Surfing the Waves

I've been reading an almost daily Facebook post of late
From someone who seems to believe that life is entirely fate.
I've read over and over from this Facebook "friend"
That she is anxiously awaiting the day that her life will end.

Now, like so many, I've never even met this person, but I find
That her sadness has been laying heavily on my mind.
She says that her lot in life is so heavy and she is often so tired
That she has already tried to leave this world before her time here has expired.

I want to take a moment to tell you what I wrote to her,
Just in case anyone else finds that their life has become such an awful blur.
I've lived for over fifty years now through many an up and down,
And I've found that life is like surfing waves
While trying valiantly not to drown.

My Facebook "friend" said she believes this world is "a hell full of hatred, apathy, and distress,"
And she has no problem leaving here for a better place that's not a mess.
I even read a comment saying that there are more people than we know that feel the same way,
So, I felt the need to comment to tell my "friends" what lights my flame.

I pray that each of us can find our way to the gifts that are hidden all around,
Because I'd hate to see anyone miss the positive that can definitely be found.
While so many are busy hoping for the next life where promises exist,
We only have the reality of this moment which can so easily be missed.

I don't think we can really appreciate the highs without the low,
Nor, can only living the easy life allow many of us to spiritually grow.
While sharing negative thoughts allows us to completely empathize,
Sharing positive thoughts and love is the root of how we survive.

So, again, I pray ... no matter your upbringing or religion ... that each of us learns to live in the now,
For this very moment is the only real reality that our brains are wired to allow.
Yesterday will be ingrained in our memories, different for all that observe,
While tomorrow is just a vision of the future that we hope to deserve.

Try to remember, just like surfing the waves and awaiting the next
None of us can really predict the future and what we can expect.
It's the wave we worry the most about that never seems to come our way,
Causing us to waste our precious energy worrying, while we go astray.

So ride the high of the moment, or choose to learn something from the low.
Allow your spirit to surf in the moment, because most likely we were put in this crazy ocean to grow.
We can anticipate the promised next life in the religion and belief we've been taught,
But we should try to not miss each and every moment because looking back life always seems too short.

We all own strength we sometimes only find when put to the test,
But, please don't miss the high moments while worrying about the rest.
I personally hope to sense without any doubt or fear,
That I became a better individual by always staying positive just in case the end is near.

Maybe one day I'll actually find that it is true,
That I can once again connect with the loved ones that I knew.
But until that time let each of us keep on surfing every up and down wave to the shore,
While living in the light of the moment so that we can learn to share the lessons of love others might choose to ignore.

© Sheryl A. Skutelsky, 2012. All rights reserved.

Multiple Sclerosis Wristband - MS Rubber Bracelet - Multiple Sclerosis Bracelet - MS Awareness Wristband

Multiple Sclerosis Wristband - MS Rubber Bracelet - Multiple Sclerosis Bracelet - MS Awareness Wristband

Guns, Guns, and More Guns

Yesterday I saw a post on Facebook reacting to the latest mass shooting committed by just one.
It stated that the whole horrific incident could have been avoided if everyone carried a gun.
And, the person wasn't alone in this way of thinking because the "likes" began to appear
The fact that many believe in guns was quickly becoming quite clear.

I couldn't help but comment to make my own opinion known to all.
I mentioned how the only law back in the Wild West was guns drawn to see who would fall.
The person responded asking what was so wrong with the Wild West anyway
Without it, none of us would even be living here today.

Once again, I was compelled to answer back, saying that may very well be.
And, without the atomic bomb this country would probably not be free.
However, aren't we supposed to be a civilized group evolving,
Learning from our history and developing our complex problem solving.

I have to wonder just how it is that people really do think
That guns, guns, and more guns are the missing link
Gangs have guns to "defend" themselves each and every day.
Then I read that a poor defenseless four year old just happened to get in the way.

This person then posted on Facebook that he just wants those without a gun
To stop getting shot while they're just out there having fun.
Okay, I wrote, this comment is one with which I can agree.
While tears are running down my cheeks from the ongoing news that I see.

Young, innocent lives ended so abruptly during a movie.
Guns, guns, and more guns don't guarantee we'll be free.
Not when anyone can buy them anywhere, any time, any place
Then use one to randomly kill with no concern for the human race.

