Some Things Are Simple To Understand, Like Love!

June 6, 2016 / Penny L Howe / 4 Comments

♡

That is until we humans complicate them.

Culture (within societies – local, national and international) play a large role in equipping us, as we go through life, with “glasses of preconceptions” through which we view and interpret reality around us. Most specifically when it comes to realizing that others with other values or “glasses” can view the world differently but feel the same perfect validity as we do.

Yet, I truly believe that some things are universally understood and …

“It really is that simple. One word. One people. One planet. One Goal ~ LOVE!” ~ Plh

♡

With affection,

~ Penny

Power is the most Seductive…

May 26, 2016 / Penny L Howe / 6 Comments

… To Those Unfit To Rule!

But before there is power there is greed. Greed manifests the most amazing array of wrong thinking. The biggest of which are various and highly creatively justifications for being greedy, although different terminology replaces the word greed in this vindicating process.

Greed is amazingly like a virus and once getting a firm hold on a person’s psyche, it spreads like wildfire. And it is highly contagious.

So how much of a prosperous society is predicated on greed and how can one control this insidious emotional and mental disease?

If I suggested the cure for greed was simple, I’m pretty sure no one would agree with me. But if the words “personal discipline” were added to the mix, well then many more things become possible.

Sadly like the internet most of us have no self regulation. We emote all the various array of emotions at our disposal, with little regard for whether actions we take as a result of strong emotional wants (not needs) are a good thing or not.

And we confuse the leaders we elect or choose to follow by connotating greed for power with strength of character. But since, as we are probably aware, (if at a subconscious level) the desire for either power or the “good life” is now greed totally run amok, I’m thinking we’re about to pay a huge price for our own individual needs that (for many) have slowly been morphing into a part of the current greed scenerio.

So is there a way to conquer greed? I think not. Certainly not with the current view that more and even more is better, (regardless of the cost to others) and not until humans “as a whole” recognize and positively accept that each of us is a part of “the whole” of a complete living ecosystem.

And not until we all understand true abundance can only happen when the “whole” meaning “all of us” work together “as a team” for the good of everyone, not for just our own individual selves or a chosen few.

~ Penny L. Howe

The Song of All Souls

March 7, 2016 / Penny L Howe / 14 Comments

Misty morn or perhaps early evening.

♡

The Song of All Souls

Within seedlings of trees that grow

And the whisper of winds that blow

In the river flowing down to the sea

Hear the song of all souls singing free.

♡

In the laughter of people at play

The bright sun giving light to each day

All the planets and stars in the sky

Share love’s song deep inside you and I.

♡

The waves as they crash on the beach

Golden moonbeams we look up to reach

And the love that we all need so much

From this song, closed hearts can be touched.

♡

Deep inside where love has no wall

Our souls they do sing out to all

They guide like the outgoing tide

to the seas where all hearts open wide.

Plh~2016

Sun bursts through the trees high above huge waterfalls and cascades in Oregon’s Columbia Gorge.

Thank you, have a wonderful week,

~ Penny

The Heart of the Matter ~ American’s looking for America!

October 21, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 28 Comments

A very dear and cherished friend of mine (not an American, he’s from Scotland currently residing in France) wrote a flash fiction (100 words or less) story for Friday Fictioneers (a very successful weekly writer’s challenge “based on a photo”. Rochelle, congrats on your third year as the awesome facilitator for this literary blog).

His short story was about a trip he took to my country – to experience America – a few years back. It did bring excellent memories of his time here in the Tri-Cities of Washington, as well as Portland, Oregon, and of course San Francisco and many other towns, cities and communities he visited. Here is a link to his story “Greyhound”.

At the close of his story he shared the video of Simon & Garfunkel singing the song “America”! And while it brought back wonderful memories it also reminded me of where we, as Americans, are today.

It seems we Americans are all searching for America with our many concerns and fears for the now of things and our futures but I truly believe the Heart of America is still where it’s always been … inside each of our hearts. (Going all the way back to indigenous Americans and then the steady addition of each of the many of us whose ancestors and current family members came as immigrants and settled here in our amazing country.)

America is truly an amalgamation of all peoples, races, creeds, religions and of course individual points of view. To find the hope and potential of America, my fellow Americans we’ve but to look within our own loving hearts. There is so much potential for all of us. Working together we will accomplish more than we ever have before.

So now after this long introduction, here is my 100 word flash fiction story based on the photo below:

PHOTO PROMPT © Ron Pruitt

Quietly waiting for her turn to board the bus, an elderly woman carrying a ticket, small bag and guitar stood in line. While adjusting the items she carried, a young man also standing in line asked if he might help. The man was thanked and given the guitar to hold.

“Where are you going?” He asked politely.

“Downtown.” She replied. “First to vote and then to attend a gathering of fellow musicians to celebrate.”

“What are you celebrating, and why bother to vote first?” He responded.

