A Date With The Duke

A Date with the Duke

Lady Allison sat on a stool next to her dressing table as her maid, Lucy, combed out the wild knots in her blonde hair. Beside her mirror, stood a tiny painted portrait of a tall handsome nobleman. Her bright blue eyes scanned the image as she watched Lucy comb her hair. She bit her lips and fidgeted in her seat. Then she sighed.

"Is something wrong milady?" Lucy asked.

"Oh, I don't know." Lady Allison finally said. "Do you think he will love me?"

"Who milady?"

"Why, the Duke of course!" She winced as Lucy tugged hard on her hair. "Are you always this stupid? Watch your combing."

"Oh, I'm sorry  milady, I....really am" Lucy stammered as her face reddened. "It won't happen again."

"It better not." Lady Allison snapped. "I won't have your stupidity ruin everything." She turned back to the mirror and smiled at her reflection, her eyes gleaming as she admired herself.

"He's such a man." She said. "A rich and handsome man. And I mean to have him." Something ugly flashed in her eyes for a second, and she fell silent. She stared at the table and closed her eyes, seeming to be lost in thought.

Suddenly, she felt a violent tug of her hair. Her eyes flung open.

"Idiot!" She screamed. "Must I do everything myself?" She snatched the hairbrush from Lucy and began to brush furiously through her hair, her face contorted into an ugly sneer. "Good for nothing peasant! I don't know why my father loves such useless help."

She continued to comb her hair. "There." She said at last. "Now my hair is perfect. I'm perfect." She stood up and walked to the door. She flung it open and stalked out, giving Lucy a dirty look before slamming the door.

Lucy stood there for a moment, her eyes wide and her body trembling as the footsteps receded down the hall. Then she crept to Lady Allison's dressing table. Her eyes gazed at the Duke's portrait. She looked long at it before slowly picking it up. One tear streamed down her face as she held the picture close to her face. Her body trembled again as she pressed her lips down on the portrait in a tender kiss.

"Oh, my love, my love..." She whispered.

a lily

blooms in the  meadow

cuckoo's song

Are You Booked Up?

diamonds

old books

in the library

A book is a wonderful friend. A friend waiting to be explored. Within its covers lies humanity's greatest minds and thinkers. They are diamonds in a great sea of stone. Each one can enrich your life. Like a fine wine, they are best taken in small sips--to be savoured and enjoyed. The choice is endless: what book will you study? The works of Shakespeare? The poetry of Horace? The Analects of Confucius? Do not hesitate--whatever subject you feel drawn to--take that book in hand and read. Read and empower yourself. These diamonds will be the best investment you ever make.

The Dreamer

The Dreamer

I, Mark, sailed the sea in a small raft. The sun was high in the sky, and a warm wind blew on my face. I closed my eyes and breathed the salt of the sea. And I dreamed. I dreamed of far lands and its wealth--of spice, and silk, and gold. I yearned to see strange priests chant to their gods; to read old scrolls scribed on stone; to hear the call of Faith, as men bowed down to pray. And my heart swelled as I thought of these things. I felt drawn to see a New World. A place where dreams would come true; a new home to live my life free from fear and pain. And then I saw the light. It was like a mist drawn from my eyes; I could see once more. Tears streamed down my face and I smiled. I smiled as I saw land in view.

land

in sight

old dreams

Foxtrot

Foxtrot

One Spring day, in March, a fox crept out of his den. His belly rumbled like a thunderstorm. He looked around the tall grass for something to eat. As he searched the grass, he thought of Farmer Owen's fat chickens. A smile crept up his face and he licked his chops. Here would be good eating! He would fill his belly with nice, plump chicken. It would be the perfect morning meal. With a swish of his bushy tail, he raced for the barn. As he came closer, the fox hid himself behind the barn. There he crouched and lay on the grass. Soon he saw a plump chicken waddle down the dirt path. It huffed and puffed as it pecked the ground, looking for earthworms. The fox smacked his lips and his green eyes gleamed like gems. His paws twitched once in the grass as his muscles tensed. It was time to dance.

foxtrot

squawking 

chicken

Two Ways To Control Your Anger

lava

a pent up

volcano

Are you angry? Are you seething inside like a pent up volcano? Do you rage and fume at every minor problem thrown your way? You can correct this by following these two tips. They are designed to help you overcome your anger.

