But if Not

I have been thinking about this scripture in Daniel a lot lately. I am struggling with and learning more about the idea of "But if not." Sometimes that is what we get, we have faith and we trust, but but sometimes we don't get what we wanted. The miracle that we know can happen, doesn't. I am learning that that doesn't mean that God isn't there watching over us. It doesn't mean that our faith wasn't enough. It doesn't mean that we aren't loved, or that God doesn't care about us. It just means that a different outcome than the one we wanted happened. That there is a plan that is bigger than us with billions of intricate little pieces, and all we see is the little piece that has to do with what we wanted, not the other billion that have to do with what we needed, and what fits with what everyone else needed as well. Faith is more than knowing a miracle can happen, it is being willing to pick up and keep going, to love life, to keep trying, to move forward, even if the miracle doesn't come--- Even if the answer is the "but if not."  

Choose Happiness

I have come to the realization that happiness is a choice. It comes from choosing to accept who you are and setting yourself on the course to where you want to go. It doesn't matter how fast you get there. What matters is that you keep trying and choosing happiness no matter what comes your way.

Treasure Small Things

What does it really take to bring happiness? It takes slowing down, and treasuring the moments and things that are happening. It takes breathing and looking for the good in every situation. Happiness is not a noun, it is a verb, an action, a way to live life.

Don't Be Afraid

Right now I am working on not being afraid to be who I am. I am trying to not be afraid of singing the song of my heart.

The song of my heart
is not flashy and loud
    not fast paced with streamers
    nor puffed up and proud.

The song of my heart
is now softer and deep
    as my heart picks up notes
    that ring true and sweet.

The song of my heart
is changing with time,
     here with a ripple,
     a ring and a chime.

But the song of my heart
will never be heard,
   if I don't have the courage
   to sing like the birds.

--RH 2015
   

Can you ever really define love?

Beyond Even Forever

I love you to
          where sea and sky kiss,
                     branches catch the moon,
                     light dances on the waves,
          and beyond.

I love you more
           than stars brightly shine,
                   winds gustily breathe,
                   mountains regally weather,
           and more even.

I love you through
                  days swiftly turning,
                  tears gently falling,
                  laughter refeshingly caressing,
            and through forever.

I love you beyond even forever.

--RH 2015

I Love You

lee

shelter-
   shelter from a cruel world
you remind me
       of compassion
compassion so great,
i can not fathom.

not just from you
         --others'

safety
   safety from a world of pain
you remind me
          of happiness
happiness so true
so everlasting

not only now
        --always

refuge
   refuge from a storm of stress
you remind me
         to breathe
breath deep
and let it pass

not just once
     --every time

haven
   haven from the darkness
you remind me
       of love so deep,
it can't be measured

not just today
         --forever
-RH 2009


This poem was a play on words as Lee is the name of my husband I wrote this poem to try and capture all the things that a lee is, a haven, a safe place. That is what love is to me a lee and my Lee provides that.

Raindrops of Happiness

a drip
a drop
       each seemingly insignificant alone
                a small speck trying to drown a floating world
just a little droplet


so tiny
       yet---
     inside, it holds
                    promise
                    gifts
                    beauty

for in each raindrop
            lies a potential rainbow of happiness



-RH