CLOSING ONE DOOR WHILE OPENING ANOTHER

 

A series of essays….

A SEA OF CHRISTMAS ‘2021’ PAST

…as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

Removing each glittering bauble, stretch of sparkling gold ribbon, and string of miniature white lights from the tree is bringing its own form of closure to the season. Closing shop for now. See you in a few months. In the meantime, enjoy the beauty of glistening snowscapes and multi-colored flowers and salmon-hued sunsets while walking the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan and the crisp, earthy tones related to a perfect autumn day—all in the weeks and months to come.

The commercial side of the holidays is being wrapped in white cotton and tissue paper and placed in its container for protection. But, the pure joy that the season creates through the gathering of family and friends, and the expression of love, gratitude, and purpose—should last us a lifetime. 

After all, it’s a new year with fresh ideas and plans formulating to give it heft and a new identity! Instead of thinking about the new half-bath upstairs, maybe it’s time to make it happen; clean out the boxes of ‘stuff’ that have cluttered and layered your life for the past three years. Hang some drywall and make the upstairs warm and accommodating for grandchildren and future guests. 

Why don’t you bring someone new into your family, as well…?

Glancing at the bedside clock, I see it glowing 6:22 in the early hours of this brand new, January day. Dan has vacated the warmth of our nocturnal retreat at least fifteen minutes beforehand.

Gently pulling the blue, satin draperies aside several inches, I gaze out at the front yard that is speckled with tiny paw prints that perforate the new snowfall, helping it breathe with instant vigor and excitement. Somewhere out there, in the dawning of this new day, walking gingerly through the snow himself while   carrying  the handle of a retractable dog leash, is my husband. Recharged, reenergized  by the simple responsibility of caring for the needs of someone much smaller than himself, he dons full winter gear in order to take the newest member of our little family outside in the early morning temps to “do her thing!” I realize he has completely potty trained her in less than a week.

She was an unexpected gift, manna from heaven, a total surprise package wrapped in strawberry blond fur and bejeweled with razor sharp baby teeth and everything else expected of a puppy three months old. She was our rescue puppy who still had not been given a formal name and was brought to us by Santa herself on Christmas Eve morning. Santa being a well-intentioned single mom who felt she was doing the right thing by her three young children; saddened by the reality that she’d bitten off more than she could possibly chew.

This kind lady knew that we could and would love this sweet little girl, as well as provide her with a happy home and energetic visits with our own young grandchildren.  She had simply committed the venial sin of overestimating her own value of time and perseverance when it came down to juggling all of the balls of being a single mom, working five days a week, and carving out a slice of ‘alone’ time so that she could breathe. Being an excellent mother, she was able to realize what was truly important in her life at this time and understanding that being there for her kids did not have to mean taking on the burden of training an energetic puppy along with everything else.

WHO, ME? I DIDN’T DO IT!

I had often envisioned my own youthful Mother with the fiery red hair that this puppy possesses and momentarily thought of calling her Olga after Mom. But, we threw quite a few names into the air that day hoping to have just the right one land where it should. 

Having only a plush toy zebra, a leash, and plastic food and water dishes, we decided to run to Blaine’s for some much needed supplies. Taking her with us, out of necessity, we secured a small crate and cushion, ceramic dishes, a harness and retractable leash, small rawhide bones (much better than our arms to nibble on), and healthy puppy chow to begin her new diet. The entire time there we were tossing names back and forth at one another like tennis players in the midst of an engrossing match.

Given my love for the name Aubrey, we began calling her Bree with Chewbacca (Chewie) as a middle name. Most appropriate, I believe. Bree it was and is and she recognizes it with the turn of her head and the stare of her small, intensely bright, deep brown eyes every time she hears it.

Our lives have changed, too! How could they not? We have expanded our love to someone who truly needs and depends on us making us feel purposeful again. Having lost our Cocker Spaniel, Brûlée, six years ago, it was time to allow the warmth and happiness of this puppy into our Michigan home. I know her presence has pulled Dan and I closer, as well. 