Do not take everything personally--learn to let things go. In life, you are beset with many problems. Some want your time, others your money. There are too many demands. For the sake of your mind and health, you must learn to turn things off. Like a dripping faucet, shut your mind off from negative and toxic people. If left unchecked, their poison will slowly seep through your veins, contaminating you with their dim and gloomy outlook on life. Do not become angry with these people; do not feed off their bitterness. Simply ignore them and do not take their words personally. It is not worth it. Just let it go.

Whatever frustrations and anger you do have in your life can be reduced and corrected. You must channel this anger that eats away your insides with creative hobbies. Pour whatever is bothering you into some fun hobby. It does not matter what it is, as long as the activity is positive. Your body acts as a battery charger--one source of energy (negative) is shifted to another source (positive). You will find yourself doing things that you like, while your anger, instead of boiling within you, is transferred to activities that are positive and productive.

So whenever you are angry, follow these two steps: do not take everything personally, and channel your frustrations into positive and productive hobbies. By doing this, you will remove much of the stress and stomach ulcers that plague people who keep their anger inside them. Do not be like them. Instead of embracing anger, embrace its sister peace--and watch yourself grow into a calmer, more confident person.

Do This, And Life Will Never Break You

shifting sands

the bamboo

bends in the wind

Are you stubborn? Do you cling to your old ways even when you know they are wrong? Do you feel guilty about your actions, but feel there is no alternative? There is hope for you. A cure that will improve your life; a magic elixir that will work wonders for you. It is right before your eyes. It is called change.

Learn to embrace change. The world never stands still; what once was popular, now becomes obsolete. And so it is with all things under the sun. Change is necessary for growth. Without change, all things stagnate. New ideas and inventions are stifled, and creativity is replaced with routine. The process spirals downwards to decay and death.

To stop the process of decay, you must take the time to grow yourself. Look at the example of the bamboo: when the bamboo is blown by a strong gust of wind, it bends; it bends by giving in to stronger forces within its environment. Instead of being stubborn and holding on, the bamboo bends so it is not broken. You must do the same. Adapt to the new changes in your life by bending; only fools cling to old habits in a dying environment--to be broken as new ways press in on them.

Do not repeat their mistake. Be willing to adapt yourself to the new changes in your life. Change is good, and you will grow from your new experiences. Adapt, always adapt, and like the bamboo, you will never be broken.

The Gift

The Gift

Peter stands on board a cruise liner in the middle of the bay, watching the full moon. He stares at it for a few minutes, then shrugs and walks back to the lighted dance hall. Inside is a thronged crowd of party goers in tuxedos and evening gowns. The air is thick with perfume and cigar smoke. Laughter greets his ears as men and women throw dice on green felted tables. Grinning, Peter adjusts his bow tie, and walks among the crowd searching for someone. And then he sees her at a craps table-- a young brunette woman in a light blue dress, her curves betraying a slight bulge in her belly. Peter taps her on the shoulder. The woman spins around.

"Oh there you are!" she gushes. "Where were you?"

"Outside." Peter said.

"But why darling? All the fun's in here." Giggling, she takes a sip of pink champagne from her glass and then sets it down on the table again.

"Oh, I know Susan. But I just needed some time to think."

"Think? At a time like this? She rolls her eyes and giggles again as she throws the dice on the table. The crowd around her cheers. Smiling, she turns back to Peter. "Sometimes I just don't understand you."

"You don't have to understand. And besides, I brought you a gift."

"Oh? A gift?" Susan looks curiously to him. "What is it dear?"

"Open it and see." Peter replies as he hands her a small black box.

Susan opens it. Inside is a sapphire ring set in 14 karat gold. Susan gasps and holds a hand over her generous bosom. "Oh, it's so beautiful! I love it." Then her lovely green eyes narrow and a flash of fear passes through them. She creeps closer to Peter and whispers in his ear.

"Won't your wife find out?" she asks breathlessly.

"Does she need to know?" Peter grins.

