To: You

Call forth what you need.

If you need power, 

do not wrest it from another call it forth from within. 

It is there.

Do not seek money from the world, 

call forth your ability to share your gifts and find money flowing to you.

If you want love, 

do not seek others to give it to you. 

Call it forth from your heart and the world will respond.

Everything you need sleeps within the depths of your soul awaiting your call. 

This day, call forth what you desire.

Leap of Faith

***

"If you bring forth what is within you,

what you bring forth will save you. 

If you do not bring forth what is within you,

what you do not bring forth will destroy you."

-as attributed to Jesus Christ in The Gospel of Thomas

***

As I typed the email I felt completely at peace.

I was saying everything that I believed in my heart and knew that it must be shared to avoid miscommunication, hurt feelings, and more of the same mistakes.

I've been down this road many times and know how easily my compassionate human nature can trump the conscious voices of my past trials talking clearly in my head; the spiritually intuitive stabs at my stomach; the pain that creeps out and reminds me,

"Not like this, not again Amanda, you know better."

But, life is a series of tests. I must take the same one in different forms over and over until I finally pass. Then, I will get a shiny new test, designed just for me. It never ends and I am an eternal student.

Just as some of life's tests are really easy, others are equally hard, constantly tripping me up and holding me back until I finally accept the truth and see the hard-to-swallow answers.

Today I took a test.  I call it a leap of faith.

By trusting in the Lord, I composed a beautiful email, full of my thoughts and truths and written from a place of love.  It felt theraputic to put those feelings down into words and to read, and reread them until they completely captured the message I hoped to send.

I said a prayer, then I hit send. 

My heart began to beat out of my chest and fear fell all around me, like dark walls cutting off my oxygen supply.  My breathing sped up.  Did I made a mistake?  Where did my peace go?  Questions began popping in my head and I started to continuously check my email for a reply that never came.

Oh how I wished I had just wrote it all for myself and then talked about it instead, but I always seem to leave important things out when I try it this way.  And oddly enough, my deep compassion sometimes physically hinders my ability to say what I am truly feeling, for fear of hurting the feelings of the person on the receiving end.

But nevertheless, I am a writer, so instead I wrote.  And I sent. 

Eventually, I stop checking for the reply and start praying more instead, that the peace I felt was real and God's will should be done.  My peace returns.

Six hours later, I reflect on the fear and conclude it was my embodiment of doing something the wrong way for so long, that when I finally set myself free, the wrongness didn't want to be kicked out without making a mess first.  By letting go of old ways, and setting a new way into motion, I could see how those failed tests were all just big grumpy messes, holding on and clinging, not willing to go without a final rumble inside.

Unfortunately for the mess, I've decided to clean house and am now keeping my eyes (and heart) open for my new test.  The next level baby.  One that will allow me to grow into a happier, more peaceful, more loving human being. 

Today, a leap of faith taught me that God always has my back, as long as I listen and dedicate my days, experiences and relationships to Him.

Amen.

Be The Light

A lot of life is dictated by our self-made fears and uncanny ability to create the worst possible outcomes in situations, before we allow ourselves to experience them.
A while ago, I began researching fear and found some great content online at the Raptitude blog.
 
Fear vs Intent
 
In all things in the world and in life there is polarity.
Opposites. Dark and light, night and day, love and hate, yin and yang.
There are no absolutes and everything is merely a matter of degree.
You cannot hate someone completely without loving them even a tiny bit, whether you acknowledge it consciously or not. It is just a matter of degree.
The manner in which you proceed through life sits in between the poles of fear and intent.
Do you move positively towards the things you want or do you run from the things you dislike?
We all do both but you will tend more often to one side than the other. It may be to a large degree or a small degree.
Insecurity in relationships comes when you are living from fear rather than intent. Instead of the positive decision to have a happy stable relationship you are seeking to avoid an outcome you do not like. It may be the fear that she is cheating, the fear that you are not good enough for her or any other fear. The key is that fear dominates.
Happy successful relationships come about when people are operating with intent. They create the circumstances they want in life rather than avoiding those they do not like.
This is evident in more than just relationships. In fitness it is the difference between trying to avoid becoming fat vs intending to become fit and strong. In your career it is avoiding a boring job vs chasing the job of your dreams. In your finances it is avoiding poverty vs consciously attaining wealth.
It is hard to let go of fear when you have nothing to replace it with. But positive intent is an excellent replacement.
There is a good biblical saying that to light a room you do not need to shovel out the darkness, you just turn on the light. By adopting an intent based mindset you will automatically lose your fear.
 
