My Toolbox

We all have gifts that must be recognized and built to their full potential in order to fully live out our God given purpose in this life.

The tools needed to realize our gifts and excel in our work are different to each of us individually.

As a writer, my gift is the ability to clearly communicate my thoughts from my heart. My toolbox, however, must be loaded with the right words, pens, journals, computers, knowledge of programs like Microsoft Word, knowledge of how to correctly craft a sentence, and most importantly - the life experience to draw upon that makes for interesting content.

As an artist, one may have the visions in their head for astounding work, but without paints, brushes, canvases, solid techniques, and inspiration in their toolbox, those images might as well remain locked in their mental storehouse forever.

As I've been growing in my faith, I realize that the same concept applies for Christianity. I have the love in my heart and the desire to grow more. The next step is to stock my toolbox with Christian family and friends, lessons from His word, unconditional love and forgiveness to others, chairty and prayer.

As I was praying yesterday, I asked the Lord to give me these things in my life and as I waited in silence - the Holy spirit spoke to me.

These words have come out before...I wonder if they are actual
Bible verses??

It said,
"I am with you - in you and around you.
I am there - don't you know I care?"

I answered,
"Yes Lord, I know you're there.
Yes Father, I know you care."

And I prayed this prayer poem:
"Give me tools. Help me grow. Make my toolbox overflow."

I pray the same prayer for any of you reading this that have a calling to do something BIG-
Something that is in you - a gift from God. I pray that you not only recognize your gift, but run with it, wrapped around your heart, with your arms wide open to receive the tools the He has made for you!

Amen.

Connecting the Dots...

dot dot dot...

Like dots that punctuate lingering thoughts, 

I heard knock knock knock, no, a bang bang bang...

It was opportunity at my door

And I saw it! And I opened it wide!

This opportunity in front of me

Took the form of a tall, well dressed lady.

I examined her - looked her up and down

And listened closely as she spoke softly.

I didn't know then, what she would teach me

That this loving person was put right there

Right in front of me so He could reach me

And boy, did He! An artist made for me!

Check her paintings out and you, too, can see.

A love of pandas, hearts and poetry

Thank you Lord, for bringing this girl to me

For this amazing opportunity!

Look at her website, and you, too, can see

Encouragement for dreamers, just like me

Art made with LOVE, and words powered by Him

Thank you Jeannette, let the loving begin!

xOx,

Ms. Panda

Here's a preview of her art for you to see!

I can already feel the stories that go with these images!!!

I am a Blessed and Charged Little Panda Bear

So I had this dream a couple of nights ago that I was in the shallow water of a lake, or maybe it was the bank side of a river...

But I had a fishing pole in my hand and remember specifically that I was not trying to catch anything, in fact, I was just reeling in the line to pack up and get ready to go.   However, my line had a tug on it and convinced it was just caught up on some moss or a stone, I walked toward it to help reel it in without breaking the line. It was then that I realized that I actually had something on the line, for it began to pull away.  So I walked to shore, dragging the pole and towing the line behind me.  When I got in shallow enough water, I freaked out for I had an extremely large fish on my line!!!  I mean, like HUGE!  My dad was on the bank, so I said, "Dad!  Help me!"

He ran out into the shallow waters and scooped the heavy fish up with both arms and carried it onto the shore.  We stared in amazement at the BIG FISH and he even said, "It must be at least a 50 pounder!" We unhooked it and stood in awe around the anomaly, trying to guess it's species, but couldn't nail it down to any category.  And as we discussed it, the big guy wiggled his way back into the water to swim away free. 

I remember in my dream feeling upset for letting him get away, but I have thought a LOT about the dream since then and have come to the conclusion that it was a necessary part of my dream.  You see, fish have many meanings according to my "Hidden Meaning of Dreams" book.

One of them is that "Fish are a product of the emotions and intuition, as opposed to the materialistic, earthbound approach to life."  This is very important to me as no matter how many material possessions we have, nor how big and status worthy they may be, nothing compares to the power of the spirit within us.  Our ability to let go of the things we are attached to is our ultimate freedom.  It is only then, I believe, that we may truly live.  To me, in this regard, the fish represents my understanding of this concept, and according to the book, I am experiencing a period of personal growth.  It's the truth. I am very much so...

