D-WORDSLAYER: 2020

A Valuable Year

We all waited to come through

The sudden darkness of 2020.

Eager for a new year which would end

The plague felt by many.

Yet, the future is still unknown,

Even though the hope seems certain.

I do not long to see the end of 2020.

There was much learned through the

Adversity and different changes which

Steam-rolled into the present as we know it.

I saw the homeless and the hungry given food

By the man with little to spare.

And I saw the woman embrace her spouse whom

She had not paused to hold in a while.

I saw the children struggle to learn amidst a virtual setting

With teachers who knew as much as their students,

Yet they both learned to understand together.

I saw the parents with little knowledge teach their children

The art of learning through a struggle to live.

Then there was the business owner who realized his staff

Were worth much more than he could ever have paid before

And I saw the doctors and nurses dig deeper

Than they thought possible to multiply themselves and unavailable resources.

Giving bucket loads of miracles prayed for by many.

I saw shortages but an alternative for those in need.

I saw fear and sadness

I saw resilience and creativity.

I saw strangers praying online for each other

On a platform many did not know but learned.

And I saw the world stop, unite and love

As only seen in the movies.

The entire world fell to its knees, or rather

Tilted on its axis hoping not to topple over.

Forgive me, that I will not mourn,

Or rejoice the end of 2020.

I will pray that the lessons we all learned

We earned appreciation for

And humanity’s gains will not be ignored.

Moving into the next year, I hope

We will not leave the riches of 2020 behind

As you step into the next year,

Please take with you all you can hold

Do not leave behind your lessons

They are as valuable as each precious soul.

My thoughts in prose.

Thank you for being on this journey with me, and I trust you and your family are safe and happy in whatever part of the world you reside. Appreciate and grateful for our time a look forward to much more for 2021.

In peace always!

Dwordslayer

Dwordslayer quotes - Change

This year has been filled with changes. The end is coming and so to the beginning. The one certainty is change, and adapting is a given if we must survive and thrive.

This quote is taken from Change, time and relationships (2018) and gives us something to consider as we move forward.

What do you think will be different next year? Do you think you will welcome the new, or will you cling to the old? Going back is not an option, so why not make each change count?

Keep safe.

Dwordslayer

Speranza means Hope

Speranza

I have hope

That one day

I will sit at my window

And look out into the sky

Everything will be okay

And I will not worry or contemplate

My next best move

In that moment

The strategy of living

Will simply be to live.

There will be some yellow and orange flowers

Somewhere close by

And I will gaze at them

Enjoying their beauty.

Maybe a fly will come buzzing

And I won’t chase it away

Because in that moment

I will have hope

I will be in a place of rest

Desolation and sadness

Will not overcome me

As everything will have a moment to be

Away from the fervent pace

Called life.

I have hope

That the sounds of Reo Speedwagon

Enya and Bryan Adams will linger in the air

And I will sing along

And the birds will know and sing with me.

I have hope that

My little window will be

Wherever I want it to be

And my happiness in

The stillness of beauty and time

Will be enough

While living.

I have hope that everything

Does not need to be greater than what it is

And that life in a still moment

Will complete my hope.

Dwordslayer

Life quotes by Dwordslayer - differences

As we come to the end of 2020, checking through archives and sharing some quotes from posts. First comes from one of my favorites "Of Panties and People: Fads and choices" (2018)

What are you thoughts on this, as we near the end of another year. How tolerant are you? How open are you to others who think differently?

Keep safe and understanding of each other.

Peace and love.

Dwordslayer

Give Yourself More

Give yourself the power of more through learning!

The last six months of this pandemic has given me some great opportunities to explore LinkedIn Learning as well as a number of courses online via Coursera. I love learning, and as I try to focus on completing my major studies, it is good to work on my weak areas.

Understanding the many things I can do with Microsoft Excel has been the biggest reward from LinkedIn Learning to date - and worth the subscription. It is not a walk in the park, as its self-learning and best to practice each skill. A course which is 4 hours can become 4 or 14 days based on attention and effort. Credentials are only as good as the work you are able to do after certification, thus I’m suggesting you spend the time to get it done right. Also, the videos are amazingly well done in bite sizes, and easy to follow. Adding the link here for you to check out the Excel Lessons selected. Master Microsoft Excel on LinkedIn

Another great learning platform has been Coursera. I’ve been a Coursera student for many years and can safely say they deliver on quality, over and over. From my courses completed and progressing, I’m not going to tell you it’s easy – no way. However, the way each week’s work is set, you can take your time and reset as needed. Depending on the course it may be a month six weeks or more, but the value to your career is ‘ginormous’. I’m going to share a link to one of my favorite courses – but I’m seriously into them all! Mind shift: Break through Obstacles to learning and discover your hidden potential - McMaster University hosted by Coursera.

Are you a lifelong learner like me, and do you get a thrill out of discovering new stuff? Do you want to upskill, or do you need a confidence boost right now? Give yourself some power through learning. It is a great way to enhance your knowledge base and can be fun!

Just had to share because I'm so grateful for these learning opportunities!

Keep safe and discover more!

