Far Too Easy

August 1, 2016 / Penny L Howe / 6 Comments

♡

That we exist is a gift. Our life – a most special gift to each of us. We are also a gift to each other. This means all of us – no exceptions.

There are times when it seems, it is far too easy to forget this.

The thing is, in our heart of hearts we know this to be true because in our heart of hearts we do care. The caring part just gets buried sometimes with the noise of living loudly, brashly and might I say perhaps even irrationally until it takes a tragedy or unconscionable behavior for us to come together by reminding us the pureness of love that dwells within our souls.

And it’s always been there. Just waiting for us to remember the worth and value we share as a species. Meaning each and every one of us – no exceptions occur when we stop attempting to judge either ourselves or others.

Wanting to help, correct, repair, improve, change for the better and move forward is not the same as acting from a perspective of judgment. I believe human nature has proven too frequently that our judgemental decisions are often petty acts based on a premise of selfishness, greed, jealousy, fear and/or hate.

A loving heart cannot long support these negative human emotions. The need to be a part of the whole, to care, be involved, make a positive difference is written into the code of our dna.

And thank goodness we do care, we do love, we do conquer hatred and fear. Thank goodness we do overcome adversity of every kind because not only are we better than this but …

#We Go On

Yes We Do!

♡

Thank you. Have an excellent week. One filled with hope and love.

With great affection,

~ Penny

Fearless … Never Forget the Nature of Who We Are!

January 12, 2016 / Penny L Howe / 5 Comments

The Spiral of Strength ~ All of Us!

♡

So many things seem fearful today

Fear of the unknown
Fear of failure
Fear of our futures
Fear of the threat of terrorism

And yet within each of our hearts, nestled right next to our love of life, is an amazingly unlimited reservoir of quiet strength, energy and power waiting to be released … should the need be there.

So when you read or hear (daily) the many people (on all forms of media) speaking so many words (opinions and criticisms) about everything that appears to be going wrong; on our planet, in our country, and our communities, be aware there are many good things happening too. Many. If you don’t believe me start searching online. There are millions of people locally and around the world, making positive differences every day. They’ve already activated their internal power to get things moving away from the negative and into the positive. (Amazing how many of the news media report the negative and not the positive!)

Each of us can make positive things happen too although a good caveat to remember: Change can occur without anger, rudeness, crudeness, vulgarity, meanness, and cruelty – not a good thing – nor nice for a person to say, do or be. Definitely not the way to achieve positive change for yourself and others!

But if you have doubts and fears today, right now … fear less … you are not alone in your concerns but the bigger and most important thing to remember is that our mutual strength of “being there” is HUGE. We, the silent majority and our mutual strength of “overcoming and pursuing the right path” for all our futures is alive and well, it’s never been stronger!

You are not alone , there are many of us and we are … fearless … in all the ways that matter!

♡

Thank you, I hope your week is proceeding well for you.

With affection,

~ Penny

FEAR and Freedom – a matter of believing in oneself.

February 10, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 11 Comments

Taking a fearful leap in life is scary, just remember on the other side of fear you’ll find freedom!

Everyone has fears. It is the survival emotion that keeps us alive, so there is no way to be completely without any fear of any kind. But that’s not to say that you should let fear control your life. Fear is a warning to be heeded and or handled as the case may be.

Fear is a very strong emotion. Right up there with Love and Hate is Fear. All of us could make a list of the things we fear (if we were being honest).

How does one control fear? First you recognize it as an emotion. Second you consider the source. Third you place the fear in the right perspective and finally you believe in your ability to deal with the fear you’re experiencing. Ideally in that order. You can even give your fear a priority level. Ask yourself why this particular fear is so large and what you can do to diminish it’s hold on you.

Don’t forget you are as in control of your emotions as you decide to be. It takes practice, of course but very doable. You’re up for it. Tackle a few small fears first.

And remember on the other side of those fears you’ve conquered is a stronger and more independent you!

Hope you are having a good week.

with affection,

~ Penny

Being Brave!

March 25, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 37 Comments

“Being brave and courageous isn’t about not being afraid!

Rather, it’s your recognition

that the importance

of what you’re doing

is far greater – than your feelings of fear!”

~ Penny L Howe, 2014

Thank you for stopping by, I hope all is going well for you this week,

~ Penny

Some things need repeating – if you’re a woman!

March 5, 2014March 5, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 8 Comments

It’s your life – own it!

I first wrote this piece a little over a year ago, and I’m posting it again because I believe it’s a message that we (women) need to be reminded of – again and again!

More than half of the people on this planet are female (this includes you and I)! We are not a minority in any way and this is your life, we’re talking about here. You are the one that breathes in and out of your body every day. You are the one who should be deciding how you want to live you life. YOU!

In the following movie clip from Aliens the heroine “Ripley” definitely encounters more things than we can ever imagine having to cope with in our lives.

But there is a point here. When something needs to be done. She does it. She makes the decisions she needs to make and makes them count!

We may not be facing aliens but every day we face all sorts of things to be dealt with. Our choices, our life. This includes speaking out on our beliefs and rights and defending them if necessary. Decide and then make it happen. It is your life, Don’t let others dictate how it’s going to be!

In the meantime, enjoy probably the greatest sci-fi heroine ever! And yes, she definitely owns her life!