On my birthday, March 18th, I re-devoted my heart to Christ.  Since then SO much has changed for the better in my life.  In fact, my dream book also considers the fish to be "A symbol of Christ," and even more, "a mystical insight into my divine potential."  

Since I've been back to church and seeking His knowledge and wisdom, I have felt called to do great things to not only deepen my relationship with Him, but also to set an example for others.  Similarly, as the fish in my dream came unexpectedly and got away just as easily, it is important to mirror that example in my faith.  I feel that the fish's freedom represents me sacrificing my selfish needs and surrendering it all back to Him.  By doing so, I will be much more greatly rewarded and so will those whose lives I brush along my path.  You see, I don't intend to be preachy, but I want my light to shine, my love to spill over, and my new found successes to speak for themselves!  I want others to see His work through me and become seekers themselves. In this way I am letting that BIG fish go - freely - and happily - and HOPEFULLY into the hearts of those seeking something better and greater who I am able to touch with my life example.

In my past, I have continuously struggled to publish my Children's literature, mainly because I am the only one holding myself accountable.  Until now.  Now I have a greater spirit inside me, encouraging me to do great things and share His spirit with others.  Now if I fail to do so, I will not only be failing myself, but Him also.  It sounds scary and heavy, but it is nothing even close to that.  As I grow and expand my relationship with Christ, I am only fueling the strength inside of me and I feel so much more alive and full of purpose than ever before.

So I felt it important to share here, with you all, whoever reads this message, to feel the love and watch my growth over the next few months, years, forever.  I know it won't be easy, for it hasn't been easy so far, but with Him - I am filled with love and strength - within.  I need not look anywhere else.  His spirit is in me - in my heart - and in my words.  Bless you all!

Here's some poetry that's been coming to me in the quietness of my prayers.  Hope you can truly HEAR it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Panda's Powerful Prayer Poetry

4/9/12

A wellspring of love

     Inside of me

To conquer the pain

     That tries me.

4/10/12

The word is just the beginning

His love is the middle

True Christian work is a means to the end.

4/11/12

I am with you - 

In you and around you.

I am the light

That you ask for

Shine me bright

So darkness can see.

4/12/12

Clean the roadblocks from your life

Ask Jesus to shine His light

Wash the dirty doubt away

Let God's glory reign today!

Don't fear the unwilling ears

Go, seek the unclean and weak.

They need His love just as you

Go spread light, Get to it, too!!

4/13/12

The day you wake up and are ready to die

Is the day you will be the most alive.

4/14/12

He sacrificed His son for me

The battle's still not won, I see

My sacrifice for Him must come

I must lead the lost to the One.

No one said it would be that fun

And I'll be judged by everyone.

But if I let the love flow free

And surrender what he gave me

Then worry, fear, frustration and more

Will fade away - out the back door

And I will give my heart to Him

And be free from the world of sin.

Will you do it, too? Let Him in?

His word is power - read it then!

His word is power - read it then!

And sacrifice your life for Him!

4/15/12

Today I pray 

That He bless me

With all I need

To make my dreams

His reality --

It's ALL for Him

ALL ways - All days.

Amen.

4/16/12

ON EARTH AS ONE.

4/17/12

Today I pray for my calling

Today I pray He called me

For His purpose is great and good

And I have said all that I could

Now I just believe and sing

These verses that He gave to me

Out there, for the whole world to see

Yet only He may bless their reach.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a SUPER DUPER, BLESSED and SPIRITUALLY CHARGED day!!!

Thanks for being here :)

xOx,
Ms. Panda

The Lorax (adapted for the stage)

The Lorax

By Dr. Seuss

(Adapted for the stage by Amanda Steinhaus)

Characters: (in order of appearance)

BLADES OF GRICKLE GRASS (#1 - #6), live outside of the Once-ler’s factory.

