A Thanksgiving Poem

T hanksgiving is the time for all
H ere and abroad
A ll over the world
N ear and far
K eeping the gratitude
S hown in all that we do by
G iving and caring
I n different ways that leave
V ery memorable thoughts
I n the kindest of ways
N ot just this time of the year, but always --
G od Bless you!
(c)mnrivera

Yona, Guam

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE: Have a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends!

A Word from Confucius

"It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop." 
--Confucius

Storyboard: A Journal of Pacific Imagery is accepting submissions

A Word from Gandhi

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." —Mahatma Gandhi

American Poet Laureate and Medal of Freedom recipient, Dr. Maya Angelou, passed away yesterday. She was 86. A great voice is silent, but her words will rise. _______________________________________________________________________________________ The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release May 28, 2014 Statement by the President on the Passing of Maya Angelou When her friend Nelson Mandela passed away last year, Maya Angelou wrote that “No sun outlasts its sunset, but will rise again, and bring the dawn.” Today, Michelle and I join millions around the world in remembering one of the brightest lights of our time – a brilliant writer, a fierce friend, and a truly phenomenal woman. Over the course of her remarkable life, Maya was many things – an author, poet, civil rights activist, playwright, actress, director, composer, singer and dancer. But above all, she was a storyteller – and her greatest stories were true. A childhood of suffering and abuse actually drove her to stop speaking – but the voice she found helped generations of Americans find their rainbow amidst the clouds, and inspired the rest of us to be our best selves. In fact, she inspired my own mother to name my sister Maya. Like so many others, Michelle and I will always cherish the time we were privileged to spend with Maya. With a kind word and a strong embrace, she had the ability to remind us that we are all God’s children; that we all have something to offer. And while Maya’s day may be done, we take comfort in knowing that her song will continue, “flung up to heaven” – and we celebrate the dawn that Maya Angelou helped bring. http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/05/maya_angelou_quotes_poetry.html http://youtu.be/r_muacudzsI

DEVOTION

Devotion is hard for some to understand
It means being there when others need a hand,
It’s not just a notion you feel
It means more and shows that your love is real,
Too many people say it is too loosely today
Not knowing what it means to do what you say,
You say one thing but mean another
You lie to not just yourself but to each other,
Your loyalty will be tested
And if you’re not strong you will be bested,
Back in the day a man’s word was his bond
But it’s no more than a lie today and beyond,
When upheld right, Devotion,
Can break down mountains and cross oceans.
(c)William Jacobs
Barrigada, Guam

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Do your best
In all that you say
In all that you do
To make your life worth living
To make a difference in the lives of others.

Realize that you're important to someone
And your genuine help from the kindness of your heart
To pick up others when the odds are stacked up against them
Gives them hope when they have none.

Remember…
If you help out others with no expectations in return
Then your life will be enriched with abundant goodness
And perhaps one day someone will be there for you too.

Living life right
Sacrificing even it hurts so much
Taking on meaningful challenges that may stab your heart a bit at times
All the while striving to be on the side with one's angel
Whom absorbs the goodness of your beautiful soul
Enables you to live a life that matters.

Keeping up the faith
Working as brothers and sisters
To make this world a better place
Moves a nation and heals our souls -
Tis the power of unity!

Remember that beauty is not dependent on your looks or wealth
But who you are deep within -
A remarkable and beautiful person filled with so much love to spread
Filled with inspirational momentum
To help others because you truly do care
Because you know it's the right thing to do
To make a difference!

And though you're hurting
Though your life is filled with strife that strikes your gentle soul
Sometimes you have to let things go even if you’re hurting deep inside.
You have to release your hold
And let things be
Because maybe it was never meant to be.

Sometimes you have to realize that you can’t take things for granted
Because when you least expect it
What you thought you had can be suddenly stolen
As if someone pulled the carpet fast from under your feet.

You have to hold your head up high even if you would rather cry.
You see, life can be very cruel
And it won’t get any better
Unless you move on with your life
Cut your losses
Invest in hope and faith
And with each day you’ll get stronger, and stronger, and stronger…

Grasp and gain the strength from deep within and trust in God
To live a life that makes a difference -
Tis the wonderful gift of life!
So join me, if you will and
Let's live a life that matters
Because together…
We can make a difference!
©mnrivera
Tamuning, Guam

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE: Together, We Can Make A Difference!!