Security

Security – Poem on mixed media

One of the definitions of security is “feeling safe, stable, and free from fear or anxiety.”

How secure are you in who you are? I used to be very insecure. A lot of that came out of my childhood, and living with an alcoholic father that I feared constantly.

Today though, I am secure. I have a great husband and two beautiful children that are healthy and happy. I live in a warm sunny place that does wonders for the serotonin levels in my brain. I have a roof over my head, friends and faith. I also have purpose and peace in my heart.

Even though I am no longer a spring chicken, and the days of my youth have passed, I’m ok with that. No problem at all. My security and contentment do not rest in what others make of me. My importance isn’t in how I look or what I can do. It lies in something far deeper than passing things. It lies in something eternal.

Do you struggle with insecurity? Are you content with who you are? Where does your worth and security lie?

Identity

Identity – Poem on mixed media

Identity:

• The condition of being oneself, and not another
• Condition or character as to who a person is
• The set of behavioural or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable
• the fact of being who or what a person or thing is
• Characteristics, definition, defining oneself

Thinking back to how I used to be, and pondering all of what I’ve gone through, I consider myself nothing less than a miracle. The need for the sense of identity is very important to human beings, both on an individual and social level. My identity was so lost and confused in the past, but God has brought me through so much.

I love the passage in the Bible where God calls a prophet to choose a new King. The prophet went to the house of a certain man who had seven sons. When he saw the biggest and strongest son, he thought definitely he was to be the new king. God told him ‘no’. In fact, the answer was no for every one of the sons that this man had presented to the prophet. He then asked the man if he had any other sons, and he said that there was one more, but he was out in the fields tending the sheep. A very humble position at best, for that day and age. When the prophet saw this son, right then and there God said, “That’s the one”. God wasn’t looking at his outer appearance. He was looking at his heart. I love that.

Today, I am comfortable in my own skin. I am sure of my identity, and of what is expected of me. I know that what really matters is how God sees me, and He knows my heart. And He should. His finger prints can be found all over it.

Where, or in what do you find your identity? Are you comfortable in your own skin, and secure in who you are as an individual and within a group?

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The above I wrote some time ago, but I wanted to create a new art piece for it.

Killing me softly (Gogyohka)

Gogyohka: A 5 line Japanese micro-poetry form

I love the song “Killing me softly”, originally composed by Charles Fox. I came to know the song by the version Lauren Hill did, and it had a huge impact on my life. A very special blogger friend, Sibella, from Arts & Rhymes, recently posted a You tube video of the song, and it made me remember an experience I had 10 years ago. My husband and I had recently left an arts team we were working with. We were on our way to Argentina for my husband to do a course in journalism. Before leaving Brazil, I had some questions about my life and future. I prayed and asked God about it and this song came to mind. I didn’t remember the lyrics at the time, but the next day I heard a friend humming the same tune while listening to her mp3 player. I asked to listen to it so I could hear the lyrics.

Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his songs
Killing me softly with his songs
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his songs

Now, 10 years later, after hearing that song again, I had a type of revelation. I really feel like that is exactly what these last 10 years have been for me. Losing pride, discovering myself, finding my identity, firming my faith, dying to ego and the need to be known for what I can do. Shaping and establishing my world-view on a much deeper level.

Killing isn’t something we associate with good. Dying isn’t something that anyone wishes to experience. The funny thing though, is that in all of this killing and dying, I’ve never felt so alive and content. As if the opposite has happened.

Have you ever had a song profoundly affect you? If so, share your story 🙂

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I would just like to share a photo of my cute new little puppy, Benny. He gives me heck when I sit down to work, so I’ve succumbed to putting an old cushion next to my computer for him to be close to me. Hahahahaha. I love him to pieces.

Identity

Identity:

• The condition of being oneself, and not another
• Condition or character as to who a person is
• The set of behavioural or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable
• the fact of being who or what a person or thing is
• Characteristics, definition, defining oneself

Thinking back to how I used to be, and pondering all of what I’ve gone through, I consider myself nothing less than a miracle. The need for the sense of identity is very important to human beings, both on an individual and social level. My identity was so lost and confused in the past, but God has brought me through so much.

I love the passage in the Bible where God calls a prophet to choose a new King. The prophet went to the house of a certain man who had seven sons. When he saw the biggest and strongest son, he thought definitely he was to be the new king. God told him ‘no’. In fact, the answer was no for every one of the sons that this man had presented to the prophet. He then asked the man if he had any other sons, and he said that there was one more, but he was out in the fields tending the sheep. A very humble position at best, for that day and age. When the prophet saw this son, right then and there God said, “That’s the one”. God wasn’t looking at his outer appearance. He was looking at his heart. I love that.

Today, I am comfortable in my own skin. I am sure of my identity, and of what is expected of me. I know that what really matters is how God sees me, and He knows my heart. And He should. His finger prints can be found all over it.

