Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
In the heart of the earth where silence reigns, A mighty chasm, wild and untamed, The Grand Canyon stretches, vast and wide, I’m in awe of such a masterpiece, where wonders hide.
Its cliffs rise high, in hues of flame, Each layer whispers nature’s name. Carved by time, with patient grace, A testament to earth’s embrace.
The Colorado river winds through shadowed deep, Where secrets of the ages sleep. Its waters sing a timeless tune, Beneath the sun, the stars, the moon.
I stand upon the canyon’s rim, Where the light and shadow swim. I felt the pull of something grand, A force I might never fully understand.
For in its depths, my soul can see, A glimpse on the power of eternity. A place where dreams and nature blend, Where all beginnings meet their ends.
The Grand Canyon, bold and true, Calls out to the heart in me. A place where grandeur meets the sky, A glimpse of forever, standing by.
A home is not just walls and beams, But a place where sunlight gleams. Where laughter rings through in every hall, And love’s embrace conquers all.
Its doors are open, wide and free, To welcome friends and family. With every step, a comfort grows, In a space where joy forever flows.
It is where the heart resides, Where every hope and dream abides. It’s not the roof above your head, But where your spirit’s gently led.
In its quiet corners, peace is found, In every laugh, a joyful sound. It is where your soul can breathe, Where safety and feeling of belonging is guaranteed.
The walls may age, the paint may fade, But memories in each room are laid. Home is where you’re truly known, A place where you are never alone.
It’s more than shelter from the storm, It’s where your deepest bonds are formed. A sanctuary, safe and warm, Where kindness and love are the only norm.
No matter where your feet may roam, Your heart will always find its home. A beacon in the darkest night, A place that fills your world with light.
So cherish every tender space, For home is more than just a place. It’s where your story finds its start, The forever anchor to your heart.
From bringing me to Hawaii, to completing my three undergraduate degrees, to working for an awesome organization that values and cherishes me as one of its invaluable members). . .
From the love of my family and friends—Thank you Father God, for being so good to me. I love you! Own me. Let me live my remaining days according to Your will and Glory!
The Enduring Power of Love and the Goodness of Humanity
In a world often dominated by headlines of conflict, division, and despair, it can be easy to lose sight of the innate goodness that lies within humanity. However, when we look beyond the noise and chaos, we discover that love and compassion are the true forces that shape our world. Despite the challenges we face, it is love—whether expressed through acts of kindness, empathy, or solidarity—that has the power to transform lives, heal wounds, and unite us in our shared humanity. This essay will advocate for the belief in love and the inherent goodness of humanity, exploring how these qualities persist and prevail even in the most trying circumstances.
Throughout history, love has been the cornerstone of our greatest achievements and the driving force behind our most noble endeavors. From the selfless acts of individuals who sacrifice their own comfort for the well-being of others, to the collective movements that have fought for justice and equality, love has been the catalyst for change. Consider the civil rights movement, where love for one’s fellow human beings transcended the hatred and bigotry of the time, leading to monumental progress in the fight for equality. Or the countless examples of everyday heroism, where strangers come together in times of crisis, offering aid and comfort to those in need. These acts, large and small, demonstrate that love is not only a personal emotion but a universal force that binds us together.
At the heart of this love is the inherent goodness of humanity. Despite the flaws and imperfections that exist within each of us, there is a fundamental decency that drives us to care for one another. This goodness is evident in the empathy we feel for others, the joy we experience in their happiness, and the pain we share in their suffering. It is what compels us to help a stranger in distress, to stand up against injustice, and to seek out ways to make the world a better place. The goodness of humanity is not an abstract concept; it is a lived reality, manifesting itself in countless ways every day.
One might argue that the prevalence of suffering and injustice in the world contradicts the notion of human goodness. However, it is precisely because of our capacity for love that we recognize these wrongs and are motivated to address them. The very fact that we are disturbed by cruelty and inhumanity speaks to our innate sense of morality and our desire to create a world where love, rather than hatred, prevails. It is this desire that drives us to advocate for change, to extend a helping hand, and to build communities based on mutual respect and care.