ONCE-LER

TRUFFULA TREES (#1 - #7)

TWO BROWN BAR-BA-LOOTS

TWO HUMMING-FISH

THE LORAX

Scene One:  The street of the lifted Lorax.  A chorus of six blades of Grickle-grass faces center stage.   Three blades stand stage left and three on stage right.  Their side that faces the audience should be dark and wilted. The Grickle-grass acts as a chorus at times also.

GRICKLE-GRASS (Chorus)

Where we grow, a slow-and-sour wind will blow, the song of the old crow, to our end of town.

(GRICKLE-GRASS splits in half; each side of three walks backward and opens up the center of the stage.  The Once-ler’s door to his factory appears in the center.)

And if you look deep enough into my past, you’ll find the history of the lifted Lorax.

BLADE OF GRICKLE-GRASS, #1

What was the Lorax?

                                    BLADE OF GRICKLE-GRASS, #4

And why was it there?

                                    BLADE OF GRICKLE-GRASS #2

And why was it lifted and taken somewhere?

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

From the far end of town, where the grackle-grass grows?

                                    BLADE OF GRICKLE-GRASS #5

The old Once-ler still lives here.

                                    BLADE OF GRICKLE-GRASS #3

Ask HIM!

                                    BLADE OF GRICKLE-GRASS #6

HE knows!

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

He’ll tell you, perhaps…

                                    BLADE OF GRICKLE-GRASS #1

If you’re willing to pay…

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

He’ll tell you how the Lorax was lifted away.

(BLADES #1 AND #2 knock on the Once-ler’s door cowardly.  A tin pail lowers from a rope.)

                                    BLADE OF GRICKLE-GRASS #2

You have to toss in fifteen cents and a nail…

                                (BLADE #2 tosses coins and nail in the pail.)

                                    BLADE OF GRICKLE-GRASS #1

And the shell…

                                (BLADE #1 tosses a shell in the pail.)

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

Of a great-great-great grandfather snail!

(The pail lifts back up.  The ONCE-LER appears by sliding open a small window just big enough to show only his eyes.)

                                    ONCE-LER

I will call you by Whisper-ma-Phone, for the secrets I tell are for your ears alone.

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

SLUPP!

                                (The Whisper-ma-Phone lowers down.)

                                    ONCE-LER

(Sounding as if he had smallish bees up his nose.)  Now, I’ll tell you (pause) how the Lorax got lifted and taken away—It all started way back—Such a long , long time back—Way back in the days---

(GRICKLE GRASS turns away from ONCE-LER and is green!  CHORUS starts swaying.)

ONCE-LER        and GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

When the grass was still green

                                    And the pond was still wet

And the clouds were still clean,

                                    And the song of the Swomee-Swans rang out in space…

One morning, I came to this glorious place.

(Seven TRUFFULA TREES skip out on stage, holding hands and singing “Wee, Wee, Wee.”)

And I first saw the trees        

The Truffula Trees!

The bright-colored tufts of the Truffula trees!

Mile after mile in the fresh morning breeze.

(TRUFFULA TREES sway with the GRICKLE-GRASS and split, too.  One stands far stage left.  Two BROWN BAR-BA-LOOTS enter juggling fruit stage left.)

                                    ONCE-LER

And, under the trees, I saw Brown Bar-ba-loots (pause) frisking around in their Bar-ba-loot suits (pause) as they played in the shade and ate Truffula Fruits.

(Two HUMMING-FISH enter humming and splashing around stage right.)

From the rippulous pond (pause) came the comfortable sound (pause) of the Humming-Fish humming (pause) while splashing around. (pause)  But thosetrees!

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

Those trees!

                                    ONCE-LER

Those Truffula Trees! (pause)  All my life I’d been searching for trees such as these.  (pause)  The touch of their tufts was much softer than silk. 

(TRUFFULA TREES “Coo.”)

And they had the sweet smell of fresh butterfly milk.  I felt a great leaping of joy in my heart.  I knew just what I’d do! I unloaded my cart.

                                (ONCE-LER picks up an ax and waves it out from behind the door.)

In no time at all, I had built a shop.

(ONCE-LER points ax toward TRUFFULA TREES and chops. Ax disappears.)

                                    TRUFFULA TREES

Eeek!