Where, or in what do find your identity? Are you comfortable in your own skin, and secure in who you are as an individual and within a group?

Like A Child (mixed media and kyrielle)

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” –Mark 10:15

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It must be the time of year, but I’ve been feeling so uninspired and blah. In Brazil we are heading into our winter, and although it’s often sunny, the temperatures have cooled considerably. One of my more recent posts touched on how my body reacts to climate changes. I get down and depressed.

I wrote the above poem and created the mixed-media piece thinking about how simple and trusting my faith used to be. Little children don’t worry about their lives. They are completely dependent on their parents for everything. A place to live, food to eat, an education, protection from harm. Little children don’t even think of these things. I believe that that’s how I need to be before God. I may be an adult with responsibilities, but if I don’t trust him like a child does their parents, it is so easy to try and do things on my own. When that happens, I am prey to worry, anxiety, fear and uncertainty.

I have seen God do some pretty amazing things in my life. Prayers have been answered and much healing has taken place in my heart and soul. All of my needs have been met, despite the lack of finances, and I believe that they will always be met by Him. I have found meaning and purpose, safety and security, provision and abundance. Yes, I think I will continuously seek to have the faith of a child.

What do you put your trust in?

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A Kyrielle is a french poetry form and the rules are as follows:

Four line stanzas (quatrains)

Each line eight syllables long

The first two lines in each stanza rhyme.

The last two lines in each stanza rhyme are the same. Like a repeating refrain

aabb/ccbb/ddbb/eebb

There is not limit to the amount of stanzas.

For more on the Kyrielle, click here.

A Child’s Faith Poem, by Staci Lys

Only you (triple Gogyohka)

I used to try and find satisfaction in so many things – people, money, material possessions, stimulants, etc. All of these things proved to be just like candy though. They were sweet for a time, but in the end left me empty and malnourished.

I think all of humanity longs for deep satisfaction and wholeness. To be complete. To be at peace. To be accepted and loved. Who wouldn’t want these things?

Where do you look for satisfaction and peace?  Have you found acceptance and love? Do you feel whole and complete?

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A Gogyohka is a Japanese micro-poetry form consisting of five lines and no rhyming sequence.

This poem is in response to a year long project called Take Me Deeper, where I am moderating the writing/poetry group for an international faith based group of artists at His Kingdom Come. If you would like to be a part of this group, all you need to do is click on the link and join. We’d love to have you.

Security

Today is thanksgiving in the USA, and I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a great husband and two beautiful children. We are all healthy and happy. I live in a warm sunny place that does wonders for the serotonin levels in my brain. I’m thankful for my home, friends and faith. I’m thankful for my purpose in life and the deep contentment and peace in my heart.  And…… most of all I’m thankful for my life. Today is my birthday.

I am no longer a spring chicken. The days of my youth have passed. And you know what? I’m ok with that. No problem at all. My security and contentment do not rest in what others make of me. It doesn’t rest in how I look or what I can do. It lies in something far deeper than passing things. It lies in something eternal.

Do you struggle with insecurity? Are you content with who you are? Where does your worth and security lie?

A huge Happy Thanksgiving to all of you beautiful Americans. I am thankful for you.

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Yes, the photo is of me. It was taken during a performance when I was still dancing.

 

When We’re Alone

When we’re alone
Waves of peace
Pouring over me
Rushing

Rushing through me
I taste your love
Your love is sweet
Enveloping

Enveloping me
In a cocoon of safety
In a bubble of whiteness
Purity

Purity you give me
Washing me clean
No more stains
When we’re alone

Do you have a special place to go where you know you’ll find peace? Maybe it’s somewhere in nature? Or it could be in a crowded mall where nobody knows who you are? 

I have a place like that.  It’s on my living room couch. Once everybody in my house has had breakfast, gotten dressed, and are ready for the day, I go there to have my morning quiet time.  I prepare myself a nice hot cup of coffee, grab my tablet and creativity notebook, close my eyes and enter into that special place where peace floods my being. It’s awesome. It’s cleansing. It’s sacred.

You can’t buy a peace like that. It’s priceless. It’s a peace that passes all understanding. A peace that isn’t dependent on circumstances or surroundings. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Now back to you. Do you have a special place where you find peace? What does ‘peace’ mean to you? Do you think one can buy peace?

A Beautiful Chaotic Mess

 

Sunshine
Happiness
Love
Smiles
Everywhere I look
Beauty for miles and miles

Anxious
Worried
Stressed out
Hurried
Mind is racing
Heart is chasing

Peace
Purpose
Stability
Security
Emotions all over
Reason trying to take over

I am who I am
And will always be
A beautiful chaotic mess
But firm in thee
Sometimes I wander
And lose my way
Bring me back to you
Bring me back today

Do you ever feel like this?  How do you deal with the chaos that happens in your mind sometimes?  Do you ever feel emotionally out of control?

Penny for your thoughts hmmmmm…

Photo credit:  Getty Images www.bigquestionsonline.com