Tag Archives: humanity

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 3:00 pm on September 12, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , humanity, , , , ,   

A Blogger’s Diary 9/12/21: On the Week, Writing and Reflecting, The Garden, WordPress, Site Changes, and Gratitude

The Week

It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve posted a diary entry, and in the past four weeks, there have been some developments with the garden and to my site, which I am excited to relate; and, I also have a question for you about WordPress. More on that in a moment.

First, let’s take a look at some writing reflections.

Writing and Reflecting

Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

I’ve published several poems in the past four weeks, many of them taking love as their central theme or concept.

The poem, shaded in love, we agree, was a reflection upon my time living in the desert. I’ve been fortunate to live in several types of geographies, and the desert is among them, and holds a special place in my heart.

Sometimes people conflate the desert with barrenness, and the poem was an ode, if you will, to the splendor of the desert landscape, which I miss. There is something magical about being in the desert, especially at sunrise and sunset. The beauty is magnificent.

The poem, just like a star spangled night, was part of a much larger reflection about living life with an open heart. As I’ve written about in many posts and poems, living life with an open heart today is a blessing, and I am grateful to many people, especially, my life coach and teacher, for showing me a different way to understand the world, and our place in it.

It’s taken a lot of internal work, and, yet, what I understand today, is that all of my life happened just as it was supposed to. Exactly as it was supposed to; and, I am blessed with many different levels of understanding today because of all of the paths I’ve traveled. They were all needed, and are all important.

The Garden

Well, it’s also been a while since I’ve updated you on the garden, which is continuing to produce, and has been so much fun.

Here is a pic of some tomatoes I pulled last week.

Corvallis, Oregon 2021

Coming soon, broccolini, one of my favs!

WordPress

Over the past two months, I’ve had several regular readers send me messages that my posts are not showing up in their WP Reader. I actually emailed WP about this issue, and have yet to hear back.

The only workaround I know for this type of issue, which I’ve used before, is to unfollow the blog, and then refollow, which got me thinking.

Might any of you know of other workarounds to mitigate this issue? If so, I would love to read about them in the comments section, or, if you prefer, you can email me, thank you!

Site Changes

Earlier this year, I created a goal to make some changes to the site; and, I’ve finally made some of those changes.

I wanted to mention the changes here, in the event you notice anything that is not working well, or you have any suggestions, which may improve your experience. If so, please do let me know, thank you.

Gratitude

Photo by Hanny Naibaho on Unsplash

The week-beginning message I scheduled to go out to the team last week, was about gratitude; and the deep gratitude I have for everyone in my life.

My life has been, and is, blessed with connections to amazing people; and, today I am connected to many, many, more amazing people.

I think it is important to pause each day, and reflect upon the impact we make with our lives, and about the connections we have. They are so important.

In fact, I believe that human connection is one of the most important aspects of being alive. Experiencing aliveness is, for me, about being deeply connected to yourself, and then to those that you choose to surround yourself with every day.

Therefore, on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, I am feeling deep gratitude for everyone in my life; my family, my friends, the team I work with, the community I live in, and, each and every one of you. Very grateful.

Thank you for being just as you are, and for being there, and supporting my work. It means the world to me.

Have a beautifully blessed week everyone.

#aliveness, #blessed, #blogging, #connection, #diary, #gardening, #gratitude, #heart, #humanity, #life, #love, #reflection, #wordpress, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 2, 2021
Tags: , , , , , humanity, , , , , ,   

we’ll always share

Photo by Mehdi on Unsplash

weeds feed
my dreams, in a
cavalcade of screams,
while the
majesty in-between, is
just as it seems

rocking back,
and forth
on the porch,
sitting, and
staring at the dead, it dreams

like another reality
altogether, as
birds fly back,
and forth, mirroring
my actions,
without
the necessary transcendence

of being…

felt, not felt,
smothering
like a fleece blanket
on top of
the history
we’ve shared together

recalled,
less enthralled,
I walk towards you
with love in my
heart, stopped,
attracted, less
retracted,
without a stare,
only ever a deeply felt care,
we’ll always share

#poetry, #care, #connection, #dreams, #emotion, #humanity, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #shared, #transcendence