Thanks for your visit, remember stay strong and take care of you!

~ Penny

YES, I Can … and so can you!

July 10, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 37 Comments

Yes I Can

*Somebody said “you won’t make it”

but I simply said “yes I can”

Somebody said “you can’t do that”

but I simply said “yes I can.”

In spite of the naysayers and cannots,

I still persevered through it all

And when they knew I would fall

And not get up at all

I said, “yes I can” and stood tall.

I don’t want to hear what I can’t do

Don’t keep telling me that I will fail

don’t tell me what’s wrong

all the day long

Because I will stay strong and prevail.

Yes I can are the words to survival

I keep repeating them over again

Because I know if I do

it will turn out to be true

“Yes I can , yes I can, yes I can!”

(And so can you!)

~ Penny L Howe, 2013

~*~

Have an excellent day today!

An Antidote for Fear, Anger and Guilt

June 17, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 26 Comments

There are some words that when understood and utilized actually activate your life’s energy flow. A proven fact. They can fortify your immune system (so you’re healthier), strengthen your resolve of things and assist you in overcoming doubt and other obstacles in your life.

Love – Unconditional acceptance and understanding empathy for the human condition.

Faith or Belief – The pure feeling and revelation of our relationship to creation and the infinite.

Trust – Confidence, believing in and relying on the qualities of integrity and goodness.

Gratitude – A feeling, a humble emotion of sincere and heartfelt thankfulness.

Courage – Bravery, the quality of the mind enabling one to prepare for danger even through fear.

Sounds good doesn’t it! Well if you’re in a store that stocks those items to purchase, you can say I’ll take one of each, just put it on my bill!

If they came in the form of a pill, we’d pop the pills into our mouth in a heartbeat.

Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. There’s a little more effort on your part required. The good news is that all are readily accessible, you just need to change your mind on how you view yourself and your capabilities.

So how can you accomplish this?

The “you” who is convinced of what you can’t do, and your head full of all the reasons why.

You believe you can!

You change your ATTITUDE!

You wake up tomorrow and say “I CAN DO THIS” !

You go through each day regardless of what happens believing you can do it!

AND YOU WILL!

The only one stopping you is … you,

your fears, your anger and your guilt.

So there you go.

The antidote you need, yours for the doing!

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Have a great week,

~ Penny

Have you entered this weeks Līgo Haībun Challenge,

its for all writers and poets, Click on link to enter.

Check out the latest entries:

Nobody does it better

June 5, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 28 Comments

… than you!

You … the heart of the matter,

and how your feel about yourself! I’m not talking ego, or being selfish or self-centered.

No I’m speaking of SELF WORTH! Many of us struggle with this.

And yet there you are … you amazing you! Can’t you

see how truly wonderful you are? Listen to the following video

and sing along with it … to yourself! Baby you’re the best!

You really are, you know!

It’s time you acknowledged this to yourself,

and reset your “How I feel about me monitor”!

Just inside you is this awesome person

waiting to be found and recognized for the pure value

she/he possesses. But she/he needs

your recognition and belief before believing it’s true!

So sing these words of praise to you

… for you

And then give yourself the biggest hug you can!

Because nobody does it better,

and it begins to make a difference

when you accept and believe this to be true!

Good, and I’ll keep on believing in you too, with all my heart

until you also know … you’re the best!

You are loved for who you are right now, all the parts and pieces

that make up the you that you are!

Don’t let anyone

ever convince you of anything different – it isn’t true!

~*~

~ Penny

An infant’s viewpoint on their tomorrows!

April 16, 2013April 16, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 21 Comments

“What do you mean I’ll have to grow up and go OUT THERE?”

“Wait, what did she just say? Go out there? NO WAY!”

“Okay, I got the picture, I’m just going to hide my head and it will all be a bad dream!”

Very cute infants, and cute responses! But if they could speak, and think about their future – what it may be when they grow up – would they say anything different?

I am hopeful our thoughts turn toward the positive things we CAN do in life with others. I am determined to find good in every day, share and pass along.

Words like “fault”, “blame,” pointing fingers and saying mean things about other people does NOTHING good. Just the opposite, it promotes a negative accusatory attitude encouraging others to also react out of fear and hate.

Developing, within ourselves, an awareness and understanding about a situation and then reaching out – making a positive difference, helps and heals both sides, always! This is the hopeful legacy we can pass on to our children.

Will he be big enough, one day to handle the legacy we are leaving him?

And I believe, we, as ONE people have the strength and determination to overcome most adversity that enters our lives … if we work together, enriched and supported by a love balanced life.

Just some thoughts to ponder today.

~ Penny

There is a spiritual nature in all of us

March 29, 2013March 29, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 30 Comments

… whether we admit it or not. For most, spirituality is based on our particular faith or belief system specific to cultural values.

For some it is that which we don’t understand but still feel the need to believe.

There are those of us who believe we are here by accident. A quirk (or the quark of it all – you science buffs) of nature. As we are each on our own journey, none of us have the answers, not really.

My video offering today is just a reminder for all of us, to be interpreted in a manner that drives home the fact that expecting things to “happen” in life without some effort on your part will make life more difficult, and to be grateful for that which you do have. But mostly to love and give with all your heart!