Sweet Sunshine

Sweet Sunshine

Weak and weary from a long day of toil, I paced the floor of my room. My mind was in a fog, and my thoughts chained me like a sinking ship in the sea. I saw myself in a daydream.  In my dream I was falling headfirst into the abyss,  a black pit of  unimaginable depth. Like a rock, I was hurtled down to my doom. Tears flowed down my cheeks, and my heart felt like a coffin. My breath came in short, quick gasps as sobs wracked my frame. I groaned and tugged on my hair. And then I saw you come through the door.

the night is cold

and shadows loom

before my face

hold me in your arms

my sweet sunshine

A Chunk Of Cheese

A Chunk Of Cheese

There once lived a little grey mouse in an old apartment building. His name was Martin. He lived with his friends and family in the wall of Room Number Four.

Martin was a squeaky little fellow. He loved to puff his cheeks and swirl his tail around like it was a field marshal's baton. Whenever his elders lectured him, Martin would roll his beady eyes and stomp his foot. His whiskers would quiver and he would press his two little paws over his ears and hum a mouse marching tune. The elders could only sigh and shake their heads; Martin always had to have his way.

One morning, Martin rolled out of his candy-wrapper bed. He rubbed his rounded belly and stretched. His belly rumbled like thunder, and his mouth watered. He needed a nice, big breakfast. With a squeak, he raced out of the mouse hole and dashed into the apartment room.

Zipping over a brown carpet, he rushed straight for a familiar landmark: a big chunk of cheese enclosed within steel springs. A wooden board connected the springs, and held the cheese in place.

Panting from the hard run, Martin stopped to catch his breath. He stood there staring at the Swiss cheese. A gleam shone in his eyes, and his whiskers quivered.

Stepping closer, he sniffed the cheese. It had a fresh and rich buttery smell to it. Martin broke off a little piece with his paw, and nibbled it. He squeaked and smacked his lips. He knew good cheese when he tasted it, and this was one of the best he ever had. Martin took another nibble, savoring the rich taste of the cheese.

Suddenly, he froze. A sudden thought came to him: "Why should I leave the cheese for the others when I can have it all? I found it first, it is mine by right. The others can find their own food." he thought.

Spurred by this thought of owning the entire cheese, Martin sunk his claws into it for a better grip. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He pulled hard on the cheese, trying to yank it out of its steel enclosure. He could feel it moving. Soon, the whole cheese would be his. A smile crept up his face. He redoubled his efforts.

He heard a loud snap and something crashed hard on his feet. Martin screamed. The pain cut through him like a sharp knife, and he tried to flee. But his feet were stuck. Puzzled, he looked down and saw his feet pinned to the wooden board. He moaned and tried to claw his way out. As he struggled, a shadow appeared.

breakfast guest

a mouse

caught in the trap

Mystic Moon

Mystic Moon

Feeling weak and weary from the day's long toils, I lay on the grass and gaze up at the sky. The moon shines like a golden coin, and the stars glimmer like glass. The heavens are painted in inky black, with shades of navy blue. It fills my heart and soul with a sense of grandeur, to behold nature's finest work painted on a canvas of creation. As I lay there on the damp grass, contemplating the wonders of the world, my mind recalls a cherished memory:

under the moon

you hold my hand

as we watch the stars

I see the fire

in your eyes for me

Your Move

Russian roulette

a game

of chess

Luck favors the lady, as they say. But is everything in your life determined by luck? Is destiny simply a throw of the dice? Can you, as a human being, change your fate?

Yes, you can. Life is more like a game of chess. You have your moves, and the choices you make lead to success or failure. Make a good choice, and success will follow. Make a bad choice, and suffer the consequences. 

Sometimes, it really is as simple as this. Though life itself is complex, you can to a certain extent, influence the result by removing the emotional part. There is an old maxim: never go to the grocery store on an empty stomach. The reason is obvious: because of your hunger, you are more tempted to grab items that you do not need. Your emotion of feeling satisfied gets in the way of making a good decision. If you had eaten before you left, you would not be influenced by the food that you see on the shelves.

