true promised land.

Coaches pontificate "leave it all on the field"-

Living radical compassion ,

Adding  selfless generosity ,

Blended with constant unconditional love 

And kindness with a true genuine response.

Listening , great collaboration 

Hope to let go and be .

Hoping to remember to remember.

Hoping in gratitude with  humility 

Connecting with the chorus of

Authentic blessed voices in song.

    -  JF Sobecki

--------------------------

Friends Meeting House Little Egg Harbor

                                         

Mindwalk 1990

https://youtu.be/BW9Os6nhCKM

Game Called - Grantland Rice

https://youtu.be/NbN5Q-Na66U

Field of Dreams - Ending

https://youtu.be/lXjz-M_6eN8

Everybody ought to treat a Stranger Right - Ry Cooder

https://youtu.be/CbQ83HM8C_A

Lay Down Your Weary Tune 

https://youtu.be/PU_V75GVfdA

Hard TimesCome Again No More - J.Taylor/Yo Yo Ma

https://youtu.be/3P9X_o_FMHc

Deporte - Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, Emmy Lou Harris

https://youtu.be/CrGxHImg8Gw

amdg

A Contata Coda: Just sing along with the chorus for each song below!

You Got the Love - The Retrosettes Sister Band

https://youtu.be/vANd9o22j5Y

Lean On Me - Bill Withers

https://youtu.be/qkaexjc-1os

Just One Victory - T. Rundgren

https://youtu.be/jitktxIuMOw

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC

The Power and Magic of Dance

"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger.

May you never take one single breath for granted.

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside

The Ocean.

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance.

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance...I hope you dance."

 - I Hope You Dance , Lee Ann Womack

"You don't ask what a dance means. You enjoy it. You don't ask what the

 world means. You enjoy it. You don't ask what you mean. You enjoy it. "

        - Joseph Campbell

-----

The Power and The Magic of Dance

Witness the unbridled  joy , enthusiasm, love and freedom

Of Children dancing. There are no boundaries, no walls 

Or imposed limitations by any authority.

These cherubs believe everyone is equal, delighting in motivating the body

To exemplify what the heart and soul is truly feeling.

Letting the music inspire and magically move 

The unfettered  body with euphoria and 

Sometimes just gliding with simple sweet slow passionate  moments

Holding onto to love until ... 

When and where did these innocents get corrupted,

Tainted with controlling constructs and become 

Self centered afraid of what may happen next ?

The authenticity fades as false worldly promises continue

To be the cancer eating away at the truth.

The Divine DNA forgotten or ignored ?

Winds of war, unbridled street violence spilling over

Into houses of worship and schools, 

Disagreements prevail over to mask or not to mask,

vaccinate or not to vaccinate,

Theologies and ideologies in conflict as who is right and who is wrong.

No lives seem to matter .

Intimacy, compassion and mercy not noticed as being absent

As these holy qualities seem to be left to a select few. 

Sadly it is not surprising that energetic creativity 

Is limited to how one fills bank accounts

And protect one's border lines  and attachments.

Serenity, mindfulness and selfless concern for the common welfare

Left to the mission of spirits with faith 

And who to let go ...

Dancing - loving, freeing, intoxicating drug of choice,

Calming consolations and illuminations .

When you're down, when you're up or even stuck in neutral.

Somehow it all conjures a query - 

"What would happen to the world if we never restrained children from dancing

And from being the true complete compassionate peace filled beings

They are all intended to be ?"

   

                         - JF Sobecki

----------

Music for Dancing: (Turn it up and dance!)

 I Hope You Dance - L.A. Womack

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https://youtu.be/RV-Z1YwaOiw

Do You Wanna Dance - Mamas and papas

https://youtu.be/H8xpuG1RLjQ

Dance the Night Away - The Mavericks

https://youtu.be/iCg3xPW-rec

Dancing in The Street - Martha and the Vandellas

https://youtu.be/68Uv959QuCg

I'm Happy Just tp Dance With you - Beatles

https://youtu.be/B7X1oUfa8uE

Dance, Dance, Dance - Beach Boys

https://youtu.be/S3sejfvrv6o

Don't It Make You Wanna Dance - Jerry Jeff Walker 

https://youtu.be/EfRzfnIvxW0

Save the Last Dance for Me - The Drifters

https://youtu.be/n-XQ26KePUQ

Swayin to The Music( Slow Dancing) - J. Rivers

https://youtu.be/WhNQ0SoI4mY

Dance Me to The End of Love - Sting ( L. Cohen)

https://youtu.be/9kbCYbn-7AI

Roll With It Baby - S. Winwood

https://youtu.be/u_vkKozA8OI

Dirty Dancing - Do You Love me /Love man

https://youtu.be/ijK0WTB_-RY

Foot Loose - dance compilation

https://youtu.be/0rLhJZTHYo4

CODA:

Meditating on the World - The People of Ukraine, all who suffer from violence, those marginalized, suffering illness and those living in abject poverty

What the World needs Now - J. DeShannon

https://youtu.be/UillI-tSgqY

Life Itself - G. Harrison

https://youtu.be/bLltRayHHL4

Children Learn What They Live --

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

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Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC