Inner voice

Embrace your inner voice, trustworthy and genuine, intuitive and supportive, honest and warm. A voice worth listening to.

--By Ron Cooper

Loving me

Woe to one who thinks or cares so little for oneself. We must first treat ourselves with gentleness, self-respect and love. From that bounty of goodwill toward self may spring a generosity that will embrace the hearts of others.

--By Ron Cooper

Above all, be kind (a letter to my granddaughter)

Dear Greta,

If you learn to do just one thing well in your life, make it to be kind.

First of all, be kind to everyone, treating all with the same high regard and deepest consideration. One person is no important than another. We each share a fundamental human dignity.

Be especially kind to the poor, weak and discouraged, for these are children of God just as you are. These souls may be invisible to most that hurry by and don’t seem to notice. Treat them with compassion and lift them up.

Be kind to your family, for they hold you in the highest esteem and have taught you the important lessons of life: Kindness, compassion, service, and faith. To family you owe your best to live up to the highest principles and convictions passed down to you.

Finally, be kind to yourself. Balance your high expectations with compassion and humility, and your hard work with rest and solitude. Remember that love brings fullness to a life that would be otherwise be sterile, and that acts of kindness bring happiness to others and purpose to your own life.

Love,
Grandpa Ron

Now

The most fulfilling thing you can do for your tender spirit is to feel the essence of now.

--By Ron Cooper

Mystery Patient

Dear Mystery Patient,

Thanks for cancelling your appointment at our doctor's office today. I was able to slip in at 9:00 a.m. and get the treatment I needed.

It was busy at the office due to the nasty cold-and-flu season besetting us. Our doctor was completely booked today. If you hadn't canceled, I would have been forced to go to the Immediate Care Center.

It was a simple, thoughtful thing that you did--calling ahead yesterday so that someone else could fill your slot.

One last thing, Mystery Patient: I hope you canceled because you are feeling better....stay well!

Ron Cooper

Hold the moment

Hold the moment
In close embrace
Feel your heart beat
In a soulful place

Be here
Be now

Hold this moment

--By Ron Cooper

Be the light

Be the light
That shines aglow
Be the light
That loves
That knows
Love

--By Ron Cooper

Lovable

Be lovable...that's great advice. There is a real integrity in the human heart. It is and will always be for its own sake. Lucky we are if we are appreciated and even loved for who we are. But above all, be your own best loving self.

--By Ron Cooper

Potential

Energy is finite, potential is infinite.

--By Ron Cooper

Sunshine

It feels good to give.

I like to choose a single word and build a poem or story around it. Today, I asked my waitress to tell me her favorite word. It was "sunshine." Seeing her light up in saying "sunshine" sparked my creativity.

I wrote:

"Sunshine, nature's smile, peeks through the darkened day, lighting up my world. The sun shines if only for a glorious moment. The gathering clouds may swallow up the welcome rays but, determined, the sunshine reappears and defeats the gloom. Welcome, sunshine!"

I gave the waitress the poem as I got up to pay my bill.

It feels good to give.

--By Ron Cooper