The lesson is clear: to remove the element of luck in your life, you must make decisions in a calm, clear manner. Emotions such as anger or sadness will only get in the way and cloud the issue. Be calm, and stay calm, and your decisions will be easier to make.

Stop being checkmated. Master your emotions, and you will be a champion of life. It is your move.

A House Guest

A House Guest

A fly whizzes through the air, its wings whirling in continuous circles as it races through the rooms of a house. It lands on a white wooden desk, and twirls its two front legs before licking them. Red luminous eyes stare around the room before focusing on a ceiling light. The ceiling light flickers, and the fly darts off, straight for the light bulb. Suddenly, it smacks into an invisible barrier around the ceiling light. Silky strands hold it tight in an iron grip, and the fly squirms and sputters like an old propeller plane as it strains to break free of its bonds.

house guest

a fly

caught in the web

Darkness

Darkness

Darkness. It covers me like a cold blanket. I feel like I am walking through a fog, as I wander blind and alone in this strange realm. Suddenly, inky shades surround me. Their blood eyes blast my soul, and I close my eyes to shut out the horror that I see in them. Icy talons pierce my shoulder like a meat hook, and I scream as coldness floods my veins. On my knees, I hold out my hands in supplication, the tears flowing down my face as I beg my tormentors to leave me in peace. Instead, they drag me towards a pit. Its gaping hole is like a giant mouth, ready to devour its victims. The shrieks of others fill my ears, a chorus of howls that send shivers down my spine. They push me closer to the edge of the pit, and I feel myself tottering on the edge, about to fall headfirst into that gaping maw. And then I see the candle:

A white candle on a wooden table.

Its light shines in the darkened room.

Black storm clouds gather on the horizon,

But the flame burns brighter than ever.

The Bear And The Bee

The Bear And The Bee

One Spring morning, when the grass dripped with dew, and the robins sung their sweet song, an old grizzly bear strode through the forest. He paused to rub his grumbling belly with a paw, then sniffed the air. A faint buzzing filled the air, and the old bear cocked his head to the side and listened. He squinted his little beady green eyes, and stared at the pine trees, searching for the sound. A rotten tree stump burnt like ash caught his eye. He grunted and ambled towards it.

On top of the tree stump sat a bee hive. An old hive with broken holes and one side smashed in. The bear could see the honey inside. He smacked his lips and a gleam shone in his eyes. He quickened his pace and stretched out a big paw to grab the hive.

"Halt! Who goes there?" A cold voice demanded.

The bear stopped in his tracks. His little eyes blinked as his gaze wandered among the pines.

"Huh? Who speaks to me?" The bear said.

"I do." A voice replied. "Stay where you are, or I shall strike!"

Suddenly, a black and yellow bumblebee shot out of the hive. She flew around in continuous circles, buzzing like a soldier on patrol.

The bear's eyes widened for a moment, then his eyes narrowed as he studied the bee. With a grunt, he stepped forward.

"I said halt!" The bee shrieked. "This is private property. Go away or I will hurt you."

The bear patted his nicely rounded belly. He grinned at the bee, and then exploded into guffaws of laughter.

"Hawr! Hawr! You and who's army, little one?" He taunted. "I want that honey, and I'm going to take it. Ain't nothing you can do about it."

With a roar, he sprang for the hive.

"Bzzz! I warned you! You won't take what is mine!" And she stung the bear hard on his rear.

The bear shrieked and hopped in the air. He winced as he rubbed his rear.

"Ye och! That hurt!" The bear screamed. "I'll get you for this bee. I'll smash you and your hive and get your honey!"

Growling, he swung his paws at the bee in great circles, trying to smash her between his paws. The bee danced around him like a nimble boxer, stabbing him with her stinger whenever she saw an opening.

