RSS

Author Archives: Penny L Howe

About Penny L Howe

curiouser...and curiouser....!

An aspect of being … a human being!

contemplationIs it not fascinating that we, human beings, are gifted from birth with so many working processes and capabilities. Attributes (sensory, mental, physical and spiritual) enabling us to embrace, with a wonderful fullness, the miraculous mystery of life itself.

Instead, many human beings chose to view life (at a distance) making judgement calls through the limiting lens of insecurity and fear.

They see life’s inconsequentialities (now that’s a substantial word isn’t it, especially when it means something so very simple – “that which lacks importance”), but they/we leap upon these trivialities making of them meanings of importance, building upon our (and others) manufactured fears instead of nurturing truths that lay within and all around.

But there you have it, the nature of the human “being”. Are weexploring programmed to think so negatively, or has some portion of our “flight or fight” survival mechanism morphed it’s way into this state of being/existence.

I, for one find this a most undesirable trait and “state of existence” to live within.

May I recommend and strongly encourage you to consider a move – from this “state” of being to new territory. One that includes the richness of all that life has to offer. It’s out there, this vast unexplored (for many) territory of being. Yours for the asking, yours for the believing, yours for the doing.

Do not allow your mind to be “house bound” as the result of fears and misconceptions. Open yourself up and live. That is what life is all about, after all! But its still up to you to determine the aspect of your being, your choice – as always!

… In closing, beautiful and enabling words from a woman born without the attributes almost all of us take for granted; vision, hearing and for many years speech, yet she managed to overcome her adversities and indeed fully explored the richness of life itself. If she can do this, why can’t we?

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” ~ Helen Keller

1helen_keller_1-21isjt5

~*~

~ Penny

Snapshot_20130510_22

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Written Word!

~

words

~

I – the written word

To many I am transient,

evanescent vapor.

In the moment, well thought of,

but just as quickly put aside.

my creative purpose, too frequently, surpassed,

seemingly for a better one.

And I in the midst of presentation

of poignant knowledge,

for your acquisition and enlightenment,

am left behind.

My sole passion to create your passion,

shaded subtleties and secrets

I would share for those who dare to read and learn.

Not just partake as in a feast,

feeding temporary hunger and then moving on.

Do I illuminate most vividly or is your viewing superficial?

My value and meaning dependent entirely on you.

And I – the written word – await the outcome!

~ Penny L Howe, 2013

~*~

Thank you, have a great day!

~ Penny

plh

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Feeling of Happiness ~ share!

You know the feeling I’m talking about

it reaches right up inside you and suddenly – everything – feels

incredibly wonderful. Just everything!

~

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

~

Isn’t it just about the best feeling ever!

Just imagine if we could capture it in a bottle.

Save it for those days where we need

to uncap the bottle of happiness and take a swig or two (or more).

Savor the taste, the flavor ~ inhale it, swallow in gulps.

Yes, that’s the happiness I’m talking about.

~

happy

~

I have a few bottles I’ve been saving up

And it dawned on me that happiness is not

to be selfishly contained but spread around.

No more hoarding happiness for me.

When I think of  all the beautiful warm and loving

people that live on our planet I am happy.

When I breath in the fresh air (because I can) I’m happy.

When I witness and am a part of nature in all it’s glory

I’m happy.

~

nature

~

When I think how amazing lucky I’ve been

in my life, (I survived) I’m happy.

When I hear, read or view the beautiful

music,words and art that others have created

I’m happy.

When I think of my family and friends

(of course this includes those talented loving blogging friends)

I’m happy.

~

music

~

When I see anyone with a big smile on their face

I’m happy.

And as I write this I realize, I am happy

so today,I share my happiness with you.

And it’s big enough to embrace

the entire planet and all of you!

Love and happiness to all of you!

YOU deserve it

so

Make it so!

~

smile

~

Share your happiness with me.

We’ll laugh and  be happy

and then we’ll make a positive difference

together ~ Happiness works best

in groups. Because very large groups

of loving, compassionate and caring people

is a very happy thing.

As I’ve shared my happiness

with you today, amazingly enough

it turns out

I now have even more to share

for today

and tomorrow and all the days ahead,

You are not alone.