The only light I do see in these insane random acts,
Is that the victims begin to realize some very important facts.
When this moment could possibly be your very last,
It no longer matters what prejudices you may have held in the past.

The survivors stories seem to say it all loud and clear
So many said that despite the overwhelming panic and fear,
As they saw their life flashing before their very eyes,
While they listened to the screams and the frightening cries ...

It no longer mattered for so many of the several hundred people there
The color of each person's skin, their wealth, or the clothes that they wear.
Life, all life, became precious and unexpected heroes began to arise.
The good human spirit rose up, and to me, that was not a surprise.

© Sheryl A. Skutelsky, 2012. All rights reserved.

What is it about Animal Lovers?

Found it very interesting that I asked for a favor today,
And, help arrived in the most unexpected way.
The help wasn't even for just myself,
But to raise awareness for MS which affects my health.

First I sent out requests to the people I know well,
The response was poor, as you probably could tell.
Then, I sent requests to all the Facebook dog lovers that I know,
The response each day continues to grow.

So, what is it about fellow animal lovers
That makes their compassion seem to rise above the others?
Is it perhaps that animal lovers learn from the pure spirit
Of the animals that gift them with such love so beyond any limit?

Thank you my "friends" for coming through to like the new "Fix MS Now" Facebook page.
And thank you from all of us that fight the MS battles that rage.
Multiple Sclerosis, and all of the autoimmune diseases out there,
Sometimes leave the sufferers wondering if people really care.

Once again the kindness of strangers reminds me of what it should be about.
Instead of the unnecessary violence that makes us scream and shout.
Keep spreading the love, pure and unconditional just like our pets.
Then each of us can leave this lifetime without feeling any regrets.

© Sheryl A. Skutelsky, 2012. All rights reserved.

http://www.Facebook.com/fixMSnow

Multiple sclerosis: New marker could improve diagnosis

Multiple sclerosis: New marker could improve diagnosis

A Testament to the Human Soul

It may be true that only a fellow dog lover
Can truly grasp the pain of another,
When a beloved furry friend moves on
To whatever waits for their souls beyond.

Loved ones, friends, even a casual friend
Can be expected to comfort you in the end.
But I've recently learned an amazing truth,
I had absolutely no vision of in my youth.

For years now I've turned to social media like Twitter and Facebook
To share my passions and let others have a look.
Are they really "friends" in any sense of the word?
Is the question that I constantly heard.

Well, the outpouring of sympathy that I have received from these "friends" that I don't even really know,
Is such a beautiful testament to the goodness contained in many a human soul.

So, thank you to all of you that also mourn for the loss of my beloved dog, Snowy,
And have looked into your own hearts to try to comfort me.
But a special thank you, to all of you out there in cyberspace,
Who are a true reminder of the good we can do without ever seeing each other face to face.

© Sheryl A. Skutelsky, 2012. All rights reserved.

The Golden Rule

I was recently in the company of an old friend
Whose too common attitude could so easily offend.
He was hesitant to buy his residence near my own
Because there were too many people "different" than he had always known.

Funny that I'd just heard from Charles Osgood on radio news
That Dale Carnegie wrote over a hundred years ago to share some very relevant views.
He wrote about a concept considered to be common sense, but not a common act
A thing preached to our parents' parents as the golden rule, in fact.

"Love your neighbor" describes a two-way relationship, friend or stranger
Based on both sides seeing equality, not fear or danger.
Psychologically, this means empathy, not lack of concern
Philosophically, it involves perceiving others as equal in return.

Religion played an integral part in the history of the Golden Rule
Prominent figures and philosophers taught it in school.
This concept appears in many religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, to name a few
The Golden Rule can be found in some form in almost every ethical and traditional view.

So, why do we keep paying for books over the centuries that keep restating what we already comprehend
And why did my friend still fear moving to an area where people "different" from him represent a barrier he can not transcend?
It still comes down to that same old rule that becomes the key
Each individual has free will, no matter what race, religion, sex, or creed ... we each have a soul yearning to be spiritually free.

© Sheryl A. Skutelsky, 2012. All rights reserved.