Tags
compassion, destiny, empathy, empowerment, free, kindness, mankind, philosophy, psychology, unconditional love, world
.
each morning, upon awakening
I’m offered the possibility to change —
to improve my life.
I can commit to helping others;
in general — try to be a better:
husband, father, worker, citizen.
This is the possibility;
my challenge is to follow through —
make today an example for life.
This is a small step. I realize
my influence is not far-reaching,
but, it is a first step.
If everyone takes that step — reaches out,
enriches the lives of friends and contacts —
we can change the world.
As Nelson Mandela expressed:
the consciousness of one person can
bring about global change for the good.
One drop of kindness in the pool of
humanity will cause a ripple
which can generate into a wave.
A wave of hope, of caring, of love
of sharing is all that is needed
to solve the problems of this planet.
We can end oppression, starvation,
genocide and the ravages of
war and disease — one step at a time.
Each morning upon awakening
we can make the choice
to improve our world.
Let us take this opportunity
to be the change we wish to see in the world
we can be the difference.
Dennis Cardiff 
I love this message of personal responsibility, which is too rarely expressed these days. We have so much more control over our lives and those around us than most of us believe or are prepared to accept.
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Yes, I agree, we affect those around us more than we realize. It takes so little to bring a smile to a stranger’s face. I love your photos of flowers and gardens. It takes my mind off the coldest winter in twenty years. ~ Dennis
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Thank you. Glad it helped.
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Love this! What a great reminder that each of us have a responsibility to make the world a better place. And you’re right, ” one drop of kindness in the pool of humanity will cause a ripple which will generate into a wave”. Thanks for being part of the change we want to see in this world and sharing your wisdom.
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Somewhat like the butterfly effect. Thank you, also, for being part of the change we want to see in the world. ~ Dennis
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: )
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All your poems are so beautiful, Dennis, but I really love this one! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Hungry Artiz and commented:
Make a choice to improve the world!
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Hi Steffan, thanks for reblogging my post. It is much appreciated. ~ Dennis
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I love this, Dennis, it’s a very poignant message and one that gets lost amongst the me, me, me mentality that seems to be prevalent these days.
Flip x
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Hi Flip, thanks so much for your comment. I have always admired Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King. They all showed such bravery in the face of adversity. I like to think that I am here to serve humanity, not to be served by humanity. I always love stopping by your blog. ~ Dennis
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Hi Dennis, thank you, and you’re welcome 🙂
I think we could all do with approaching life with a large degree of humility, it serves no one to be selfish all the time
Flip
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So powerful and beautiful.
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Hi Jan, I am honored and humbled by your words. Thank you. I just bought: ‘Escaping the Chrysalis: Introduction to Gestalt Techniques for Self-Esteem. I was fascinated by the description, now I can’t wait to read it. ~ Dennis
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I love this! It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and think that we as individuals can’t change the world but how many individuals can we name who did just that? Mother Theresa, MLK,Jr., Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, etc. It is about remembering that it doesn’t have to be great big steps to change the world, it’s about the little things every day that make it a better place. 🙂 Wonderful writing.
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HI Stormy, it’s easy to forget how much influence we have on the lives around us. Thank you for your post “LOVE, DON’T JUDGE: RIP PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN”. I know many addicts and alcoholics. In Canada addiction is treated as the disease that it is. I don’t judge people for having a disease. ~ Dennis
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I’m right along side you Dennis, excellent post,we can change this world,all we need is love & understanding,love Alex
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Hi Alex, love and understanding will go a long way. It’s something that all of us can do. Love, Dennis
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Beautiful poem with a powerful message!
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A humble tribute to a great man, who is sadly missed. I love the way you play with your photos. Best wishes with your soon-to-be-released novel. Please let me know when it is available. ~ Dennis
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Thank you Dennis. Will do. Very best, Tiny
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inspiring
On Sat, Feb 1, 2014 at 5:09 PM, Dennis Cardiff
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Thank you so much. I enjoy reading your blog, especially your poem “I Will Remember You”. It is very tender and heartfelt. ~ Dennis
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Thank you:-)
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Dennis, I see you have similar ideals (maybe that’s not quite the right word) as I. Your prose smacks of life experiences and this is where I too get my inspiration from. Keep writing. I believe that we may just be a drop in the ocean but add together all the other ‘drops’ and yes, they can make a positive difference.
One of my quotes on another site is ‘Live to make a positive difference!’
