Exercise of Faith

While reading the poem below listen to "Winter Journey."

When the wings of fate

fly into your sight and

throw an obstacle in your way,

reach out to find an anchor

that will guide your day.

Focus on the positive

but don't delay.

Perspective is everything!

Reflect and see

in the great expanse

what life can be.

Adventures await

with twists and turns.

Pause, look, and discover. 

You will need to discern.

The path stretches on

so don't be mislead

when careening slopes miles ahead.

Listen in silence to

the sounds around.

Embrace the stillness

as you journey down.

Brave the unknown

as only you can.

With the wings of faith

and knowledge today

may you find your ultimate way.

But if you dive into snow 

as a misstep of flight.

Remember the goal

is to endure the plight.

Look to the heavens

for you will then see

perched in the mountaintops

the Spirit of the Dove

who guides our path

with understanding and love.

On our journey, we may find obstacles that prevent us from moving forward on the path we desire. It is with an exercise of faith that we can bring light to the darkness that may prevent us from continuing on our presupposed path. 

"For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth."

Psalm 71:5

This poem is written to consolidate my thoughts for three different challenges:

• Spiritual Journey Thursday under the direction of Holly Mueller where 12 one little words were highlighted with today's featured OLW being Mary Hill's word, exercise. It has been my quest to honor each word through the blending of song, nature photography, and poetry.
• Day 26 of Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Story Challenge
• Heidi Mordhorst's Forward...MarCH Poetry Challenge with the word perch as today's CH word 

Please visit all three sites to read inspiring slices, posts, and poems written by a variety of writers. 

                       

Snatching My Quiet Time Away

Today was a day I was not looking forward to. I needed a MRI for a shoulder injury. Having been in what I call the "can" several times and not liking the feeling of being claustrophobic, I approached this appointment with anticipated fear, but I promised myself that I would fight the feeling. I was eager to become a risk taker and snatch my victory from a foe, the dreaded MRI machine. 

Reflecting on fear and looking at risk-taking as a positive mood, I approached my nemesis with an open-mind. I thought isn't that what we ask our students to do. Be a risk taker, develop grit and resilience to conquer fear, and move forward. Today was my day to experiment with that idea. 

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For those who have encountered experiences with the MRI machine perhaps you have had an internal conversation like the one I am describing below.

en.wikipedia.org

I'm ready, Machine.
Ready to overcome fear.
Into your cavern I go,
first step forward for me.

With eyes closed,
music playing,
I seek support
to quiet my nerves.


Listen to your breath.
My yoga breathing 
starts to work 
until I think of  
the tight space-
the closed in feeling.
Backwards, I go.
Boom, boom, boom.
Machine, your reverberating beat 
snatches my quiet time away.

Panic, yes, on the verge,
but wait, I am supposed 
to be positive.
Machine, don't snatch 
my inner peace.
Don't be eager to
get the best of me.

Action of faith comes to mind.
Step forward into the light.
Eyes open to meet my fears.
It's only a white space.
Music comes back.
Relief!

Knocking noises reverberate,
grow in strength.
Machine, don't snatch my positivity.
A gentle voice calls.
How are you doing?
Only six more minutes left.

Hope surfaces. 
Grounded in the belief
that I can succeed,
I seize the moment.
The music is soothing.
I listen intently for its
soft sounds drowning
out the pounding noise.

Machine, my nemesis
you once were, but now
my chariot to open
space and fresh air.
Laughingly, I snatch my
victory from the jaws
of your closed-in quarters.
I feel proud that I 
walk away the conqueror.

This narrative poem based on the word snatch fulfills two challenges today. 

• Heidi Mordhorst's Forward...MarCH Poetry Challenge with focus on the word, snatCH.
• Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 25.

Remembering

I remember growing up and listening to the stories about World War II. My uncles both joined the war effort when they were teens. One became a marine and the other signed up for the US Navy. When Heidi Mordhorst announced that the word of the day for the Forward...March Poetry Challenge was crouch, I envisioned my uncles crouching with other soldiers in trenches or on their ships as they valiantly engaged in their missions. This poem is based on my memories of conversations with my one of my uncles years after he returned from World War II. 

I was just a little girl
when I heard the stories-
naval exploits
in the Philippines.
He was barely a young man,
not old enough to graduate
from high school,
but the call to fight was
a passionate one.
He lied about his age,
told his mother,
and left his home 
to join the Navy.


His mission in the Philippines
was filled with horrors,
too difficult to explain,
but he came home.
A long sword in a case,
trinkets, a photograph,
and stories about the island
came home with him. 


The story I heard was
about soldiers in the navy 
with little food to eat,
crouched over with pains
from disease-racked bodies.
I imagined what kind of
sounds broke the silence
during his time at sea,
away from home.

