T’was the Day Before Christmas

T’was the day before Christmas
and all through your head,
the thoughts were still stirring
as you rose from your bed.

The stockings were hung
with care…somewhere,
but what, exactly,
were you to put in there?

The children, oh the children,
they couldn’t sleep…
and still home from school
for another week!

And yet in the midst
of chaos & everything,
you find a moment to pause
and let your spirit sing…

Today will be wonderful,
today will be great,
today I will let happiness
fill up my plate.

Today I will smile,
today I will giggle,
today I will exercise,
well, at least just a wiggle.

Today I will hug,
today I will share,
today I will listen
to show that I care.

Today I will eat,
today I will drink,
today I will toast
and raise my glass to clink.

Today I will appreciate
all that I do,
all that I am,
and all you are, too.

Today I will let go,
today I will forgive,
today I’ll be responsible
for how I want to live.

Today I will slow down,
I will lower expectations,
I will pause to enjoy
all of life’s creations.

Today I will find
peace all around;
today I won’t keep
my feet on the ground.

Today I’ll dream big,
I’ll let my spirits rise,
put my head in the clouds,
see stars in my eyes.

Today I pray
for a world filled with peace,
I wish love & joy for all
and my prayers will not cease.

Copyright © Cybil A. Smith

Rejoice!

Transformation

A radical change or
alteration
to get me to my
destination,
I am ready for my
transformation!

So I will start with the words
that I say,
Learn to speak with thought just
like I pray,
And I will look at what I do
each day

When I look at my drivers
I can see
What I have made important
to me
And how my choices can trap
or can free

Then when I listen to stories
I tell
Both when I’m quiet and when
I yell
I can see if they reflect my truth
well

I will tap into my authentic
self
and be true to what’s inside
myself
rather than leaving my heart on
the shelf

Copyright © Cybil Smith

Flat-line

I don’t want my life reduced to a flat-line.

I woke up and bounded out of bed this morning at the beeping of my phone alarm, closely followed by my iPod alarm booming out music that makes me feel good and gets me going.

I felt inspired, empowered, ready to start my day.  Or did I?

I read through my morning bit by Esther & Jerry Hicks in Manifest Your Desires and then Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening, which moves me each time I read it.

Today he suggested that I meditate on whatever mood is present, so I did.

In meditation, I felt my mood move to frustration.  It wasn’t major frustration, but it was there.

I peeked below that feeling and I saw my fire within – but it wasn’t a big, bright flame; it was more like a candle about to burn out.

I meditated on that for a moment, and didn’t feel burnt out, so I assumed that wasn’t the message.

What came to me then, was feeling my energy within being pulled in so many different directions – and I am operating at capacity.

The more I searched, the more I found, and I experienced an epiphany:

Many people search for ways to lessen the peaks & valleys that life contains, but doing so only gets us closer to flat-line.

The beauty of life is in those peaks and valleys.

The energy – both high & low – is what lets us know we’re alive.

So I smiled in my frustration and I felt it.

As I resurfaced from my meditation, I climbed out of the valley of frustration, and began scaling the peak towards peace.

I’m sure I’ll dive back in and I’ll experience another low, but I’m also confident that I will surface, strengthened to start my ascent once more.

And each time I fall from the peak, perhaps I will learn a new dive.

The Residue of Regret

I awaken in the darkness
so black I cannot see,
where I am going
or what is right in front of me

I gently step into a stream
and feel the water flow;
pulling away the pain
that I’ve been wanting to let go

The clear water becomes murky
with a dark residue;
washing off regret
whose letting go is long past due

As the stream continues flowing
and washing over me,
the residue fades
allowing me to feel more free…

Free to move forward like the stream
that simply rushes on,
seeking new places;
enlightened by the breaking dawn.

Copyright © Cybil A. Smith

Define & Design the Life You Desire

Integrity

Integrity is
what keeps me whole & complete
and while it’s simple
it is a fabulous feat

I tear into pieces
with each promise broken
even those with myself
even those never spoken

I feel incomplete
when I fail to keep my word
…like I want to fly
but have no wings like a bird

I lose faith in myself
when my decisions destroy
commitments I have made
and I rob myself of joy

So I have learned well
to stay in integrity
and it is my choice
to honor what I agree

Copyright © Cybil Smith

What’s the Point?

The Hilltop

Back to School!

The classrooms are ready
the kids are here,
signaling the start
of another great year

The pencils are sharpened
the crayons are new,
there’s so little time
and so much to do

Lesson plans done,
name tags in place,
now time to connect
each name with a face

As the school year begins
and the summer ends,
it is time to learn
and make new friends

Thanks for your service,
for your dedication,
teaching our children
letters & multiplication

And so much more
that they need to know,
so thank you for teaching
and helping them grow

Copyright © Cybil A. Smith