The bear huffed and puffed like a strained locomotive. His vigorous swipes turned to feeble swats as the bee stung him over and over. Already, his big belly showed traces of black dots--over two dozen of the stings.

"Ouch!" The bear groaned. "I'm not going to die for your lousy honey! I'm outta here!" And the bear raced for the bushes, his chocolate fur all soaked with blood and sweat.

The bee watched the bear flee. She whizzed around her hive in a victory lap.

"For my home." She whispered.

my home

a hive

of honey

Dragon Dreams

dragon dreams

a young mage

hunts for a book

"An old book is never worth losing your life over." Alexis thought as she crept close to an old cave. Her hands shook and her belly gurgled like an old witch's brew. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her blue mage robe. "Being an apprentice for Master Puggins is such a drag." She thought. "His homework assignments are going to get me killed." She sighed and shook her head.

The entrance of the cave was a big, black hole. Alexis spied a broken branch near the side of the cave and picked it up with her left hand. Pointing at it with her right forefinger, she mumbled an incantation. The top of the branch exploded into a flower of flame that burned with a magical light.

Alexis trembled, and her heart beat fast like a fluttering robin. A trickle of sweat ran down her rosy and youthful cheeks. She wiped the sweat off and brushed her blonde hair to the side. Then she gripped her torch and held it close to her as she peered into its depths. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the cave and looked around.

Rubble lay scattered all over the floor, and steam gushed forth from broken cracks in the walls and ground. Alexis wrinkled her nose. She almost gagged as a stinky rotten egg smell invaded her nostrils. Holding her breath, she drew the shape of a rose in midair with her right forefinger, as she muttered another incantation in her head. Suddenly, the air smelled like rosy perfume, a fragrant smell that had the freshness of Spring in it. Alexis smiled and nodded her head. Now at least, she would not have to smell stinky things as she explored the cave. She crept deeper into the darkness, her blue eyes scanning the walls as she strained to hear any noises ahead of her.

The air grew warmer, and the darkness slowly gave way to light. Alexis trembled and a wave of warmth flooded her body. She felt she was near her goal. The old book that Master Puggins wanted her to find must be nearby. She hurried her steps as she rounded a corner.

Around the corner lay a huge black dragon in deep slumber. Alexis gasped, and held her right hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. Fear flooded her eyes as she stared at the sleeping dragon. 

"Why, it must be as tall as a mountain!" She thought as her eyes raced up and down its huge form. "How am I ever going to get the book from that thing?" She dropped her torch and braced herself to run.

Suddenly, the dragon's eyes popped open. Its great red eyes glinted in the darkness like rubies. It's voice rumbled as thunder.

"Stop right there, puny thing. You run, and I roast you in flame." Again, it rumbled, its voice booming like a bass drum as its laughter shook the walls of the cave.

Alexis felt like an icy hand had closed around her heart. She gulped and her body shook like a tottering tree. Her eyes widened and her breath came in quick gasps. Holding a hand over her beating heart, she stammered:

"Please don't hurt me. I just....wanted to see you!" She gasped as sweat dripped down her forehead.

The laughing stopped. The dragon stared at her, its great eyes narrowing to slits. "To see me?" It hissed.

"Yes, g...great dragon. I only wanted to..."

"You wanted!?" The dragon glared at her as it stood to its full height. "No one steals from Thraxxus!" It roared as it blew a huge fireball straight at her.

Alexis saw it coming. Her muscles froze, and she tried to squeak out a counter-spell to deflect the flame. The seconds seemed to crawl as the fireball crept closer. She screamed.

To be continued...

Morning Thunder

morning thunder

a bowl

of oatmeal

Have you ever woken up feeling drained? Chances are, your body is in need of a good breakfast. But not just any breakfast. You must feed your body with the proper nutrients. Grains, fruits, and vegetables, should be your primary food for your morning meal. Eat these foods with a good conscience. Not only are they cheap and plentiful, but they will provide you with the energy needed to get through the day.

Make it a daily habit to eat breakfast. A simple bowl of oatmeal is a king's ransom in gold to your body. Give it what it needs. Listen to the "morning thunder" and act--your body will thank you for it.

The Moon And Me

The Moon and Me

The moon shone high in the sky like a great silver plate. Midori sat on a stone bench in the plum garden, with the Prince's tanka in her slender, manicured hand. She shivered and hugged herself. She knew it was more than the cold that made her tremble. "The Prince had written to her!" She thought as she stared again at the tanka in her hand. After so long, he had promised to meet her in the plum garden this very night. Her heart beat like a fluttering bird in her breast, and her breath came in short, quick gasps. She pressed her cherry lips tenderly on the Prince's tanka, before she tucked it away in the sleeve pocket of her pink and white kimono. Setting her hands on her knees, she waited.

Soon, the sound of footsteps could be heard. Midori lifted her head and listened, her head tilted to one side. The Prince strode into view, a young man of twenty seasons. Midori felt a wave of heat rushing over her as she gazed on his handsome face. He looked like the Sun god himself, with that red cloak draped over his muscular shoulders. Her cheeks reddened as the Prince smiled at her.

"Midori, my dear. It is so good to see you again." He said.

Her body all tense and trembling, Midori sprang up from the stone bench and bowed to the Prince.

"Your Highness." She said in as sweet a voice as she could manage.

"Oh, please Midori. Call me Kitaro. You and I are such sweet friends. What use do we have for such silly titles, hmm?" Again he smiled and offered her his hand.

Midori's heart beat like a drum and her vision swam, as she took the Prince's hand and invited him to sit next to her on the stone bench. With a shaking hand, she brushed some of her loose bangs to the side and tucked them around her left ear. She smiled faintly, and  whispered to him:

"You...wanted to see me?" She asked, still unable to believe this was actually happening to her.

"Indeed, my dearest dove." He said as he took her right hand and pressed it to his lips. "I have missed you so much. I just had to see you again." Once more he pressed a kiss on her hand as he held it within his own.

Midori trembled and again felt her heart beat wildly within her. She could barely control her shaking hand that the Prince held. "He must not see me like this!" She thought in a wave of panic as her eyes raced back and forth between her hand and the Prince's face.

Again the Prince kissed her hand. A soft, slow kiss that hinted at something more. Midori sighed and in a stammering voice, whispered:

"And Suki? What about her?" She held her breath and strained her ears, hoping against hope as she waited for the Prince to speak.

"Ah, Suki." The Prince said with a smile. "You need not fear her, my dearest dove. She is only jealous of you--as I am of your...beauty." He again pressed his lips on her hand in a sweet caress.

Midori's mind raced at this unexpected news. "Could it be true?" She thought in her excitement. "That all this time he loved only me?" A wild surge of warmth flooded her heart and she smiled.

under the moon

you hold my hand

as we watch the stars

I see the fire

in your eyes for me

The Light Of Your Life

A white candle on a wooden table.

Its light shines in the darkened room.

Black storm clouds gather on the horizon,

But the flame burns brighter than ever.

We all have darkness in our lives. It is like a black hole that sucks all our negative energy: anger, fear, hatred, and many more emotions that stir deep within us. This darkness feeds off our negativity; it thrives on an illusion that fools many. We may think this darkness makes us stronger, but the truth is that we become weaker. Instead of controlling our emotions, we become a slave to them. We are like a boiling teapot ready to explode.

Do not be like this. Remember the lesson of the candle. The candle represents mastery. Master your emotions and the darkness will not consume you. But how do you  master your emotions? You master them by becoming more patient. Take things calmly, and observe all that you see. Listen with both your heart and your mind. They are your friends, and together they will bring balance to your life. It is not fortune or fame that will bring you happiness, but mastery of yourself. This should be your life long goal.

Let your inner candle burn deep within you. Feel the flames grow as you become more in tune with yourself. And your flame will burn brightly through all the trials of life.