“Because I can!” She said answering both questions, a huge smile on her face.

~*~

Thank you, have a wonderful day,

With much affection,

~Penny

Fourth of July, Celebrating with Introspection

July 4, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 12 Comments

Today the citizens of U.S.A. celebrate their country’s independence day.

I am proud to be an American. I’m proud of my fellow Americans, even if I disagree with some of them on various issues and actions.

One of the things that I hold dear is that we can agree to disagree (for the most part) in a democratic government, even with all the problems currently being faced, when adversity strikes, we band together, unified, to make the positive difference.

Today in Richland, Washington, my home, there may not be many fireworks. With unusually ongoing hot weather (100°-110°F) and the outbreak of fires nearby, it is not safe.

So today is a quieter day of celebration and introspection. It has become a good day to reflect on the direction
our country is headed and how …We The People … can help make a positive difference for the good of ALL Americans.

Freedom is a two sided coin, the other side of freedom is accepting responsibility, by making tough choices that insures our right to remain independent. This includes voting, so our free voices get heard and count.

I have faith in us … we Americans. I believe in the awesome diversity of our great country and our people and in our ability to make a positive difference going forward.

“…one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!”

Happy 4th of July! 🎉🎆☺

~Penny

A World of Friends Is Just The Right Amount!

October 1, 2014October 1, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 16 Comments

A World of Friends

While we’re not acquainted – at least not yet,

you’re still my friend, even though we’ve not met.

I value our friendship, and reach out my hand,

even though all are strangers – in quite different lands!

Each day an adventure, as life’s journey we take,

if we travel together, oh the friends we shall make.

We’re a company of strangers, but not for long,

let’s build more relations – this will make us strong.

We do need each other, so we can survive,

weathering the storms, we’ll all stay alive.

Overcome our fears, our worries, concerns,

counting on each other – that’s how we will learn.

By needing each other … the seeds we can sow,

through sharing and giving – that’s how we will grow.

I reach out my hand, to you on this day –

“Hello my friend … are you going my way?”

Penny L Howe, 2014

Hoping everyone’s week is proceeding well.

Take care of you,

~ Penny

Ecology vs Economy – Which green is more important?

September 22, 2014September 22, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 8 Comments

There is absolutely no doubt about it. A healthy economy today is directly in opposition to a healthy ecosystem. No question (from my point of view) that a nonsensical lifestyle bearing little resemblance to a harmonious whole, exists today.

The importance of money and profits increase daily. And with each passing day it also becomes more intrusive on the natural order of things. Pushing humanity back at the same time it pulls us forward into an even more artificial existence.

True and positive change for the health and well-being of ourselves and our planet will occur dramatically when the economics of society and our lifestyles are not diametrically opposed to the naturally occurring ecosystem of our planet.

It is not just about our ecological footprint, it is about the our whole body (all 7 billion+ of us) and how we are negatively impacting our planet.

For a single example: Compare the Stock Market on Wall street to a Stalk of grass (an untampered stalk of grass. Be it wheat, corn, or other). The Stalk is viewed as only representative of worth or value to the Stock of things, economic growth is the important aspect not the maintenance of natural ecological growth.

The naturally occurring stalk of grass has been radically changed within our great multinational agricultural world. And the stalk does not stand alone. Misuse of fossil fuel reigns supreme, in the name of economic growth, where all manner of change has occurred on our planet, sadly without (in most instances) taking into count the fragile relationships that all things have to each other in our natural world.

We are not a stupid people. We see the results everywhere and we’re beginning to feel them too. We are as much of the problem as we can be part of the solution. Which green is more important to you and your family’s future? It should be a no-brainer. But it isn’t. Money is seductive. And this means that those with power and money need us, as consumers to keep buying things.

Consuming is what we do best, in fact we are consuming not only our natural resources but our future, as well.

So as a consumer myself, I ask you this … Which green is more important to you?

Believing in Intangible Truths!

July 24, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 14 Comments

I BELIEVE

Embracing the glow

listening to intangible truths,

I but a mortal can only wonder

At that which I cannot see

But know and feel to be.

~ Penny L. Howe, 2012

I believe 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.

Thank you,

I wish you well this day,

~ Penny

(For Throw Back Thursday) first published 2 years ago)

True Love … Myth, Passion or Something Other!

July 13, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 32 Comments

Dwelling on True Love

What is True Love? Sitting here thinking about it, I suppose I’d have to vote for it as being “Something Other”. Passion is most definitely excellent, but it does tend to have a place and time attached to it. Myth … well … the “living happier ever after” story doesn’t happen in the real world, so by the process of elimination I’m left with “Something Other”! True Love does fit best in this category. But of what does “Something Other” consist?

While I’ve learned the hard way about the myth of true love, most recently just a couple of years ago and, of course, it was painful and really hurt. But time does heal, mostly. and we move on.

