little oceans
Posted by Daniel in the bad, the observations, the understanding on November 7, 2011
misplaced priority and
a rushed moment
collide
leaving behind little oceans
as big as my entire heart
we are drawn to happiness.
anything else rarely results in learning
unless we aim to teach avoidance.
especially in a child.
more little oceans form.
entire seas
requiring nail upon bitten nail,
lip upon pulled lip,
and every waking moment
until I see her smiling face again
to dry them up.
a higher swing
Posted by Daniel in the good, the understanding on August 12, 2011
the four answers “yes”
Posted by Daniel in the needs, the observations, the understanding on August 8, 2011
Given my current circumstances it isn’t out of the ordinary that I’ve been thinking a lot about women and dating. I realized over the weekend that there are really only two big things that need to be in place for two people to work, and those two things have to go both ways.
an unworthy thought
Posted by Daniel in the good, the observations, the understanding on June 21, 2011
Now and then your name or your words cross my mind.
In the midst of trying to find the words that never come –
An expression of what you meant to me,
What I would have done for you,
And what you are missing now –
I suddenly realize that the kindness I pay you
by simply remembering your name
Is more thought than you ever gave to me or my happiness.
making fruit
Posted by Daniel in the good, the observations, the understanding on January 27, 2011
Love is not a bowl of oranges.
Its fruits are devoured quickly.
A race against the spoiling sun.
The bowl is left behind.
Empty.
Love is an orange tree.
Its fruits are cherished,
Handled delicately
Leaving only few with bruises.
Collected conservatively
Leaving none to spoil in the sun.
In time, with rich nourishment
Plenty of water, and diligent care
The tree will yield great fruit
To be devoured or savored
As often as you please.
two opposing lessons
Posted by Daniel in the bad, the good, the needs, the observations, the understanding on January 23, 2011
I’m realizing now, more than ever, that I have a really hard time simply asking for what I want.
I’m not the kind of person to blame my own faults on past circumstances, but it does help to go over what might have reinforced bad thinking.
I’ve always had low self-esteem. Slowly, in one life area at a time, that’s getting better. But this personal stuff (friends, love, sex, etc), that’s still the last part to go.
these four walls
Posted by Daniel in the needs, the observations, the understanding on January 22, 2011
four walls provide shelter.
protection from rain and sun.
a buffer from the cold and heat.
a quiet place to find rest.
four walls do not provide life.
it doesn’t seep from the foundation.
it doesn’t blow in through the cracks.
it doesn’t drip from the light fixture
every time it rains.
life is made from love and laughter.
life is forged out of respect and admiration.
life is built through trust and participation.
walking puzzle pieces
Posted by Daniel in the good, the observations, the understanding on November 2, 2010
Last Sunday I took a walk: almost two hours, almost five miles, just for me. This is how it went.
(All of the images were edited and the text written in the tiny spaces of free time I have that surrounds and otherwise hectic life. It’s probably very disjointed. So if something doesn’t flow well or doesn’t quite make sense, please let me know and I’ll refine it over the next few weeks.)
the breaking point
Posted by Daniel in the bad, the understanding on October 11, 2010
Most people that know me don’t know the side of me that absolutely breaks down in a stressful situation. That’s because it doesn’t happen in every stressful situation. In fact, I’m really good under pressure. But in certain cases, on certain days, in certain situations, I lose it. I become a bad friend, a bad father, and a terrible person. I remain on the edge of frustration long after it happens.
a conflict of priorities
Posted by Daniel in the needs, the observations, the understanding on October 6, 2010
I’m always in conflict with myself about what should come first. Priorities. For life in general, yeah. But mostly, in regard to raising my child.
A friend recently made the analogy of the parent who misses the recital because they are working over time to pay for the costume. I wonder if working overtime is even worth it. Maybe we should just skip the recital entirely? At the same time, I want my kid to have everything those other kids have, and more. And “recital” works it’s way into that list, some how, even though deep down I know the ways and means are almost always more important than the ends.