Good afternoon, Kevin! Very far away from you I am diving into your words. They seem to be beautiful-heavy-deep and sad. Before I have penetrated all they express your words have already touched me. Want to print your poem out and take it with me outside into the sun to read it again and again and understand... Unfortunately this blog gives me no information about where you are. So I hope my thoughts reach you. I want to send you a sunbeam into your heart. Don´t get lost in the land of forgotten souls! Just like now...there is contact with the other world... Take care! Sabine The Netherlands
My name is Marianne, of the same age, and living in The Netherlands.
Here in Holland everybody complains about the short times offenders have to be in prison. I personally do not think that 'the more time, the better', but when breaking the law, that there will be consequences may be clear. It can never be a one way street in my opinion.
The same in 'real life': when I am not doing my job as required, I will not be long in that job. When I treat people awfully, I cannot expect to be treated nicely. etc etc
I never met a perfect person, but more people who do not learn from mistakes or certain behavior, than those who do.
Life itself is a learning path. Every road is different, because everyone is unique. In our world of greed, glitter and glamour, things have to collaps one time.
The drive in my life is compassion: the passion for a drive in life, the com as in toghether. A simple line: Do not do to others, what you do not want to be done to you. In fact, it IS that simple. That doesn't mean it's easy from day to day.
You write, I learned to be a better inmate. That strikes me. That's not the same as a better person in my opinion...
Your 'cry' here, made me sad. A young man, 5 children, in prison, a divorce...
Incarcerated, not being able to participate in lives of loved ones. It's hard. But you know, there are different kind of prisons, where the bars are not seen but are there.
You cannot manage the behaviour of others, only your own. Your ex wives maybe try to protect the children as much as possible. Who knows what happens out there from day to day.
In my experience a child, growing up, will be able to make a picture itself and there will be questions later on. To you, to their mum, to the family...
You cannot longer trust your exes, but trust and believe in yourself and your children. Try to keep contact in different ways, by writing letters and cards, even if you don't sent them. Keep a diary for your children, address them.
I know, it's a substitute for the real thing, but I hope it can also keep you from getting bitter. Remember the beautiful things and memories, without trying to cling on to it. Panta rhei, everything flows and changes.
10 years ago after we met I told you I'd be here for you. When all this started 5 years ago I reminded you again that I'd be here for you. I've not always done what was best nor have I always done what was right. I've made more than my share of mistakes but that has never stopped me from trying and, I'm still here for you. The end of your nightmare will soon come to a close but your awakening began a long time ago. I look forward to seeing you again in your freedom and your future and guess what, I'm still here for you! NMW, Lord Dennis Fountain
First of all I want to say that I really enjoyed reading your post! I am impressed with your clear view of this world, and believe people like you can make this world a better place. Keep up the good work!:)
What my life is about? I have absolutely no idea. The reason I don't know the answer is not because no one asked me this before. In fact, people have asked me this question many times.
The problem is that every time I decide to take some time to answer this question, the thought process in my head gets way to complicated, and after just a few minutes I end up with more questions than I started with. I end up with the feeling you described perfectly('What the #!@*!')
'There are only two tragedies in life: One is not getting what you want, the other one is getting it.' Just like you said, in the end, the American dream does not make people happy. People always want more and more. Enough of us know that the american dream is not the answer, but sticking with our current ideals feels much safer for most people because we have been 'trained' to live life by the ideals of The American dream ever since we were born.
Indeed it would be wonderful if we would be taught about inner peace, respect and your 3-point ideal at school, it would make life much better. But the problem is, our teachers are as lost as we are.
I like your 3-point ideal (Can't think of any other name for it yet), and I strongly believe that if people set an example, people like you, this ideal will spread. It probably won't spread as fast and widely as we would like, but every human being is one.
They version you quote is based on a composition originally written by Dr Kent Keith, but some of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way and attributed to Mother Teresa
The modified verses reportedly were written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India. And the "poem" then ends like this:
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
Here talks a reflective man and proud father, when I read your blog.
Most thoughts come at night you write. All the great mystics speak of the ´dark night, where all happens.´ At night we meet with our greatest dreams and fears I think.
Amidst all the noise ... This reminds me of the Desiderata, a very old scripture, author unknowd.
Here, for you, the lyrics
Bye for now, take care
Marianne The Netherlands
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
I read your blog text several times to let it sink in. The American Dream... I´m not an American, so this dream is to narrow for me.
Your three main importancies are a general human dream. A human hope. Because, how else gain more harmony in the world I wonder.
Compassion, that´s a beautiful word including myself and others, emotion and action for me. Passion as a drive, the ´com´ component like in together.
I think the old systems are collapsing, new will arise. It´s up to us all how the new building will look like, if it´s including and how strong it will be.
RSS
Unfortunately this blog gives me no information about where you are. So I hope my thoughts reach you. I want to send you a sunbeam into your heart. Don´t get lost in the land of forgotten souls! Just like now...there is contact with the other world...
Take care!
Sabine
The Netherlands
Can you tell me more about Operation Gratitude, please?
Kind regards
Marianne
The Netherlands
My name is Marianne, of the same age, and living in The Netherlands.
Here in Holland everybody complains about the short times offenders have to be in prison. I personally do not think that 'the more time, the better', but when breaking the law, that there will be consequences may be clear. It can never be a one way street in my opinion.
The same in 'real life': when I am not doing my job as required, I will not be long in that job. When I treat people awfully, I cannot expect to be treated nicely. etc etc
I never met a perfect person, but more people who do not learn from mistakes or certain behavior, than those who do.
Life itself is a learning path. Every road is different, because everyone is unique. In our world of greed, glitter and glamour, things have to collaps one time.
The drive in my life is compassion: the passion for a drive in life, the com as in toghether. A simple line: Do not do to others, what you do not want to be done to you. In fact, it IS that simple. That doesn't mean it's easy from day to day.
You write, I learned to be a better inmate. That strikes me. That's not the same as a better person in my opinion...
For now, take care
Marianne
The Netherlands
Your 'cry' here, made me sad. A young man, 5 children, in prison, a divorce...
Incarcerated, not being able to participate in lives of loved ones. It's hard.
But you know, there are different kind of prisons, where the bars are not seen but are there.
You cannot manage the behaviour of others, only your own. Your ex wives maybe try to protect the children as much as possible. Who knows what happens out there from day to day.
In my experience a child, growing up, will be able to make a picture itself and there will be questions later on. To you, to their mum, to the family...
You cannot longer trust your exes, but trust and believe in yourself and your children. Try to keep contact in different ways, by writing letters and cards, even if you don't sent them. Keep a diary for your children, address them.
I know, it's a substitute for the real thing, but I hope it can also keep you from getting bitter. Remember the beautiful things and memories, without trying to cling on to it. Panta rhei, everything flows and changes.
For now, take care
Marianne
The Netherlands
First of all I want to say that I really enjoyed reading your post! I am impressed with your clear view of this world, and believe people like you can make this world a better place. Keep up the good work!:)
What my life is about? I have absolutely no idea. The reason I don't know the answer is not because no one asked me this before. In fact, people have asked me this question many times.
The problem is that every time I decide to take some time to answer this question, the thought process in my head gets way to complicated, and after just a few minutes I end up with more questions than I started with. I end up with the feeling you described perfectly('What the #!@*!')
'There are only two tragedies in life: One is not getting what you want, the other one is getting it.'
Just like you said, in the end, the American dream does not make people happy. People always want more and more.
Enough of us know that the american dream is not the answer, but sticking with our current ideals feels much safer for most people because we have been 'trained' to live life by the ideals of The American dream ever since we were born.
Indeed it would be wonderful if we would be taught about inner peace, respect and your 3-point ideal at school, it would make life much better.
But the problem is, our teachers are as lost as we are.
I like your 3-point ideal (Can't think of any other name for it yet), and I strongly believe that if people set an example, people like you, this ideal will spread. It probably won't spread as fast and widely as we would like, but every human being is one.
Much respect!
Mike
The Netherlands
The modified verses reportedly were written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India. And the "poem" then ends like this:
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
Here talks a reflective man and proud father, when I read your blog.
Most thoughts come at night you write. All the great mystics speak of the ´dark night, where all happens.´ At night we meet with our greatest dreams and fears I think.
Amidst all the noise ... This reminds me of the Desiderata, a very old scripture, author unknowd.
Here, for you, the lyrics
Bye for now,
take care
Marianne
The Netherlands
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
I read your blog text several times to let it sink in. The American Dream... I´m not an American, so this dream is to narrow for me.
Your three main importancies are a general human dream. A human hope. Because, how else gain more harmony in the world I wonder.
Compassion, that´s a beautiful word including myself and others, emotion and action for me. Passion as a drive, the ´com´ component like in together.
I think the old systems are collapsing, new will arise. It´s up to us all how the new building will look like, if it´s including and how strong it will be.
for now, kind regards
Marianne
The Netherlands