"Umbrella Contemplations"
~ A Literary SERIES ~
STEP THREE by René Allen
The glistening diamonds that overcame
the Valley of Decision were more brilliant
than those diamonds that were stuck
in the cracks of life
pining over those things
that should not be
could not be
and would not be
no matter how bad they wanted it
Sometimes diamonds crack
because they can't handle the pressure
And sometimes you'll find diamonds
that are larger than others
Size is only valuable to the HUGE EYE
And believe it or not,
the HUGE EYE
sometimes finds more value
in the smaller diamonds...
you know ~
the ones that people overlook
make no note of
step over
walk past
don't SEE
BLIND
And so it was ~
that the diamonds that
OVERCAME
that deep Valley of Decision
somehow KNEW
UNDERSTOOD
and
REALIZED
LIFE was for the taking
And if it had to be took
then what better a reach
than the one that they had
It is the reaching with the
MIND
that matters most,
and they knew it
Out of the Valley of Decision
comes
"STEP THREE"
better known as
AWARENESS
look out for it
by René Allen
Copyright © December 19th, 2010 ~ René Allen ~ all rights reserved
(Do not distribute nor copy without the Author's permission)
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Comments: 65
STEP TWO
ENJOY ~ And please let me know your thoughts!
HUGS ~
René
I hope that you are all enjoying the "Umbrella Contemplations" SERIES...
I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts ~
I believe that AWARENESS is recognition, acceptance, acknowledgment, and enlightenment all rolled into one. I believe that when we become AWARE, we recognize what had before been overlooked or denied. I believe that when we are AWARE, we accept the awareness with open arms, because we have longed for it. I also believe that in our acknowledgment of our new found awareness, we expand not only our minds, but our spirit and soul as well. The enlightenment that we encounter from our new found awareness signifies that we are ready to "change" and "grow"...not only for our "self", but also for the sake of others ~ particularly those around us, and those we come in contact with.
Chris ~ You've mentioned something that is also KEY ~ The operation of the mind ~ being WHOLE both intellectually and emotionally. It is never enough to be wise in our own minds, nor for our own conceit. WE must be WISE in the ways that rise above mundane trivialities, and stretch forth to share our wisdom to help to grow and enlighten others.
Our emotions determine our maturity. When we are able to control our emotions and target them for HIGH purposes, we are in line with the divine. Our energy is better utilized through proper use of our intellect and our emotions.
Our STRENGTH is in the LOVE factor.
I love what you've shared ~ particularly this...
"...diamonds in the rough can be hard to see, despite their value, and often require close attention and perseverence to see." ~ Chris Brockman
WELL STATED!
Thank you for what you've said. Your responses are never meager (lol), but always edifying...
I hope you are enjoying the HOLIDAY SEASON.
Your Friend,
Rene
I always write poetics or literary works by looking at a visual or artwork, and then just let my fingers type what comes out. I write Novels that way too. Thank goodness I have Gather friends like Anne to help catch any typos ~ lol...
Thanks for reading STEP THREE and commenting ~ Have a great HOLIDAY WEEK ~
Your Friend,
René
It's good to hear from you! I'm waiting on your next BOOK ~
Your Friend,
René
I must have told you that a million times by now ~ Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS...
Your Friend,
Rene
Many times, "selfishness" blocks SIGHT. It is very hard to SEE well if a person is too busy checking their "self" out, or pre-occupied with "selfish" desires...
Selfish desires help no one else but "self". That type of desire can not multiply for the GOOD of others, because it is self-contained.
It is a principle that WE should be AWARE of, but yet, many are blinded by wrong "motives", "thoughts", and....
of course, pre-occupation with "self".
Thanks for commenting!
I think about talent like Michael Jackson, and so many others...and then, I can clearly see where they lose sight of their beginnings (meaning the people who put them in the spotlight ~ and the sweat and tears on their part) -- and so many move on with the sharks, not realizing that all that glitters is not gold...
and in the end, it is the sharks that devour the talent.
Wisdom and discernment has to step in at some point. Because we should all remember ~ "despise not the day of small beginnings"...
I can clearly remember every person in my life who has propelled me to higher heights. I mean c l e a r l y. And I realize that they may never even know how much they shaped my life. But I'll never forget.
...just small diamond in the rough ~
Your Friend,
Rene
Your comment is very somber. Should we ever call our "self" a "victim"?
Is that not a state of mind?
Can we possibly look at all of our decisions as fuel for learning to do better, and BE BETTER?
Can we live with results that enrich us ~ regardless of the outcome?
Can we we flip our minds to never see ourselves as losers in any way?
Can we say to our souls that we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus Who strengthens us?
Can WE LIVE for the purpose of creating GOOD everlasting results for ourselves as well as others?
Let us all be WINNERS in LIFE in every way ~ every day. No excuses.
