175. The New Year Promises

Now what can I do different
in this new year that arrives?
What habits might make impact
in my own and other lives?

I promise that I'll smile more
at the people who I meet
I promise to remember names
of all those who I greet

I promise in my days
that I'll spend more time socializing
I promise in my thoughts
that I'll spend less time criticizing

I promise to remember
that life is not just about money
I promise to relax each day
and find at least one thing funny

I promise to forgive
at least one person every day
I promise compromise
and let one person have their way

I promise that I'll pay my debts
and never incur more
I promise to start saving
and keep it up, unlike before

I promise that I'll view the world
with love not out of fear
I promise that I'll treat myself
in ways that show I care

I promise that these promises
won't be just idle show
I think, therefore, I'm ready
on my mark now, get set, GO!


The New Year Promises
Walt’s Life Rhyme #175
© Walt F.J. Goodridge
“I share what I know,
so that others may grow!”
www.LifeRhymes.com

174. Guess Who's Coming To The Rescue? Part I

They say you've reached adulthood
when you come to terms with this:
If you don't come to rescue you
your knight will not exist

No armor-plated savior
riding in to save the day
No cavalry with guns ablaze
to chase your foes away

Don't think the world's indifferent
or can't see that you're in need
But history shows the passive
are the last ones to be freed

Help finds those who help themselves
so choose to right your plight
Wait for the world to come to you
and you might just wait all night

Who better than you to plan the escape?
who's more equipped to be the star?
Only you can find you in the fortress
for only you know where you are!


Guess Who's Coming To The Rescue? Part I
Walt’s Life Rhyme #174
© Walt F.J. Goodridge
“I share what I know,
so that others may grow!”
www.LifeRhymes.com

173. Nourished from Within

The fish you catch when hungry
are a sad and sorry breed
You'll think the thief your savior
when you're in a state of need

You'll sell your soul for pennies
when resources are depleted
Your cause will go unchampioned
when you think yourself defeated

With hand outstretched and eyes cast low
what treasures can you gain?
When all that you project
is just a sad picture of pain

No, life rewards the one
who shows a constant will to win
Who knows through feast or famine
that she's nourished from within!



Nourished From Within
Walt’s Life Rhyme #173
© Walt F.J. Goodridge
“I share what I know,
so that others may grow!”
www.LifeRhymes.com

172. OK, But Is It Getting You What You Want?

(Time for a New Refrain)

Put away the ego and act like you want it
put away the microscope and go with the flow
Put away the crutches and walk like a champion
stop being a critic and be part of the show

Drop the dead weight now and fly like an eagle
lean off your neighbor and stand like you're grown
No one brings gifts to a friend’s pity party
the guests are just there to find guests for their own

Don't wait for perfection to show your commitment
don't wait to take action 'cause no one showed how
There'll always be flaws and a cause for excuses
so close the back door so there's one way out now

It's true that old ways give a good deal of comfort
and when you feel stressed yes they come back to haunt
And I know you have more than a short list of reasons
that's all well and good, but is it getting you what you want?





Ok, But Is It Getting You What You Want?
Walt’s Life Rhyme #172
© Walt F.J. Goodridge
“I share what I know,
so that others may grow!”
www.LifeRhymes.com


Commentary:
“I won't do THIS until THAT happens.”
“I've been hurt before, so I don't trust too easily.”
“I need to know everything up front before I take a chance.”
“What do you think he/she meant by that?”
“This is what you need to do in order for me to consider you.”
“If only someone would help me, I could do this.”
Do any of these refrains sound familiar? They, along with many other things we tell ourselves when faced with new opportunities to trust, risk, and step forth on faith, are the crutches we use to feel comfortable and safe in our decisions NOT to do the thing that needs to be done. They are the “liner notes” with the lyrics of our lives that we've gotten used to hearing ourselves recite. Now listen. I understand your history, your fears and your concerns completely. But is that way of thinking and way of being getting you what you want? If not, then “put away the ego and act like you want it....” (repeat and fade to end)
Inspired by Dorothy P.

171. A Club Called Me

In a crowded room I stand
with members only just like me
I look at who's invited
and I'm surprised at what I see

For every word of sorrow spoken
someone there says, “Me too”
The jealous meet the hateful
and share the selfsame point of view

But in the very room we gather
seems other clubs meet here as well
The bright and cheerful find their members
we're all mixed in, how can they tell?

You'd expect just mass confusion
when all these clubs at once do meet
The truth is that we find our peers
whether in clubs or on the street

For ski clubs don't draw golfers
and humble clubs repel the vain
The miserable and their company
attract the ones who think the same

So if I look at how I'm living
and don't like the things I see
I can't throw blame on those around
they're just members of a club called me!

Commentary:
I can always count on Gary Zukav (author of Seat of The Soul) to give me something interesting to think about. I'm now reading his Soul Stories and happened upon his analogy of life being like a club you join. I won't give away much more than that (you'll have to pick up a copy for yourself) except to say:

“In a club called whatever you're wishing for, you'll find others who wish for it too. But you only get to join the club with people who think like you.”

A Club Called Me
Walt’s Life Rhyme #171
© Walt F.J. Goodridge
“I share what I know,
so that others may grow!”