"No." Susan says softly. Then she smiles.

starlight

the gleam of her eyes

when she smiles

The Sound Of The Sea

The Sound of the Sea

Walking on a beach one summer day, I pause to gaze at the sea. The wind blows in my face and hair like the caress of a lover. Smiling, I close my eyes and inhale the freshness of the air. A salty smell greets my nostrils, and a new vigor rises within me. Peace fills my body as I stand there motionless, listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. And my heart swells within me as I hear this sweet symphony. A trembling fills my frame when I think of my longing to be part of nature's song. To be one with all living things; one melody in the music of life.

the waves

of the sea

one world

Are You A Chicken Or A Pig?

coins in my pocket

a pot bellied pig lounges

in the open air

Imagine yourself as a chicken living in the country. Your feathers are all ruffled and in disarray, and you peck at any little morsels you can find. As you hunt for food, you hear the little chirps and tweets of the chicklets trailing behind you. The sadness in their innocent eyes haunt you. And so you spend your days scratching here and there, trying to make ends meet.

On a big farm lives a plump porker. He lounges in the mud, enjoying the golden sunlight that bathes on his bloated body. From time to time, he lets out a contented squeal as he rolls in the mud, waiting for the farmer to bring out his next meal. Life is good to the pig.

There are many chickens in the world. They scratch for their food because they have not learned how to save. If they only knew the importance of saving, they would see how one gold coin can be turned into a mountain of money.

But how do we do this? How do we save? How do we even begin? You begin by making yourself a promise-- every time you are paid, you will promptly take out a certain percentage (5-10% of your paycheck) and put it somewhere safe, where you will not be tempted to spend it.

Keep doing this every time you are paid. No matter what happens, always deduct that same amount and save it. Pay yourself first. The world and its demands can wait--after you have taken care of your needs. For if you do not, no one else will. That is the difference between a pig and a chicken.

Stop being a chicken and save your money. Keep putting more coins into your hoard. Nurture it. Make it grow. And one day you too will be a pig, as you watch the chickens peck away what little they have. The choice is yours. Will you be a chicken or a pig?

Are You Thinking Things Through?

sticky fingers

chocolate pudding

without a spoon

You see before you a bowl of your favorite chocolate pudding. It is fresh from the oven, a nice homemade chocolate pudding just for you. The smell wafts through the air, a rich chocolate concoction of dark chocolate and fudge, that makes your mouth water. But instead of reaching for a spoon, you plunge your fingers deep into the pudding, grabbing great globs of it and gulping it down. What a mess! What happened? 

Life is very much like a chocolate pudding. It is thick and rich, and too much of it can lead to indigestion. Sticky fingers occur because you do not think things through. Instead, you plunge into situations relying entirely on your emotions. Emotions are good, but they  must be tempered with reason. Your head is above your heart. It is a symbol you must never forget. Plan your goals with your mind, then let your emotions guide you. By doing this, you will confront the chaos in your life and drive it away. Order will reign.

So the next time you have sticky fingers in your life, ask yourself what you are doing wrong. Did you use your head first? Or your heart? Think things through and then act; you too can then enjoy a nice chocolate pudding with a spoon.

Moon Mission

Moon Mission

A group of fifty young men and women in navy and grey uniforms sat around tables in a bar, laughing and drinking beer from unwashed glasses. At one table, a young cadet made obscene gestures with his hands, as he described one of his war stories. His red face shined like a beet, and his big saucer eyes gleamed as he gazed around at his companions that sat around him. They broke into loud hoots and howls of derision.

"Is that how it really happened, Martin?" A voice rang out. "I could've sworn...."

Suddenly, the bar doors swished open. A big, gruff drill instructor strode in. He paused and stared at the cadets for a moment, biting down on his lower lip as he inspected them. His eyes narrowed.

"Attention!" he bawled.

The cadets sprang from their tables and pushed one another as they formed into ranks. Their shiny black boots hit the metal floor in unison as they stood at attention. Still as statues, they waited for him to speak.

"At ease." The drill instructor said. He surveyed them once more, a big scowl on his face. He coughed once and then his big, booming voice rang out through the bar.

"All right cadets" he said. "Now is the time to put your training to practice. For six weeks, the Space Corps has been training your sorry hides. You've been instructed in hand to hand combat, weapons, and demolitions training. Now your going to take the next step--space born battlefield training. You will be divided into two squads, and each squad will disembark on the moon. There you will await further instructions."