Furthermore, love is resilient. Even in the face of adversity, love endures and often grows stronger. It has the power to heal wounds, bridge divides, and overcome obstacles that might otherwise seem insurmountable. Love gives us the strength to persevere through hardship, to forgive those who have wronged us, and to find hope in the darkest of times. This resilience is a testament to the enduring goodness of humanity—a reminder that no matter how challenging our circumstances may be, love remains a constant, guiding light.
In advocating for love and the goodness of humanity, it is important to recognize that these qualities are not mere idealism, but practical forces with the ability to effect real change. Love inspires action; it moves us to address the needs of others, to fight for justice, and to build a more compassionate world. The goodness of humanity is the foundation upon which societies are built, fostering cooperation, empathy, and a shared sense of purpose. When we believe in love and the inherent goodness of others, we contribute to a culture that values and promotes these qualities, creating a positive feedback loop that benefits all.
In conclusion, love and the goodness of humanity are not only worth believing in—they are essential to our collective well-being. They are the forces that sustain us, that drive us to be better, and that hold the potential to transform our world. By embracing love and recognizing the goodness in others, we can overcome the challenges that divide us and work together to build a future where compassion and kindness are the guiding principles. In a world that often seems fraught with darkness, love is the light that will always lead us home.
In scarlet, rust, and gold,
Stunners come forth in woods and roads
Enduring stories of grace in death unfold:
Humility is a thing of beauty—behold!
Meek polyps in pink, white, and light orange
Sway to the noteless music of ocean water
Following Luna so bright and gay:
Coral spawning is underway.
Bonfire, fireplace,
And warm embrace:
Comfort is in the air.
Doses of love are meant to be shared.
Pumpkins take the spotlight on Halloween
And Thanksgiving.
Vibrant beets, beans, and peas—
Harvest brings peace.
Brave snow geese pack the flock from Arctic Tundra,
Off to the greener pastures of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Casanovas in disguise, monarch butterflies bid sweet goodbye to Canada,
Take a joy ride in the air, hello California!
Tales of change in acoustic
Strumming, playing free of remorse,
Seizing the day—
Nature is bold taking place.
O morning, bearer of the world’s first light, With power that dispels the dark of night, In your embrace, the earth is born anew, As you unveil the day in hues of blue.
Your touch, a force that wakes the sleeping land, Stirs the oceans, brushes shores with sand, You call the mountains from their shadowed dreams, And light the rivers with your golden beams.
O mighty morn, you are the breaker of chains, That night has bound in its quiet reigns. With every dawn, you conquer time and space, A sovereign power that none can displace.
In you, we find the strength to rise and stand, To face the day with hope held in our hand. Your light ignites the fire within our soul, Gives life to visions, makes the broken whole.
You are the pulse that drives the heart of life, A force that cuts through doubt and strife. In your bright gaze, all fears are cast away, As we are forged anew in the heat of day.
So let your strength be known in every hour, For in your light, we find the power To shape our lives with purpose, bold and true, O morning, in your glory, we renew.
O morning’s power, fierce and ever bright, You turn the ordinary into pure delight. In your command, the world obeys the call, And in your light, we rise above it all.
There isn’t a day that passes without the thought of you wrapping itself around my heart. The distance between us feels vast, like an endless ocean, but my love for you stretches across it, like a bridge of longing that defies the miles. I find myself constantly reaching for you in my quiet moments—when the world slows down and I’m left alone with my thoughts, it is your face that fills the silence.
I miss the way your eyes light up when you smile, the sound of your laughter that feels like the sweetest melody. The memory of your touch lingers on my skin, a gentle reminder of what I crave most—your presence. Sometimes I close my eyes and imagine that you’re here with me, that I can reach out and feel you, that I can breathe you in and let the world fall away.
There’s a part of me that feels incomplete without you, like a piece of my soul is missing, waiting to be made whole again. I long for the day when we can be together, when these letters will be a thing of the past, and I can speak these words to you in person, looking into your eyes and feeling your warmth against me.
Until that day comes, I’ll keep you close in my heart, holding onto the hope that we will be reunited. My love for you is a constant, unwavering force, andno amount of time or distance can diminish it.
Take care, my love. Know that I am with you in spirit, always.
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