The beauty of passion with your partner in the moment, well that is incomparable, most all of us would agree with that. And it would be a glorious thing if romantic passion could survive the various degrees of life’s intrusions, but it rarely does.

Coming up with a solid “something other” for what love can be between a couple is difficult. Something one can sink one’s teeth into (besides sweet delicate skin – oops, that’s passion again). Respecting your partner and appreciating them for how they are, in fact enjoying them for who and how they are would certainly fit in the “Something Other” category, for starters.

But for true love to last, it has to be founded on more than appreciation and adoration. There needs to be some sort of substance that binds. A sticky kind of emotional glue that is positive in nature not negative. Not a clinging love, or worse yet a controlling love, but an equality that exists mutually and completely between the two.

So Something Other must be something that binds two hearts so closely together that they think, in many ways, as one – while remaining clearly independent, their very own individuals. Not codependent as much as a heartmeld. A sharing of hearts, through the good and the bad both. An understanding and acceptance of their own natures. A miniature ecosystem involving just the two of them as both the giver and the receiver. Yes I believe that would be the something other that makes true love last.

What say you, my friends?

~ Penny

My gift to you for Christmas!

December 24, 2013December 18, 2018 / Penny L Howe / 77 Comments

A feel good Christmas story. For children too. Enjoy! ○♡○

five glowing orbs

The Five Golden Orbs

The children found them hidden inside the bushes in the back yard just as the sun was setting. They noticed the glow of lights coming from within the small holly bush. Mystified, they had walked up slowly to the shining bush and peered in through the holly leaves.

Five shining orbs of gold lay nestled hidden in the crooks of the branches inside the bush.

“What are they?” The girl child asked.

“I don’t know!” The boy child answered.

They were curious and the glow coming from the shiny orbs was not scary. The emitting light was golden and soft.

one golden orb The boy reached in and grabbed one of the orbs. It was warm to the touch. But not too warm, just pleasantly so. The girl seeing that the orb rested comfortably in the boy’s hand reached in and grabbed another orb. She held it close and stared at the swirling light shining from within.

“They are pretty, aren’t they?” She said.

“Yes, yes they are.” He replied. “Lets take the rest of them and go inside.” He didn’t wait for her answer just reached inside the bush and pulled out two more. “You get the last one, but come on let’s hurry before anyone sees them.”

She followed his directions, first grabbing the last golden orb in her free hand and then hurrying after him orbs on floor as he ran into the house, carefully cradling the glowing orbs in his arms.

They walked through the hallway into the tiny living room and laid the golden balls on the wooden floor. The orbs were shining even brighter than before.

To the small boy and girl, sitting on the floor of the poorly lit living room, this glorious glow was a thrilling one. Their father was working late again but they knew he’d be home soon and would expect his meal laid out for him. The Christmas tree they had convinced him to bring home the day before stood dark and lonely in one corner of the room, on the other side was the table where they had laid out his bowl, cup and spoon. His soup was in the cooking pot waiting to be served.

The children looked from the orbs to the tree and got the same idea at the same time. Excitedly they the golden Christmas tree grabbed up the glowing orbs and placed them in different places throughout the tree. Each ball settled into it’s spot as if it belonged there. When they were done, they stood back and looked at the Christmas tree. It was now lit up with a golden glow that cast away the shadows in the room and illuminated everything making them feel like they were rich and not so very poor.

They stood there viewing the beautiful lite up tree and then the girl had a sudden thought. With a worried look upon her face she turned to her brother and said “What about Hanna?”

“What about her?” He answered.

“Well, it’s just that her cottage is so very dark, if we took one of these shiny orbs to her, she could place it somewhere in her room and be able to see better at night!”

“That’s true,” He said. “And you know that Bertha and Henry’s cottages a little further away have the same orbs on the floor problem with not having much light in their homes.” And as the children talked they thought of two more neighbors that they could share the shiny light of their orbs with.

Hurrying quickly they removed the five orbs out of their Christmas tree and carried them down the lane to each of their needy neighbors who with great pleasure and astonishment accepted the gift of a brightly lighted orb.

The children raced back to the house feeling good inside as they thought of the pleasure they had brought to their friends and neighbors.

They were silent and a little disappointed as they realized they wouldn’t have a beautifully lit tree to show their father when they walked inside their hut. Still they did feel good about the gifts they had given. As they walked into the living area of their hut they stopped suddenly staring at the sight in front of them. Where they had expected a darkened tree was a magnificently glowing Christmas tree shining from top to bottom with a most wonderful golden radiance.

“But how can this be?” The little girl asked with wonder. “We gave the orbs away!”

The little boy shook his head, gazing in amazement at the beautiful sight in front of him. They both heard the front door open as their dad trudged into the house. They looked once more at their shiny golden tree and then ran to greet their father and to share this wonderful gift with him.

The tree shone brightly, the light following in the footsteps of two little children who without realizing had given and received the most perfect gift of all.

Merry Christmas