Dwordslayer

Photo Credit: bram-naus/unsplash,com

Copyright © 2020 Donna-Luisa Eversley and Dwordslayer. All Rights Reserved

Sleepless but inspired

Hey world...

I’ve been anxious, worried, and afraid.

There is a lot of stuff going on this year, and as December draws near, it feels as though I am depleted. There is nothing more I can give. Sleep is hard, because I won’t allow myself the freedom to accept that I’ve been speeding through life, because if I drive slowly, my dreams will leave me.

So how are you doing today human? When do you stop pushing yourself beyond what is possible? Who is chasing you when you are chasing your dreams with those ridiculous deadlines set, because your survival is not based on nutrition, but on some standards mere mortals will never attain?

Stop. Slow down. Breathe.

The eye of the storm is where you need to find calm, peace, and acceptance of self. It is okay to stop because you need to. Let everything that matters become what does not matter because you need to take care of you.

Be brave and be vulnerable. Cry. Free yourself of the things that make you anxious, worried, and afraid. Action requires precision in movement, and focus on the goal, it is in front of you.

This is not complicated. Life is not as complex as we sometimes imagine.

The sun is going to shine in the morning, or maybe it will rain. You will rise up and slay the day because you are conditioned to do that. Everything around you will continue as it was going to anyway. Fear does not stand a chance because you have faced every moment before now – and you are still standing.

You are human. You are capable. You are real, and all that matters will be there when you can walk up to it. Take a few moments and breathe. Life is being lived and you are going to do better, with every step.

I am grateful for you on this journey with me. Grateful for my awesome life.

Its 1:53am and time to sleep!

Photo Credit: Lenin Estrada/unsplash,com

Picture Perfect

Life is never Picture Perfect!

The selfie is a wonderful creation in my opinion. I can set the camera to take that 'perfect pic', positioning myself, lighting, smile, and any other expression. I can delete the ones that look uncomplimentary and anything that spoofs what the public sees.

Life is picture perfect when its presented, and the memories will hide what folks should not see sometimes. Weaknesses and failures are not on display.

Hmm, but life is never picture perfect.

Looking back at the early years, it seems that now, I'm recalling the heartaches, pains, hurts, and griefs, as the good times, success, and wonderful childhood adventures together. That perfect picture does not exist in my memory. It does not exist in truth.

Balancing on the tightrope is what helps to get to the next level stronger. Its how I became stronger. Accepting the learning from the challenges and setbacks had its rewards.

Reflecting makes me cry sometimes. Life was never picture perfect like the books and movies watched later on. My together family was broken early on, and my mother never fully recovered from the fairytale lost, and the toad my father turned into.

Yet, I recall the many trips to the beaches via bus rides, the visits to the zoo and botanic gardens, the picnic carnival affairs, and the way she sewed her four daughters a new garment for each of these events. Her sacrifice was her service as a parent, teacher, mother.

We now get to take out these selfies and photographs, videos and recordings to capture each moment. Be true in the collection of your memories. Let the less than perfect images be caught, shared and kept, to tell your real journey.

Your learnings are in the ways you solve your unique problems and challenges. These are the pictures you take with your memories you will remember when needed.

Take that perfect picture today and make it real!

Be blessed and encouraged,

Too Many To Count

It's too many to count!

There are too many times when the wrong thing is said.

Too many times when backing down is not an option- at least from my perspective.

With so many things that have gone wrong in my life , there is so much more that has been right.

The framing of all your experiences can change as time changes. It is okay to see things from a different angle. This is the beauty of time.

Can you count the pebbles in the picture, but do you really want to?

You see, sometimes it is not what is facing us that is the challenge, but how we see the task.

Maybe the amount of pebbles do not matter, but what matters is they are placed before us, in a way that seems confusing and out of place and order.

If you look closely at the pebbles a few stand out.

Different and imperfect shapes and sizes, but we do see them.

I see you among the pebbles, and count you.

Be blessed and encouraged.

How Do You See You

Photo Credits: Unsplash.com/Yente Van Eynde

Kind or Cruel: Choose one

You have a choice today... To be Kind or Cruel What do you choose?

This week I challenge you and me to not look the other way when we encounter an uncomfortable situation with someone in need of help. It does not have to be a destitute person on the street. It can be closer to home or even on Facebook or any social media platform. A day to positively impact others is required.

What You choose to do is an action. Hope or nothing. Being indifferent You don't need to share this with anyone, or you can check your inner circle and make this a week where your ripple creates a wave. 

Pandemic safety - wear your mask / wash hands /social distance /stay at home

Have a beautiful week.

#kindness #humanity #choices #love

Find me on Twitter https://twitter.com/DLE41

or drop me a line on dwordslayer@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Matt Collamer unsplash.com

Copyright © 2020 Donna-Luisa Eversley and Dwordslayer. All Rights Reserved.

Out of the Box Thinking

Innovation and growth are present to disrupt the status quo.

We can learn on many levels and in multiple areas based on differences. The key for growth with differences is to harness newness and build on improvements. Seek out what can make differences work.

Innovate and create building on uniqueness because this is discovery. We are facing different right now. It’s time to think outside of the box.

