Magic
By John Trent
As I sat on my back porch yesterday evening, I could hear the ‘latest’ group of neighborhood children playing in the front yard. Oh, the imagination and innocence, but most importantly, the continuous laughter… It was magic!
I have found that no matter where I am in the world and no matter what language is spoken, the laughter of children is spiritually uplifting. This pure and simple act is the essence of childhood.
.
As adults we tend to dwell on our own preoccupations with responsibilities and anxieties, while forgetting how to live simply or .......'simply live'. Many times I have passed a park or a school yard and heard the laughter of playing children, only to pause and reminisce over my own lost childhood and that of my own children.
Although we can no longer fit into our play clothes and return to those yourthful days, we can take comfort in the optimism and imagination of our world's children.
I encourage each of you to rekindle the simplicity of childhood........ and laugh. I promise….. it’s magic!!!!!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Simplicity
Simplicity
by John Trent
I arose at 0500 this morning to prepare for our company's budget meeting. No complaints though, I am always thankful to once again have another go at life today. It's funny, I remember telling myself, while in high school and college, how I would never study, do homework, prepare for tests, and write papers ever again. I laugh at those naive thoughts and how much I really didn't know about life.
Everyday is a test........... Everyday we are graded or judged on how well we work, how we parent, being a neighbor and the list goes on and on. As children we are insulated from these difficulties, but as we mature and enter the world of grown-ups, our child-like essence slowly evaporates. Many of us long for those pure and simple days only to realize WE have forever changed
Tom Stoppard said, "If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older." So true in so many ways, we should all seek a return to simplicity..... In reality, we don't need much. We need protection from the elements, sustenance, and love. A true and wonderful love. Not that of a teen, but a true and simple love founded on kindness, humility, and respect for all beings.
by John Trent
I arose at 0500 this morning to prepare for our company's budget meeting. No complaints though, I am always thankful to once again have another go at life today. It's funny, I remember telling myself, while in high school and college, how I would never study, do homework, prepare for tests, and write papers ever again. I laugh at those naive thoughts and how much I really didn't know about life.
Everyday is a test........... Everyday we are graded or judged on how well we work, how we parent, being a neighbor and the list goes on and on. As children we are insulated from these difficulties, but as we mature and enter the world of grown-ups, our child-like essence slowly evaporates. Many of us long for those pure and simple days only to realize WE have forever changed
Tom Stoppard said, "If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older." So true in so many ways, we should all seek a return to simplicity..... In reality, we don't need much. We need protection from the elements, sustenance, and love. A true and wonderful love. Not that of a teen, but a true and simple love founded on kindness, humility, and respect for all beings.
The Key
The Key
by John Trent
As the sun slowly rises through the trees, creating a spectrum of purples, pinks, oranges, and yellow, I sit quietly and peacefully in contemplative awe. Throughout our lives we overlook this daily miracle. Not only are we blessed with the ability to see the rising sun everyday, we are free to experience this simple daily event.
Many people, including ourselves, are in prison. As we tread life's twisting and turning path, we are taught, unconsciously, to fashion bricks out of fear and desires; thus, from a very young age we start building our own prisons. Some call these survival skills for the modern world. Maybe so, but these protective walls, still, prevent us from being free.
As I read Thomas Merton's "Thoughts in Solitude", I was inspired by how he dismantled the bricks, one by one, of his self-imposed prison. He allowed himself to be more vulnerable and through this vulnerability, he became more alive and free. Below is a beautiful prayer written by this Catholic Monk from Kentucky. In its message is the key to freedom.............faith.
"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going, I do not see the road ahead of me, I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone." ~ Thomas Merton
by John Trent
As the sun slowly rises through the trees, creating a spectrum of purples, pinks, oranges, and yellow, I sit quietly and peacefully in contemplative awe. Throughout our lives we overlook this daily miracle. Not only are we blessed with the ability to see the rising sun everyday, we are free to experience this simple daily event.
Many people, including ourselves, are in prison. As we tread life's twisting and turning path, we are taught, unconsciously, to fashion bricks out of fear and desires; thus, from a very young age we start building our own prisons. Some call these survival skills for the modern world. Maybe so, but these protective walls, still, prevent us from being free.
As I read Thomas Merton's "Thoughts in Solitude", I was inspired by how he dismantled the bricks, one by one, of his self-imposed prison. He allowed himself to be more vulnerable and through this vulnerability, he became more alive and free. Below is a beautiful prayer written by this Catholic Monk from Kentucky. In its message is the key to freedom.............faith.
"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going, I do not see the road ahead of me, I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone." ~ Thomas Merton
Love Shines
Love Shines
by John Trent
Oh, my heart is full
Overflowing and overwhelmed
Love's visage, enraptures this once fragile soul
So sweet,
Oh, so sweet,the aroma of each flower I touch
So very clear,
The gray clouded sky as it returns to blue
And the sun,
Oh, the bright and mighty sun,
More brilliant than ever
It shines its essence through my very core
For I have found my way
And soar the winds of contentment
by John Trent
Oh, my heart is full
Overflowing and overwhelmed
Love's visage, enraptures this once fragile soul
So sweet,
Oh, so sweet,the aroma of each flower I touch
So very clear,
The gray clouded sky as it returns to blue
And the sun,
Oh, the bright and mighty sun,
More brilliant than ever
It shines its essence through my very core
For I have found my way
And soar the winds of contentment
I Dance Alone
I Dance Alone
by John Trent
Ribbons,
Rise and twist
Each smoke laced vine,
Entwines my being
Deeper I fall,
Through the essence of my soul
Life’s brilliance exposed
As each moment passes
God's ancient vibration,
Ever rhythmic, ever soulful
Silently plays
And I dance alone
On the infinite of creation
by John Trent
Ribbons,
Rise and twist
Each smoke laced vine,
Entwines my being
Deeper I fall,
Through the essence of my soul
Life’s brilliance exposed
As each moment passes
God's ancient vibration,
Ever rhythmic, ever soulful
Silently plays
And I dance alone
On the infinite of creation
Adrift
Adrift
by John Trent
Be not confused
In this storm of reality
The tide is turbulent,
Yet the ocean calm
We sail on lost seas
And drift idle currents
On this vessel ‘Forever’
With safe haven in view
Yet, infinitely distant
Our shores of serenity
And impatiently wait
The change of the wind
by John Trent
Be not confused
In this storm of reality
The tide is turbulent,
Yet the ocean calm
We sail on lost seas
And drift idle currents
On this vessel ‘Forever’
With safe haven in view
Yet, infinitely distant
Our shores of serenity
And impatiently wait
The change of the wind
Tears
Tears
by John Trent
The quiet hush of early morn's dark
Lowly and layered, fog blankets the wood
So beautiful, so comforting, it hangs o’er head
With beads of quicksilver grasping each needled leaf
"Be not afraid”, speaks the silvery drops
"Temporary our lives in this earthly realm”
With each falling whisper through the ancient pine
Familiar its echo and intensely understood
Smiling, I return, cherishing this moment
Wiping each tear as I begin anew
by John Trent
The quiet hush of early morn's dark
Lowly and layered, fog blankets the wood
So beautiful, so comforting, it hangs o’er head
With beads of quicksilver grasping each needled leaf
"Be not afraid”, speaks the silvery drops
"Temporary our lives in this earthly realm”
With each falling whisper through the ancient pine
Familiar its echo and intensely understood
Smiling, I return, cherishing this moment
Wiping each tear as I begin anew
Monday, January 17, 2011
Surrender
 |
| Photo by J. Trent |
Surrender
by John D. Trent
Grey,
So very,very grey
Colorless puddles
And floating decay
Sizzling,
With every falling touch
Slow
So very, very slow
Bent yellow blades
Their end foretold
Surrendering,
As distant thunder rolls
Coffee Shop
Coffee Shop
by John Trent
Earthly aromas inhaled, then released
Vapors dance upon its obsidian surface
Settling into my meditative state
I sip contentment and stare into space
Bundled for cold, a young mother and child
Hurry past to catch the departing bus
As it pulls away, she lifts her babe
Turning, she enters, the warmth of this shop
Another slow taste of complex heat
I lose myself outside the frosted panes
Grey and cold, such a very busy world
And I return my gaze to my porcelain cup
Long and dark, his camel hair coat
Eyes downcast with a wrinkled brow
He pauses, then looks, at those inside
But returns to thought and continues to walk
From this corner, I remain anonymous
Watching, thinking, as people pass by
Thoughts waltz on humanity’s purpose
Then I close my eyes and take another sip
 |
| Photo by J. Trent |
Coffee Shop
by John Trent
Earthly aromas inhaled, then released
Vapors dance upon its obsidian surface
Settling into my meditative state
I sip contentment and stare into space
Bundled for cold, a young mother and child
Hurry past to catch the departing bus
As it pulls away, she lifts her babe
Turning, she enters, the warmth of this shop
Another slow taste of complex heat
I lose myself outside the frosted panes
Grey and cold, such a very busy world
And I return my gaze to my porcelain cup
Long and dark, his camel hair coat
Eyes downcast with a wrinkled brow
He pauses, then looks, at those inside
But returns to thought and continues to walk
From this corner, I remain anonymous
Watching, thinking, as people pass by
Thoughts waltz on humanity’s purpose
Then I close my eyes and take another sip
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friendship
Friendship
by John D. Trent
"And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." ~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet, 'On Friendship'.
Today's quote speaks of the importance of friendship. In essence, a true friendship isn't built on lavish gifts or things. It is framed by our simple actions. I hug, a simple "I love you" or a text that says "I'm thinking of you", are beautiful gifts. Requiring little effort, they mean so much. So.......I would like to thank each of you for being my friend, especially over this past year, Thank you.... OK, so back to the story!!!!!
Last night, I finished reading 'The Prophet'. Written in 1923 by Kahlil Gibran, I was entranced by his use of imagery and metaphors. A truly gifted writer with an inspirational and philosophical message. Though, overall, a short read, the book has 40 chapters which discuss the many issues of life and the human condition. The book is divided into chapters dealing with love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, houses, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death.
