Surrendering to Courage

We belong

This was written a number of weeks ago, and maybe its the time to be published. Right now 'courage' is needed more than before in my lifetime and maybe yours. I have a vested interest in this world, and so do you. We live here. We breathe here. We belong here, whatever color , creed, race, religious belief, social status, political belief, and the rest.

It takes all that I have and then some more to have courage sometimes. No one can claim to have weathered a storm without experiencing courage. A lion does not have to be courageous unless he has to protect his loved ones or himself. What does it mean to have courage in the face of adversity and is it something one can have when one surrenders?

Finding our courage

Imagine with me - a man leaves his family and goes to work daily and patrols the streets as a policeman. He is prepared for adversity and criminal elements. One day he is faced with a decision to save a civilian, and may need to distract the criminal and pull the person to safety. He is trained to make a decision and does this automatically. The civilian is saved, he overpowers the bad guy and is lauded for his courage displayed in executing his duty. It may have gone another way and he could have lost his life. In the line of duty he could have saved the civilian and lost his own life. Whatever the outcome his courage should be lauded.

Stay with me as you imagine -  a mother raising her children alone, not prepared for single parenthood but doing it anyway. She does a good job working and providing, nurturing and protecting. Can executing her role be considered courageous? Then imagine - the mother protecting her  children from an intruder to keep them safe, ensuring none are injured. Lets assume she lost her life while protecting her children, has she displayed courage?

Now finally, look at yourself , do you see the lion within prepared or unprepared for courageous action? Hmmm, I’d like to believe if called on we can have the courage to carry out our convictions and responsibilities. Will we protect others the way we would our family instinctively. In a blink, things change, and we are called upon to act. Our reaction, in my opinion is determined by our surrender to our courage within!

Serving others and ourselves

Sometimes there is no distinction between a call to action for serving others, and a call to action for serving self. It can never be a fair trade for one man to give his life for another based on duty and another based on love.

For all the servicemen and women in my country and the world, your courage and courageous actions are remarkable, and I thank you. I remember you today, because maybe your loved ones won't see you when I am with my own. So thank you for your courage and consideration.

Sometimes we need to surrender ourselves as an act of courage? Is that possible? Sometimes our attitudes, and ideologies need to be surrendered for us to be empowered with the courage to do what's right and not hide behind what's wrong. Maybe some convictions are taken by those without courage because it is an easy compromise. We all have it - courage, but it stays hidden until we let it out!

In a world where all we see is war, I pray for peace, love, and everyone.

Thank you for reading. If it resonates with you please share. Your thoughts on this post are greatly appreciated. When we share with each other we can gain insights and even courage!


© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Just Thinking Out Loud: #LIFEGOALS

What are your #LIFEGOALS ...

Writing today, from another perspective of my life

Many of us are over forty. Yes. In this world there are many folks over forty, especially in my following of friends, associates and bloggers. We are either at the peak of our life goals cycle or working on getting there. We have so many experiences we're either jaded cynics or filled with more hopes and possibilities of a life filled with failures and truths. While age is just a number, experiences tell the story of time spent.

Last night as I lay in my bed trying to touch every point of its emptiness, life and goals decided to take up residence in some open spaces! I don't feel lonely in my bed, but I feel alone in my home. The home was a goal fulfilled, and the bed well that's a discussion for another post! As I normally do when I lay down to sleep I think of my children and my choices. I pray for the blessing of their continued lives and safety, and I thank God for them.

One of the biggest goals in my life was for my children to grow up to be adults and to be around to see this. That was a life goal fulfilled, and I gave them the best opportunities and life I could as a parent. I don't measure my accomplishments based on what odds were stacked against me. Life as a single parent was just another day in the choices I made - not a status to be used as an excuse or a celebration, simply a choice.

When you stand at the crossroads for your own #LIFEGOALS  it really is all about you. Your goals are all you. I wanted to be an entrepreneur - done it, and ongoing. I wanted to be heavily involved in branding and international trade - done it, hoping for ongoing. I wanted to help revive a failing company, done it. I wanted to create markets for what appeared impossible, done it. I really wanted to be exposed to the impossible and get a shot at making a positive improving difference, and I sure got what I wanted. I desired to help others, and its ongoing. I desired to help non-profits gain financial and other support, and that too is ongoing. My list goes on and on with the things accomplished. The things not accomplished is another list that matters but I'm realizing the burning passion to get them done does not burn as intensely.