***
 
I responded by writing a series of haiku poems:
Haiku vs Fear
 
Him and Them
They try to steal my joy
And I start to bend

 
But the One
Reminds me to trust
And I lift it all up above

 
Up To Him
Only Because of Him
Can I really, truly live.

 
Plan on it
Go write a dream list
And then do it

 
Before he or they
Make you forget
And dust cakes up on it

 
Do what you
Always wanted to do
And do it good.

 
***
 
My prayer for you today is that you are able to follow through all things with intent and love, remembering the beauty that you do not always see on the surface of a person's scowling face, but that exists in their heart.
Be the light in your world and do not let fear darken your flame!
 
xo,
Ms. Panda

Footprints in the Sand

Found these cool footprints

 and followed them...

Young <3

Forever.

And Ever...

 ***

Live in the Moment.

Love Where He Leads You.

My Fergie-like Rap

The other day at the bar I work at, I told a bartender to,
"pour that beer into that cup!" just being silly.
But the cocktail waitress I was working with laughed at me and said, that sounds like a rap.
So I started saying it over and over fast and we all laughed and smiled.
The next morning, I woke up in a super good mood and was getting ready to go volunteer at the Rock Thrift Store when I remembered the bar rap. I thought about God and how I could reword it to be Christian.
So this is what I came up with:
"Pour His love Up
in your cup
In your cup
In your cup 

And drink it up
Drink it up
Drink His love 
Up out of your cup!"

Haha! I think it sounds like Fergie from the "Black Eyed Peas" especially if you compare it to the "Humps" song.

Here's the official video for those of you who don't know who Fergie is - or the song I am speaking of...

 

Anyway, I can't get it out of my head, so I wanted to write it down here!

Hope you have a great day!

xOx,
Ms. Panda

The Boss Loves You!

I went to dinner tonight at my best friends' sushi bar and when the bill came it was nearly a full comp. 

The description for the goodwill read, "The Boss Loves You." 

It made me think:

If the "Boss" loves you, then everyone loves you. 

There's no greater love than that of the boss.

He gives purpose, knows how well you're doing your job and is the judge at the end of it all. 

 Point: Do a good job.

Make the boss happy. 

Amen.

Blogathon Haiku Day 2012

Today is Day 21 of the Word Count Blogathon and the theme is HAIKU!

This style of poem, which you can learn about here, is composed of 17 sound units

divided into three parts - one with 5 units, one with 7 units and another with 5 units.

Here is one I wrote in Calligraphy for my pen pal:

Here are some I wrote today while I waited an hour at the DMV:

I love my haikus

They roll off my mind like wheels

Spinning in control

Poetry is life

A writer's means to speak it

A reader's glimpse in

Visual headlines

Written thoughtfully to see

What I am feeling

Haiku anywhere

Sitting in the DMV

Waiting to be called

It's 5-7-5

All it takes to come alive

In the haiku world

Spinning, twirling free

The sun shining down on me

Day after eclipse

The moon blocked her face

We poked holes through paper plates

The same as sixth grade

What a day it was!

I wrote a meaningful blog

And changed perceptions!

Today is a new day!

Full of opportunity

And love in my heart

Thanks for being here,

For reading the poems I write -

An eclipse of mind.

xOx,

Ms. Panda

Some of my favorite haiku posts from the past:

Numbers and weekdays

Mix so nicely in my mind

Imagine, Twosday.

Spiritual toys...
Play with them every day
and watch your light grow.

I see the word "love"

On the phone pole in the street

Just as you call me

She finds prince charming
Only exists in her books
But keeps believing

A moment to think
Of a thing called love, in ink
How shall I write it?

Karma maniacs

Cashin' in and styled out

On universe gifts

Aren't you curious
To know and live God's purpose?
It's why you are here.

Relax and enjoy
Trust that he has brought you here
To show you the way

My Favorite ALL-TIME Haiku:

Honest to a fault
I wear my heart on my sleeve
Like a truth tattoo

Poetry Wordle

This wordle comes from the poetry I write during my silent moments of prayer. 

You can read some those poems here.

It's interesting to see which words appear the largest, 

for they are the ones that repeat the most.

In my poems - it's ALL about TODAY, LOVE and LIGHT.

Yes.

Happy Mother's Day!

xOx,

Ms. Panda

The Love Story of Alicante

 During the 11th century, the Moors ruled over a thriving port city on the Mediterranean Sea. 

Rich in history, this city was the ultimate prize to victors of numerous wars.  

In the time of our story, a fair Moorish King ruled the land and lived high above its port in the Castillo de Santa Barbara, this breathtaking castle...

   

The King lived in the castle with his beautiful daughter, Cantana, who was his pride and joy.  Cantana was a free spirit, full of joy and love.  She was as lovely and soft as a rose, yet her amazing spirit and open heart made her beauty shine brighter than any star in the universe  Unlike other princesses, Cantana appreciated her servants and treated them as equals.  She especially loved attending festivals in the city, for it was then  that she was able to live freely among the many colorful people of her father's kingdom.

On the summer solstice, Cantana begged her father to grant her permission to celebrate the most important festival of the year, the Bonfires of Saint John.  For weeks the villagers built elaborate parade floats in all of the city's streets - all for one purpose - to burn as bright, big fires in honor of Saint John.  The King, knowing his daughter's lust for life, agreed to let Cantana attend the festival, but only if she promised one thing - to stay in the company of his guards at all times - for the King would never forgive himself if anything happened to his beautiful daughter.

Cantana, thrilled by her father's approval, decorated herself in silks of all colors and pinned her hair with the most fragrant flowers from the castle's garden.  The guardsmen accompanied her down the mountain, but had a hard time keeping up as Cantana skipped ahead for delight in her thoughts of the celebration that awaited her.  Fires, fireworks and friends from all walks of life smiled as Cantana arrived to the street party.    

She danced and laughed and talked with many cheerful people through the night.

On the sandy beach, where the pyrotechnics lit fireworks, Cantana sat and rested awhile to take in the show and admire her home - the Castle - as it rested quietly atop the mountain above the city.

Just then, a beggar from the streets approached Cantana.  As her guardsmen began to stop him, Cantana said not to worry and invited the man over.  He introduced himself as Ali, and confessed that he had been following her since her first appearance at the festival hours before.  

He said, 

"Everything about you is unique. 

From the top of your head 

to the tip of your toes.  

No one else can walk how you walk, 

or laugh like you laugh, 

or dance how you dance, 

smile how you smile, 

or shine like you shine.  

You're one of a kind.  

You are amazing to me."

Cantana admired Ali for his bravery.  Even though he was a beggar, she saw him as her equal.

She knew that his heart was pure and immediately felt a strong explosion in her heart. 

Cantana was going to save him from his life on the streets.

She grabbed Ali's hand and danced around him singing,

""All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small, 

All things wise and wonderful-

The Lord God made them all.

Come with me, Ali!

I will love you just as He made you -

To my heart you are true.

You are amazing to me, too!"

And while the guards were watching the fireworks display, Cantana and Ali slipped away to dance and sing and laugh and smile the night away.  

The next morning, Cantana arrived back at her father's castle and declared her love to the King.

"Father, my King, 

as you are aware, 

the love in my heart knows not class, 

and I want to be married to my heart's true love.

He is Ali."

The King became very upset, for Cantana had broken her promise to stay with the guardsmen all night.

In his anger, he forbid Cantana to marry Ali and told her to make him leave immediately!

The hearts of both lovers broke together at that same moment.  

Their knees became weak and tears poured from their eyes as they fell to the ground.

Overcome with sadness, the light that once shined in Cantana's heart went out.

Overcome by despair,

she looked one last time into Ali's eyes and said, 

"If I cannot be with you, 

my true love,

I do not wish to live."

Ali replied, 

"If I cannot be with you, 

my true love,

my life is also over." 

So the two star-crossed lovers joined hands tightly, 

ran quickly from the King and the guards

and jumped from the castle walls and far down into the salty sea below. 

The King immediately felt remorse for his hasty response to his daughter's plea, 

and overcome by his sadness he kneeled at the castle wall and cried for weeks. 

His tears slowly eroded the mountain into the shape of a Moor's face.

To this day you can see what the trail of the King's tears created.

  

The name of the city - Alicante - forever echoes the sad love story of Ali and Cantana.

THE END

The Blind Men and The Elephant

I overheard a story today that has Hindu origins, but basically describes the concept, "All roads lead to God."  It's just a short anecdote I overheard and thought I would share.  I may not have the whole story here, but you will get the point, I'm sure.

The story is about a few blind men in India who encounter an elephant.  

Curious, they all touch different parts of the animal to try and understand what it actually is.

One of them grabs the elephant's leg and describes, "It's like a tree trunk."

Another grabs its tail and says, "No, it's more like a vine."

Yet another grabs its ear and says, "You are both wrong, it is like the fan of the palm."

The story illustrates that without an objective authority to see the whole animal as an elephant, the men will always cling to their ideas and how they feel - convinced that they are right.  

Similarly, different religions claim that their interpretations of God are the right and only way to interpret His glory.

However, we can only be open to the existence of something greater than anything we can see or imagine during our short and seemingly "blind" trials on earth, which makes me wonder, "Do all roads lead to God?"

One thing I know for sure - God is Love - and the Word is my path to receiving His blessings. 

What do you think?

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

Valentine's Day Love Poem

Love Poem

More than words
More than life
more than a feeling...

More memories than I can count
But the moment
that will always
matter most

is

NOW.

So, I got this dog...

Lucy was only 8 weeks old in this picture, but I met her when she was only 5 weeks old. 

She was the runt of the litter and also the most playful.

Her mom and dad were both all black...

(Zant and Vita)

 Lucy came out with a "cow" belly and white feet, 

and what I call a Wonder Woman "W" in white fur across her chest.

You can really see it here...

I was infatuated and had to make her mine.

A week later, she was what Delta Air calls, "Live Cargo," but to me she was precious goods on a wildly bumpy and extremely hot journey from Kansas City to Atlanta and finally to her new home, San Diego.

She loved her new home - especially her new front yard - the beach.

She grew into her puppy paws quickly and played all day everyday with anyone or any dog who was willing!

She liked to run, jump, roll over, high five, shake, lay down...

She would bark when you asked her, "What's your name?"

And if that isn't enough, she even knows how to say, 

"I love you!"

Lucy lived the good life.  She had it all and bag of treats.  

When Lucy didn't think life could get much better, she got the ultimate toy - another puppy to play with!

Annie.

Lucy and Annie became best buddies.

With the exception of one month, Lucy and Annie have been together every day since Annie came along.

They are just like sisters.  

One gets jealous when the other gets attention, but they'll always be best friends.

They both love to go outside.

They both love the beach!

And they REALLY love when I put on my roller skates and let them pull me FAST!

Lucy and Annie are always happy, good girls and I am so lucky to have two creatures so full of love who are always there to greet me when I get home, give me kisses when I am sad, give me lots of hugs and kisses and are always there to absorb any negativity I may be feeling right out of my life - at least for that moment.

I found this on Facebook and loved it so much that I wanted to share it here, too.  

If you are a dog owner, you will understand and respect it, too.

xOx,

Ms. Panda, Lucy and Annie

Sun Diego

What a wonderful weekend in San Diego - so blessed to be here and able to enjoy sunshine in January. 

Was able to sight the spouts and a tail of a couple gray whales less than 200 yards off the coast today. 

Pretty awe struck as I have been wanting to catch them during this winter migration and am stoked to think it was maybe a mama and her baby, or a couple of kids out there playing.  

They didn't seem too big, but I was in a car driving along the coast, so it was hard to tell. I doubt the water is that deep being so close to the shore, which adds to my assumption that they were calves.

I hear they are migrating in record numbers around Point Loma - the peninsula shown below. 

The island in the harbor is called Coronado.

This is the San Diego Harbor as seen from the top Point Loma.  

You can see the Coronado bridge and the Navy base in the distance.

This is Sunset Cliffs, the beach side of Point Loma - just before the point. See any gray whale spouts?

The waves have been incredible and the beaches are super crowed with surfers and photographers.

Lots of buzz about the high surf!

 At low tide, the girls got to go play at dog beach in Del Mar!

Happy dogs = happy day :)

I love the way things in life can be SO BEAUTIFUL without even trying.  

Rocks. Ha :)

Sometimes the simplest things can create the greatest beauty.

K.I.S.S.

xOx,

Ms. Panda

2012: Day One.

Last night, I fell asleep to Dick Clark's 40th Anniversary blaring on the TV.

Like me, lots of people stayed in last night...maybe it was rapture that had every one superstitiously cautious last night, or maybe we are just too tired after the tumultuous year that is now behind us?

Either way, rapture or rest, 2012 begins like an old friend reentering our lives.  The Mayans have predicted the importance of this year for 26,000 years and it is now among us.

So the question is:  What now?

Is there going to be a mass alignment of the planets that will throw off Earth's magnetism and offset all off our electronics to the point where computers, cell phones and cars will cease to function and the ways of the old west will be reincarnated?  Will fuel, ammo and water become the new currency of a civil war and a state of unrest?

OR...

Will we see an enlightenment of consciousness, in which people transform their selfish, ego-driven mindsets into spiritual, love inspired acts of kindness to not only others, but within our own selves, too?

"Imagine for one moment how wonderful this world could be, if all people acted with their heart intelligence instead of their cerebral minds -- we would see love and harmony -- heaven on earth instead of selfishness and cruelty," a comment I read in response to this article, Follow Your Heart It Is Smarter Than You Think that I found here.

In the aforementioned article, we discover that we are ALL connected, not just to each other, but also to the universe and the power of the vibrations we emit is much more important than we know.

So, surround yourself with people who make you smile, laugh and FEEL good, and if you need help finding that harmony inside yourself, try meditation, yoga, and long walks.  Make friends on Facebook with people like Brian S. Germain, who write status updates like this one, "The ability to find one dead light bulb on a Christmas tree is not as important for human happiness as the ability to ignore it."  Think about that for a moment.  Worry is negative meditation and many of us comb through our lives and our loved one's behaviours actually looking for these imperfections.  If we just overlooked these things and focused more on our compassion towards others and ourselves, the world - even if just our own little portion of it - will be a happier place to be.

Who knows?  How could we be sure of what to expect in 2012?  One thing is for sure.  Expect SOMEthing to happen and be ready for whatEVER it is - good or bad.

We create our destinies, and if/when things happen that we are not expecting, or prepared for - it is up to us to maintain our strength and ability to adapt in this ever changing world we live in.

Cheers to a NEW YEAR and one that we ALL will share!  It's the year of the Dragon - and I'm ready to embrace it - good or bad.

A K.I.S.S. FOR YOU!

I've been saying this a lot lately and thought I would share.

Keep It Simple Sister = K.I.S.S.

Life gets hectic.

Gotta remember to K.I.S.S. yourself sometimes!

Worries have no end in sight?

K.I.S.S. them goodbye!

We can only control how we treat ourselves and others, so leave the heavy drama for the stage and K.I.S.S. everyday!

It seems to me that the surf culture really has a grasp on this concept. Honor the waves, work hard to paddle out, find your wave and ride it. Life is good. :)

Same for the yogis. Honor your body, work hard to perfect your breathing technique and flexibility, let go of unwanted pains and stress, and leave smiling and standing upright. :)

I guess K.I.S.S. is for anyone, not just sisters, but when I say it to myself, I like the feeling of love that it provokes. It's encouraging to K.I.S.S. myself. That's why I do it and also why I wanted to share!

How can you K.I.S.S. yourself today?

Words of Love (by myself and others)

"Many men (women) go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after."
--Henry David Thoreau

"Your vision will become clear when you look into your heart.  Who looks outside, dreams.  Who looks inside, awakens."
--Carl Gustav Jung

"Love is but the discovery of ourselves and the delight in the recognition."
--Alexander Smith

"We are like sculptors, constantly carving out of others the image we long for, need, love or desire, often against reality, against their benefit, and always, in the end, a disappointment, because it does not fit them."
--Anais Nin

"She took her pattern of life from men but she was not a masculine woman.  She demanded the freedom to change, to evolve, to grow.  She was not a feminist at all but struggling against the feminine side of herself in order to maintain her integrity as an individual."
--Anais Nin

On Lillith:
"an independent woman can only represent a fundamental disruption of a divinely ordered state of affairs."
--John Phillips

"Love cannot exist in peace, it will always come accompanied by agonies, ecstacies, intense joys and profound sadnesses."
--Paulo Cohelo

"Think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course."
Kahlil Gibran

"At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet."
--Plato

Here's my latest love poem :)

"Of Course One can never under estimate the Power of Love, for Love is the Essence of all Creation."
--sua

"If "love" makes you crazy, it is not love.  True love drives you absolutely sane."
--Alan Cohen

"Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination."
--Voltaire

"If you have it (love), you don't need to have anything else, and if you do't have it, it doesn't matter much what else you have."
--Sir James M. Barrie

"If you cannot inspire a woman with love of you, fill her above the brim with love of herself;  all that runs over will be yours."
--Charles Caleb Colton

For more thoughts on love:
Read some of my original  Love Haikus and yesterday's Long Distance Relationship in Haiku post.