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on August 8, 2021
Tags: , , , , humanity, , , , , , , , safegaurd, ,   

let our love be displayed

Image credit; Shane Rounce @ Unsplash

unseen
are the trees,
that live so long
in-between, the myriad
noise and clatter,
of the unsuspecting dream

rooted
in place,
they wait, silently
drawing strength from
the majesty pouring forth,
from the earth’s very core

touched
by the clay beneath,
they reach for the sky,
and listen for our lullaby

to begin
again

as
we coalesce
beside their very best,
and remind ourselves
they are of nature,
and, our makers very best

for,

it is within
our hearts, that lives
the truest test

of
our resilience
to match
their guidance,
alongside a millennia
of previous trauma

which,

though
continues today,
let us please pray

and, give thanks
on this day,
for the beauty
living inside
the trees dismay,
not often
enough conveyed

yet,
often betrayed,
so, let our love
be displayed

In response to the WDYS #93 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

#poetry, #connection, #earth, #healing, #humanity, #life, #love, #nature, #planet, #poem, #poems, #protection, #safegaurd, #trauma, #trees

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 3:00 pm on August 1, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , humanity, , , , , , , ,   

open hearts have healed

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I stared
at the screen,
and nothing came

forward,

until
a whisper
of something
quite different
came flying by,
in pure insistence

unannounced
at the time,
was this tiny flicker
of insight,
waiting to be seen
on just
the right night

feeling
first,
is how it works

a stirring,

awaiting
recognition,
as it
makes its way
to the floor outside
our open hearts door

knocking
for entry, realizing
we’re retreating,

it waits,
wonders, and
all the while
saunters,

back and forth
pacing,
and relishing
in the journey
at our hearts very core

sending
messages unheard,
unseen,
yet felt
by those
with the ability
to be free
from constricted sense-

abilities

arising
more,
while numbness
subsides,
resulting in
a most fantastic
grin,
which I adore

ages
come and go,
yet,
wherever
we do travel,
human beings
on this planet
know one thing
for sure

open hearts
have healed
for ages, and
will continue to
far past the time
when
we’ve left this plane
forevermore

I sat down last night to write my diary entry, and, well, nothing came forward. That was, until I opened the document I use to write poetry drafts. Then, this piece came forward. How fun it all is.

Have a beautiful week, everyone.

#poetry, #connection, #contemplation, #emotion, #healing, #hope, #humanity, #insight, #instrospection, #life, #love, #open-heart, #poem, #poems, #realization

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on August 1, 2021
Tags: , , , , humanity, , , , , ,   

Haiku #33

Image credit; Yulia Matvienko

friends
connected through
pain and pleasure
they are
far from fair-weather

In response to the WDYS #92 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

#poetry, #connection, #friends, #haiku, #humanity, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #shared, #wdys

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on July 29, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , humanity, , , , , , , , ,   

their own gift to shed

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

something always
draws me
to the page,
sort of like
a moth to a flame

tiny flickering
of insight,
ignites within,
and we’re off
on a whim

Yiruma’s,
Sunset Bird
playing
on my headset,
least I forget
the inspiration
that lives on…

in this
beautiful worlds
shedding

of blessings

all-around,
which,
we can see
when we
stay present,
sound,

and
grounded
in the reality
we know
is there, even if,
and when,
we are
unawares

it’s lovely
to contemplate
our existence
on this
planet spinning
through space

round,
and,
round
we go, where
will we stop,
nobody truly knows,

yet,

there
is a knowing,
for you and I,
if we
silently abide

in
that
which we feel
on the
loneliest of nights

chilled
to the bone,
with no hand
to hold
but our own

and, even
then,
my dear friends,

know,
you are
not alone,
in this galaxy
far from
space,

as the human
connection
we share
is anything
but commonplace

each
has
their own gift
to shed,
and when
exposed to the light,
it is truly
beyond compare,
and, oh, so bright

there, there,
then,

on those
lonely nights,
we all have them,
fear, and fright,

abound,

yet
what’s
truly astounding,
is the feeling
I get when I’m
connected within,
and, to
all my friends,

and, yes,

that’s you
reading this
before
you’re off to bed

a lullaby
for you instead

sleep well,
my
dear ones,
and never forget,
time is always there,
and we are
never, ever,
second best,
only ever truly blessed

#poetry, #blessed, #contemplation, #earth, #gifts, #humanconnection, #humanity, #introspection, #life, #light, #lonely, #love, #planet, #poem, #poems, #shared

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on July 17, 2021
Tags: , , , , , , , , humanity, , , , , moment, , , , ,   

beyond the horizon

Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash

I love to stare off
into the distance, and
witness the birth,
and newness of each
moment,
arising, sometimes
disguising,
and always, always,
mesmerizing

me, while
also

moving me
from deep within,
to another place
and time, and
rejoining me
with
all my kin

beyond hope,
and fear, a land
full of dreams, which
comes and goes, as quick
as my heart beats thin

slowly dancing
to each moments
memory, and
the scope
of our collective hope

transfigured,
I realize these moments
last an eternity,
as the leaves
cascade down
from their mast

and, I

cast
my eyes beyond
the horizon, breathe
in deep,
and thank everyone,
and everything
around me
for the solitude,
and joyousness
I feel at last

The Moments Prose Published at Spillwords!

I would be honored if you would visit Spillwords and read, and or, reread my poem, The Moments Prose, thank you.

Photo by Andreas Fickl on Unsplash

Have you ever lost a love
so close,
it’s left you spinning,
and in need
of a heart to slow?

It’s as if you tucked
this love away….

You can read the rest of The Moments Prose, here. Thank you again, my friends.

#poetry, #aliveness, #beauty, #connection, #dreams, #emotions, #heart, #horizon, #humanity, #joy, #life, #love, #memory, #moment, #poem, #poems, #presence, #solitude, #trasnformation

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on July 13, 2021
Tags: , beacon, , , , humanity, , , , , , , ,   

a beacon for another day

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

complications
abound
when we tarry,
our heads splitting
with fever
and shame’s
carry

unable
to turn on our
heart’s light,

feeling

the movement
of the breeze,
becomes agony
of the senses, as
we plead with everyone
we see,
and yet, we
still
silently believe

in something
grander,
larger than
this life

still, we cannot
grasp the
meaning,
due to
all the past,
and,
present fraught
we’ve been taught

even the future
abounds
with calamities
in our
mind’s eye,
detailed out, with
immense
feelings of
our own creation

yet,
in that silence
created long ago,
hidden
from view
for a generation
or two

a movement
rebounds,
strikes a chord,
seemingly distant,
and, right at our
very door

and,
just like that

a kindling
of some other
kind
is ignited,
takes flame,
and becomes
a beacon
for another day

#poetry, #beacon, #believe, #connection, #contemplation, #humanity, #introspection, #life, #light, #loss, #love, #poem, #poems, #resilience

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on July 11, 2021
Tags: , , , humanity, , , , , , , , ,   

heart and mind become one

Photo by Oliver Hihn on Unsplash

as the leaf falls
from the tree,
and tumbles
end over end
towards the earth,
I’m reminded,
of love, and
loss, and
all the things
in life we hold close
to heart and wish to
never depart.

yet,
we know all things
are fleeting,
even this feeling
I have, as I’m writing
this poem,
sitting, and
whimsically
staring at the screen,
as one word
appears, and then
another,
and then they disappear
from heart, and
mind, one
after the other,

and then?

another
feeling and
knowing comes,
and heart and mind
become one.

#poetry, #emotions, #heart, #humanity, #introspection, #life, #love, #mind, #nature, #oneness, #poem, #poems, #reflection

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on July 10, 2021
Tags: , , , humanity, , , , , , , , relate,   

step into the self

Photo by Faris Mohammed on Unsplash

the rain falls,
drops
known to all,
reminiscent of tears
present
when I was very young

told not to let them
show,
we pretend when
we’re grown,
that all of life
is hidden from view
and within
our complete control

a myriad
of illusory contexts
derived from
well-
intentioned people,
learning themselves,
what it’s like
to be
a pupil

life happens,
and,
as it does,
we grab onto
anything that’s solid
and stable

while also knowing
these
concepts
are mere principles of

nature’s
way

of showing us
what we’re
becoming

delivering pain
when we
least expect it,
and asking us
to step into
the self
we know is there,
and we relate to

Utmost Feelings – Just Released!

If you’ve not yet checked out Astha’s Anthology, Utmost Feelings, well, you can now order it online. Here’s where you can find it:

Paperback-

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9390817455

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9390817455

Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/9390817455

Amazon FR: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/9390817455

Amazon ES: https://www.amazon.es/dp/9390817455

Amazon IT: https://www.amazon.it/dp/9390817455

Amazon JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/9390817455

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/9390817455

Ebook

Payhip- https://payhip.com/b/DjE8x

Kobo Books- https://www.kobo.com/in/en/ebook/utmost-feelings

B&N Press- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/utmost-feelings-astha-srivastava/1139758293?ean=2940162372431

Additionally, the coauthors of Astha’s Anthology, Utmost Feelings, are creating a space for people to send their sentiments to Astha’s family.

If you are interested, please add your sentiments to this form, thank you, and stay blessed.

#poetry, #connection, #emotions, #humanity, #illusion, #learning, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #reality, #relate, #shared