So yes, what are my life goals now which will fill me with an intense desire for accomplishment? I'm working on this. At the next junction of my life there must be something which will help to qualify my obsession, the daily blessing called 'my life'.  We all measure ourselves at sometime. My harshest critic is myself. I sometimes wonder if I've set my self actualization bar soo high, its unattainable. Unrealistic expectations can be a source of frustration and eventually hold us back from real opportunities. There must be realism when planning for our needs, or the bubble of fictitious hope will pop, leaving disillusionment and broken self-esteem.

Our careers and professional lives do tend to be a priority, based on our economic needs and wants. Everything else comes second or third priorities, and before you know it life ends. In my own life my career became a priority early on and now while its still important there is a subtle shift as the children are leaving the nest. Its almost empty.  My spiritual, health, and social needs are surfacing more. My sense of civic duty and humanity are all bigger priorities which compete for goal status in the planning process. Thus my question to me and you is one based on the present - When you think about your #LIFEGOALS does it reflect what you want and desire, or what will please others?

I'm just thinking out loud, and grateful to share with my world during my life! If this resonates with you, please let me know, share , and encourage others to consider #LIFEGOALS

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Freedom of the Press/Freedom of the People

A Good Man Departs…Ushering in The Opposite

There is much respect for outgoing USA President Barack Obama. The humility, respect and class of this world leader never ceases to amaze me. As I read an article about his last press meeting, it was not difficult to compare it to the first press conference of the incoming USA President. These men are so different, yet the responsibility of the ‘office’ is the same. As President Barack Obama advised the press, they are needed to keep the office of the president in check. The press is needed to keep whoever is governing from committing acts which are not in the best interests of the country. The press are the guardians of democracy and the mouth piece by which the public will know that power is not being abused. When the incoming president met with the press he attacked them, disrespected those who chose to ask him basic questions, and called them fake. In my country there is a saying, “if you have cocoa in the sun, look out for rain” – this means if you have something to hide always be prepared to be discovered, thus being defensive.

There are many journalists who have been beaten, and been inflicted with grievous bodily harm and even death, to ensure ‘the people’ have true information available. The citizens of a country need to have access to information. What is amazing is the ‘free pass’ given to a man who refuses to disclose his taxes as done by all incoming presidents of the USA. In not disclosing the basic prerequisites of honorable and ethical conduct, it is clear transparency will not be a part of his governing rule. This I do believe is the crux of his ‘fear’ and hatred’ for good journalism. Reporters report. Good reporters are quite crafty at pulling information one wishes to keep hidden, and the ‘new president’ has been caught in a web of untruths throughout his ascension to the role of leader. He cannot persuade and bullshit his way with these pressmen and women who have studied and lived analyzing human behavior.

Freedom and The People

Who will stand for what is right? Who is prepared to speak out against someone who has been given the power both to help and harm? The people of the USA are talking. They are not keeping quiet. The people are marching and protesting by the hundreds of thousands. Women are coming together, to stand up against a man who is a self confessed ‘PussyGraber’ (PG). A man who thinks its okay to mock the disabled. A man who thinks its okay to mock a grieving mother of a dead war hero of the USA. A man who lives for one hundred and forty characters on a twitter feed, to hide cowardly as he shares his limited vocabulary. A man who is ‘overrated’ when it comes to being a winner, but not ‘overrated’ in hate, anger, scheming, lying, and a bad tan!

Freedom is the right of every citizen of the land of liberty, the land others once held as an example of dreams and hope. In this year, and this month, and on the twentieth day those on the outside looking in, know we must now find another example for the present. That great land of the free and home of the brave is in turmoil, and they need to get themselves in order.

Freedom. It is what everyone in all corners of the globe seek, fight for, pray for, and die for. Many thought freedom can come from a place, a land where choices are possible and justice is fair and available. At this time, looking in, the world can see where freedom really resides. I hope out of the dark days ahead you can see and realize that there is light. The light comes from the realization that unless we can embrace the freedom of choice from within, freedom on the outside will continue to be a battle. During this time, I am seeing a multitude of people fighting for their freedom, and its not only blacks or Muslims. Finally the people understand that the oppressed are made up of minorities, gender biases, immigrants, differently abled, veterans, different races, black lives and a list of people who are deemed to be of lesser value than the new leader and his cohorts.

