You are the oak,
I am the pine,
I need the light,
You need more time.
We both will reach,
For light above,
We both need space,
To grow this love.
The oak tree cannot grow in the dark shade of the pine tree. The pine will not do well in the shadows of the oak. They both need enough space to grow upward to form the forest. Likewise, couples need the ability to reach for their own light. We’re all growing and it’s usually at a slightly different pace.
Allowing each other the light the other needs to grow individually allows more growth together. And, nurturing each other in that process by encouraging growth and giving space at the same time can be very beneficial to committed relationships.
How do you give each other space yet stay committed to the relationship? What happens when one of you grows quicker than the other? What happens when one of you does not want to grow any further?
Image courtesy Wikipedia.
Before we start this meeting,
Let’s be of one mind,
Let’s make more and prosper,
While still being kind.
Before we start this meeting,
Let’s visualize our dream,
Let’s humanize this process,
And work as a team.
Before we start this meeting,
Let’s give up the fight,
Let’s listen to each other,
Don’t try to be right.
Before we start this meeting,
Let’s let go of fear,
Encourage one another,
Be kinder in here.
Before we start this meeting,
Let’s not just survive,
Let’s make a big difference,
And know we will thrive.
Before we start this meeting,
Let’s think what’s it worth,
Let’s reach deep inside us,
And save this small earth.
Steve Dahl – Copyright 2013
I’m a con man, a gangster,
I will sell you this pill.
I will fool you and bribe you,
And tempt you – I will.
I’m a surgeon, so invasive,
I will slice my way in.
I get deep in your wallet,
And under your skin.
I’m a lover and a hairdo,
And a car you must have,
And I tug on your heart strings,
‘Till you want me so bad.
I’m a restaurant, your new shoes,
But I’m not who you think,
I am slippery and smooth,
Like a happy hour drink.
I’m your ego, half a minute,
I’m a very good liar,
I’m the ad on your TV,
And I’m spreading desire.
Copyright 2013 Steve Dahl
At a meeting I attended the other day Adam Lanza’s name came up as the group struggled to understand the horrors of another school shooting. The woman said of Adam, “I think we should forget this monster, we should never utter that slime’s name again.” I totally understand the hurt and rage that goes with Adam’s name. Yet, there is a learning opportunity here for all of us. Who in their right mind would want to set up a memorial for the disturbed 20-year old, mass murder Adam Lanza?
Alleged Sandy Hook Elementary shooter Adam Lanza as seen in this 2005 photo. ABC News Exclusive
Adam Lanza – The Shooter
To set up a memorial in Adam Lanza’s name is never going to happen. No one wants to memorialize a monster. No one wants to give recognition to an evil person. No one wants to in any way, show other potential mass murders that they may get the recognition they’ve so hungered for by committing an evil act such as occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary. I do not want to memorialize Adam Lanza but I definitely do not want to forget him.
We would all like to “forget” December 14th, the day so many innocent lives were lost. But maybe there is something we really should remember. [click to continue…]
Making Something Good out of The Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting
The healing will start when we do.
If there were anything good to come out of another shooting tragedy, I can’t think of what it is beyond another painful reminder of the shortness of life and renewed awareness of the battle between safety and our Second Amendment rights. But if the question is, what do we do? Then the answer is - simple: LOVE. 12,554 people were murdered in our freedom-loving country last year and they no longer have a voice in this debate. My guess would be that many of the murderers experienced a lack of love in their lives.
Let’s honor the victims of our violent society by taking personal responsibility to change just one thing in each of our individual lives. Maybe that one thing could help prevent the next school shooting. Let’s all take one action today, this week, this month to do something that is the absolute opposite of evil, anger, pain, frustration, violence, and all the other attributes of those who strike out.
12,554 Dead People Can’t be Wrong
Let’s not let all of these murder victims die in vain. Their deaths should inspire us to reflect upon our lives. They should drive us to say STOP! The mentally ill, the homeless, [click to continue…]