Are You A Busy Bee?

buzzing bees

around a hive

rush hour

Imagine you are a bumblebee. A worker bee. You buzz around the hive, always trying to please the Queen Bee. Life for you is an endless load of tasks: collect the pollen, guard the hive, make honey. It never seems to end. Your entire life is one big rush hour.

The way to break this cycle is to first recognize it. You must acknowledge your hectic life, and look for ways to reduce it. Activity is good, but too much of it can be a burden to you. It is like having a heavy chain wrapped around you. Its sheer weight presses down on you, crushing your spirit. The chain is the master, and you are its slave.

But it does not have to be this way. Look around in your life for activities that use up large amounts of your time, but are no benefit to you. Eliminate them and give yourself the gift of peace. Relish it. Make it your own, and see what magic comes from a calm, steady life.

Do not be like the other bees in the hive that buzz continuously like mind-numb drones. Look to yourself and your needs. Break free from the Queen Bee and face life on your terms. No more rush hours. Live your life happy and free.

Cuckoo Call

Cuckoo Call

Midori paced the floor of her room, her tiny barefoot feet sliding over the tatami mats. She felt a deep squeezing sensation in her heart, a pain so heavy that she felt faint. She sighed. Why did Prince Kitaro favor Suki? Just the other night he had promised her his love in the plum garden. She could still see him in her mind: the two of them holding hands as they stood together and stared at the setting sun; the Prince whispering sweet words in her ear, telling  her how much he loved her; that no beauty in the Imperial Court was as wonderful as her. Midori sighed again and shook her head. Was it all a dream? But no, it could not be. There, on her desk, was a tanka written by the Prince himself, in his fine bold script. He was such a fine poet, the Prince, truly magnificent in his verse--and a fine lover as well. 

With a dull ache in her chest, Midori walked over to her desk and read the tanka. A tear streamed down her cheek as she devoured his words, looking for any clues in his message. She felt like her heart had turned to glass--the pain hurt so much. Suddenly, she broke into a fit of wild sobbing. She threw down the poem and rushed to her bed, pressing her face down on her pillow as deep sobs and moans rocked her body.

"What should I do?" She thought in a fit of despair. She could not bear to lose the man she loved so much.

As she mourned her fate and the cruelty of life, she heard a bird chirping outside. She tried to ignore the bird, but it continued its incessant chatter. A flush of resentment filled her face and her cheeks reddened. She pursed her lips and brushed her tears away as she got to her feet. She crept to the sliding door and opened it, looking out for the source of the sound. And then, she saw it. A cuckoo sitting on the branch of a cherry blossom tree. As she stared at it, a sudden flicker of life crept into her red, tear stained eyes. A faint smile lighted her face as she watched the bird. She knew then what she had to do.

Spring sunrise in the cherry blossom garden.

Soft pink petals blow in the breeze.

Old winter clings to the sakura branches,

But the cuckoo sings her song.

Melt The Ice In Your Life

desert sand

on my feet

jagged ice

Life is full of many trials. They cut into your feet like broken, jagged ice. The pain hurts you, but there are important lessons to be learned.

Every trial is a test. A test of success or failure. While success is always desired, failure can teach you more about yourself. The trick is to be patient. Your life is filled with pain and suffering. It is unavoidable. What you can do is to learn from your mistakes. Failure in itself is not bad, as long as you make an effort to correct your faults. By doing this, you enrich your life and the world around you. Think of Thomas Edison and his famous light bulb experiment. It was his dream to provide the world with electricity. Did he give up after his first failure? No! He persisted in his efforts, trying again and again. He failed hundreds of times before he had his breakthrough. Because of his determination, homes all over the world are lighted with his invention.

You must do the same. Whenever you have a failure that crushes your spirit, think of the light bulb. The bright light you see is patience and determination. They are your friends and allies in the war of life. Make use of them, and do not give up. One failure of yours will teach you more about yourself than a hundred successes. Embrace this idea, and learn from it. Make it a part of your life. Your feet may be cut to ribbons from the sharp ice, but you will stand unbroken at the end of the finish line.