When the people unite there is strength. When the press and the people unite, there will be freedom at the end of the road. This is a defining historic period in time, reminiscent of many, many years ago. The Cold War of  was over with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Now the Kremlin returns, and what is at stake is bigger than what fell.  Let the world know ‘The United Soviet States of America'(USSA) will not become a reality. 

Citizen4Life

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The Changing of the Guard

It drawers closer…

The thing about history is – something happened previously. It can be moments before, days before, or many ages before. History holds the archives of our decisions, actions and consequences.

Slavery, and its oppressive nature happened. The Klu Klux Klan aka KKK was and is real. The brutality against minorities from time immemorial has a place in the bowels of the world. We thought we had moved on… we did not. Obviously.  Oppression, hatred and white supremacy crimes happened and continues to happen.

If we look at the western societies which we assume to be civilized, we can see vestiges of something which should never be in our present. To unearth ancient civilizations it takes skilled archeologists to discover under tons of rubble, lost cities and artifacts. Many of these things we use to understand what was there before, and why it no longer is. There are somethings we can all hope to banish into oblivion, so it cannot be found, such as racial hatred and ‘slavery’ and religious intolerance and ‘holy wars’. Yet they still exist, and reside next to us.

The mind will be jerked into catalytic memories of tears, marches, anarchy and loss of lives later this week. For many, one of our thoughts are of the many Jews who lost their lives because Adolf Hitler thought they were responsible, for the economic condition of his country during his life. He thought they were ‘bad’ for Germany, and his hatred mirrors that of the incoming USA president – for immigrants, minorities, women and those who presently live in that land of ‘liberty’.

History reminds us of the times of triumph and the very dark days when all our ancestors had was hope. Many thought they would never see equality, freedom, women rights, children’s rights, gender rights, and a lengthy wish list of basic rights of humankind. In this twenty-first century the fight continues, as does the hope. We are brought together through our struggles and our victories. We are brought together because be believe that evil should never rule over good, and light will over power darkness.

As I await the changing of the guard, this thought comes to mind.. ” is it possible that the people of the world’s most powerful nation were missing scandal, hate, and fear so much, they wished to change all that was progressive and good to something starkly opposite?” My next thought makes me shudder, “is it possible that the probable election of a woman was so sure the only way possible to ensure it did not happen was by fraud, hacking, hijacking, and ultimately by any means necessary?” In both instances, its not as bad as it sounds, because it means something good and powerful was happening. Whatever the reasons, the players all have their own agendas, and now you need to show where you stand more than ever! This is a new reality.

Citizen4life

Other writings on this blog: A Changing World

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content

D-WORDSLAYER: LET’S TALK…COMMUNICATION 1

D-WORDSLAYER: LET’S TALK…COMMUNICATION 1: Talking is easy. Having a conversation to deliver your message can be harder than you think. Its about communication! On a daily basis ...

D-WORDSLAYER: The Art of Living with Myself

D-WORDSLAYER: The Art of Living with Myself: Life as art… To everyone of us life means something different. Sure when we speak to each other it may sound the same, but its not. Wha...

Something new…

Making Lanes…

It is hard to write some of the things which are at the forefront of my mind. There is a lot going on which can have Dwordslayer caught up with personal family drama and parenting, medical recovery, marketing and professional business coaching and advice, blogging on world events, and the list goes on.

In this mind, the whole thing might look like a pot of stew with lobster, chicken, and a vegetarian delight all mixed together. Thus, I’ve decided to keep the political thoughts on a separate blog. Now I’m not too sure how it will work, but I’m giving it a try.

Current events are important, but we must try to never allow our passion to cross into the toxic lane. Let’s figure life out always looking for a way to get on the positive lane, and turning the light switch on in the darkest of days.

I’m sure there will be some of you who won’t agree with my thoughts, and that’s okay. Let’s communicate and talk. This is how relationships grow
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Here is the link to my second blog site , and the first post CITIZEN LIFE/ CHANGING TIMES A Changing World

Thank you for following, reading, sharing, and really being the light I seek as I share my thoughts , words and knowledge with you.
Dwordslayer

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content
 

I Challenge You...

The song "You raise me up" never fails to bring tears to my eyes. It does not make me sad. If anything, I am filled with a passionate feeling of courage and a desire to excel. There are many songs which will inspire and some can motivate action - for me that song does it!

In 2016, I spent seventy-five percent of my blogging time on this great new social media platform called beBee.com, and it was quite an interesting year filled with a lot of growth, engagement and feelings. We build many relationships online. This is a new way of meeting and forging relationships with people whom we gravitate to through some level of affinity.