I wanted to hear more,
but I was just a little girl.
The sword remained 
as an untouchable.
I favored the trinkets 
given to my grandmother,
but they were not mine.
It was the photograph
that remained with me-
a remembrance of 
a young man who wanted
to fight for his country.

He may have crouched
in fear in the Philippines,
but he would not 
tell that story.
I asked for more,
but I was too young 
to hear those stories.
I had to be content
with studying history
to uncover the stories
that were left untold

and collecting 
artifacts to 
build rich stories
of my own. 

CVarsalona (c) 2015 

This story evolved from a childhood recollection. Intrigued by artifacts from far away places and different times, the curious side of my nature lured me to learn more about historical events. With an eagerness to uncover stories, I became a lover of antiques and vintage items. This passion spilled over to teaching and the desire to build knowledge for children that could not be obtained other than through hands-on examination of artifacts and research. With hopes to provide the same love of learning as I grew up with, I collected artifacts from the turn of the 20th century to the 1960s and stored them in antique and vintage chests. These repositories of the past became the stimulus for many students to notice, wonder, examine, and discover another time period and make connections to their lives. From these experiences, imagination and creativity combined to pen stories that linked past to present.

Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Storytelling Challenge is on Day 24 now. Please visit the site to read other slices.  

Clutches of Hope

From the refugee town, Masese in Uganda beautiful paper beads are crafted into clutches. Women work daily to design and weave the beads into multi-colored bags that are fashionable purses for daytime or evening wear. These bags are not the Red Carpet clutches that you see, but they are the livelihood of the Mothers of Masese who craft beaded jewelry and bags for a global outreach program, H.E.L.P. International. These bags are clutches of hope in a town that has seen much disease, illiteracy, and poverty over the years.

H.E.L.P. International.  was founded to bring hope, education, and sustainable living to mothers and children in Masese, Uganda. Through the selling of beautifully crafted jewelry and bags, a school for 550 children was built and continues to thrive as a center for literacy in the refugee town. The young learners receive education from their Ugandan teachers and headmaster, two meals daily, and fresh water while in school. Professional development for the Ugandan educators is provided several times a year by the founders of the organization who travel to Masese several times a year.

You can read more about the fundraiser efforts that I am involved in through a series of blog posts, the most recent one being Giving Tuesday Offers Hope to Others. 100% of the proceeds from the various fundraisers on Long Island go to the sustainable living and education programs in Masese.

Today is a double offering post. 

#1. 
I am participating in Heidi Mordhorst's March...Forward Poetry Challenge. Today's word is clutch. The poem created talks of the difference in the types of clutches there are in the fashion industry. 
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For fashionistas, a clutch
is a must that cannot hold much.
It is dainty and sweet,
compact and petite-
a place for lipstick 
and mirrors to meet.

Glamorous stars clutch 
their Red Carpet clutch
that doesn't hold much.
They stop and they pose
but it is not their clothes
that tiny cameras seek.
What is wanted is a peek
inside the Clutch Cam
that cradles the clutch
where fans look, not touch.

Advice for the stars
on Red Carpet Day
when in a clutch
get a soft mani touch
so your lovely hands
can showcase the clutch.

Advice for everyday shoppers:
Look for the Mothers of Masese clutch
fashionably crafted by women's touch.
Carol Varsalona (c) 2015. All Rights Reserved
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Thank you for allowing me to inform you of a service learning project that reaches into the heart of Africa to bring education to Ugandan children and a sustainable living cottage industry to the mothers of Masese. Creating Hope from Paper was my original post written about this outreach program. 

#2
Not, it is time to turn your attention to Day 23 of the March Slice of Life Story Challenge at Two Writing Teachers to read slices from many different writers.  

Finding Inspiration

In ordinary, day-to-day living, there is a story to unfold. It may be in the quiet moments or in an interaction. It may be in your exercise routine or an event at work. If you look and listen inspiration for a story can be found. As I prepare the Gallery of Winter Whisperings, I am amazed at the range and breadth of perspectives revolving around the topic of winter. I have found inspiration in the writers' poetry, their voice, and the photographs that have taken. 

Below is a sequence of images that I created to illustrate the opportunity to be inspired by nature.

On the first night of spring, I returned home to Long Island from a conference at the state capitol. I knew that snow was approaching but I did not expect the image below. You can read my thoughts about this here.

This image of a small park draped in white caught my eye as I explored the area. I must have crossed paths with this gazebo many times but it never triggered an inspiration. On the first day of spring it did. 

In order to capture its essence, I tried various digital transformations to decide which one would be the most interesting. Unleashing the power of digital software allowed the following transformations of the original scene. Creativity led to further inspiration. 