What a perfect win-win situation for all of us! Now, our little yellow/green cottage has become complete in every way. We intend to honor each seasonal change with Bree close by our side for many years to come. After all…that’s what family is all about!

DAN MEETING BREE FOR 
THE FIRST TIME

Copyright © 2022 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

INSPIRATION

 

A series of essays….

THE STUNNING BLUE HYDRANGEA THAT SAT ON
OUR LANAI IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. 
“HURT YOUR EYES BEAUTIFUL!”

….as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

What does it take to inspire us; to inspire the inner child, artist, teacher, along with our intricate hopes and extraordinary dreams? The excitement of having our mind, emotions, and imagination ramped up to a high degree of feeling and activity is one of the main reasons books are written, music is composed, and grand ideas become working, functioning chapters in the long and illustrious history of the world. We move forward because we become inspired. But, the question remains—what inspires us?

What draws us closer to the flame and ready to burst with an adrenaline-filled explosion of energy and ideas? Our desire to grow and nurture a brand new branch onto the tree of learning for others to see, grasp, and enjoy for many years to come is a prime example of what can and does inspire us to create; especially believing that our creativity may, in turn, inspire others! 

Being inspired can take your breath away, knock you off your feet, and animate your entire being with high spiritedness and genuine euphoria while encouraging happiness and elation. To be inspired can relate to both a mental and physical transformation where the state of mind reaches a high level of motivation and the body reacts in a highly stimulated manner. Our elation may last throughout the duration of a particular cause, or reach out to us within a snippet of time initiating an adrenaline rush beyond fear and risk and offer the sensation of pleasure and, ultimately, much required peace of both mind and body.

OUR ‘SIMPLI-SAFE’ HOME,
INSPIRATION FROM THE INSIDE OUT…

Being motivated can be one of the most acceptable reasons for becoming inspired or engaged. It is the carrot and stick that dangles before our eyes, the persuasiveness of a friend in need of assistance, the prod or push needed to complete a project started years before, and the reason we march for a particular cause that settles deep within our chest and connects with our soul. We march for a cause, what we believe to be the truth, and are inspired by our leaders, educators, and fellow believers who keep us motivated along the way. 

Let’s not forget that money can be a great motivator, also, and can launch a thousand ships and even more careers. Financial gain inspires us to spend more, as well as be able to save more, thus helping to reassure us that our mature years may be comfortable and financially safe. Remembering that money can’t buy us lasting love or happiness and that we will always require sound reasoning and common sense no matter what our bank account looks like — life, death, paying taxes, and our health become the great equalizers. They serve to counterbalance opposing forces and bond us together as equal partners in this game of life.

SPRING COLOR AND WARMTH
OUTSIDE THE FRONT WINDOW

Inspiration unfolds before our eyes like a colorful spring flower that pops through the earth’s crust to joyfully encounter warmth, moisture, and the magical distribution of its pollen by generous bees who help maintain its existence for generations to follow. Much like a walk through an art museum may inspire a child to begin painting or an adult to continue painting by looking at others’ work, we are provided stimulus via examples that promote the cleverness hidden deep inside us. 

The educator is motivated by the success stories of his former students. An inventor is inspired by the direct needs of others and the environment’s requirement of an immediate upgrade. Vaccines are produced through the intense research of scientists who are inspired by the genuine necessities of humankind around the world. And, good change is achieved through the concentrated effort of everyone who cares enough to make it happen.

Finally, I believe that we are inspired by love itself. Love, simply addressed as unconditional and universal; the love for your fellow man, children, God, beauty in all of its forms, and nature. This love includes self love regardless of any flaws while embracing these flaws with a simple act of acceptance. This unselfish, sacrificing love flows with the intention of giving rather than receiving. We are inspired by this love to embrace the potential of complete joy and happiness by the observance of all that is good and powerful around us. Love is the inspiration we require. Love truly does make the world go round through its unique sense of balance and the knowledge that many ordinary events could not happen without it.

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

Photos Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND HOPE: MYTH OR REALITY?

 

A series of essays....