The drill instructor looked around at the young cadets and grimaced. "This is the sorriest lot I've ever trained. But you got a job to do and you're going to do it. Do you vermin get me?"

"We get you, sir!" The company rang out, their youthful voices trilling with enthusiasm. All eyes locked on the drill instructor.

"Good! Get your butts in your gear. We leave at 0700 hours. Dismissed!"

With a big whoop, the cadets broke ranks and rushed to the barracks. Martin grinned as he opened up his locker. "This is going to be one hell of a mission," he said to his teammate as he locked and loaded his laser rifle.

moon mission

young cadets

in training

The Mountain And Me

The Mountain and Me

I trudge up the mountain path, following a trail that leads to the summit. It weaves and winds its way through the snow like a coiled snake. The wind howls in my ears, and I hug myself as I shiver in the cold. I can barely see ahead of me. Squinting my eyes, I stare up the winding trail. It's hard to make out anything in this thick, soupy fog. Everything is grey and dark; shadows dance before my eyes like puppets. My body trembles, and I shut my eyes to calm my nerves. Taking a deep breath, I let the cool, crisp air fill my lungs. It smells of pine, and its freshness sends tingles down my back. Sighing, I open my eyes and look again at the winding path that stretches up the mountain. A grim smile creeps up my face as I take my first step.

mountain air

a hawk flies free

to the peak

The Great Pepper Adventure!

The Great Pepper Adventure

You are served a chile relleno at the Merry Mariachi, a Mexican restaurant. Presented to you on a white dinner plate, the green pepper comes with Mexican rice and refried beans. The pepper is wrinkled from being roasted in a charcoal oven, its skin all cracked and bubbly with pent up juices. Bending closer to sniff it, you smell a homely earth smell--a freshness that makes your mouth water. Reaching for your fork and knife, you carefully cut into the chile relleno. Sizzling juices greet your ears as melted cheddar cheese pours out like a busted dam. Piercing a chunk of cheese with your fork, you chew thoughtfully, marveling on the taste of gooey, stringy cheese as you gulp it down.

melting cheese

in your mouth

spring sunshine

2 Ways To Laugh Yourself To Happiness

laughter

twelve candles

on a chocolate cake

Laughter. It's such a wonderful way to live. When you're happy, things fall into place. Everything seems bigger and brighter, and the world doesn't seem so scary. Laughter is the best medicine for an unhappy heart. Here are two ways you can use laughter to improve your life.

1. Laugh Inside Yourself

Whenever you're feeling down, give yourself a good laugh. But don't do it out loud--people might think you're crazy. Instead, laugh inside yourself. Give yourself an inward smile. Think of funny jokes and witty sayings--or imagine yourself on a dream vacation. Use the power of your mind to reprogram yourself with images that make you happy. Practice this often. Think happy and you will be happy.

2. Smile Often

Smile often, for this is the key that will break your sadness. When you smile, you are sending nonverbal messages to others. Make your tone and message friendly. People will notice this and become more accommodating towards you. A smile is worth more than a bag of gold. Its riches will lead to happier relationships and a more positive outlook on life.

There you have it. The power of laughter can change yourself and the world you live in. You owe it to yourself to find a measure of happiness in this world. Use these two techniques and watch yourself grow into a healthier, happier person. Live your life on your terms with the gift of laughter. Do this today.

The Frog And The Fly

The Frog and the Fly

A wrinkled green frog squats on a lily pad in a pond. Its bulging eyes blink rapidly as it scans the sky. After a few minutes, a steady croaking is heard--a deep, drum like vibration that fills the old pond like a beating heart.

Near the frog, and slightly overhead, a fly buzzes--its wings fluttering at a rapid pace. Drawing near the frog's head, it hovers in the air, mesmerized by the continuous croaking.

The frog sits on its lily pad and stares at the fly. Its croaking ceases and the frog blinks once. Suddenly, a slimy tongue darts out, grabbing the fly and sucking it into its mouth.

old pond

the sound

of croaking

Open Arms, Open Heart (Guest Post)

Open Arms, Open Heart

Patiently I waited. Some days were harder than others, but I kept doing just that. I waited for a sign of trust. A sign of need. Some may say it was stubbornness. I don't think so. I call it faith. The day arrived that you came to me. To your surprise, my arms were open.

a warmth in my chest
but heaviness was in yours

doubt starting to fade
you feel my arms encase you
a true test now overcome

Amy Maier wrote this post. She writes on positivity and how it can change your life. You can find her work here.