WE are all TRUE diamonds that overcome the cracks of life ~
HUGS & LOVE ~
Your Friend,
Rene
I agree with you on this ~ "I don't like to think of myself as a victim, but sometimes we drift into that state of mind when things don't go as planned." ~ brojer n.
You're right you know...we have to catch ourselves at that point when the drift comes thru the door of the mind to take us to a place that is downward versus upward. Because if we don't, it is easy to keep tumbling downward in spirit. In a downtrodden mind state, victimization can bite. That is why we have to grab that mentality by the neck and toss it out!
And, you know what -- sometimes that means "people". It is never good to hang around a lot of people who are moaners, whiners, and complainers. It is not cute, and it is not helpful for the soul. Nor is it good to hang around people who easily hurt others ~ consistently and intentionally. Those are wrong and evil spirits. [Even when the body host does not recognize that they have been taken over by another entity that is not a tenant of their body for their good].
Destructive forces reside within people who have bitter, hard, mean, and evil hearts. They reside there, because they are comfortable there. They find fertile ground to do dirty deeds. Arms, hands, legs, mouths, and bodies that are willing to work harm and destruction because their thoughts are out of line should be off-limits to all of us -- all the time!
Okay, back to inspirational thoughts ~ smiles ~
Those who overcome adversity are in constant motion. Even if it does not appear that way. They are constantly rearranging their thoughts to form positive manifestations. They are also in tune with the Highest Power ~ God. And they stay attuned to their "higher self" -- the "self" that looks out for their BEST and HIGHEST GOOD -- no matter what stands before them.
When a bad out-come is like a block of stone before your face, just step around it. It sounds simple, but many people, believe it or not, just stand there in place (stuck) -- with the block of stone firmly in place before them.
There are more than a million ways to solve any one problem -- why stop after trying only one way? And why not be inventive and create your own solution to your problem -- whatever it may be?
You gave me a very nice compliment brojer ~ you are upbeat too you know! I never base my perceptions of people on one incident -- it is consistency that makes one who they are. One bad moment in time will never take away from a person who, has over time, been consistently positive, inspiring, encouraging, upbeat (lol), caring, and loving....
Those are all good seeds ~ which, when sown, reap a harvest. And the person can call the harvest forth at will. It is just a matter of FOCUS.
May you always be as kind and considerate, loving and caring, as you've always been brojer!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too ~
Your Friend,
Rene
I've heard the words that you've shared put another way...
"Insanity is doing the same things the same way expecting different results."
Now I'm thinking about the farmer's statement that you've shared...
An old farmer once said.."If you do what you've always done, you're gonna get what you've always got."
...I thought that was a good illustration of "Stuck" ~ brojer
When I think about that statement that you've shared, I'm flipping it in my mind...suppose the farmer was speaking about the seeds sown -- and suppose the seeds sown produced a GOOD HARVEST -- if that be the case, then if you continue to do what you've always done, then you're gonna get what you've always got -- in a GOOD WAY!
What do you think about that brojer? ~ lol...
I admit that you are probably right about what you've also said about those who left Gather ~ "So many good writers have left here, and we are poorer because of it. I suppose too many negative comments perhaps have left them discouraged. It sometimes takes a strong spirit to stay here and stay positive." ~ brojer
I do think that may be the reason too. Also, there should always be an expectation of EXCELLENCE in all that we do. Sometimes we all run across people on Gather who are not mature, and/or are mean-spirited. I believe WE ALL seek to be around people who can show forth a level of thought that inspires us, and encourages us to rise higher than where we are. Snide comments and such do not help anybody. And there are a few people on Gather that are basically around to irritate others. The best thing to do is to not connect with them, or disconnect from them. None of us need that.
I must say that I am connected to some of the BEST people on Gather ~ Authors of merit, creative and artistic minds that are jewels with loving hearts ~ and I've been friends on Gather with most of my friends here for years ~ you're one of those people brojer, and I'm glad I met you!
Thank you so much for being a friend brojer, and may God bless you in 2011 like nothing you've ever seen before! ~ in a VERY GOOD WAY!
Love,
Rene
Thanks for posting to "Let’s Get to Know Each Other."
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on STEP THREE.
Loving your Group ~ but you already know that ~ lol...
Have a beautiful day today!
René
Mighty BLESSINGS to you the whole year through ~
Your Friend,
René
and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!
HUGS ~
René
Personally, I'm learning to embrace change - nothing stays the same and nothing is permanent. It's been a very freeing experience. Like most things, it takes constant practice to master and you never really learn everything you need to know.
Happy New Year to you, Rene - keep up the great work with your groups! I enjoy them very much . . .
I love what you had to say, and I agree with you, especially about this...