                                    ONCE-LER

Then I chopped down a Truffula Tree with one chop…

(TRUFFULA TREES start crying as TRUFFULA TREE #1 falls over toward the ONCE-LER’s door and he pulls the tree inside with his green gloves.  Behind where TRUFFULA TREE #1 was, the LORAX appears.)

And with great skill and with great speedy speed, I took the soft tuft.  And I knitted a Thneed.

                                (ONCE-LER waves a sweater out from behind the door.)

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

Ga-Zump!

(The LORAX jumps out to center stage.  The TRUFFULA TREES skip around and cheer.  The GRICKLE-GRASS sways.  The HUMMING-FISH and BAR-BA-LOOTS clap.)

                                    LORAX

(With a sawdusty sneeze.)  Mister! I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. 

(The LORAX whispers to the TRUFFULA TREES and walks closer to the ONCE-LER’S door.)

And I’m asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs…(Shouting and puffing.)What’s that THING you’ve made out of my Truffula tuft?

                                    ONCE-LER

(Holds out the Thneed/sweater.)

Look, Lorax, There’s no cause for alarm. I chopped just one tree. I am doing no harm.  I’m being quite useful.  This thing is a Thneed.  A Thneed’s a Fine-Something-That-All-People-Need! 

GRICKLE-GRASS BLADE #1

It’s a shirt. 

                                    BLADE #4

It’s a sock. 

                                    BLADE #2

It’s a glove. 

                                    BLADE #5

It’s a hat.

                                    ONCE-LER

But it has other uses.   Yes, far beyond that.  You can use it for carpets.  For pillows!  For sheets!  Or curtains!  Or covers for bicycle seats!

                                    TRUFFULA TREES

Eeek!

                                    LORAX

Sir! You are crazy with greed.  There is no one on earth who would buy the fool Thneed!

(GRICKLE-GRASS turns back to wilted side.  A BAR-BA-LOOT stomps on the ONCE-LER’s foot and gives LORAX a piece of fruit to put in his pocket.  The TRUFFULA TREES turn their backs/cover their eyes.)

    CHAP

(Walking by.)  This is great! And only $3.98!

                                (The LORAX lifts up his arms.)

                                    ONCE-LER

You poor stupid guy!  You never can tell what some people will buy. 

(The TREES uncover their eyes, TRUFFULA TREE #2 falls over and the ONCE-LER pulls it inside with his green arms.)

                                    LORAX

(Crying.) I repeat, I speak for the trees!

                                (The LORAX freezes.)

                                    ONCE-LER

I’m busy

                                    CHORUS

                                (The GRICKLE-GRASS turns back to green.)

He told him

                                    ONCE-LER

Shut up, if you please. 

                                (ONCE-LER holds a phone out the door.)

                                    CHORUS

He called all his brothers and uncles and aunts and said,

                                    TRUFFULA TREES

(In a sad, sad voice, almost not heard.)  Listen here!  Here’s a wonderfulchance?

                                    ONCE-LER

For the whole Once-Ler family to get mighty rich!  Get over here fast!  Take the road to North Nitch.  Turn left at Weehawken.  Sharp right at South Stitch.

                                    BLADE #3

And, in no time at all,

                                    BLADE #6

in the factory he built,

                                    BLADE #1

the whole Once-ler family

                                    BLADE #4

was working full tilt.

                                    BLADE #2

They were knitting Thneeds

                                    BLADE #5

just as busy as bees,

                                    CHORUS

to the sound of the chopping of Truffula Trees.

(TRUFFULA TREE #3 gags, chokes and falls over.  The ONCE-LER drags it inside the door.  The other TREES cry.  The LORAX awakens and comforts the other TRUFFULA TREES.)

(pause) Then..

                                    ONCE-LER

Oh! Baby! Oh!

                                    CHORUS

                                (They turn back to wilted blades as they speak.)

#5 and #2: How his business did grow!

#6 and #3: Now, chopping one tree

#4: at a time

#1: was too slow.

                                    ONCE-LER

So I quickly invented my Super-Axe-Hacker which whacked off four Truffula Trees at one smacker.

(ONCE-LER hacks out the door. TRUFFULA TREES #4, #5, and #6 faint and fall on top of the LORAX.  The BAR-BA-LOOTS try to revive them.)

We were making Thneeds four times as fast as before!  And that Lorax?  Hedidn’t show up any more.

(The LORAX gets up and shakes it off.  He walks over to the ONCE-LER’s door with the two BROWN BAR-BA-LOOTS and knocks.)

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

But the next week he knocked at the Once-Ler’s new office door.

                                    LORAX

(Snappy) I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees (pause) which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please.  (pause) But I’m also in charge of the Brown Bar-ba-loots (pause) who played in the shade in their Bar-ba-loot suits (pause) and happily lived, eating Truffula Fruits.

                                (BAR-BA-LOOTS clench their tummies.)

NOW…thanks to your hacking my trees to the ground, there’s not enough Truffula Fruit to go ‘round.  And my poor Bar-ba-loots are all getting the crummies (pause) because they have gas, and no food, in their tummies!

                                (One BAR-BA-LOOT faints and the other catches it.)

They loved living here. But I can’t let them stay.  They’ll have to find food. And I hope that they may.  Good luck, boys!

(The LORAX sends the BAR-BA-LOOTS away.  The GRICKLE-GRASS and the last TRUFFULA TREE bows to them as they walk offstage right.)

                                    ONCE-LER

I felt sad as I watched them all go (pause) BUT… (pause) Business is business! And business must grow (pause) regardless of crummies in tummies, you know.

                                    CHORUS

Regardless of crummies in tummies, you know?

                                    ONCE-LER

I meant no harm.  I most truly did not.  But I had to grow bigger.  So bigger I got.  I biggered my factory.  I biggered my roads.  I biggered my wagons.  I biggered the loads (pause) of the Thneeds I shipped out. 

                                (Toy dump trucks roll across the stage carrying smoke bombs.)

I was shipping them forth (pause) to the South!  To the East!  To the West! To the North!  I went right on biggering…selling more Thneeds.  And I biggered my money, which everyone needs.

(The LORAX, the last TREE, the GRASS and the two HUMMING-FISH all shake their heads “no.”)

                                    LORAX

(Coughing and whiffing.)  I am the Lorax!

                                    ALL

(Coughing and whiffing.) He is the LORAX!

                                    LORAX

(Sneezing, snuffing and snarggling.)  Once-ler!  (He croaks.)  Once-ler! You’re making such smogulous smoke!  My poor Swomee-Swans…why, they can’t sing a note! 

(The sound of sick birdsongs is heard overhead.)

No one can sing who has smog in his throat.  And so—(LORAX waves up in the air) please pardon my cough—they cannot live here. So I’m sending them off. 

(The GRASS and the TREE and the FISH wave to the ceiling.) 

Where will they go?  I don’t hopefully know.  They may have to fly a month…or a year…To escape from the smog you’ve smogged-up around here.

                                (SLIME starts to roll down the outside of the ONCE-LER’s door.)

What’s more…

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

                                (Spinning.)

Snapped the Lorax, his dander was up!

                                    LORAX

Let me say a few words about Gluppity-Glupp. 

(The FISH hum over to the door and smell the GLUPPITY-GLUP.  The dump trucks with smoke bombs roll across the stage again.)

Your machinery chugs on, day and night without stop (pause) making Gluppity-Glupp.  Also Schloppity-Schlopp.  And what do you do with this leftover goo?  I’ll show you.  You dirty old Once-ler man, you!

                                (The HUMMING FISH fall over in front of the ONCE-LER’s door.)

You’re gluimping the pond where the Humming-Fish hummed!  No more can they hum, for their gills are all gummed. 

(The LORAX lifts up the FISH.)

So I’m sending them off.  Oh, their future is dreary.  They’ll walk on their fins and get woefully weary (pause) in search of some water that isn’t so smeary.

                                    CHORUS

                                (Stomping.)

And then he got mad!  He got terribly mad!

                                    ONCE-LER

NOW LISTEN HERE, DAD!  ALL YOU DO IS YAP-YAP AND SAY, ‘BAD! BAD! BAD! BAD!

                                    ALL

BAD! BAD! BAD! BAD!

                                    ONCE-LER

Well, I have my rights, sir, and I’m telling you (pause) I intend to go on doing just what I do!  And, for your information, you Lorax, I’m figgering on…

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

                                (Spinning around and around.)

biggering and BIGGERING AND BIGGERING AND BIGGERING,turning MORE Truffula Trees into Thneeds

                                    ONCE-LER

Which everyone, EVERYONE, EVERYONE needs!

(All shake their heads “no,” and the GRICKLE-GRASS stops with its wilted side facing the audience.  The ONCE-LER’s axe swipes out the door.)

WHACK!

                                (The last TRUFFULA TREE falls over.)

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

The very last Truffula Tree of them all!

                                    BLADE #1

No more trees.

                                    BLADE #4

No more Thneeds.

                                    ONCE-LER

No more work to be done.

                                    BLADE #2

So, in time…

                                    BLADE #5

His uncles and aunts, every one,

                                    BLADE #3

Jumped into his cars and drove away under the smoke-smuggered stars

                                    BLADE #6

Now all that was left ‘neath the bad smelling sky

                                    ONCE-LER

Was my big empty factory, the Lorax, and I.

(The LORAX drops a note on the ground and gives the ONCE-LER a sad, sad backward glance, then lifts himself by the seat of his pants.  He jumps on a mini trampoline and bounces offstage.  The ONCE-LER unfolds the note and shows it to the audience.  It reads, “UNLESS.”)      

Whatever this means, well, I just can’t guess.

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

#6: That was long, long ago.

#3: But each day since that day

#5: He’s sat here and worried

#2: And worried away.

#4: Through the years, while his buildings have fallen apart

#1: He’s worried about it with all of his heart.

                                    ONCE-LER

                                (He comes out from behind the fence, but is still disguised by boards.)

But now, Now that you’re here, the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear. UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.

                                (ONCE-LER throws a seed to the audience.)

So, Catch!  It’s a Truffula Seed.  It’s the last one of all! You’re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds. And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.

                                    GRICKLE-GRASS (CHORUS)

                                (Each turns back to its green side as it says its line.)

#6: Plant a new Truffula.

#3: Treat it with care.

#5: Give it clean water.

#2: And feed it fresh air.

#4: Grow a forest.

#1: Protect it from axes that hack.

                                    ONCE-LER

Then the Lorax and all of his friends may come back.

                                (All of the characters return to the stage and take a bow.)

THE END

Feel So Close

Calvin Harris' song "Feel So Close" is singing to me right now in my life -
Especially with my nephew in town for Spring Break!!!

We have had such a great day and the moon is smiling down on us cause like us, it has no reason to frown!!! :) :) :)

"I wear my heart up on my sleeve like its a BIG DEAL!!!"


I feel so close to you right now
It's a force field
I wear my heart upon my sleeve, like a big deal
Your love pours down on me, surround me like a waterfall
And there's no stopping us right now
I feel so close to you right now

[Dance beat plays]

I feel so close to you right now
It's a force field
I wear my heart upon my sleeve, like a big deal
Your love pours down on me, surround me like a waterfall
And there's no stopping us right now
I feel so close to you right now

[Dance beat plays]

And there's no stopping us right now

And there's no stopping us right now

And there's no stopping us right now

I feel so close to you right now...

I Dream of Paradise...

Paradise by Coldplay

When she was just a girl
She expected the world
But it flew away from her reach so
She ran away in her sleep
and dreamed of
Para-para-paradise, Para-para-paradise, Para-para-paradise
Every time she closed her eyes

When she was just a girl
She expected the world
But it flew away from her reach
and the bullets catch in her teeth
Life goes on, it gets so heavy
The wheel breaks the butterfly
Every tear a waterfall
In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes
In the night the stormy night away she'd fly

and dreams of
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise

Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
She'd dream of
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh-oh

lalalalalalalalalalala
And so lying underneath those stormy skies
She'd say, "oh, ohohohoh I know the sun must set to rise"

This could be
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
This could be
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
This could be
Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh-oh

The Greatest Love of All

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

Everybody's searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me

[Chorus:]
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

[Chorus]

And if, by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love