LIGHT BREAKS THROUGH FROM THE HEAVENS WHILE DRIVING
ON THE RING OF KERRY: CAHERDANIEL, COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND, 2018

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

FRIENDSHIPS mean the world to us. Friends keep us feeling alive in so many ways. It's much more than knowing that they have our backs; it’s understanding why we will always have theirs. Friends keep us motivated and being the best that we can be....even though, some of our escapades show how naughty and fun-loving we actually are. This alone can make us feel tremendously alive. 

You can be yourself around your friends without a false face or pretext. Rather, showing genuine respect for each other with smiles, laughter, dreams, and memories thrown in for good measure. 

The best part about being a true friend is being there when your friend needs a helping hand; a listening ear. Perhaps a hug and shared tear or two denotes a unique understanding between you that nobody else is able to fully comprehend. Genuine warmth of words from the heart shared over the phone when you are living many miles apart can be like a full-blown hug to someone in need of your compassion and strength. 

My friends do mean the world to me. And, they know that I will always be there for them....in good times and in sad times, as well. 

Feel alive! Virtually hug a friend today and let them know how much you love them. I just did and, even though the tears do fall....we both truly know how important and comforting our friendship is to one another!

LOVE isn’t a word anyone of us should take lightly or for granted. Love is the gift of a strong feeling of affection and concern towards all fellow human beings. Love is about family, whether they are blood relatives or not. It is sharing a special affinity together due to respect for similar ideas and goals. Love is having a close friendship or relationship with others.

Having a strong sexual attraction towards someone often leads to physical expression of your love for them. To be swept off your feet by love and be able to bestow on one another the same strong affection and concern is a feeling to treasure for a lifetime.

The affectionate utterance of calling someone ‘a love’ is a term of endearment, sweet talk, and a sign of the tenderness and fondness you may have for them. Being human means we often display an intense and emotional attachment to something, as to a colorful, handmade quilt passed down from a cherished grandmother, or an adorable ‘fur baby’ (pet) who shares your domain and heart, as well. Think of a special place where you’d like to be at this very moment; a particular country, city, or favorite beach with sun-drenched sand tickling your toes as you stroll along the shoreline.

Love is feeling a devotion to something or someone whom you deem as a higher or greater part of yourself as God or a god. 

Buddhism, often known as a Path of Freedom, could equally be called the religion of love. One of the most rewarding spiritual practices is to cultivate the ability to bring love into all aspects of our life and to all the people we encounter. This entails learning how to include love’s presence while we speak to others, are in conflict with others, and are living with others. Often, this can be a daunting task, but, if achieved, the benefits of loving kindness are immeasurable.

HOPE, in reality, is another way of revealing how much trust and confidence you have in someone else and how this unshaken faith may be a determining factor in the positive aspect or outcome of your life. Hope is the longing or desire for something accompanied by the belief in the possibility of it successfully coming to pass. It is having faith in the possibilities of eventually achieving our dreams and desires for things we expect, long for, and aspire to. Hope is understanding that there is light at the end of the tunnel and soon, the light will, hopefully, shine down upon us.

Whether we believe it or not, hope is a part of everyone’s life. We all hope for something and it’s an inherent part of being human. It defines what we want in the future. Hope is part of the personal development regarding our lives that we all have running inside our heads on a constant basis. 

If you want something badly enough or deeply desire something to happen, you must have hope and faith in all of the factors that lead up to the final moment of truth. To have hope is to want an outcome that makes your life better in some way. Hope can not only help make a difficult scenario more tolerable, but it can improve our lives exponentially due to imagining a better future as it motivates us to take the direct steps to make it all happen.

A MOMENT OF ZEN 

Friendship, Love, and Hope are obtainable and available to everyone with an open heart and an open mind. If we have the freedom to choose the path we take in this lifetime and we incorporate friendship, love, and hope into this soul-searching itinerary, this trek will be our personal reality; our life fulfilling understanding of truth and faith in what is to come and what can and does shape our future. 

