Life: Trust Above; there's so much more

Life: Trust Above; there's so much more

 We start out protected, curled up if you will, inside a nurturing dark place; then the miracle of birth happens and we are thrust into a bright world of unknown. As a newborn we roll and cry unable to do much else and rely totally on the knowledge and compassion of others. We are not satisfied to stay still for long, so we  learn to roll over, look around and take in our surroundings. Looks like fun with all the shapes and colors coming into focus. Hey, let's go explore! Hmm... can't ...quite see that from here..How... can,...umm...get closer.... We wiggle and move and eventually crawl  to see all that's around us. Such excitement at our finger tips! Amazing colors and textures to explore. Everything is new as we start traveling around. So much to do, so much to learn!  ... so much trouble we can get into!... We're guided and encouraged, to go even farther, reach even higher, and do even more. Constantly we are watched from Above and kept safe.

Before long, we want more. We gain confidence and  get the courage to reach  out and embrace the unknown:  we touch,  grab and hold on to anything we can reach.  Wow isn't this grand? Exploring our world, our surroundings, yet, before long, it's not enough. We need more, we're evolving into something greater than ourselves. If we just hold on here, push off there... we start  pulling ourselves up trying to stand.  We focus hard,  try and try, legs not holding but our resilience is amazing so we try again, and again and again. Always with the encouragement from  Above.  On  wobbly feet  and a death grip hold, we realize our accomplishment and smile! We're standing so tall, smiles and giggles all around.  In our excitement we lose track of what we are doing, lose our focus, our grip, and fall. Startled that we're back down here, we sit there awhile assessing our wounds, checking our surroundings, contemplating if it's worth another try. After some "down" time,  finally we gain the confidence to  reach up and try again. We've  gained  knowledge  from what happened in our past so  this time we stay focused and hold on tight. Hesitantly,  slowly,  we stand again.  We did it!! We made it!! We're standing again!! We look around and are happy right where we  are. Sounds of Joy from Above fill our ears as we steady ourselves and gain strength and courage.

It's fun here, people cooing and calling, another perspective on life. But we must continue our journey as we have much to explore. We must move on, move up, and take that first hesitant step.  At first we are fearful as we remember our falls. But we call up our courage and resolve to  steady ourselves if we listen, we can hear that ever present encouraging voice from Above Guiding us forward. Slowly,  we slide our foot forward... balance..... slowly.... focus...slowly.... breathe.... we take one  step... breathe... good....then another...balance...  yes!... always holding on reaching out, reaching Up to a Higher force, a Higher being.

Before long, we learn we can do things on our own, so we let go and start trusting  ourselves. Stepping one foot in front of the other, out of our comfort zone, yet finding the challenge exhilarating and enlightening, so we keep going... Walking, watching, taking in all that we can, reaching for the next object. Yes we fall, sit, contemplate, only to reach Up again and grab that hand, hold on tight and try again.... We know that Higher being is there Above, encouraging us, guiding us, leading us... Feeling Love and support,  we continue to get up and try again. Our world has expanded tenfold.  Our excitement can't be contained as we evolve from walking, to running, to skipping and jumping. Life is full of amazements, knowledge, lessons.  We are  independent ,yet  Above,  watches and guides us; leaving us to play, learn lessons, fall, explore, see, feel, touch taste, experience life in all its grandeur, setbacks, and accomplishments.

We walk, we run, we dance, we know so much....still, I feel from Above, there is so much more. We are being encouraged to go a little farther, reach a little higher... to the next level. It's time again to go within and hear that Voice of Encouragement, of Change, of Knowledge... Listen to the Guidance, Compassion and Love, and reach Up,  hold on tight, and take that first step into another dimension, another level, another perspective on life.... Above has never let us down.  We must find our inner courage, the Faith to conquer our fears , explore the wonders we just now can see, and step another step on our journey. The path may not be easy, but the Light is Great. Come join me, lets walk together for a while, learn and explore...

written 9-22-1009

with Love and Light,

by Nina P.

This Butterfly is Unchained

This Butterfly is Unchained

If I were a caterpillar what, oh what would I do
But inch along and look around for anything to chew

Hoping for something different and many other things
Eating all the time and wishing "If I only I had wings?"

The world is big and open, at least what I can see
Secretly I'm hoping, "There's something more for me."

My life it seems so dull and dreary, as I inch and eat
"When, oh when, will life change?" each new day I greet

Every days the same, it's monotony across
If this is all there is, I feel there's such great loss

I look around for something, and hold onto it tight
As I wall myself right off, I'm stifled by my fright

I cloak myself in darkness, while the world outside it turns
My demons I now battle, they take on my concerns

I hide myself from life outside, changing from within
Clinging to my only hope; a transformation to begin

I now have time to reflect upon, all that my life has brought
Locked inside my room, getting out is my greatest thought

Can my life be different having gone down deep inside
Who will win the battle, as my fears and Hopes collide?