Lady Red

Lady Red

A great orange fireball rises over a meadow, as red-breasted robins chirp their morning song. And I walk among these sweet singers, listening as their melody weaves an enchantment over me. They sing like the finest choir girls, performing a cantata greater than Bach ever wrote. These heavenly strains fill my soul with God's grandeur, and I tremble as I press a hand over my beating heart. The singing increases, growing in power and purity as the sun rises higher into the air, filling the land with light. A warmth floods my body as I hear their song, leaving me breathless.

From the far side of the meadow, a figure wrapped in a cloak of scarlet slowly approaches. A wild thrill courses through me. Is it an angel? Biting my lip, I hold a hand over my eyes and stare as the scarlet figure closes the distance between us. The figure is silent a moment, then slender fingers pull down the hood. A smiling, grey eyed feminine face greets my eyes. A wave of recognition overtakes me. My heart feels like it will burst as I gaze upon this angelic beauty. With a cry, I leap into her waiting arms.

sunlight

on my face

Spring rain

I remember the first time

you caressed my cheek

The Jungle

The Jungle

Vale trudges through the jungle, swinging at the branches in front of her with a machete. Sweat soaks through her khaki shirt, and she pauses to tie up her matted black hair into a ponytail. The heavy musk smell of the jungle invades her nostrils, and Vale almost gags. It reminds her of one of her ex-boyfriends cheap colognes. As she muses on this, sweat drips down into her blue eyes, blinding her. Muttering, she wipes the sweat away with the palm of her hand and wipes it on her khaki shorts. Her throat feels like a desert. Licking her parched lips, she drops her machete and reaches for the steel grey canteen slung around her slender waist. Unhooking it from her belt, she twists the top off and brings the canteen to her dried lips, guzzling the water down in gulps. The cool, clear liquid rushes down her throat like a waterfall.

As she drinks, she feels a sharp sting on her neck. Wincing, she slaps her hand there, then brings it before her eyes. On her sweaty palm is a smashed mosquito--its broken body shows tiny spots of blood. Her blood. Vale frowns.

"I hate those little blood suckers." She mutters to herself.

Vale twists the top back on the canteen, and puts it back on her belt. She picks up the machete from the ground and looks around, her eyes scanning the trees. Her ears ring with the screeching of little monkeys high in the branches. Hordes of mosquitoes assault her ears with their insistent buzzing. Again she slaps her neck and cheeks with her left hand, trying to chase them off. She sighs and shakes her head.

" I didn't believe Patrick when he told me what to expect out here. But now I do". She pauses and a faint smile creeps up her face.

"It really is a jungle out here." She said.

an old map

a lost city

in the jungle

Spring Dreams

Spring Dreams

Imagine yourself sitting in a wooden boat. You are in the middle of a river. Wearied from a long day of rowing, you set your paddles to the side and stare up at the night sky. A cool breeze blows through your hair, and you smile at its soft touch. For a moment, you close your eyes and breathe in the night air. As you breathe, you smell the sweet scent of Spring flowers. Their perfume waters your eyes and makes you feel dizzy--a kind of euphoria fills your body. Opening your eyes, you once again look up and stare at the sky. Before you is a canvas of creation, painted in all the wonderful colors of nature. An inky blackness fills the heavens, and the stars shine like fireflies; a multitude of them form in clusters like celestial flowers in a garden. Their brightness dazzles your eyes, and you feel a deep longing within you-- a kind of hypnotic pull that tugs at your heart. You feel yourself drifting away as your eyelids close and your head droops to your chest. As the images fade, your last thought are the stars of fireflies.

sitting in my boat

I stare at the shining stars

fireflies in the night

A Sudden Surprise

A Sudden Surprise

At precisely 5:00 AM, on a Monday morning, the alarm clock rang. Bobby's eyes sprang open, and he stared at his apartment ceiling. The alarm clock continued its steady buzzing, its ring droning on like an angry hive of bees. Bobby felt a wave of annoyance wash over him as he listened to that buzzing sound. He struggled into a sitting position, and with a shaking hand, pressed the sleep button. The alarm clock fell silent. With a smile, Bobby laid his head back on the pillow. He closed his eyes and began to snore, a deep rumbling sound like a bear hibernating in a cave.