The only myth is that we do not have the freedom to follow our individual path filled with goodness, kindness, and an abundance of love. With free will and acceptance, we do!

The outcome of next week’s presidential election will determine whether or not we, as Americans, wish to improve our present lives by imagining a better future for everyone! If we strive to be the best that we can be, have a close and personal attachment to helping others obtain happiness, and truly want something badly enough, deeply enough, to make it happen—than a vote for the Biden/Harris ticket will help make it a reality. 

Let’s wipe-out the myth that the present administration consists of our friends who love us and hope to make our lives better. This idea could not be further from the truth, whether we choose to admit it or not. These past four years have more than proven this clear and present falsehood. Instead, let us adhere to the reality of a better outcome and a good life for all of the people.

PLEASE VOTE! Wear a mask when in public and take good care of yourselves and others.

Copyright © 2020 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

Photo Copyright © 2020 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

COMMITMENT

A series of essays....

THERE IS NOTHING QUITE AS BEAUTIFUL OR
STRONG AS THE COMMITMENT OF MOTHER TO HER CHILD

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

COMMITMENT

is tantamount to both success and failure. Whether we make this pledge to ourselves or to others, a course of action is demanded of us, as per position, custom, law, or religion. Upon making it, we may choose to see our commitment in many different ways and even perceive it as a burden, destined to drag us down into its dark, spiraling depths as we attempt to fulfill our obligations and duties. And, even though our initial intentions may have been fueled by passion and love, the job at hand could transpire into a wearisome and troubled journey, if we allow it to. However, we are not made to live strictly within our 'comfort zone.' Mankind is much more resilient to negative thoughts and, for the most part, resolves its own inadequacies and fears in order to extract a sense of accomplishment based on the commitments he or she has made.

"Commitment is doing the thing you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you."  ~Unknown~    

To say that we love is a commitment to our choice of giving ourselves to another or to a certain cause and, once we have made it, we devote all of our physical and mental activities towards owning the experience because our commitment empowers us to do so. We should not feel enslaved by this choice. Love should never place restraints on the heart and soul in order to prove our intentions are real. If we truly commit to the choice to love, our reward is bliss and great joy shared with those we are committed to. We should not have to beg for these things from those we love, but be given them in return because we are equally loved. 

Taking responsibility for the welfare of an elderly person or a child with special needs requires a devotion so unselfish, honest, and true that the commitment made is worthy of all the respect and love needed to make it in the first place.

Teachers make brave and honorable commitments to all of our children and further their pledges by sacrificing their own free time and money with the idea that the children will give us back the benefit of peace of mind and the hope of a better future. God bless the teacher whose strength endures the inequalities forced upon him/her for we have been blessed by their kind and generous soul.

Athletes should respect and honor themselves while brandishing the results of a strong, powerful body, a healthy mind, and a positive outlook on life. True athletes commit to both physical and spiritual strength and have served us well as protector and warrior. Our soldiers marching off to war are athletes whose commitment to defend lives by pledging to sacrifice their own should inspire all of us. They should be met with gracious approval.

Life is short. It should not be wasted. Making a personal commitment to achieve a goal, no matter how large or small, is equal to making a commitment to someone else. It involves dedicating yourself to this agreement with yourself and knowing that there is nobody to let you down but you. Excuses are not allowed if you wish to succeed. Always keep your goals in sight and commit to them with an open heart, even in the face of adversity. Remember there is a sense of obligation whenever we make a commitment to another person. We should have that same sense of obligation to ourselves.

Think carefully and ask yourself what commitments you have already made and/or kept. Are you willing and strong enough to make new commitments to yourself and others? 

Author’s Note: Original version of this essay was published on 10/08/15. Our commitment to Freedom and Democracy has become a major priority for most of us since first writing this essay. In honor of this important endeavor, I wish us strength, determination, and the power to overcome the hatred, racism and evil that opposes us and desires to deplete us of our basic, human rights. My Love to all.

Copyright © 2019 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

Photo copyright © 2019 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

SAY BUDDY, CAN YOU SPARE A FIVER?

 A series of essays....