Deep In The Desert

Deep in the Desert

I feel the sands of the desert beneath my feet as I trudge up a mountainous dune. The air feels like a furnace. Sweat pours down my forehead and I brush it away with the palm of my hand. Standing on top of the dune, I put a hand over my eyes and peer into the distance. Rows and rows of dunes lay before me in a sea of sand. Licking my sun-baked lips, I reach for the canteen slung at my side. I pop the top, and guzzle the water down my parched throat. It burns like lava. Gasping, I take another gulp and swish it around my puffed up cheeks. As I swallow, I see something half buried in the sand.

old bones

a spark

snuffed out

A Walk In The Woods

A Walk in the Woods

One cloudy day in March, I went for a long walk in the woods. My feet trudged down a long trail that wove its way among the trees. The cold wind pierced my back and sent shivers down my spine. I felt a great weight pressed on my shoulders, and I sat down on a rock to rest myself. As I sat there, I listened to the wind blowing through the woods. With a sigh, I closed my eyes and buried my face in my hands. Then the sun came out behind the clouds.

sunlight

scatters the clouds

a sweet smile

to brighten long years

alone in the woods

Two Steps Towards Self-Mastery!

king cakes and pancakes

the taste of ashes

on Fat Tuesday

Are you always hungry? Does your mind and body crave excess? Well, you can control it. These desires within you can be halted with self-mastery. Follow these two tips to take back control of yourself.

Control comes from within. Teach yourself to stay calm. Patience comes when the mind and body are able to resist temptation. You can achieve this by taking a step back and thinking things through. No good comes from a situation when you charge into action like a crazed bull. Think and reflect on your choices before you act.

The next step towards self-mastery is to practice good habits. As you go about your daily life, make every opportunity to practice your new habits. Challenge yourself. The more effort you put into it, the faster your improvement will be. Promise yourself that you will take your challenges seriously. The road may be hard, but you will see the end if you do not give up.

When you have achieved mastery within yourself, your mind and body will soar high in the sky like an eagle. Life will throw temptations your way, but you will meet the challenge. Mastery will be yours.

Be A Bookworm!

rows and rows

of hardcover books

on a shelf

my journey begins

into unknown lands

Books are a good friend. They are constant companions in our lives. And yet, many people disdain them. Anything old is thrown into the trash bin. This is a sad mistake. For within these pages, are worlds to explore.

Learn to appreciate books. They are the key to your improvement. Study the classics in the fields that interest you. Drink deep the words they contain. Like a muscle, your mind will be improved with careful study.

Develop a study plan and stick to it. Promise yourself that you will read one book a month. Try to pick something that will improve your mind, rather than entertain you. This may be hard at first, but with dedication and practice, you will soon know the joys of reading.

But why wait? Pick up that book that is collecting dust on your bookshelf. Pore through its pages, and you too will begin a journey into unknown lands.

The 3 Step Plan To Transform Yourself!

an old well

in the desert

spring rain

Do you feel dried out? All worn and weary with the world? Chances are you are looking for changes in your life. This can be done with the 3 Step Transformation Plan. It's easy and leads to great results. All you need to do is follow these steps.

The first step is to identify the problem. What habits are causing you unhappiness? Write on a piece of paper, a list of the five problems in your life. Writing them down forces you to confront them head on. The less items on your list, the more you will be able to focus on correcting them. Start small to gain big results.

Once you have written down five bad habits, the next step is to replace them with five positive ones. For example, if you tend to overeat, a simple solution would be to skip having dessert. Replace all bad habits with good ones. This will be the basic plan of your program.

Now you must practice the five good habits on your list. Do this daily. If any change is to take place, you must be strict with your new habits. Allow yourself to grow with this new schedule and do not be dismayed by temporary setbacks. Over time, what once seemed strange will become second nature.

These are the steps you must take to transform yourself into a better person:

1. Write five negative habits on a piece of paper
2. Replace the negative habits with positive ones
3. Practice your new habits daily until you have grown accustomed to them

Do this, and like the old well in the desert, you will transform yourself into a better you!