Five minutes later, his mobile phone rang. Irritated, his hand fished for it under his pillow. He held the phone close to his ear and pressed the call button.

"Hello?" He mumbled as he blinked his sleepy eyes.

"Bobby?" A scared, timid female voice sounded on the other end.

"What is it Jenny?" He said. "I'm about to get ready for work here. Can't it wait?"

"No, it can't." Jenny said. "Your my boyfriend Bobby, and you need to know."

Bobby felt a wave of panic flood over him like a broken dam. He had a bad feeling about this. He gulped and said as calmly as he could...

"Know what?"

"Well, I know this might be hard. But I missed my period this month. And...um...well, I think..."

Bobby's breath rose up and down like an overused locomotive. He gripped his phone tighter, his knuckles turning as white as his pale face.

"You think what?" he finally croaked.

Jenny took a deep breath and said in a calm, clear tone:

"I think I might be pregnant."

Bobby's throat constricted and his heart hammered in his ears. He stared dumbly at his apartment wall.

"Bobby? Are you there?" Jenny said over the line.

Trying to control his panic, Bobby took a deep breath.

"Yeah, I'm here." He said.

"So? Aren't you going to say something? Anything?" There was an ugly note of displeasure in her voice.

"I....unh" Bobby finally stammered.

"Bobby! Say something!" Jenny screeched. Her voice sounded like a banshee in her fury.

Bobby felt hot all over. Sweat poured down his face, and his hand trembled as he gripped the phone. His stomach gurgled like a pent up volcano waiting to explode. Visions of squawking babies filled his eyes. He coughed.

"Baby, I just remembered that I owe the pizza guy. So I..."

"What!?" Jenny screamed. "You dare to change topics? At at time like this? I should..."

Bobby shook as he heard Jenny screaming at him over the line. His throat felt raw, and his eyes watered. His whole body trembled in convulsive shakes. He croaked into the phone once more.

"Baby, I'll call you back. I promise." He hung up. He winced as his ears rang with the haunting echo of Jenny screeching in his ears. He sighed. What should he do?

As he sat and pondered on his bed, he heard the sweet chirping of robin's outside his window. Their music had a calming effect on him, a sweet tonic to soothe busted nerves. As he listened, he felt a wave of peace wash over him, as if a wise mentor was whispering in his ear. Bobby smiled and stood up. He felt more in control now, almost ashamed of his previous behavior. He knew what he had to do.

"I'll go for a walk." He said as he opened up his dresser drawers.

sunlight

in the city

a day of dreams

Are You A Breakfast Champion?

coal furnace

oatmeal

in a bowl

Do you often feel drained during the day? Chances are you are suffering from a missed meal. And breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Think of your body as a furnace. To be at maximum efficiency, the flames must be kept hot. Feed the flames with coal. Coal is the food you eat. It is the energy that will keep you going throughout the day. But you must not feed your body with just anything. Only good wholesome foods like grains, fruits, and vegetables should make up the bulk of your diet. The body was designed to be its most efficient with simple, natural foods. Feed it the proper fuel.

This applies especially for breakfast. The word itself is a clue: breakfast means "break the fast." After a long night, the fires in your body need to be re-lit. Eating a good healthy breakfast is the first and most important step in navigating the trials of the day. What you eat will of course depend on the country you live in, but here is an example of a healthy breakfast:

1. A bowl of oatmeal
2. A cup of yogurt
3. A slice of fruit like an apple or orange
4. Coffee, tea, or orange juice
5. A lean piece of meat like turkey bacon (optional)

When you eat a breakfast like this, you ensure that you give your body the best possible nutrients to start the day. You will not feel sluggish, and there will be a spring to your step. Daily tasks will seem easier, and you are less likely to have mood swings from a missed meal. Everything will be more natural to you.