SHARING DOWNTOWN ORLANDO WITH
MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, CHRIS

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

A story I read many months ago has stuck with me every day since roaming about our new hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and observing the many homeless people who push their ‘carts of worldly belongings’ from one area to another. Mind you, Orlando, Florida, where we recently moved from, was not immune to having a large contingent of homeless folks, however, it always seemed more reassuring to note that in the winter months they weren’t, necessarily, freezing, lonely, or completely helpless. I'm not sure how often those living in empty, tree-filled lots were thought about as many of us sat quite comfortably in our ‘climate controlled’ small, stucco mansions touting the false securities of our gated communities.

The story went something like this: 

When confronted by the homeless population, please don’t think of them as anything but who they are. Do not believe that their primary agenda is to collect a small nest egg in order to improve their situation or do what we, their observers and donators, think they should do with the money they are, half reluctantly, given. We are not their judges, mentors, or guardian angels meant to gently touch them with thoughts without actually touching them in order to persuade or coerce them into becoming viable citizens of the community.

These are gentle souls who live by their own agendas. If we so choose to contribute financially to them in either small or larger increments, know that we are doing so out of our own love for humanity. We often gather the collectivity of moral and ethical standards or judgments while applying our emotional concerns when seeing a homeless person; to the point where we apply the principle that our conscience and sense of duty towards our fellow man should compel us to react to their hardships whether or not we understand the fundamental concept of why or how they have embraced their particular hardship on their own.

Many of our homeless individuals find their solace in the principle of self-preservation.

When we consciously decide to provide someone with financial aid, we should not concern ourselves with what they will spend it on. Believe me, our spare change to them is, in reality, a small contribution to their bad habits and keeps them trolling for more, day and night. What they spend it on should not matter to us. What does matter is that we have opened-up our hearts to a fellow human being and, with any luck, they may, in fact, use it to secure a solid meal every once in awhile. 

 You have a choice. You can contribute to the homeless population or not. It’s your decision.

THE FACE OF HOMELESSNESS

                           Courtesy of Wikipedia

Please don’t think poorly of me for paraphrasing another person’s thoughts and adapting their feelings into my own story. I agree with the author when it comes down to not being an unfortunate person’s judge or lording it over him with our own personal principles of moral and ethical standards. 

However, as with just about everything else, there are exceptions to this train of thought. Our nation’s current, unstable economical status quo has given rise to many destitute families now having to exist within the poverty level. Families who enjoyed middle-class status along with their parents and grandparents before them, have been squeezed dry by loss of employment, as well as any investments or savings that had been slated for any one of life’s many unknowns such as providing for an aging parent, unforeseen health issues, the loss of a spouse, and the unexpected loss of income.

Since the economic depression we endured in 2008, homes have fallen into foreclosure, personal credit scores have plummeted to extreme depths. Many families, to this day, continue to live in small hotel rooms (if they can afford it), abandoned buildings, or their own vehicles and remain thankful for any financial help they receive just to survive another day. The onslaught of the Trump administration has only served to exacerbate the plight of the the entire Middle Class in our country.

The agenda for these families is to climb out of this hole of oppression and seek the life that they had at one time enjoyed and worked so hard to maintain.

Dan and I took his brother, Christopher, to downtown Orlando one day to introduce him to the night life of the ‘City Beautiful’ including the Church Street attractions, people watching, and a visit to the Orange County Regional History Center located on Central Boulevard. After parking in one of the several ramps, we walked over to the dark, secluded elevator as a gentleman came out of the shadows and asked if we could spare some change. Dan and I looked at one another. But, Chris....well, he automatically pulled out a five dollar bill and gladly handed it to the man who, consequently, smiled and thanked Chris, profusely.

On the elevator ride down to street level, we asked Chris how it was so simple for him to hand over five of his hard earned dollars to this stranger, especially when you know that the odds are he will just head for the nearest liquor store with it. His kind and thoughtful reply stays with me to this day....