Three scenes, all beautiful in their portrayals of winter's grasp on its season, are unique as compositions. All three allow me to dig deep to find inspiration to tell my story of the entrance of spring on Long Island. 

Since it is DigiLit Sunday at Margaret Simon's site and Day 22 of the March Slice of Life Story Challenge at Two Writing Teachers, I am offering this post to both blogging communities. Lastly, I will post this to the Google+ Community, Digital Maker Playground, created by Cathy Mere and Julie Johnson. 

Not Letting Go

Today is the first official day of spring but winter decided not to let go. When I crossed the Throgs Neck Bridge to enter Long Island late yesterday afternoon, I was greeted by a winter wonderland. The image was breathtaking. It was not at all what I expected to find when I returned from a conference at the state capitol. The town next to mine was lit up like a Norman Rockwell poster. Lights flickered and some holiday decorations were still visible on the grand porches of the old Victorians. Was this Mother Nature's wish to extend the season or evidence of her trickster personality?

I was so enthralled by what I saw that I asked my husband to take me on a mini-tour of the town so I could find the most picturesque spots to photograph. Winter whispered a beautiful message of tranquility. I knew that I had to capture its moments for the gallery that I am about to design. 

With positivity and grace, 

winter 

        S A L U T E S

the entry of a new season.

spring. 

Shades of winter white

silhouette the landscape.

Mesmerized by the

falling snow that nestles

softly on the earth and

cradles the homes of old,

I capture the beauty,

a gift of nature to

be treasured as a jewel.

Yesterday, I saw magical moments that I recalled in the sunshine of the wintery-like morning today. With the image so vivid in my mind, I celebrate the first full day of spring with pleasure, even though its green hues were patched with the melting snow. Winter may not be letting go but its roar will bring good cheer to spring.

Now please visit the two writing communities below that celebrate the art of writing. I am pleased to offer this blog to both.

    Ruth Ayres' Celebrate this week

  Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Story Challenge

Hatching a Plan

Today, March 21, 2015, marks the end of the winter season. Remember the statement, March comes in like a lion and walks out like a lamb? Well, March did come in roaring like a lion but is not ready to walk out gracefully. It still wants to roar. 

This week, I traveled north to Albany, NYS' capitol to attend a curriculum conference. Although I saw green grass and only a little vestige of snow, I was greeted with whipping winds and dipping temperatures. On a humorous note, this morning the Albany weatherman apologized for his weather report. Tomorrow is the first day of spring but in reality it appears to be a throwback to winter. Snow is coming back to dust the earth. Winter seems to be quite the trickster this year, wouldn't you agree?

Now, as I prepare for one more smack of snow, I am hatching a plan to continue to remain positive about Mother Nature and Mr. Winter. I will give myself the gift of time to design the Gallery of Winter Whisperings since I am attending a conference and the artistic expressions are still coming in.

It's time to hatch a golden plan,

not with silly green eggs and ham.

Try poetry and photos - Shazam! -

an artistic venture of grand purport

to stretch imaginations and transport

minds to wander, recalling winter bliss

while not thinking of wind's bitter kiss.

Indeed!

Winter entered with quite a roar, held court,

and listened intently to many a loud retort. 

Now, it transitions to yet another spring.

When will I hear the sweet robin sing?

This post is dedicated to three blogging sites that provide an avenue for me to be expressive. Please move over to the following sites to read a variety of perspectives as winter transitions to spring. 

Poetry Friday hosted by Catherine Flynn at Reading to the Core.

Day 20 of the March Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers.

Heidi Mordhorst's Forward...March Challenge at my juicy little universe where the word of the day is hatch. 

Mother to Child - Healthy Eating

Every child needs a balanced diet to keep their body healthy and their mind sharp. "Studies have shown that if you equip your children with healthy food to eat at school, they will be better prepared to study and learn." (http://www.eatingwell.com/) Because childhood obesity is a prevalent problem, First Lady Michelle Obama created the "Let's Move" program to bring awareness to the issue. Her program centers on four pillars: providing parents with information to make better choices about their children's nutritional habits, getting healthier foods into school lunch programs, bringing focus and accessibility to healthy foods, and increasing physical activity for America's youth.

Mothers need to be aware of the effects of healthy eating to help their children make wise food choices. Below is a conversation that shows different reactions to healthy food choices. 

Mother To Child:
MUNCH. Crunch!
A healthy lunch
packed with veggies
and Mom's strategies.

Child #1 to Mom
MUNCH. Crunch!
Mom's healthy lunch-
healthy foods to eat-
where are the sweets?

Child #2 to Mom
MUNCH. Crunch!
Mom's healthy lunch
I crave some celery sticks-
with yogurt dip to lick.