In the last few weeks of the year 2016, I realized my life now included a group of individuals I can call friends, who I had never met face to face but through consistent interaction, sharing and sometimes verbal discussions. For some the use of WhatsApp, skype, and Facebook were extensions of our growing affinity, which started via beBee.

A Challenge on my mind

By now many are wondering how all these different thoughts are actually going to fit into my title for this post! Well this is how it plays off in my mind;

You can't meet anyone and develop a relationship by sitting on the fence looking in. You have got to participate. Any blogger who claims to write but not need an audience has their head in the sand. The readers, are the ones who we eventually get to know on a relationship level after doing that 'relationship dance'. You can read, like, and comment to the same people and what eventually happens is everyone knows everyone and at some point it becomes a closed close- knit group with little or no growth in quality and quantity. That of course depends on the objective of the group, but with social media platforms, numbers are needed with increased quality of interactions.

You can also write and publish, waiting for someone to read your blog, or you can engage with others and they will eventually maybe read your words. Both positive and negative comments generate engagement, hence the reason trolls have a field day when someone responds. There is always a flip side to anything, accept this and you will enjoy the challenge I'm about to throw out! I've read some great posts by bloggers who simply don't wish to interact and engage, or don't know how. The results are disappointment and sometimes they decide blogging does not work for them. Again, one's purpose and agenda matters. Its not rocket scientist thinking, just probability laws at work. Everything takes time, and you do get what you put into an action when it comes to blogging.

" I'd like to give you this example from my own blogging experiment. I read and share most bloggers words on all the social media I follow, some, or just twitter. Approximately seventy percent of those bloggers posts shared have never read, engaged or shared any of my posts. I don't not share their work because of a lack of reciprocation in the present. I'm motivated to share information which will inspire or add value to someone who reads. Eventually, my work will be shared and engaged with by persons who want to know who is sharing all these great posts. Actually, my engagement has increased over all my platforms as has my social media following. Marriage and relationships should be long term in my opinion!"

Challenge yourself to meet new writers on a regular basis. Read the words of not just some of your followers, but more than some. BeBee has an email which is sent to members when the persons you follow write. That's a great thing! Meet the people you choose to follow through their words. It may not be possible to read everything in a timely manner, but I CHALLENGE YOU, to keep each email list and read when possible. Hey, I've been reading from July, 2016 and I am having a great time. I've missed a few, but I've got a lot of persons I follow and I appreciate everyone who is brave enough to write and publish!

You Raise Me UP

So how does "You raise me up" fit in with all of this? Simply, as I  run my blogging race I'm inspired and motivated by the words, thoughts and lives of others many times. When we read, and share, comment and engage we carry and raise up someone who has the courage to express. At least this is my feeling, and this morning, it came home to me as I read.

I Challenge You to build relationships this year, and engage with your online and offline community of family and friends. We are all here on this earth for a moment, why not spread your wings and rise high. Fly beyond where your eyes know and can see, go to that other place this beBee airport has on its flight plan!

I Challenge You...

Video Credit: YouTube, Paul Mathews : I am strong when I am on your shoulders video

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

A Story - How do you want it to end... 1

So here is the deal my friends. Today is the start of another year and I thought a story was in order. I'm not sure how long it will take to get to the end, or what the end will be, but it is loosely based on a real story. I'm not sure if it is a love story though it seems to have started that way. What I can say is, this story is about relationships. Let's jump in and get started.

Prologue: The Water

The water splashed making a sound as a head went under. The waves rose around indicating there was no more silence. Looking up their eyes met and connected, the laughter rose between them as they shared a stolen moment across the watery divide.

Dolphins mate like humans. They can show emotion through the senses, like a man and a woman feeling an immediate attraction. The mating game can start with sounds or noises which resonate between the pair of dolphins as they smell the scent of lust. Then words spoken are clicks laced with gestures and flirting, dancing like dolphins in the water.

"I saw you go below," he declared, his eyes dancing with a humorous smile fixed on her face.
"Hahaha, so you caught me, maybe no one else saw, " she laughed moving closer, to hear more from the Adonis-like male who seemed to be the main attraction of all the females present.
He smiled, moving closer to her, eager to share more. "Yes, you could not resist, and you looked incredibly beautiful doing what you were told not to do!"
A big chuckle escaped his lungs as he dipped below to rise directly in front of her. Their eyes met and stayed locked, neither wanting to look away, as a mischievous wonderful moment was shared by these two conspirators.