“You see, I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to be down on my luck and have people look at me with side-long glances or something. Granted, I was just trying to keep a roof over my head and my car running so that I could get to work every day. Eating one square meal a day at the local Waffle House was a luxury for me. So, I really don’t care if he took my money and ran down the stairs to buy a bottle of the ‘brown bag vino’ of his choice. If I helped him live through another chilly night without giving-up on himself, and doing it in the best way he knows how with no questions asked....I feel I did the right thing by him.”

That’s my brother-in-law; kind, gentle, spiritual, and understanding of the plight of others. Thank you, Chris, for your compelling insight! 

So, yes.....unless your plan is to create major changes by helping people in need and show them how to help pull themselves up by the bootstraps and create a better life for themselves and their family, by all means, invest your time, money (if available), and emotions towards this cause. Roll-up your sleeves and help provide holiday meals for the needy without making them feel guilty or indebted to society. Provide clean clothes and a helping hand towards seeking employment. Give them the hope and desire for a brighter future.

Always know that you can be kind and helpful to others, even those who will fritter away whatever you bless them with, and you don’t have to feel guilty about doing it. And, of course, you realize you can just walk away from them, instead. The kindness you show must come from your heart. When your heart is made just that ‘little bit’ lighter because you cared, it doesn’t really matter where the money is spent. And, maybe, just maybe, you will have done the right thing by them, after all.

Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

LIST OF APPRECIATION

Original poetry.....

FIVE PRECIOUS HEARTS THAT BEAT AS ONE WITH MY OWN
~I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN~

.....as seen through my heart.



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Years of Experience:
Accumulated knowledge;
Common sense;
Erudition;
Wisdom and
Enlightenment...Without these there would be no future!

The Arts:
Plays;
Paintings;
Sculpture;
Stone Balancing;
Poetry and
Literature...Just to name a few! Yes, including all Music Genres!

A Sense of:
Balance;
Humor;
Right from Wrong;
Design, and
Several Things in between.

So Grateful For:
A Strong, Healthy Environment Which Includes...
Earth, Mind, Body and Soul.
The ability to value all that we've had bestowed upon us such as Clean Water, Fresh Air, Healthy Food, and the opportunity and right to keep them that way.....forever!

The Freedom To:
Travel the Earth;
Explore Our Universe and Beyond;
Broaden Our Horizon, and
Reach For the Stars!

The Love and Belief in Family and Friends:
Shelter thy weary spirit within the bosom of our
Loved Ones...

The Absence of Hate,
Bigotry,
Racism,
Prejudice, and 
Discrimination...

Oh, what a wonderful world this would be!

The Eviction of the Ego:
To Love,
Respect, and 
Accept ourselves completely while believing in the
Beauty we all have within us.
Then, we might look at others and see our Beautiful Selves
Within Them!

The Appreciation of and...
The Willingness to Accept Change,
Live Without Fear Or Favor.
Soar Like An Eagle and
Rise Above Negativity and Hate!

On a Lighter Note...

The Evolution and Invention of the Camera...
Ancient Greeks, Zahn, Schultz, Daguerre and Niepce;
To Wolcott, Talbot, Eastmann and beyond.
I will always be grateful,
Eternally so,
For the application of Light..Reflection..Dark Spaces.

The Simplistic Ability To:
Smile,
Laugh,
Enjoy,
Appreciate, and... Drum roll Please!

LOVE

Taken from "1 Corinthians 13:13"
Gracing our wedding invitations and married life...
"And now these three remain:
Faith, Hope, and Love. But,
The greatest of these is.....LOVE!"

THE GREATEST OF THESE IS...LOVE!


Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to Everyone! Shelter your weary spirit within the bosom of your Loved Ones and Be Happy. November 23, 2017.


Copyright © 2017 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

CHARACTER

A series of essays.....

 

A HOME'S CHARACTER CAN REFLECT THE CHARACTER

OF THOSE WHO RESIDE THERE

.....as seen through my eyes!





By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


It's nearly possible to feel its texture, estimate its weight, and recognize its behavior by simply looking at the written word itself: Character. The sight of it conjures up many different emotions, awakens the imagination and, literally, takes us on the ride of a lifetime.