#discovery #disruption #differences #innovation #dream

Find me on: Twitter https://twitter.com/DLE41 or email: dwordslayer@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Eirik Uhlen www.unsplash.com

Seize the day - now!

There are many times we wait for tomorrow. It is not promised.

We may wait for life to change and become more palatable sometimes. Then, there are moments when we wait longingly for hope to step in and make all the changes we desire. Hope is waiting for the future. To wait means standing still and allowing 'hope' to take charge. No matter how you spin it, the future is something we may never see.

Yet we believe that change can happen, and we hope that tomorrow will happen today. Then, time passes. We grow older. Our expectations and wishes may come to fruition or the waiting game will continue.

As you read my words I'm sure you are waiting for the subject of this post. Every word that passes should take you to 'what is this all about'. If this is your thought, you have experienced the subject. It is about time. It is about our forevers which can be happening as we speak in real time.

I've been waiting for my kids to grow up. Waiting to get married. Waiting to attain that PhD., waiting for all my family problems to be solved. Waiting, waiting, waiting in motion. Doing what I believe is my part, but waiting for the more to come. I'm waiting to give that big donation, and waiting to go to do missionary work, waiting for everything to be in its perfect time. What is a perfect time?

Carpe diem. Seize the day. Do it now, and if you dare to dream, go one step further and live that dream.

We do not make forever, but we are blessed beyond what is measurable with today.

Today, I will stop waiting in motion.

Today is my forever, and its your forever.

I thank God for today. He holds all the forevers, and everyday I get to experience one!

Make use of your today. Cherish your today, because in it you have found forever.

Photo Credit: Abdelkader Kherbouche at unsplash.com

Find me on: Twitter https://twitter.com/DLE41 or email:dwordslayer@gmail.com

Twilight Zone - Life Tip 1

What to do when you don't know what to do.

If you ever feel boxed into a corner to do something which you know is wrong, and your core is twisted on what to do - do what you know is the right thing - then stand aside and let God take over.

During our youth we compromise before that painful hurting experience. As we get older decision-making gets easier or harder based on adjusted values and beliefs. You see life lessons can take us into that 'informed zone of understanding' and we can choose to modify behavior based on compromise and comfort level.

As we grow even older, it seems that the cost of compromise can be a too high a cost because wisdom can kick in - and that's a good thing. 

The twilight of day comes after we live through a day, and reflect  on outcomes. You can grimace or smile in that moment! 

Growing up I looked to my elders to teach me about life through their lessons, as an elder (hahaha) it has come full circle, now the student has become the teacher. This is life.

Find me on: Twitter https://twitter.com/DLE41 or email: dwordslayer@gmail.com
Credits:Images — Ricardo Gomez- Angel, unsplash.com

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2020. All Rights Reserved

You are Entitled to Happiness

You are entitled to Your happiness!

Yes, that's right, you actually own the rights to your happiness. You have a choice every day, to wake up and smile.

You can be happy at the beginning of the day, and during the day, and yes, before you go to sleep, it’s okay to be happy.

During this year 2020, the world has fallen to its knees. Everyone, in all countries of the world are focused on something we have no control over.

The Coronavirus Covid_19 has become a common denominator in conversations. It’s the one thing we can agree matters to most of us, and our families. It has become of source of fear, a sense of dread, and even a mood of hope. In the darkest moments we can find hope.

The Fear is based on what we don’t know, and because there seems to be a lot of certainty surrounding a cure. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has given general and basic guidelines for global management, it’s the managing or lack thereof which triggers fear.

The sense of dread is really associated with the doom factor. ‘If I get it…’, or ‘If my family gets it…’ and even ‘If my income is lost…’ what happens. That is a big what if, which, if you are unfamiliar with scenario planning can send perceptions all over the place. We take comfort in the consistent things that are predictable, and which we have established as routine. For now, though, that on edge feeling comes from the news, the deaths, just seeing folks in masks, and anxiety built up which has no productive release.

A mood of hope is possible and can be created when you find the ‘silver lining’ in the uncertainty. You family and friends are looking at you now. There is time to see each other, eat together, and be together. Cultivating hope is not something anyone but you can do. Set the seeds of hope through encouraging words and kind actions. Be slow to raise your voice or vent angrily, and swift to praise and share a positive message. When the food is less, let your appreciation be more for what you have.

You are entitled to your happiness every single day, and if unclaimed, no one gets its, and its lost. The riches of happiness are not in work and shopping for material things. Happiness is rich in peace, gratitude, joy, kindness, appreciation, giving, loving and living.

Take what is yours and be happy today.

Dwordslayer

Main Photo Credit: by Noah Silliman on Unsplash

D-WORDSLAYER

A Valuable Year

Dwordslayer quotes - Change

Speranza means Hope

Speranza

Life quotes by Dwordslayer - differences

Give Yourself More

Give yourself the power of more through learning!

Sleepless but inspired

Picture Perfect

Too Many To Count

How Do You See You

Kind or Cruel: Choose one

Out of the Box Thinking

Seize the day - now!

Twilight Zone - Life Tip 1

What to do when you don't know what to do.

You are Entitled to Happiness

Back as a human 2023

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