I am going through metamorphosis, "What will I become?"
My inside walls start Healing; and they do Lighten some

My cocoon is getting thinner and almost crystal clear
I see a Light, an opening, I think I can get out of here

Were once I battled demons, with Love and Light, I've won
Such Beauty in the world I live, my New Life's just begun

As I breathe deep and look around, I see I've changed a bit
My life seemed dark and broken, but my soul it never quit

Inside I feel a miracle, has changed me from within
As I unfold my fragile wings, I shed my now old skin

Once a caterpillar transitioned, through my dark cocoon,
My wings of vivid color, A bright new life I croon

Through darkness there came Light, and confidence now gained
Hope now springs eternal, This Butterfly is unchained

written with Hope, Love and Light by,
Nina P. 7/31/2009

A Journey Worth Taking

This is an older poem I wrote for a dear friend of mine who was hitting their bottom. I am pleased to say that One Day at A Time, they've now celebrated 2 years of sobriety.

When I write I sometimes put myself in other's shoes.... I sometimes feel the pain and frustrations etc....And it comes out in my writing.... I find this allot and it ends up I switch from "I" to "you" or "you " to " I". I feel what the other person might feel and write down the emotions that they may be going through.

So here's another one for you , a friend, family member or just that person down the street....

We all know someone that has an addiction... One Day at a Time is what they say and Keep it Simple.... Let go and let God... All good words of advice with or without addictions...

A JOURNEY WORTH TAKING

Alcohol and drugs, Oh Boy we had fun!

I just wish I could remember all that I’ve done.

Me have a problem? Oh NO NOT I!

You watched what I used, unless you did spy

You couldn’t have found all my hiding places.

For I was smart and made you keep paces

I only use because of distress

Can’t you see all my troubles, my life is a mess

My life is complicated and you don’t understand

When I use I can cope, my life I command

My friends they drifted and I didn’t know why

I know now that they couldn’t watch me die

I was killing myself, I was in denial

How could you all put me on trial?

I’m in control is what I kept saying

Deep down inside I was secretly praying

My life had spun downward and out of control

My using and drinking could no longer console

My fears and beliefs all seemed to collide

I had to find someone in whom to confide

I talked to people “about someone I knew”

To test the waters, I asked only a few

Most of them knew I was talking about me

They mentioned AA and people to see

I still couldn’t face this disease that I had

I hadn’t hit bottom, I wasn’t “that bad”.

My family and friends gave me intervention

I sat, watched, and listened to all that was mentioned

I saw their concern and kind of agreed

I’d go talk to a councilor, at least that much I need

As soon as I went, my family did change

So I pretended my life to rearrange

But each time I went I silently knew

That what people had said was sad but true

My life was unmanageable, I was powerless

I still couldn’t stop, of this I confess

My bottom was close but I hadn’t yet hit

I still wanted control but had to submit

I’d picked up enough from my friends and family

And my councilor had said, from DT’s you can’t flee

Instead of that drink I always kept stashed

I picked up the phone and didn’t get smashed

On to my councilors and then to ER

Afraid as I was, I had come this far

I was were I needed to be at that time

My family and friends were waiting in line

I’ve reached my bottom, ready to start recovery

I can no longer think straight was all I could see

Into a program, now how did I get here?

No family, no friends, just me and my fear

The first days were hard and I wanted to leave

Then I remembered the past and had to believe

I was at my first step, admitting I was powerless

I honestly looked at my life, oh what a mess

I can’t do it alone. I must turn my life and my will

To a higher power and my new friend Bill

Bill W. and his steps, there are twelve

Instead of a drink, into them I must delve.

To learn how to live One Day at A Time

Keep It Simple, Turn it over, this is not a line

I’ve tools that I’m learning that help me to cope

Like cleaning out my life with water and soap

Taking care of myself, staying healthy and strong

I must change old habits and get rid of what’s wrong

There are temptations around all that I’ve known

Instead of a drink I can now pick up the phone

Help is so near I just have to give in

Quit holding back and let my new life begin

I can pick up the phone and call my sponsor

I need a meeting is what they concur

I listen and keep what I need, leaving the rest

For my friends in AA they are the best

They help keep me honest and learn not to hide

My feelings and problems deep down inside

For if I go back to my old way of life

I’ll only get back all my misery and strife

I’m still afraid for my family and friends

They won’t understand as I make my amends

But all I can do is keep doing my best

Let Go and Let God and He’ll do the rest

I wish family and friends could learn as I’ve learned

To A-lanon and Al-ateen that right they have earned.

