THE MASK

                           [Photo Source: Google online images]

17 Feb 2012 -- Our Path through Life weaves through a maze of daily challenges, sorrows, disappointments, pain, suffering; and if fate allows, some LOVE and JOY and LAUGHTER.  The remainder of Life's Journey is a mystery – an adventure to unfold moment by moment – in a woven tapestry. 

IS IT wise to let circumstance play its tune -- without spending energy to battle outcomes that may never eventuate (some call this the "Worry - Wart Syndrome")? 

IS IT wise to waste your life changing or organizing events that cannot be altered from your efforts (some call this the "Serenity Prayer")? 

IS IT wise to put on a 'brave face', a 'smiley face', a 'false face', a MASK – in order that one may be accepted by others?

So many questions – so many answers – so many perspectives! 

WHAT MASK will I wear today?  To be accepted!  Loved!  Forgiven!  Penitent!  Remembered!  Cherished!  Employed!  Promoted!  Successful!  Saved!  Released!  Imprisoned!

WHO will see my MASK?

WHO will see that I'm even wearing a MASK?

WHO will see behind my MASK?

WHO will even be looking?

(Dorothy Hazel Tarr)

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                    [Photo Source: Google online images]

SOURCE LINK—

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinhold_Niebuhr

(God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  ~ "Serenity Prayer", by Reinhold Niebuhr, American theologian and commentator, 1892-1971)

(JUST A NOTE — WHERE does ONE find the COURAGE to move on – beyond what can be seen?.  ~dht)

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                       [Photo Source: Google online images]

We CAN'T control the impressions others form about us, and THE EFFORT TO DO SO only debases our character.  [~Epictetus]

(JUST A NOTE—I do not think that this Greek slave Epictetus used these exact words!  DO YOU?  The words used in this phrase "CAN'T" and "THE EFFORT TO DO SO" seem too colloquial.  Nevertheless, the idea as recorded by Epictetus's pupil Arrian, may cause one to PAUSE and PONDER.  ~dht)

SOURCE LINK—

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epictetus

Epictetus (Greek: Ἐπίκτητος; AD 55 – AD 135) was a Greek sage and Stoic philosopher.  He was born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey), and lived in Rome until banishment when he went to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece where he lived the rest of his life.  His teachings were noted down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses.  Philosophy, he taught, is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline.  To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately.  Individuals, however, are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline.  Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power.  As part of the universal city that is the universe, human beings have a duty to care for all fellow humans.  The person who followed these precepts would achieve happiness and peace of mind.

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LOVE'S UNSPOKEN SECRET

               [Photo Source: GOOGLE online images]

(Feb 2012  --  Well,  you can forget Valentine's Day, for I'm just waiting for the marked down CHOCOLATES on February 15^th. dht)

There is no VOWEL that shares the Heart  --   

as my dear one's unspoken troth.

There is no FLOWER that shares the Heart --   

as an embrace in my loved one's arms.

There is no CARD that shares the Heart    --   

as the sparkle of your smile.

There is no VERSE that shares the Heart  --   

as the rhymes of your love.

There is no TREASURE that shares the Heart --

as the softness of your kiss on my cheek.

There is no CANDY that shares the Heart -- 

as the sweetness of your touch.

 There is no GIFT that shares the Heart --   

as your unconditional devotion.

There is no MELODY that shares the Heart --   

as the sound of your voice to my ear.

There is no WEALTH that shares the Heart   --

as your breath of Life.

There is no SECRET that shares the Heart –

as it is always constant and true.

BUT, a box of chocolates would be nice  -- 

and can be our LOVE's unspoken secret.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr]

LOVE'S OWN DREAM

            [Photo Source:  GOOGLE online images]

(5 Feb 2012  --  There is a song in my head and a melody in my heart – the verse forgotten by my Lover and unsung.  Wherever I wander, whenever I lay in slumber, the memories follow as familiar companions.  As the old patterns in my life are retraced, I relive anew those precious times with my LOVE.  They are all that I hold dear and are more precious and treasured than ever.  The past is gone, and while the loss has been devastating, there is nothing that can be done to really regain what is lost.  While I do not want to let go of my treasured memories, choosing to live in my past will never completely assuage my loss, nor completely erase the pain I feel now and the void in my life.  Day – by – day, I walk through my life retracing the worn, rocky, and difficult pathways of my memories, reliving times long gone, but made afresh from daily visits.  Ever faithful to my memories, I tend them with special care deserved of heartfelt treasures dreams in hues of LOVE.  dht)

The sweet words of LOVE –

but a melody in my memory.

LOVE stayed but for a while –

then took flight on the wings of Time.

The bonds that would stay LOVE –  

faltered and frayed.

LOVE's voice is silent –

the story untold.

Whispered words of LOVE only a memory –

on a sea of tears.

The current of my tears –

drown my heart in the swollen waters of grief.

My salty lips have lost their smile --

my achy heart has lost its joy.

Dreams of LOVE stalk my nights –

then follow a carved path through my days.

A bond set by a prayer –

later severed by a gavel.

There is no LOVE in your eyes –

no comfort in your arms.

Through the passage of the years –

LOVE's dream follows in lonely corridors.

The tears taste bittersweet –

in my wanderer's loveless sojourn.

As I lay, I wonder --

while I watch the magic of LOVE's dream play out – again.

Time's forgetfulness awaits the dreamer –

where my lover's face shines with tenderness and comfort.

My walk is solo at the end –

without LOVE's candle, warmth, or flame.

The day grows cold and I grow old –

with only dream shadows to follow.

LOVE's remembered moments –

will not be swept away by Nature's taps.

A single note of LOVE's melody –

plays on in my Heart's embrace.

It is so much easier to LOVE the melody –

than to LOVE the withered leafless vine.

Your melody played on after I was gone –

but to another's tune.

To my heart you are no stranger –

to my LOVE you are no captive.

LOVE words spoken at an alter –

now lost on a sea of tears.

Names written on a vowel –

erased by legalese.

The melody from our LOVE song –

a forgotten verse unsung.

My final rest will not be alongside you –

your name not chiseled on my headstone.

LOVE's tendrils shroud my heart –

LOVE's ashes my monument.

LOVE's absence leaves my life raw and unfinished –

albeit the end is nearer.

All my windows and doors are open –

all my LOVE a memory.

JUST LOVE'S OWN DREAM.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr]