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And Then, Poetry
ParentsPoetrySpiritual

And Then, Poetry

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. 
― Leonardo da Vinci

My Dad once said the problem with modern society is that people don’t read poetry anymore.  I don’t know if it’s true, but it gave me something to think about. Have we lost touch with that warm and expansive part of our hearts where deep feelings await expression? Dad was often seen balancing one of his hard bound classical treasures easily on one large hand, immersed in the world he loved.  How many times did he rise up to write?

Dad loved to write poetry too and once gathered together family poetry from generations past into a book for each of us kids. It inspired me to join the ranks of a long line of family poets, to allow words to tumble out through my own bulging veins.  Passion runs deep in the Bell clan.

So why am I talking about poetry? Because it captures the essence of our world, our human nature, and the boundless creativity inside each of us.  It speaks of passion and conflict, records history, sings songs,  inspires and informs, and is a calming respite from reality.  It’s an opening, a suggestion. It clears clouded thinking and gives space for a more balanced perspective. It is pure joy, and sometimes very funny.

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Joy
BooksFamilyParentsSpiritual

Joy

If it rains, put your ducky suit on and find some puddles. I don`t care how old you are!  Most kids can easily lock into joy. After all, their needs are likely met, and the worst problem of the day might be the mound of broccoli on their dinner plates.  If they’re lucky enough, they have parents who let them discover the world around them and explore their curious minds.  These kids tumble into bed each night exhausted from a full day of playing hard. They aren’t thinking about how happy they are when their little eyes slam shut, they just are.

But what about us grown-ups? How do we experience joy?  By that I mean, regularly enough for it to increase the serotonin levels in our brain so the slippery slope can’t gang up on us.  Are we resilient enough to find that elusive happiness? With the many demands for our time, energy and resources, are we dedicating time to the important task of following our bliss?

Our friend Miriam Webster defines joy this way:

    • the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: DELIGHT
    • the expression or exhibition of such emotion : GAIETY
    • a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS
  • a source or cause of delight

A happy and satisfied life is about discovering joy, all the delight, gaiety, bliss and satisfaction possible. I think Miriam did a good job defining the word joy, but really, it’s more of a feeling than a word. How would one put words to that feeling?  Each of us could have a go at describing what joy feels like.  We can`t help but raise our vibration by that simple act.

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MEET SHEA

MEET SHEA

Author
If I was going to describe myself in one word, I would say creative. I love to write poetry and stories, garden, bead, draw, and study spiritual philosophy. If I keep these in my life, my inner artist and the seeker in me just hum. Only my kids and grandkids fill my heart more, and for that, there are really no words.

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