"I have found that unfortunately a person, sometimes, has to make a clean break - close old doors in order to open new doors and opportunities." ~ Kim Simpson
I believe it is a necessary part of life to do just what you've mentioned. There are so many times when situations or circumstances can become stagnant or constraining. At those times, it feels as if something is choking the LIFE out of you. Out-of-date relationships can also be a hinderance to NEW OPPORTUNITIES ~ and the free~flow of thought. [I'm using the term "out-of-date" to indicate relationships that are not growing and moving forward progressively.]
I'm saying this in relation to people, places, and things. Many people do not like to admit that they would be much better off without certain people in their lives, even though they know that it is truth. That holds true for jobs, certain types of activities, functions, associations, etc...just as you've mentioned.
I believe that compassionate breaks are easy to do if you are speaking of "friends" or people whom you love~or who love you. Those "friends" who are comfortable in their own skin, and are not envious of "you" or others.
It is the people who are problems (and cause problems in your life) that pose the hardest challenge to break from. Those are people who do not really love you, and they are not concerned about your well~being.
Freedom is freeing. It lets people BE, and allows you to BE. Freedom holds no captives hostage. Freedom is like a revolving door that lets people come in, and lets people go out ~ at will. It makes no demands and considers only that people are sane and they pass thru the revolving door.
It is true that "change" is a given. It should be embraced and cherished if any of us desires growth in our lives.
WE could live a few thousand life~times, and still not get to the meaning of all there is to KNOW about LIFE.
I enjoyed your comments Kim ~ Looking forward to hearing what else you have to share with us!
HUGS & HAPPY 2011 to you ~
Rene
Your words are so TRUE.
Your Friend,
Rene
(Bright and multi-faceted)
Have a great week ~
René
Everyone brings away different things from their experience. For me, your poetic series raises interesting metaphors right from the very beginning and then continues with more of the same...wise women, apparently sitting without umbrellas over their heads (no longer needed?), on 7 plastic cubes (why 7? the mystical number?, plastic?! Wisdom on plastic=resolution of paradox?). Incongruously they are providing the delicate, harmonious, and beautiful umbrellas of their wisdom to others. When this wisdom is "grasped" (i.e. understood) and twirled (cyclical and organized nature of life is recognized) then shade is provided allowing focus that facilitates the recognition (SEE-ing) of the diamonds in the cracks where (probably) only cracks were seen before. Then the cracks can be seen as unresolved issues needing only a decision to free the diamond in the crack/rough. Then we can see in this 3rd step the light of the released diamond lighting up the inner awareness of the mind and with that the essentially nonverbal understanding occurred in the mind of the originally solitary, hot, and weary traveler such that they "somehow KNEW; UNDERSTOOD; and; REALIZED; LIFE was for the taking." And that this understanding came from the waking of their inner being which is experienced as AWARENESS. I can imagine that with this awareness the traveler's journey will proceed in clarity until eventually she finds herself making umbrellas for others.
I hope I have caught the gist of what you are communicating. For me, it worked very well and it has been well said. I look forward to reading further steps.
What you have shared on this is good food for thought for anyone reading my "Umbrella Contemplations SERIES"...
About the women without umbrellas over their head, you caught that -- I'm smiling ~ you said...(no longer needed?) -- an excellent response, because the SUN ~ although POWERFUL, is kind and gentle to those who KNOW it well, and who have learned to master the heat of it.
About the 7 plastic cubes, yes the number "7" is representative of many mystical and divine things. Again, the plastic (although it can have harmful effects on the environment, can also be mastered and used for GOOD purposes -- like seats that have no effect whatsoever on the environment, to serve 7 wise women in their work.
I very much love what you had to say here...
"Wisdom on plastic=resolution of paradox?). Incongruously they are providing the delicate, harmonious, and beautiful umbrellas of their wisdom to others. When this wisdom is "grasped" (i.e. understood) and twirled (cyclical and organized nature of life is recognized) then shade is provided allowing focus that facilitates the recognition (SEE-ing) of the diamonds in the cracks where (probably) only cracks were seen before. Then the cracks can be seen as unresolved issues needing only a decision to free the diamond in the crack/rough." ~ Clyde G.
I love your MIND Clyde!
AWESOME and PROFOUND words you have shared with us here ...
"Then we can see in this 3rd step the light of the released diamond lighting up the inner awareness of the mind and with that the essentially nonverbal understanding occurred in the mind of the originally solitary, hot, and weary traveler such that they "somehow KNEW; UNDERSTOOD; and; REALIZED; LIFE was for the taking." And that this understanding came from the waking of their inner being which is experienced as AWARENESS." ~ Clyde G.
I loved the way you tied "AWARENESS" into the footsteps of the "weary traveler" ~ taking your words a step further, the steps of the wise are always ordered by the Lord, and in that respect, the inner being must be awakened on the long road to realization of both the inner "self" (or "soul), and the world around us, which is made for the unfolding of all of our God~given "gifts" and "talents".