~

happy children

~

Come ~ share your happiness with me.

If you’ve been missing happiness lately

I’ve noticed that it is quick to return

right after an awareness of

humble gratitude for that which you do have.

And remembering to appreciate this

by sharing with others!

Happiness seems to magically appear

soon after …

In large doses. Truly!

Have a most happy day today,

~ Penny

Snapshot_20130510_22

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This I believe

Almost a year ago I wrote this piece. I’m sharing it again with you today.

~

flame

~

I believe that deep inside lies a flame. A light if you will. I call it faith. I don’t mean religion. Religion is how many chose to embrace, celebrate and nurture their faith. But faith comes in all formats and I believe in each one of us exists this glowing essence. Faith is the language of the soul. The glow from within.

The flame glows mightily for some and almost imperceptibly for others. But it’s always there, none the less.

Some spend their lives disbelieving what their soul whispers to them in the night. Some spend their lives questioning that which they cannot understand even though they feel it inside. Some spend their lives on a quest embracing that which they cannot understand but chose to accept. And some radiate the glow from within for all to see.

Faith is the language of our soul and whatever you decide to accept and believe, it will always be there inside, waiting to come forth. I believe faith is the flame that shines within your soul that brightens your hopes, your dreams, your possibilities, your life. This I believe.

~ Penny

Snapshot_20130510_22

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Blacksmith’s Bell – Līgo Haībun Challenge

There are two topics to chose from this week in the  Līgo Haībun Challenge, Many thanks to hostess Nightlake for presenting this opportunity for writers to improve their writing skills. For more information click on the link. At the close of each challenge several of the entrees are chosen to receive “special mention”. A pleasant added goal to strive for. To all who enter the challenge, I wish you good writing. The topics are:

Bells

or

“Strike while the iron is hot” – Chaucer

~

blacksmith

~

My offering: The Blacksmith’s Bell

The sound reverberated as his hammer struck metal again, and again, and yet again. His strokes, a rhythm of harmony in motion, striking precise spots in smoothing repetition. This was a critical stage; the shaping and molding of white hot metal. The fires from the forge flamed high, giving off much needed heat.

It was an honor to be chosen. He would not fail. No casting for this bell. It was being crafted from his hands to last forever and would ring with clarity, a pure rich song of vibration never heard before. He would insure this.

The slow uniform succession of strokes tolled as his bell would toll. His purpose, his design, his creation. Sweat pored freely down greatly reddened face and body as the fires flamed his desire to create. A transmuted configuration produced by him and only him. A work of art – the blacksmith’s bell.

pure essence of need

the crafting of creation

man’s driven desire

~*~

Thank you,

Penny

plh

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Alastairs Photo Fiction: The Writer’s Box of Inspiration

This weeks prompt for Alastair’s Photo Fiction presents many opportunities for interpretation and variety in the pursuit of crafting creative words. If you enjoy writing, do give Alastair’s writing challenge a try. Just click on the link to participate. With his photo prompt for this week, it seemed a natural thing to write about writers.

We are an interesting group of people aren’t we? The creative desire, no it’s stronger than that, the “need” to express ourselves through the use of the written word. But where does that muse come from anyway?

~

08-05-may-19th-2013

Photo by Alastair Forbes © copyright 2013

~

The box had arrived by mail from the law firm of Charles’ deceased great great grandfather. A hugely successful writer, his grandfather was known to have had an amazing gift with the written word. The accompanying letter said the box was to be passed on to the next true writer in the family.

“Ha,” Charles laughed. “Yeah, right”. He held the box in his hands. It seemed to vibrate. Well he did have quite a vivid imagination. Too bad his imagination wasn’t helping with his story. He laid his manuscript in the box and closed the lid. Perhaps he’d try again in a few days.

Meanwhile in another dimension and time,

“Look, look, more sheets with symbols have arrived in the box today, Gatto,” his assistant cried out.

Gatto peered into the sacred box of knowledge, located in the place of honor within the temple for longer than anyone knew. His job to care for, if not understand its purpose.