Character, a single distinct conceptual unit of language, bursting with multitudes of meaning and innuendo, packing a punch and consistently evolving along the way. Developing, changing, and growing daily, our moral strength and integrity is seasoned by the sheer elements that surround us. It can be as illusive as an 'invisible cloak' wrapping us within its deceptive folds, especially in our youth, yet as strong and spiritual as multicolored banners comprised of Tranquility, Peace, and Love blowing softly in the breeze that gently envelopes us.

We are defined by our character. As a young adult, we can be swept up by the competitiveness and influences of modern technology that tug upon our desire to fit in, be popular, and drive us to succeed in this highly aggressive and 'Me' oriented existence. Welcome to the Fame Culture with its theme of 'selfies' and 'reality programming' setting the daily pace. 

We have turned the camera on ourselves as we shift the selfie stick back and forth in an attempt to capture that perfect shot with our own face in the foreground......life, beauty, nature, often lost, in the background. The epitome of a self-centered existence that is charmed by the acknowledgement of others to the point of instant glory due to the over-exposure of our own presence. Warranted?....., most likely, not. A 'Kardashian' influence highlighted by twenty-nine million Instagram views surrounding us in a fleeting aura of false love and envious adoration. 

Time. It takes time. It requires maturity. In time, many of us will acquire the maturity to expose our selfishness and throw down the gauntlet of challenge by turning the camera around until we come face-to-face with the many characters that comprise this astonishing world we live in. 

We are all characters playing out our specific roles as in books, movies, politics, marriages, parenting, while 'treading the boards' of this vast stage called life! Stage left, stage right, downstage as the spotlight defines our features...our souls, for all to behold during this grand performance with the backdrop neatly painted by our own hands. Dipping the brush into a rainbow of lush colors, our performance is enhanced by each stroke upon the canvas and bright stage lights shine on and reflect the joy we feel. Muted shades of gray reduce the intensity of our contentment; subdue and soften while restraining the sound of color and light.

Strategically, others are allowed into our personal world to share and offer their particular perspective and attitude regarding our character. A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities flow like molten lava creating a miraculous new landscape from which each co-worker, friend, or neighbor's point of view can formulate and reference our character: Kind, hardworking, capable.....dependable. An employer's dream!

Yet, something inside of us seeks out, even reveres, those of dubious character, umbrageous souls who taunt and disrupt us by offering a life we could only hint at or speculate about before their introduction, possibly, from a book, film, or play. These perfect antagonists allow us to be beautiful or rich, wicked or immoral while gleaning vicarious pleasure from a boxing match of competition and conflict, vigorously cheering on the 'bad guy' while living a mundane existence in the real world. We might marry the trustworthy, kind man, but we secretly admire the dangers surrounding the Bad Boy persona.

Character can be determined by the sugar, spice, and grit that dusts our life with its fine powder coating whether we live on top of a mountain, within a bustling city, or the more laid-back realm of a rural existence. Life is a journey into one's self. What seasonings we choose to use in order to bring zest or interest into our life is strictly up to us. 

Being a kind, loving person can be a major benefit when it comes to strengthening a resourceful, benevolent character.

Love can and should be the greatest foundation or starting point when beginning our long journey. Hopefully, it has been shared and passed down to us by those we are close to and who offer us loving examples to live by. As we travel along the road, building character and stretching our imagination, we should ask ourselves if we have our 'loves' in order. Are we spending our time and energy on our highest love, our values and passion, before the journey into one's self reaches its end?

As time passes, we should learn the importance of humility, sympathy, tranquility, peace, respect, compassion, and Love, above all else......! This is a timeless list that's meant to strengthen our character while placing our lives, our loves, in proper order.

Author's Note: This essay was first published in "Moving On....2016" on January 28, 2016. I believe that today, October 26, 2017, its message is as strong and resolute as when first written, if not more so.   


Copyright © 2017 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

HMM....THE POSSIBILITIES OF HOPE!

 A series of essays.....

