“Few people know so clearly what they want.   Most people can’t even think what to hope for when they throw a penny in a fountain.”    ~ Barbara Kingsolver, novelist and poet

Such a simple question: What do you want?

Hmmmm. What do I want? What do I want? What do I want? What do I want? Any way you slice it, this little puzzler looks deceivingly quaint and harmless, as if it may indeed require little pondering… but it’s all a facade. And as the years fly off our mind-logged calendars, the four-word imp creeps its way into our daily lives…keeping us up at night, zoning us out at meetings, tying our tongues… furrowing our brows and ultimately graying our hair.

All that said, I stand side-by-side with you…without an answer for you, let alone myself. I, too, often want someone to tell me what I should want. But more often, I just seem to tune out the prompt for pondering my true intention and careen past the real source of joy.  I let the malevolent minutia of a worldly existence distract me from facing the question straight-on.  From diving into the deep end of my soul, welcoming the light, and waiting for the answers to reach out to me.  Perhaps being driven isn’t such an enviable quality when the drive is into an abyss full of unanswered questions.

Copyright 2000-2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.

“You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.”     ~Douglas MacArthur, US General

Funny how birthdays devilishly sneak up on us.  For some they are embraced with delightful dreams of frosted sweets, gifts galore and parties, parties, parties.  For others (and I am in that boat for sure), the adding of another digit towards another decade doesn’t make for a happy camper.  This last year seemed to not only careen past me but brought shackles of doubt, fear and despair… like I wanted to negotiate  for a lower bid, after all, I’ve still got so much left to do!!!    Alas, ’tis but a number, our age, right?  So, those of us trying to swap our deli tickets for hope of turning back the clock… stop the madness!  Embrace the potential in each day you’re given.  Work on your faith, your self-confidence, your hope and understanding and the result might be longer days, longer years, and a longer life.  ~KD

Copyright 2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.

“The most interesting thing in the world is another human being-  who wonders, suffers and raises the questions that have bothered him to the last day of his life, knowing he will never get the answers.”     ~ Will Durant, writer, historian and philosopher

Enough with the cars, computers, collectibles… and crap, folks.  You can’t take any of it with you when you go.  And when you’re grey and gabbing about unforgettable memories… I’ll bet the farm and Buffet’s bank account that the human beings you knew will bring the most awe-inspiring images to your stories, not the stuff.

Get to know a few more human beings… really know them.  Talk like there’s no such things as things more worthy than another breath.  ~KD

Copyright 2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.

“Each day it seems we have a gloriously befuddling choice:  battle the wind with our oars, or let it guide us with grace and fill our sails.” 

~  Kimberlie Dykeman, human being

Indeed to have the breeze at our backs we must first understand the quandary.   Then, of course, we must be willing to surrender…

Copyright 2012 by Kimberlie Dykeman.