He pulled the sheets of paper out of the box and stared at the strange symbols that lay upon them. He knew there must be much meaning here.

He shook his head as to the mysteries of life. Time to deliver this magic to the elders. They would be very excited. It had been a long time since they had communicated with the Gods.

 ~ * ~

Yes, I did exceed 150 words. But the story line was so much fun to explore, I just couldn’t help myself here. Hoping you still enjoyed a slightly longer flash fiction! And thank you Alastair for providing such an excellent photo to work with this week. Okay so time to put my latest offerings into my own box of inspiration (my pc connecting me to other amazing bloggers)!

Have a great day today!

~ Penny

Snapshot_20130510_22

 
27 Comments

Posted by on May 19, 2013 in Why I love

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pearls of Wisdom ~

There are so many quotes on wisdom, and although the words vary, the themes tend to stay the same. Here then are encapsulated versions of thousands of quotes on wisdom – their core meanings and essence!

~

pearls of wisdom

~

Wise people continue to doubt themselves (and that’s part of what makes them wise).

*

Knowledge is one thing, wisdom quite another.

*

Wisdom happens more from mistakes and failures than success.

*

Wisdom is a function of time and experience.

*

Wise people are humble. There is no such thing as someone
who is both arrogant and wise.

*

Wisdom and it’s quest breed kindness and compassion.

*

Wisdom is mutually incompatible to fear. In fact
it’s what enables a person to overcome fear.

*

Wisdom is positively related to happiness.

~*~

And there you have it! A summation of “quoted words of wisdom” that “the many” have said in their own unique way over these many years, Hope you enjoyed!

~ Penny

plh

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Stand your Ground!

This is for YOU! And you know who you are! I shared this video and song with my followers last year. And just so you know. I watch it myself on the days that seem harder than other days and we all have those. I send this out today to remind you that You can do it! You can carry on. You can be strong and brave. You have it within you!

I believe in You after all, with all my heart and you (my blogger friends) know I mean the words I write. It is overwhelming out there, changes coming so fast, hard to cope with, loss, pain, loneliness, too much of too much, and in some cases feeling terribly alone and disconnected.

~

You are not disconnected here in blog-land! And I know (for a fact) that the bloggers “out there” believe these words too.

We are here for you during your struggles, just as you are here for us. It makes for a HUGE difference. So today, remember you are loved and STAND YOUR GROUND … you’re worth it, you know!

~ Penny

Snapshot_20130510_22

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Conversation

 
Said the sky to the clouds
“Why do you not rain?”
Said the clouds to the skytree
“It’s just not the same.”

*

Said the sky to the winds
“why do you not blow?”
said the winds to the sky
“I’m not sure where to go.”

*

Said the sky to the trees
“Where is your shade?”
Said the trees to the sky
“I fear that I fade”.

*

Said the sun to the Earth
“what has changed, I can’t see?”
Said the Earth to the sun
“I’m no longer free.”

*

“I’m caught in between
man’s derision and strife,
From those I provide
I struggle for their lives.”green tree

*

Said the Sun to the Earth
“Please say it’s not so”,
Said the Earth to the sun
“Yes, I’m afraid so”.

*

“Very few listen
to that which I say,
They must all work together
There’s no other way”.

*

“But what can we do
To change what will be”,
“There’s naught”, said the Earth
“for the blind who won’t see!”

* * *

Penny L Howe, 2013
Written on behalf of the Planet we all live upon!
~
plh
 
 
42 Comments

Posted by on May 17, 2013 in Why I love

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In contemplation of Self

… and the importance of life.

Therefore a few posts expressing my ponderings in short verses.

Solitary contemplation of the kitten kind! While musing over the unfinished strings of life.

A kitten’s contemplation on the unfinished multi-colored mat of life. Note the dangling strings – to play or not to play with them is the contemplation.

~

Life – a privilege to nurture

The first to give honor
The second to share,
The third to be humble
and try to be there.

~

When making the difference,
in that which you do,
you make for a difference
the truth within you.
*

~ Penny L Howe, 2013

~*~

Thank you for your visit, have an excellent weekend!

~ Penny

Snapshot_20130510_22

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 2,593 other followers