As background, Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese American artist, poet, and writer. Born in modern-day Lebanon, as a young man he immigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. He is chiefly known for his 1923 book The Prophet, a series of philosophical essays written in English prose. An early example of Inspirational fiction which was largely influenced by his strong Christian faith. Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.
I hope each of you get a chance to read the jewel. Live the day, stay safe, and do something simple for a friend!
by John D. Trent
"And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." ~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet, 'On Friendship'.
Today's quote speaks of the importance of friendship. In essence, a true friendship isn't built on lavish gifts or things. It is framed by our simple actions. I hug, a simple "I love you" or a text that says "I'm thinking of you", are beautiful gifts. Requiring little effort, they mean so much. So.......I would like to thank each of you for being my friend, especially over this past year, Thank you.... OK, so back to the story!!!!!
Last night, I finished reading 'The Prophet'. Written in 1923 by Kahlil Gibran, I was entranced by his use of imagery and metaphors. A truly gifted writer with an inspirational and philosophical message. Though, overall, a short read, the book has 40 chapters which discuss the many issues of life and the human condition. The book is divided into chapters dealing with love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, houses, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death.
As background, Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese American artist, poet, and writer. Born in modern-day Lebanon, as a young man he immigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. He is chiefly known for his 1923 book The Prophet, a series of philosophical essays written in English prose. An early example of Inspirational fiction which was largely influenced by his strong Christian faith. Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.
I hope each of you get a chance to read the jewel. Live the day, stay safe, and do something simple for a friend!
Forgiveness
Forgiveness
by John D. Trent
Life is an exercise in forgiveness. It is the most essential act for overcoming life's challenges. However, forgiveness can be difficult. As humans we tend to dwell on the injustice we have experienced; thus, allowing our emotions to control our actions and words.......... in lieu of our minds.
Thich Nhat Hanh, (Zen Buddhist Monk) wrote, "To reconcile conflict, we must have the ability to understand the suffering of both sides." Though very difficult, we must make time to understand and to mindfully contemplate 'Why' we feel violated or 'wronged'. Many times, the offender is dealing with their own internal struggles which impact their perception; thus, they say or act in a such a way that is unacceptable to us , but behave in a manner which is consistent with their own reality.
By not forgiving, we become a prisoners of our own ill will and feelings. As written in Ephesians 4:31-32, "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor,and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Consider the last time you forgave someone.... how did it feel? Did you feel relieved? Did you feel as if a weight had been lifted?
In summary, Catherine Ponder wrote, "When you hold resentment towards another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link". In the end, we must consider whether or not to be held hostage by our negative feelings or allow ourselves to be free. I hope you chose to be free, for life is too short.
I'm going to start off this morning by forgiving myself............ I feel better already!
by John D. Trent
Life is an exercise in forgiveness. It is the most essential act for overcoming life's challenges. However, forgiveness can be difficult. As humans we tend to dwell on the injustice we have experienced; thus, allowing our emotions to control our actions and words.......... in lieu of our minds.
Thich Nhat Hanh, (Zen Buddhist Monk) wrote, "To reconcile conflict, we must have the ability to understand the suffering of both sides." Though very difficult, we must make time to understand and to mindfully contemplate 'Why' we feel violated or 'wronged'. Many times, the offender is dealing with their own internal struggles which impact their perception; thus, they say or act in a such a way that is unacceptable to us , but behave in a manner which is consistent with their own reality.
By not forgiving, we become a prisoners of our own ill will and feelings. As written in Ephesians 4:31-32, "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor,and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Consider the last time you forgave someone.... how did it feel? Did you feel relieved? Did you feel as if a weight had been lifted?
In summary, Catherine Ponder wrote, "When you hold resentment towards another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link". In the end, we must consider whether or not to be held hostage by our negative feelings or allow ourselves to be free. I hope you chose to be free, for life is too short.
I'm going to start off this morning by forgiving myself............ I feel better already!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Surrender
 |
| Photo by John Trent |
Surrender
by John D. Trent
Grey,
So very,very grey
Colorless puddles
And floating decay
Sizzling,
With every falling touch
Slow
So very, very slow
Bent yellow blades
Their end foretold
Surrendering,
As distant thunder rolls
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Wet Cars
Wet Cars
by John Trent
So grey and dreary a light rain falls
A darkened sheen blankets the nearby road
Reflecting beams from each moving car
The wet tires hiss and fade as they pass
Drifting,
Wandering,
I stare through the glass
Sitting and watching in this parade of wet cars
What are their thoughts, what music do they play?
Are they angry or happy, do they need a change?
Are they trying to exist or make ends meet?
Are they sad and lonely or just thinking of the beach?
Drifting,
Wandering,
I stare through the pane
Sitting and watching in this caravan of wet cars
From this dry vantage I can see them all
The misty spray rises and returns to the road
Drab, yet bright, their colors blurred
The machines and passengers, their shadows unheard
Drifting,
Wandering,
I stare through the grey
Sitting and watching my thoughts go astray
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