Start today to help your children find the right foods to lead a healthy life.

Heidi Mordhorst's Forward...March Poetry Challenge word of the day is lunch. 

Turn your attention to her site, my juicy little universe, to read other writers' word weaving using the word lunch.

Walk On

During this winter season we may have faced storms that tossed and turned our days, but in the disquietude there was a certainty that sunshine would be visible as dawn lit the sky. Paralleling these natural occurrences in nature with storms in our lives is a common theme in the arts. As we walk through the storms of life, we can be filled with positivity that there is someone who walks with us and brings the golden light of renewal to various stopping points. 

Despite the raging storms that shook the Northeast, the beauty of the landscape was breathtaking at times. While some felt depleted by the winter storms, others others hoped for renewal. Perception changes attitudes. 

Be inspired by the storms in your life and the perspective they bring.

Listen.

Hear the sounds

echoing in the

winter winds

that whistle through

snow-laden boughs,

"Be brave. Walk on."

During fierce storms

when flakes 

flutter and fly,

when focus is dim,

be brave.

Walk on. 

Reach out

through the storm

for the Hand 

that guides.

Dive into

the arms of love.

Stretch the limits

of darkness.

Don't be afraid. 

Turn your eyes.

Look toward the light.

Be brave. Walk on.

Discover

the faith that 

stills the storm.

Be brave.

Find your essence.

Dream big. 

Life is an adventure.

Walk on.

"Walk on with hope in your heart and you'll never walk alone."

from Carousel

"And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

Luke 9:23

As we walk through our different journeys on the road of life, 

we have the power to choose how we will walk our path.

Be brave in your choices.

This post highlights eleven different one little words chosen by the writers of the Spiritual Journey Thursday community under the direction of Holly Mueller. This week's featured one little word is Teresa Winterstein's brave. It has been my quest to honor each word through a blending  of song, nature, and poetry. Along with this challenge, a story of journeys has arisen along the way. I have been inspired by both the Spiritual Journey Thursday and Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Story Challenge (Day 19) communities to walk a path of writing from the heart. 

Please visit both sites to read inspiring thoughts by a variety of writers.

  

Be a Difference Maker

In this world ridden with fast-paced change, high stress factors, and issues of outcome, productivity, and accountability, difference makers are the thought leaders, the champions, the mentors, and the guides to organizational and systemic change. There is much buzz in social media about the role of leaders and the importance of affecting change. Positive thinking, open-minded leaders push beyond the norm, the comfort zone. This poem is dedicated to those who are change agents and those who wish to make a difference in this 21st century world. They are those who dare to be the game changers who do not settle for the status quo in order to positively impact their professional world.

Who are these 21st Century difference makers? 

Difference makers are 
  ordinary human beings, 
  true to themselves, 
  ethical individuals who 
  are not hindered by egocentrism.
They are the men and women
  who feel the rhythm of life's balance,
  the pulse beat of positivity,
  and the energy of serving others.

How do they engage in their daily tasks?

They live in the present, 
  envisioning avenues of change
  to move gingerly forward,
  always with reflective action.
Creatively they problem solve
  in the midst of mild chaos
  or internal discord.
They lead with clarity of thought
  and model collaborative energy.
Lifework and teamwork are 
  promoted and encouraged.

Why do we need difference makers?

Difference makers are 
  the change agents, 
  the thought provocateurs,
  the prophets of positivity,
  the guides to tomorrow,
  and the leaders of today.
They are strong individuals 
  who do not stand in 
  waters of mediocrity, 
  polluted by the 
  stagnation of negativity.
They dare to be courageous,
  leaders with a growth mindset,
  promoting positive thinking
  in the workplace.
They are the purposeful managers,
  the visionaries who understand 
  the function of missteps   
  with reflective action
  as the steppingstones on 
  the path to successful change.

What makes a difference maker stand out as a courageous champion of change?

Grit and resilience-
strength of character-
vision, creative problem solving- 
communication, and collaboration- 
these ingredients must exist
amongst other traits.
The recipe can't be botched.
These skills and traits are necessary 
for learners to lead and transfer
knowledge as they assess,
apply, and move forward on 
the road to applicable change. 

Why is there a pressing urgency for a flank of difference makers?

Difference makers are 
  needed to change the tides of
  fear, status quo, and comfort zones.
   ©CVarsalona, 2019

Difference makers are growing in numbers 

across the globe

and across occupations.

Stand tall as one of many individuals

who has the power to make a difference!

This post is written in response to two challenges:

• Day 18 of the March Slice of Life Story Challenge at Two Writing Teachers.

• Heidi Mordhorst's Forward...March Ch Poetry Challenge at my juicy little universe with the word botch as today's word (the "ch" words, change and chaos, are woven into the poem).