So feed the fires of your body with the best coal. Never skip breakfast. It will take time to adjust, but your body will thank you for providing it with a healthy meal every morning.

Think Small To Be Big

climbing

Mt. Everest

baby steps

Before you looms Mt. Everest, the highest point on Earth. Nestled between Nepal and Tibet, the mountain rises to 29,028 ft (8,848 m). Many have tried to climb the summit and have failed. Fewer have succeeded. Will you be one of them? What is the secret to tackling such a giant monster?

The answer is to take baby steps. Mt. Everest represents all the hard tasks in your life. They seem big and intimidating, with no clear or easy way to proceed. But these hard tasks can be conquered. The trick is to start small. Every foot that you put forward adds to the momentum. Soon you will realize the path to the summit is easy and pleasant. But you must not let the mountain conquer you. Many fail because they never begin. The great height of the mountain puts fear into their hearts. They shrug their shoulders and say it can not be done. But you know better. All the Mt. Everest's in your life can be defeated if you take it one step at a time. But you must begin. Do not be afraid. Take your first step and you will reach the summit of all your goals in life. Start your journey today.

Are You Seeing With Your Eyes?

shells on the seashore

a chest of gold and silver

to a collector

Imagine yourself walking on a beach. The sun is high in the sky, and the wind blows through your hair. You feel the warm, soft sand between your toes as you stroll down the seashore. A gleam in the sand catches your eye. Curious, you stoop down and pick up the object, carefully brushing the sand away. In your hands is a seashell, with small circular spirals shaped like a snail. You study it for a moment, admiring its shape and form as you turn it over in your hand. Then, with a shrug, you toss the seashell into the sand and continue your walk.

To be a lifelong learner, you must remember the example of the seashell. On the outside, it may be an ordinary thing, with nothing that gives away its valuable price. Do not trust your eyes. Appearances can be deceiving. That ordinary seashell may contain a pearl of priceless value. And now the opportunity is lost. With one careless gesture, you threw away something that could have changed your life.

The lesson is simple: to grow in knowledge, you must cultivate a desire to love the simple things in your life. It if often the simple things that are the most useful to you. Take for example, the food you eat: simple, plain foods like whole grain bread, grapes, cheese, and olives are far more beneficial to your health than the heavily processed food you find in many convenience stores. And so it is with many things.

Do not shun the ordinary, for under that simple appearance, may be a chest full of gold waiting to be discovered. Be a collector of the simple things you encounter in your life. You will be well rewarded.

Are You Tired Of Being Tricked?

an empty

noodle bowl

April fool

Tricks may be for kids, but as adults we soon tire of these nasty surprises. Most people crave order in their lives. It is in our best interests to carve out a little space for ourselves; a place where we can retreat and reflect upon the sudden surprises in our lives. Still, that is only the beginning. What if we could somehow deflect the tricks thrown at us? To disarm the surprise before it hurts us? There is a way.

The secret to disarming surprises is to treat everyone and everything with a healthy dose of skepticism. The old maxim we learned as children--do not talk to strangers-- applies even as adults. As adults, we must talk to people of course, but when we do we should be wary of what they say. Treat their information as suspect, until it can be verified. Listen to what others have to say, but trust your instincts. They will often guide you in periods of doubt. If you have ever had a feeling of uneasiness when you attempted to do something--stop, and back off. This is your intuition warning you of danger. Rethink your plan and attempt another solution.

Do not be a fool on April fool's day, or any other day. Be skeptical of all that you see, hear, and do. Learn to trust your instincts and intuition. They will guide you on the right path. Stop being tricked, and take back control of your life.