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Hi Angie, I agree we share the same ideals. Your poem “IT ONLY TAKES A SECOND”
expresses this very well. Thank you. ~ Dennis
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My pleasure.
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Agreed! Thanks for sharing, and for Walking the talk! I find your acts and stories so inspiring. Regards.
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Thanks for your kind words. I enjoy your blog, especially your post “A tiny bit of help”. Thank you for all you have done. ~ Dennis
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impressive and emotional, Dennis… have a nice, positive and optimistic February!
my very best, friendly greetings and cheers, Mélanie
http://myvirtualplayground.wordpress.com/2014/02/01/deja-1er-fevrier-2014/
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Melanie, it’s always so good to hear from you. I will be back to your playground soon. I always find things of interest. Love and hugs, Dennis
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Reblogged this on Marie Abanga's Blog and commented:
ThIS POEM OF my friend Dennis, once more catches and even pokes me further to hurry up. Yes, I believe in Madiba’s mantra and really wish to do my own little best. l have chosen to commit and l am seizing the opportunity each day to change and to improve my life so I can help others improve theirs too.
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Hi Marie, thanks for reblogging my post. It is much appreciated. I commend you for your enthusiasm to help others. Blessings, ~ Dennis
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Amen Dennis! Love the way you wrote this great reminder for us all,
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Thanks Elaine, Nelson Mandela has always inspired me. I am honored to present his words as part of my poem. We lost a great man. ~ Dennis
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A sweet and gentle reminder Dennis, thank you..
Blessings
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Thanks for visiting and for your kind words. I enjoy reading your lyrics, especially “crazy eddie”. I would love to hear it sung. ~ Dennis
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Beautifully said, Dennis, and you already DO walk the talk. Blessings, Oliana
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Thank you so much, Oliana. I am honored and humbled by your comment. ~ Dennis
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Truly words to live by!
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I agree, Nelson Mandella, Ghandi and Mother Teresa have always been my heroes. I always find guidance in the simplicity of their words and actions. ~ Dennis
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Enjoyed the read. Great way to start my day. Thanks.
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Thanks, Rich, I enjoy your blog as well, especially your lines:
“Experiencing God is both an exciting personal transformation and a compassionate social transformation. We are called to love God, love others and love ourselves. We are called to combat social injustice.”
We may experience God in many different ways, but we are our brother’s keeper. ~ Dennis
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I will return and reread this when I need encouragement to keep pushing forward.
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Thanks for visiting and for your kind words. I am looking forward to reading “In Her Own Time”. It looks fascinating. ~ Dennis
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Thanks so much. Hope you enjoy it.
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Dennis, this message cannot be said enough. Thanks, BTG
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I agree, it is up to us to change the world, to make it the gentle, caring, peaceful place that is possible. Thanks for visiting. ~ Dennis
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Beautiful!
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Hi Carolina, thanks for your kind words. I love your blog, we share many ideas in common. ~ Dennis
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Thank you Dennis! I love your blog too! Awakening is such a great reminder….will print it out and read it every morning before I get up! Thanks again!
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Very beautiful Dennis! Your heart is seriously touching a truth within. Thank you for sharing. Namaste
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Hi Mark, Thank you for visiting. I am honored and humbled by your comment. ~ Dennis
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in january i made
my 1st batch
of homemade soap
80% olive oil
20% coconut oil
in the next week
or 2
when i track down
a name brand yogurt
with a live culture
I’m going to make
my 1st home yogurt
i guess changing the world
begins at home
cheers 🙂
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Hi David, I agree, changing the world begins at home, getting away from the misleading advertisers. My mother used to make her own lye soap for washing clothes. I can still remember the smell. I used to make my own yogurt all the time. Do you use a yogurt maker? I found that the best. I always enjoyed my home yogurt. ~ Dennis
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Denis, I made my first batch last night… heated milk in a saucepan, cooled to warm in a glass bowel, and added the starter. Wrapped it up in a towel and left it for 12hrs. Tried it this morning and it tastes great! I’m left wondering why it’s taken so long to try these things, the world even feels better. 🙂
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Indeed;
“Let us take that opportunity
to be the change we wish to see in the world
we can be the difference.”
Thanks
~ Eric
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Hi Eric, thank you very much for visiting. I have found so much inspiration on your blog. I especially enjoyed your post “Looking at yourself honestly – Gratitude”. This is sadly lacking in society. ~ Dennis
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