CLARITY always serves others, because it has no other reason for being. So, you know that I agree with what you have said about "clarity".
THANK YOU ~ thank you, because you have definitely caught a hold of what was being relayed in this SERIES!
Many BLESSINGS to you Brother Clyde ~
Your FRIEND,
René
May the Force continue to be with you,
Clyde
God bless you my friend, and thank you for all the support you give to me here on Gather in so many ways ~ Have a beautiful day today!
Uplifting Thoughts to you ~
Rene
René
[I'll be back to this thread to add in the link to the 4th Step ~ I'm planning to post it tonight when I'm prompted...smiles]
Featured in Angels on Pillows.
MUCH LOVE to you my friend ~ I love your Gather Group ~
Your Friend,
Rene
Have a great weekend my friend ~
Rene
It is the reaching with the
MIND
that matters most,
and they knew it..............that's the most difficult and ongoing struggle to overcome, I believe. Too often I let my heart speak and rule when I should have put my mind into gear. Awareness springs from the mind...once the mind sees clearly what needs to be done or undone we are on the way to managing ANYTHING we are faced with.....only then will I be able to grow more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus...'being transformed by the renewing of my mind. Then I will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will'. (Romans 12:2)
René, you are such a deep thinker and wondrous encourager to take hold of life with both hands. I have begun to finally look after myself...to take wings and fly into the arms of life...a life that glistens like a precious diamond !
Much love, Marianne
It is the reaching with the
MIND
that matters most,
and they knew it..............that's the most difficult and ongoing struggle to overcome, I believe. Too often I let my heart speak and rule when I should have put my mind into gear. Awareness springs from the mind...once the mind sees clearly what needs to be done or undone we are on the way to managing ANYTHING we are faced with.....only then will I be able to grow more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus...'being transformed by the renewing of my mind. Then I will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will'. (Romans 12:2)
~ Marianne K.
AWESOME and INSPIRING words you've shared Marianne!
Speaking of the HEART ~ It is there that God reads us...
"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." ~ GENESIS 6:5 (KJV)
Therefore, it is known that the HEART too "thinks" through "feelings".
And, it is by the reading of our hearts that God Himself can also be grieved...
"And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." ~ GENESIS 6:6 (KJV)
That is exactly why we must all renew our MINDS continually. We must capture those thoughts that are not in line with the MIND of Christ.
While the "heart" acts on its feelings, those feelings of the heart must first take seat in the MIND before any action will result. From there, the body responds ~ with speech, actions of the hands, limbs, etc.
Evil hearts dwell on evil things. While loving hearts do just the opposite.
While it is said that there is a battlefield in the MIND, I believe there is also a battlefield in the HEART. It is the matters of the HEART that need our attention to be converted to what is RIGHT ~ better said by the words you chose ~ "His GOOD, PLEASING, and PERFECT will."
The HEART is flesh, and it is based on "feelings", which is "flesh". Just as the heart can be hardened, (like Pharoah's) -- SEE GENESIS 4:21; So can the heart also have "integrity" -- SEE GENESIS 20:6.
You've mentioned something that WE should all "think" on ~ which is this...
"Too often I let my heart speak and rule when I should have put my mind into gear." ~ Marianne K.
That is so well put Marianne!
To use an example, how many times have some of us had something in our heart, but failed to think on the long~terms effects IF we ACT on it?
The heart does not "reason", the MIND does. And better yet is the LORD's MIND ~ SEE Numbers 16:28 ~ "And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind."
So many BLESSINGS I wish for you Marianne ~ truly, I am so glad to have met you on Gather.
Your Friend,
René
Thank you for the many examples from Scripture which transform the mind to grow TRUTH in our hearts as well !! None of us are perfect, and my comfort lies in the truth that God is absolutely sovereign....He is able to overrule any foolishness of mine and promises to forgive all my sins as I confess them to Him.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace was not without effect." ( 1.Cor. 15:10 ). Praise the Lord for his unfailing love !
"None of us are perfect, and my comfort lies in the truth that God is absolutely sovereign....He is able to overrule any foolishness of mine and promises to forgive all my sins as I confess them to Him. "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace was not without effect." ( 1.Cor. 15:10 ). Praise the Lord for his unfailing love !" ~ Marianne K.
You are so right about Scripture ~ It does transform the mind to grow TRUTH (in our HEARTS as well.) ...
Well said, and you know the feeling of "friendship" is mutual.
Thank you for contributing so much encouragement to me and others on Gather.
Love,
Rene
Love, Marianne
Here is the LINK to the next installment of "Umbrella Contemplations"...
"Umbrella Contemplations" ~ A Literary SERIES ~ STEP FOUR by René Allen