To learn how to change and then how to cope

Co-dependent’s no fun but there’s always hope.

I learned I can’t change anyone but me

With tools they can learn, they’ll find their key

To forgive and to love without regret

For through all of this a new life I have met

I’m learning to live, be happy, have fun

For One Day at A Time, by life's just begun

I look in the mirror and like what I see

As living this program has set me free

The tools and the steps and friends that I make

Will help me survive for my life is at stake

I remember my past but on that I can’t dwell

For I no longer want to live that old hell

I can not go back to the life I once had

I must move forward and for that I am glad

If I get moody and start to offend

Remind me of AA for that’s my new friend

I must change to keep sober and straight

Each new day I do count and celebrate

I think back on my life and that first intervention

And now I can’t wait for my first AA convention

With help and humility I’m learning to cope

For instead of despair, I now have new HOPE.

Know as your reading, I wish you the best

Take what you need, and leave the rest.

Written with Love and Light and Hope

Nina P. 1/6/2006

Building Bridges

Bridges

Wide Gaps
Open Spaces
Nothing between place and places

Open Air
Deep Ravine
Both with scenes that are pristine

Countries Many
Connections Few
Each side has their point of view

You’re There
I’m Here
Can we make a bridge appear?

Open Hearts
Open Minds
Meeting people of all kinds

My Thoughts
Your Intentions
Growing knowledge sharing inventions

Strong Bridges
Closing Gaps
Making Connections that won’t collapse

Covered Bridges
Wooden Floors
Opening windows, opening doors

Arms open
People Meet
Shaking hands as we great

Opposing Sides
Joining Middle
Life’s about giving a little

Fears Lift
Hands Reach
Joining together we can teach

Shores Meet
Mountains Unite
Bridges Form as we look to the Light

Son Shines
Clouds Part
Bridges form from heart to heart

Rainbow Hope
Easing Strife
Common ground will make New Life

Look Within
Look Above
Fill the world with Unconditional Love

Peace Begins
Forgiveness Find
Bridges unite all Human Kind

Written with Love, Hope and Light by Nina P. 5/17/09

There is a Light in All of Us....

There is a Light in All of Us

There is a Light in all of us
If we but only look
So look inside it’s there you see
As written in The Book

When darkness comes as it will do
Rely on that Great Light
And soon the darkness fades away
As will that hard felt plight

Stresses come as life we live
It’s part of humankind
If all you see is dark and bleak
Desperation you will find

Pointing fingers all around
For isn’t that the cause?
“It’s him, it’s her; it can’t be me”
We say without a pause

It’s easier to look outside
Than to turn within
But when we look inside instead
The healing can begin

Self healing may be needed
But often we don’t see
Being part of us so long
It’s our only way to be

Let go of our complacency
Is hard but it’s a must
To lift that shroud of darkness
It’s the Light we must trust

Starting now we must look within
To heal us from the past
Cleaning out our closets
For healing that will last

Forgive yourself and others too
Feel changes come alive
For when our fear and pain collide
Only Hope and Love Survive

Remember after every storm
There is a rainbow of Hope
The Light beyond the clouds is there
Giving us ways to cope

So go on now and find the Light
It’s there inside of you
With Faith & Hope & Love you see
Grace and Light will see you through

By Nina P. Ploetz 3/19/09

Written for parents to be..... of a little girl...

God Has Blessed You

God’s Blessed you two as husband and wife
And now He’s granted the miracle of life.

For God so Loved he gave His Son
And with His Love we too have won

The Love you share has grown each day
Gods Love helps endure what may

Now raise your hands and praise the Lord.
Show Him how much He is adored

For soon you’ll have your hands both filled
With a bundle of Love that He has willed

Cries and laughter will replace the kicks
Walking and rocking will do the trick

Of course you’ll miss that Belly touch
The one we know you love so much

Your baby’s arrived with pride in your eyes
Now what to do when she cries and cries

As parents, back on your faith you will fall
Praying for quiet, sleep and that’s not all

Washing hands and face till they sheen
Teach her with Faith her soul to clean

Little fingers and toes how tender and small
How great a reminder God’s made us all

God has changed you with this bundle of Joys
Try to remember that when she annoys

For little ones to grow tall and strong
Our Lord and Savior must be along

May God Bless you and your family tree
Love each other and soon you will see

For this little sapling so tender to grow
Feed her with Love and Faith so she’ll know

Build a strong house by living in Love
Strength always comes from God Above.

So rejoice in today for you two are Blessed
Two became one and you know the rest

Written with Love and Prayers by Nina Ploetz 2/3/07