Her heart seemed to be beating a little faster as she ducked below the water, moving away when suddenly she wanted to stay.

Thus this was the beginning of these pseudo-dolphins mating. A ritual of time, and maybe a lot more hurdles would need to be crossed before they understood their destiny can only be made, if they would swim together.

1. Whoever you want me to be, I am

Francisco looked at his watch, then he gazed at the gate again, "where is she", he muttered to himself. Last Thursday seemed more than the five days which just went. His mermaid was on his mind, every time he thought about their exchange it made him smile. What a cheeky lady! She was sexy and adorable, so confident, wow. He did not expect her to invade his space and mind constantly since that first day, but she did. That level of passion would be incredible to be around. It was easy to see how much she loved the water, as her eyes lit up with each movement. She caressed the water , or maybe it was the other way around. Hmm he wondered, maybe some caressing was in order, but that would make life complicated, much more than it already was. As he glanced at the gate one more time he made his way to the edge of the pool, jumping in to join the class which would start any moment now.

Thelma hurried from her car to the pathway which would take her to the pool. Damn, the class was about to start. "Oh no", she exclaimed ,pausing for a moment listening to the music coming from beyond the gate. Today she did not want to be late, but there was no available parking and she kept hoping someone would leave the carpark so she could grab a space. As she continued walking, her eyes shot over the pool looking for him. Adonis-man had to be there. He never missed a class she had found out while making discrete enquiries. What was his name she wondered, trying to remember what they called him. Listening without swooning and gaping would be a challenge , but she could do it. Yes, she thought it began with an 'F', maybe it was Fred. Maybe not. It was longer, and sounded foreign, hmm, it had to be Francois. He looked like a Francois, all French and hunk-like lean. Yes, that had to be it. As she came closer quickly dropping her bag onto a chair, then her dress. She walked to the stairs and stepped into the pool...wow, "this is amazing", her voice connected to the person coming towards her. " Hi Francois, its great to see you." The man approaching grimaced, then laughed loudly, " Great to see you Thelma. I can be Francois if you want me to be!" Oh damn she thought, turning red, but smiling to hide her embarrassment  - I really need to listen!

Storytelling

The story has started. What do you think? Will it fizzle out into nothing, or will a relationship develop? All stories have to begin somewhere, and yes, they also come to an end. The beauty about life may be difficult to see, through rose rimmed glasses. Look out for this story as it unfolds, right here.

Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content

A New Beginning

A Resolute Beginning

This year has begun and I have not shared a few posts and thoughts from this December 2016 just past. I have been thinking and was a bit engulfed with finishing the year as I started it - living!

The new year's resolution for 2017 was easy - Be Healthy, Be Happy!

There were days when the words to share would come rushing into my thoughts, yet my body would not follow through. Subconsciously, and eventually in awareness I have been resting. The rest was not the type which could be shaken by excitement, actions or movement. It was more like a meditative period of awareness and quiet. Everyone was busy. I was busy at home (5 mph !). Yet still, my pause on life helped me to find the 'yellow brick road' towards inner peace. I was able to see more. Feel more. Accept the physical pain on another level of tolerance. Finally I am able to be, simply be.

Looking behind

There is a lot to be learnt from challenges and pain. Yes, there is a lot of growth which can only take place in the fire. When I think about 2016 it will be with awareness. Each moment held something precious which could be lost if I was distracted. My God stays with us through the journey and it was an easier walk once I realized I was being carried, when I could not walk. The testing of endurance, faith, commitment, love, does not come from sitting still or simply playing it safe with life. It comes from disrupting your safe zone and walking in true faith.

Looking ahead

This will be a year of healthy living on all levels. The mind, body, soul are all in need of healthy habits. The positive reinforcement from those closest is essential to keeping on track. Whatever seeks to stand in my way or yours - lets take charge and disrupt. Let us all be responsible and grateful for a life worth living. Let us show by our actions who we are, and who we will be. We are the same people when we are healthy or in a state of disrepair. Make the choice to be that same person with a better frame. I don't know what shell you carry. I see beauty from within. Now I want to show you and see what a better framing looks like. Shine. Shine your light so brightly it forces others to stop, wanting to stand in your glow.

Thank you for reading and sharing your time with me in the past. I'm looking forward to walking with you in this beautiful present!

With Gratitude for You - Peace!

D-wordslayer

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.