 ~ HOPE, DREAMS AND INFINITE POSSIBILITIES!~

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

After living on God's wondrous Earth for several years, you occasionally find yourself attempting to explain the phenomenon of life to those you meet along its uneven, cobblestone pathway. Sometimes you feel quite comfortable because your audience is interested in your apparent 'words of wisdom.' For example, your grandchildren. There are times when your listeners are tough customers and wish to ignore the layers of experience and the excellent examples you have to offer. Your own children, perhaps? Then, there's always going to be that one student in life whom you'll find difficult to teach, challenging to understand, and often makes you question your trust in them. That person is....yourself.

As a woman, I sometimes question how I survived high school in the sixties, attended college, became a wife and mother, enjoyed close friendships along the way, and still made time to plan and dream? The answer is, hope. My conclusion is that we're nothing without it, even though some of us may think we've lost it along the way, somewhere deep between the dusty cobblestones, it's there. We just have to look for it.

Hope. It is a very hushed sounding 'four letter word' with an archaic ring to it, used to impart an old fashioned flavor of a much earlier, now distant, time in our life. 

On the contrary, dear friends. Every day of our life we utilize our options of hope in ways we don't even consider significant as in the thought that the traditional male role of breadwinner is no longer relevant within today's social norms. Our hopes and dreams may fluctuate with our current age and lifestyle to a certain degree, however, they should always remain very much alive and well. 

You see, if we lose all hope, if we deny the fact that we continue to dream, if we misplace the longing or desire for something accompanied by the belief in the possibility of its occurrence, we become lost souls. I know we continue to hope right up until the moment we pass from this world and into the next as I recall my father's smiling face upon seeing his four children together, by his hospital bedside, after so many years of separation. I believe his last desire, his final hope, was to see our faces, side by side, once again. He passed away a few short hours later.

~TOTALITY~

Hope came rushing out from the television screen like a colorful waterfall during a spring thaw as thousands of people observed 'totality' during the eclipse this past Monday. It was a spiritual experience that many found difficult to deny. Loved ones were held tightly and the expression of awe on people's faces was followed by tears of joy and delight as they were, collectively, exposed to the miracle of the universe we inhabit. My hope was that we were all capable of pocketing this marvel of the cosmos for future reference and continue on a daily basis to learn important lessons from the experience. Only time will tell.

Yet, even with the strength of knowledge, amazing life experiences, and pledges to see the value of our hopes and dreams take us far into the future, we, as students of life, can fail to see how relevant we are as individuals within the grand scheme of things. As I said before, there's always going to be that one student whom you'll always find difficult to teach. The reality is that if we don't believe in ourselves, life can become futile. Even when others see our potential, we may not accept this truth and become lost for a very long time. 

Am I good enough, strong enough, smart enough to compete in this world for everything I want to achieve? Well, that novel won't be published until it is completed. Those extra pounds won't disappear all by themselves. And, you'll never work at the job of your dreams if you can't figure out what it takes to get there. Even tiny miracles need a strong push in the right direction every now and then! 

One thing we can and should always understand and teach ourselves is how important it is to help each other; be there for one another, whether it's to help feed the underprivileged or hold a hand during a time of crisis. You will never know if or when the tables are turned and you may need to feel the solidness of a good friend or even a stranger in your own life. There is no room in this world for pure selfishness, the denial of basic human rights, or the contention that some of us are even, remotely, superior to others. 

As time continues to layer my world with plans for retirement, dreams of making the world a better place in which to live and love, and ideas for opening up new opportunities and possibilities to ponder along the way.....I cling to hope as my lesson well learned. 

NEVER GIVE UP;
NEVER GIVE IN......!

Hope is fragile. Hope can be very personal. There is always Hope! It can help bring communities and even great nations together once again. This is, precisely, my hope as I write this today. And, as my mid-life dream involves a good, healthy life for my husband and me, my children and their children, my compassion for others and satisfaction for a life well lived revolves around the Hope of even Greater Things to come, as individuals and as a nation. Fingers crossed!

Copyright © 2017 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved