Graham, you are talking to me about fairness, as you know my 36 year old son had a stroke on his brain stem last year in December. Since then I’ve been trying to cope, “why my son”, a healthy paramedic with a beautiful family living his life. This had me questioning my faith, why him why someone else, then I realized he was alive, getting functions back & he is in a great place now.
I know now I have so much to be blessed with, I’m just passing though this & it’s so much better now. Thank you Graham love your poetry makes one really think.
Sorry that this has happened. I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. 1 Nephi 3:7. Book of Mormon
Graham you must have greater powers reading my mind today. I was reflecting upon “the grass is always greener “ this morning in my reading! I looked back and I managed to stop myself from doing that quite awhile ago. Had a friend, former student, who sold his computer company for 200 million dollars about five years ago. What a lucky SOB! He has now become such a wonderful beacon of entrepreneurship circling the globe raising money along the way to “pay it forward”. I reflected then and immediately said don’t be selfish and jealous! Those are two words I’ve dismissed a long time ago. Rather “pay it forward!” You are right. The things you can not take with you you leave behind. What you should concentrate your life’s work to leaving a legacy of helping others, of making others be the best they can be and I can think of no other honorable thing than being a teacher, a first responder or a healthcare worker! Running into a burning building, caring for the sick more unfortunate ones in the face of a pandemic while others are dying around you. That is your pot of gold at the end of your life. What I really leave behind that will benefit others? I’m so glad today our thoughts are aligned Graham and once again you’ve made it a HAPPY TUESDAY!!
I was a preschool teacher and spent hours of my day teaching social emotional wellbeing to young children. I see this as a way to pay it forward because these young-uns are our future as well. " the green-eyed monster" we always called jealousy was a challenge to squash. validating ones feelings while offering a new language of words to express their needs was difficult but so rewarding to watch as it unfolded. I truly hope you have a super day
I totally agree with you. As a teacher, I enjoy helping to leave a legacy of a world of benevolence, love and understanding. These are the treasures of life!💕
I understand Jeff. I’ve worked in the Healthcare for a long time. I feel that I need to take care of the patient’s. When I was a CNA I took care of a lot of the elderly. My phrase to them were you took care of your family now it’s our turn to take care of you. I had a pt a while back that I took care of. I had not seen his wife until I came into the cafeteria on day. I was getting a salad or soup from the salad bar. This lady came up to me and said you took care of my husband when he was here in the hospital. I asked how he was doing and she stated he had passed. I said I was so sorry to hear that. She said I just wanted to tell you we appreciate all that you did for him. I stated to her I did nothing but do my job. She again said thank you. I thanked her and we went our separate ways. I am now a CMA. I still care for my patients as if the wee my own family. This is why I do what I do.
Graham, thank you for sharing this poem and these thoughts with us. Those thoughts as you call it are lies or as I call them (toxic thoughts) that I believe are there to tempt us and take our focus away from the task at hand or as I would put it from God in my case. Like you said, you need to take a step back when that happens, be still, breathe, take it in, and do what needs to be done to regain or re-focus what is your journey. We've all had these thoughts, and we will continue to do so because it's in our DNA or our sinful nature which is simply called PRIDE. We're all going to experience trials and struggles in our lives, and I've found the ones I've been through have made me stronger in my faith and those experiences have been used to lift others or encourage others who may be going through something similar. We're never promised life would be easy, but it's up to each one of us to plow through whatever good or bad life brings us and use those experiences to assist or help others. Thank you again for allowing me to share my thoughts with you and this community. I certainly resonate with this poem today, and I appreciate it so much. Blessings to you and the community! 🙏
Anne yes I feel we can all relate to this poem Graham explains everthing so clearly we could all have a story to tell . The devil is always trying to get into our thoughs I Love reading what you have to say So true JESUS is always by our side3
Anne thank you for sharing this comment. I agree completely. Its our pride that gets in the way of us stepping back and taking a breath to re-evaluate what is going on. I sometimes find myself lacking in this. I have to learn to breathe take the time to see what’s really happening. To choose to go forward or backwards. I actually would choose forward if the situation allows me to do that. God has always been there for me in good and bad times. Sometimes he lets me choose my own way though then I automatically regret it then choose his way. Even so to make if we choose to learn from our mistakes we can in return help those from making the mistakes we made. Thanks Anne God Bless.
Anne. This is well written !! So true. And this goes to all of us Thanks for sharing your thoughts and blessings to all of us. You are so kind. Sending you prayers and my Love. Blessings
I think when we spend time looking at situations with the mindset of why is this/did this happen to me and it isn’t fair mindset that we get stuck in victim mode. I used to live this way before I worked on myself and I constantly was competing and comparing with others from a fairness mindset. Now I look at all the situations as a blessing. If you go out and give every day your best, that is all you can do. If I didn’t go through the things I did than I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I’m proud of who I am, the things I have achieved and overcome and I do try to make opportunities for myself. Some work out and others don’t. I’m a big girl and I’ve learned to deal with rejection and that you don’t get everything you want in life. I do however ask questions when opportunity doesn’t work out for my own personal growth and ways I can make improvements. I think there is value in learning from rejection as well and most people will respect that someone wants to know to grow and give constructive feedback.
I think where a lot of people get stuck, myself included, is where we look at situations and question fairness when we are lied to. That is one situation that I struggle with in a big way. I don’t understand the value of lying to people to get ahead or to manipulate them to get what you want. Just be honest and upfront, even if the truth hurts. Too much of that in the world from politics down and that is what makes me question fairness. Politicians and governments lie every day and people are crucified when they speak up against them. How do the people who lie and mistreat others for their own gain get ahead the most in the world? Should we just be ignoring that, even though it isn’t fair, because it may not personally affect us? Can we look at issues like world hunger and think that is not fair? I truly and honestly struggle with that bigger picture aspect of fairness.
Can you look at it from both angles Graham? Not to let it put you into a comparison mode and hinder your own self growth, but want the overall perspective to be fair?
Laurie I too have worked very hard to look at things thru a different lens. I dont hear as much chatter but if it creeps in I take time to step back breath and reset. Hope you have a beautiful day.
Graham all of us have a story where would like to say no thanks. But that’s not a choice. We have a situation placed in front of us. Now come the chives. There is no backwards. So it’s time to asses and then seize the opportunity. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. I’m not sagging that tomorrow all we’ll be well. It may take years. But at some point we can look and say I grew up Orr I failed. It is my belief that failure is not option. Rather each day we take on more. We cannot change the event. But we can continue to alter how we perceive it. It’s called learning. I’m not perfect. I’m still forgiving. But my son is a warm blanket memory not a nightmare. God bless.
My parents’ voices STILL reverberate in my head -- “Life’s not fair.” And a hymn we sang before every offering at church when I was a kid taught me that we are only custodians in this world – everything is Passing Through. Although many times I moan about the unfairness of life, I can step back pretty quickly & regroup because of these childhood lessons. Here’s the hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar3nIjabswE
Graham. I just wanted to thank you for sharing your life with us. I have not expected a lot from life itself. I am looking for the long term when this life is over and I will collect my reward from our father. I want to help anyone at anytime I can to make their life easier for them. I feel like that’s my goal in life to help everyone. I can look back on life and I could have had more material things but in the end Love is all we need!! If we have the Lord in our life I feel like I am one of the richest people in this world!! I feel like I have a. Home in Heaven. 🙌How much more should we want. Thanks again Graham you have made a big difference in my life. I believe we both are on the straight and narrow road. That’s what really made me start following you was your beliefs. You have turned so many people on to the right path in life. You should be so happy with your self. I know God is very happy with you. Sending prayers and my Love 🙌🙌
I have a story about stepping back and seeing a situation from a different perspective. It was our 40th wedding anniversary. We were going someplace I wanted to go. Someplace I love to go but Ron had never been. It was hot and we were driving into the sun and Ron was grumpy. I was mad at him for being grumpy and ruining my much anticipated trip. I ALWAYS think times like that aren't fair. So as we drive along I began to pray, Lord don't let this be our attitudes towards each other the whole trip.
There was silence in the car as I tossed some ideas around in my mind. I was thinking we've been married 40 YEARS! Why can't we get along and be happy and have a good time?
But suddenly I began to think about how long that really was and how so many others don't make it to this stage in their marriages. And I was sad about that.
But then the thought came to me! We had really accomplished something special!! We had made it to 40 YEARS!! So I shared that with Ron and I could actually see him relax as that thought sunk in. We had made it to 40 YEARS!!! We concentrated on that the whole rest of our trip. And it was a good trip too! And we felt proud of ourselves.
This is really beautiful Marsha!! You should be very proud of yourselves, 40 years together is a big achievement 👏 I’m nearly there , we are at 34 years together with my hubby! 🙏♥️
Marash. This is so beautiful!! You sure have a way with your writing. So special. In the end we really all want the same things. Sending you prayers and my Love. Blessings
Graham, another amazing poem, I have faith in god. Or simply the universal oneness that blind me. I likely realized that everything in my life happened for a reason. And even when I couldn’t understand it at that very moment down the line somewhere in my future, somewhere in my unknown something else happened that was so wonderful that only then I realized it would have never came to the fruition if I hadn’t not suffered that tragedy in the first place.
I experienced something wonderful that I could breathe through my rejuvenation and Fly like a bird. Thanks Graham for being you. ❤️
Graham, Since I have many years on you, I have learned to ask myself why not me, why shouldn't I have to go through whatever the issue is be it positive or negative. God has promised that he will walk with me thru anything, not that He will keep me from the experience. I have lost both a husband and a child painful, yet God has held me firmly every step. I am not the same person I was before, but if my journey can help others, I'm ok with that. And God will receive all the glory.
Graham, I ask myself that every day. I was a very active person until I had a stroke with no warning. It has been a year and a half and I still ask myself why me. But out of that trauma came a blessing that I won’t explain here. God has a plan for our lives and we just have to trust that things will work out. Hope it does for you.
Thank you for your poem today. This is something I needed to hear and made total sense in my life. I’m old enough to be your Mama, and I’m learning so much from you Graham. You have a gift for this, and I am so glad I decided to subscribe. Can’t wait to continue on this journey with you.
I feel the same. I too am old enough to be his mom as a matter of fact he is right in the middle of my 2 kids. I have gained so much and learned so much about myself from following Graham. He is a very talented and inspiring young man. have a beautiful day
Good morning Graham. I don’t always think of difficult times as fairness but neither do I find them easy. I often think ugh let’s get through this and this too shall pass.
Your poems, and I’ve said this before, take me out of the ordinary thoughts along paths of different perspectives, I really appreciate that. From my heart to yours thank you.🙏🏻❤️
Graham, this poem had me thinking about how I have felt this summer was not fair, had several trips planned, health issues made me cancel them. Thought it's not fair, plan was for summer of travel. Why is this happening to me, not fair. It reminded me of another summer 17 years ago when my husband suddenly died at the age of 58, I remember saying it's not fair, we were supposed to grow old together. Yes, there have been times in my life when I thought things weren't fair, it was hard but there have also been many blessings that I didn't see at the time. The past couple of weeks as I've been thinking about my life, there have been several signs that have come my way. One morning I sat and thought about what these signs were trying to tell me. After a bit of reflection, I wrote this piece.
Signs
Story, song,messages, signs came to me,
Different but the same, what am I to see?
Same song kept playing, sung in different ways,
Music is the rhythmic sign, what does it say?
Inspiring story of a life, strong faith was the start,
Yet another sign, what did it say to my heart?
Books, books, books, pages open to a sign
Special note by a friend, what am I to align?
Signs get louder, louder, be still my mind
Embrace silence, listen, a message to find.
Prayer, meditation show me what to heed
Believe in yourself, you have all you need.
Trust your faith for guidance every day
Gratitude for past blessings, new ones on their way.
Graham, you are talking to me about fairness, as you know my 36 year old son had a stroke on his brain stem last year in December. Since then I’ve been trying to cope, “why my son”, a healthy paramedic with a beautiful family living his life. This had me questioning my faith, why him why someone else, then I realized he was alive, getting functions back & he is in a great place now.
I know now I have so much to be blessed with, I’m just passing though this & it’s so much better now. Thank you Graham love your poetry makes one really think.
Much love. Stay safe. ❤️
Sorry that this has happened. I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. 1 Nephi 3:7. Book of Mormon
So sorry about you son Rebecca. Totally understand why you would question fairness.
Wonderful to hear that he is improving and in a great place now. Take care.
Graham you must have greater powers reading my mind today. I was reflecting upon “the grass is always greener “ this morning in my reading! I looked back and I managed to stop myself from doing that quite awhile ago. Had a friend, former student, who sold his computer company for 200 million dollars about five years ago. What a lucky SOB! He has now become such a wonderful beacon of entrepreneurship circling the globe raising money along the way to “pay it forward”. I reflected then and immediately said don’t be selfish and jealous! Those are two words I’ve dismissed a long time ago. Rather “pay it forward!” You are right. The things you can not take with you you leave behind. What you should concentrate your life’s work to leaving a legacy of helping others, of making others be the best they can be and I can think of no other honorable thing than being a teacher, a first responder or a healthcare worker! Running into a burning building, caring for the sick more unfortunate ones in the face of a pandemic while others are dying around you. That is your pot of gold at the end of your life. What I really leave behind that will benefit others? I’m so glad today our thoughts are aligned Graham and once again you’ve made it a HAPPY TUESDAY!!
I was a preschool teacher and spent hours of my day teaching social emotional wellbeing to young children. I see this as a way to pay it forward because these young-uns are our future as well. " the green-eyed monster" we always called jealousy was a challenge to squash. validating ones feelings while offering a new language of words to express their needs was difficult but so rewarding to watch as it unfolded. I truly hope you have a super day
I totally agree with you. As a teacher, I enjoy helping to leave a legacy of a world of benevolence, love and understanding. These are the treasures of life!💕
I understand Jeff. I’ve worked in the Healthcare for a long time. I feel that I need to take care of the patient’s. When I was a CNA I took care of a lot of the elderly. My phrase to them were you took care of your family now it’s our turn to take care of you. I had a pt a while back that I took care of. I had not seen his wife until I came into the cafeteria on day. I was getting a salad or soup from the salad bar. This lady came up to me and said you took care of my husband when he was here in the hospital. I asked how he was doing and she stated he had passed. I said I was so sorry to hear that. She said I just wanted to tell you we appreciate all that you did for him. I stated to her I did nothing but do my job. She again said thank you. I thanked her and we went our separate ways. I am now a CMA. I still care for my patients as if the wee my own family. This is why I do what I do.
I shared this also over on the new network too.
Graham, thank you for sharing this poem and these thoughts with us. Those thoughts as you call it are lies or as I call them (toxic thoughts) that I believe are there to tempt us and take our focus away from the task at hand or as I would put it from God in my case. Like you said, you need to take a step back when that happens, be still, breathe, take it in, and do what needs to be done to regain or re-focus what is your journey. We've all had these thoughts, and we will continue to do so because it's in our DNA or our sinful nature which is simply called PRIDE. We're all going to experience trials and struggles in our lives, and I've found the ones I've been through have made me stronger in my faith and those experiences have been used to lift others or encourage others who may be going through something similar. We're never promised life would be easy, but it's up to each one of us to plow through whatever good or bad life brings us and use those experiences to assist or help others. Thank you again for allowing me to share my thoughts with you and this community. I certainly resonate with this poem today, and I appreciate it so much. Blessings to you and the community! 🙏
Anne yes I feel we can all relate to this poem Graham explains everthing so clearly we could all have a story to tell . The devil is always trying to get into our thoughs I Love reading what you have to say So true JESUS is always by our side3
Amen!
Anne thank you for sharing this comment. I agree completely. Its our pride that gets in the way of us stepping back and taking a breath to re-evaluate what is going on. I sometimes find myself lacking in this. I have to learn to breathe take the time to see what’s really happening. To choose to go forward or backwards. I actually would choose forward if the situation allows me to do that. God has always been there for me in good and bad times. Sometimes he lets me choose my own way though then I automatically regret it then choose his way. Even so to make if we choose to learn from our mistakes we can in return help those from making the mistakes we made. Thanks Anne God Bless.
Amen Shari!
Anne. This is well written !! So true. And this goes to all of us Thanks for sharing your thoughts and blessings to all of us. You are so kind. Sending you prayers and my Love. Blessings
Thank you Patty?
I think when we spend time looking at situations with the mindset of why is this/did this happen to me and it isn’t fair mindset that we get stuck in victim mode. I used to live this way before I worked on myself and I constantly was competing and comparing with others from a fairness mindset. Now I look at all the situations as a blessing. If you go out and give every day your best, that is all you can do. If I didn’t go through the things I did than I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I’m proud of who I am, the things I have achieved and overcome and I do try to make opportunities for myself. Some work out and others don’t. I’m a big girl and I’ve learned to deal with rejection and that you don’t get everything you want in life. I do however ask questions when opportunity doesn’t work out for my own personal growth and ways I can make improvements. I think there is value in learning from rejection as well and most people will respect that someone wants to know to grow and give constructive feedback.
I think where a lot of people get stuck, myself included, is where we look at situations and question fairness when we are lied to. That is one situation that I struggle with in a big way. I don’t understand the value of lying to people to get ahead or to manipulate them to get what you want. Just be honest and upfront, even if the truth hurts. Too much of that in the world from politics down and that is what makes me question fairness. Politicians and governments lie every day and people are crucified when they speak up against them. How do the people who lie and mistreat others for their own gain get ahead the most in the world? Should we just be ignoring that, even though it isn’t fair, because it may not personally affect us? Can we look at issues like world hunger and think that is not fair? I truly and honestly struggle with that bigger picture aspect of fairness.
Can you look at it from both angles Graham? Not to let it put you into a comparison mode and hinder your own self growth, but want the overall perspective to be fair?
Laurie I too have worked very hard to look at things thru a different lens. I dont hear as much chatter but if it creeps in I take time to step back breath and reset. Hope you have a beautiful day.
What is fairness?
It starts with the place where your crib stood.
Newly born.
A life with many opportunities and few limitations
A life with many limitations and few opportunities.
Life is not fair.
I can look at those who seem to have more blessings.
I will feel less.
I can look to those who are less blessed.
I will cherish my blessings.
Comparing with another is so pointless.
Everyone has their own path to go.
The art of living is appreciating what comes your way
Win or learn
Thanks Graham, for this beautiful poem, for making us think about life. This is so valuable. A conscious life is the greatest treasure🙏✨
Graham all of us have a story where would like to say no thanks. But that’s not a choice. We have a situation placed in front of us. Now come the chives. There is no backwards. So it’s time to asses and then seize the opportunity. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. I’m not sagging that tomorrow all we’ll be well. It may take years. But at some point we can look and say I grew up Orr I failed. It is my belief that failure is not option. Rather each day we take on more. We cannot change the event. But we can continue to alter how we perceive it. It’s called learning. I’m not perfect. I’m still forgiving. But my son is a warm blanket memory not a nightmare. God bless.
My parents’ voices STILL reverberate in my head -- “Life’s not fair.” And a hymn we sang before every offering at church when I was a kid taught me that we are only custodians in this world – everything is Passing Through. Although many times I moan about the unfairness of life, I can step back pretty quickly & regroup because of these childhood lessons. Here’s the hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar3nIjabswE
ohh Jan,
This hymn is so beautiful!
I haven't heard for a while, thanks for sharing!
Graham. I just wanted to thank you for sharing your life with us. I have not expected a lot from life itself. I am looking for the long term when this life is over and I will collect my reward from our father. I want to help anyone at anytime I can to make their life easier for them. I feel like that’s my goal in life to help everyone. I can look back on life and I could have had more material things but in the end Love is all we need!! If we have the Lord in our life I feel like I am one of the richest people in this world!! I feel like I have a. Home in Heaven. 🙌How much more should we want. Thanks again Graham you have made a big difference in my life. I believe we both are on the straight and narrow road. That’s what really made me start following you was your beliefs. You have turned so many people on to the right path in life. You should be so happy with your self. I know God is very happy with you. Sending prayers and my Love 🙌🙌
I have a story about stepping back and seeing a situation from a different perspective. It was our 40th wedding anniversary. We were going someplace I wanted to go. Someplace I love to go but Ron had never been. It was hot and we were driving into the sun and Ron was grumpy. I was mad at him for being grumpy and ruining my much anticipated trip. I ALWAYS think times like that aren't fair. So as we drive along I began to pray, Lord don't let this be our attitudes towards each other the whole trip.
There was silence in the car as I tossed some ideas around in my mind. I was thinking we've been married 40 YEARS! Why can't we get along and be happy and have a good time?
But suddenly I began to think about how long that really was and how so many others don't make it to this stage in their marriages. And I was sad about that.
But then the thought came to me! We had really accomplished something special!! We had made it to 40 YEARS!! So I shared that with Ron and I could actually see him relax as that thought sunk in. We had made it to 40 YEARS!!! We concentrated on that the whole rest of our trip. And it was a good trip too! And we felt proud of ourselves.
This is really beautiful Marsha!! You should be very proud of yourselves, 40 years together is a big achievement 👏 I’m nearly there , we are at 34 years together with my hubby! 🙏♥️
Marash. This is so beautiful!! You sure have a way with your writing. So special. In the end we really all want the same things. Sending you prayers and my Love. Blessings
Graham, another amazing poem, I have faith in god. Or simply the universal oneness that blind me. I likely realized that everything in my life happened for a reason. And even when I couldn’t understand it at that very moment down the line somewhere in my future, somewhere in my unknown something else happened that was so wonderful that only then I realized it would have never came to the fruition if I hadn’t not suffered that tragedy in the first place.
I experienced something wonderful that I could breathe through my rejuvenation and Fly like a bird. Thanks Graham for being you. ❤️
Graham, Since I have many years on you, I have learned to ask myself why not me, why shouldn't I have to go through whatever the issue is be it positive or negative. God has promised that he will walk with me thru anything, not that He will keep me from the experience. I have lost both a husband and a child painful, yet God has held me firmly every step. I am not the same person I was before, but if my journey can help others, I'm ok with that. And God will receive all the glory.
Amen, Bev!!
Some great comments on both sites this morning! I love reading the responses to Graham's writing. I won't post in both places, but I will read both!
Graham, I ask myself that every day. I was a very active person until I had a stroke with no warning. It has been a year and a half and I still ask myself why me. But out of that trauma came a blessing that I won’t explain here. God has a plan for our lives and we just have to trust that things will work out. Hope it does for you.
Thank you for your poem today. This is something I needed to hear and made total sense in my life. I’m old enough to be your Mama, and I’m learning so much from you Graham. You have a gift for this, and I am so glad I decided to subscribe. Can’t wait to continue on this journey with you.
I feel the same. I too am old enough to be his mom as a matter of fact he is right in the middle of my 2 kids. I have gained so much and learned so much about myself from following Graham. He is a very talented and inspiring young man. have a beautiful day
Thank you Bonnie...you have a lovely day as well.
Good morning Graham. I don’t always think of difficult times as fairness but neither do I find them easy. I often think ugh let’s get through this and this too shall pass.
Your poems, and I’ve said this before, take me out of the ordinary thoughts along paths of different perspectives, I really appreciate that. From my heart to yours thank you.🙏🏻❤️
Graham, this poem had me thinking about how I have felt this summer was not fair, had several trips planned, health issues made me cancel them. Thought it's not fair, plan was for summer of travel. Why is this happening to me, not fair. It reminded me of another summer 17 years ago when my husband suddenly died at the age of 58, I remember saying it's not fair, we were supposed to grow old together. Yes, there have been times in my life when I thought things weren't fair, it was hard but there have also been many blessings that I didn't see at the time. The past couple of weeks as I've been thinking about my life, there have been several signs that have come my way. One morning I sat and thought about what these signs were trying to tell me. After a bit of reflection, I wrote this piece.
Signs
Story, song,messages, signs came to me,
Different but the same, what am I to see?
Same song kept playing, sung in different ways,
Music is the rhythmic sign, what does it say?
Inspiring story of a life, strong faith was the start,
Yet another sign, what did it say to my heart?
Books, books, books, pages open to a sign
Special note by a friend, what am I to align?
Signs get louder, louder, be still my mind
Embrace silence, listen, a message to find.
Prayer, meditation show me what to heed
Believe in yourself, you have all you need.
Trust your faith for guidance every day
Gratitude for past blessings, new ones on their way.
Share peace, joy, and love for all to see
This is what the signs said to me.