Today at d’Verse, we are so happy to have one of the founders of the community with us – Brian Miller, off from sabbatical to discover the “why” of his life. He has given us the challenge to give our philosophy of life, love, hair care products (grin), whatever….Come join us today. This is part of the Four Year Anniversary of this amazing poetics community and it has been a super celebration. http://dversepoets.com/2015/07/16/talk-on-a-cereal-box-a-smile-on-a-dog And – HAPPY NATIONAL CORN FRITTER DAY!!!!!
My Philosophy of Life
When I was a young child,
The years passed by in one long string of
summer…..fall…..winter…..spring…..
it took forever for Christmas break to come
and even longer for the end of the school year
to come rescue me from samedom.
(I hated school).
Being an older child now though –
the years pass by in a blur –
summerfallwinterspring.
A whirl of green grass, blue sky, tomato red –
another turn of the kaleidoscope
and the colors of flame, orange brown –
another twist:
grey, black, white – the next turn –
tender green, pale pink, forsythia yellow.
Too quickly the days pass.
Too quick to waste not seeing the wonders around me,
Too quick to not laugh when a baby giggles.
Too quick to not hug or listen to the voices of those I love.
The first day I went to school
My grandmother said – be courteous. respect others.
it is more important to always be kind than to be right.
Help the helpless and protect the innocent.
Always say “thank you” for kindnesses done and compliments given.
My mother added, Don’t take any crap from anyone.
My father said, Walk softly when you have a choice.
Some things do not change with time
no matter how quickly the colors in the kaleidoscope change.
copyright kanzensakura
kanzen sakura 
Jul 16, 2015 @ 17:40:13
The years passing by like a turn of the kaleidiscope. That is cool. The colors are always changing, but you can appreciate it all the more as well. I think with the speeding up of the time and the world we can tend to slow down a bit and realize we need to appreciate the bit of life that we get to have. Ha. your mom sounds fun.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:39:44
My mama is a feisty one. The only thing to bring her low is Alzheimers. But still she fights, not taking any crap.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 18:04:57
How quickly time passes now for me too…but I hear you on the same values & words of wisdom from our elders and parents ~ I try my best to pass on the same values to my (3) children ~ I am taking away these lessons from your parents:
My mother added, Don’t take any crap from anyone.
My father said, Walk softly when you have a choice.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 18:59:08
My father was a sharp shooter in WWII, a trained killing machine. He knew full well the value of walking softly based on what he had done. He was a gentle man and there wasn’t a baby that refused to go to him.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 18:18:04
The whole structure of this poem phenomenal.
One of your lines spoke to me because its true:
My grandmother said – be courteous. respect others.
it is more important to be always be kind than to be right.
My mom always raised me to be respectful and courteous to others,
no matter how mean people are, it’s always better to smile.
Great advice for all to remember and cherish.
Excellent poem…love it lots. 🙂
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:36:59
Yes indeed. We have been blessed to be given these life lessons.
Jul 17, 2015 @ 13:35:15
Exactly. 🙂
Jul 16, 2015 @ 18:25:24
A kaleidoscope..what a great image…and ‘respect’ has so much to do with how we need to live our lives…your grandmother was right on.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 19:00:04
Yes she was. A titanium fist in a lace mitt though.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 19:17:10
I love the section featuring all the colors:
“A whirl of green grass, blue sky, tomato red –
another turn of the kaleidoscope
and the colors of flame, orange brown –
another twist:
grey, black, white – the next turn –
tender green, pale pink, forsythia yellow.”
But this is my favorite: “My father said, Walk softly when you have a choice.” Sage advice.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:35:34
He was a wise, gentle man.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 19:17:54
Cranking that kaleidoscope as I write; what a wonderful way to sum up those chapters already written & read, & rev up for those yet to come, or those dragging you into midstream. I acknowledge your family is lovely, touching. Your father sounds fascinating.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:33:29
He was a sweet gentle man, a sharpshooter in WWIl turned into a killing machine. As such, he learned the sad way about choosing to walk softly. Puppies smiled at him, babies reached out their little trusting hands to him, birds would sit on his shoulder as he fed them bread. He discovered finally peace and more than truth.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:07:25
Oh Toni! This was everything, and a bag of chips. Lovely, amusing, so moving in its truths. Well done.
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:29:41
Thank youbfriend Caddo ♡♡♡
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab®|PRO
Jul 16, 2015 @ 22:40:21
You’re welcome, dear heart!
Jul 16, 2015 @ 23:12:54
You gave me some ideas about the things I should tell my grandkids. Love this poem. It’s full of wisdom and I love how you reveal your heart.
Jul 17, 2015 @ 08:12:38
oh wow – there’s some beautiful wisdom in what your family taught you… and def. – time seems to run more quickly the older we get – i too try to cherish every single moment
Jul 17, 2015 @ 09:38:22
Beautiful, wistful, surprising, complex….thank you, Kanzen, for sharing your lovely, delightful self. xxo
Jul 17, 2015 @ 09:59:49
Loved the closing lines.. such a profound write 🙂
Jul 17, 2015 @ 10:10:24
love that description of life in terms of color…and definitely wise lines…
Jul 17, 2015 @ 15:28:12
Ha! truly in my formative years my mother
and father never give me much advice at all..
single hard working mother.. and divorced
law enforcement father.. demands of life..
living miles apart..
a search alone
is hard..
but still
worth the effort
for me.. the
future was
free and i continue
to guide it now..:)
Jul 17, 2015 @ 15:31:01
I love the comparison of time passing to the turn of a kaleidoscope.
Jul 17, 2015 @ 19:19:51
Thank you. And time truly does seem to pass that quickly.
Jul 17, 2015 @ 16:05:23
This is beautiful! I love how “summer…..fall…..winter…..spring…..” became “summerfallwinterspring.” This so clearly illustrated how quickly time seems to pass as you get older, helping us remember what is truly important in life. Peace, Linda
Jul 17, 2015 @ 19:19:02
Thank you. As I get older, life truly does get more precious.
Jul 17, 2015 @ 17:20:27
Exactly how time passes, “…another turn of the kaleidoscope…” As quick as the twist of a wrist.
This made me smile, but also nod. Another life painted in a short poem. Absolutely fabulous, and substantial of content. ❤ ❤ ❤
Jul 17, 2015 @ 19:14:21
Thank you. ♡♡♡ I was thinking about time passing in a blur and how with the seasons, the blurred colors would change. And from there…sometimes I surprise myself.
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Jul 18, 2015 @ 10:54:27
Perrr-fect description. ❤ ❤
Jul 17, 2015 @ 19:01:08
Your final two lines are exactly true. I love the way you showed us the passage of time. Happy National Corn Fritter Day to you, too!
Jul 17, 2015 @ 19:05:28
Thank you! And it was a grand day. Durung sweet corn season, I hope you can indulge.
Jul 17, 2015 @ 19:09:59
If humanity followed those simple tenets, we would have a wonderful world. Loved this! Your folks were right on!
Jul 17, 2015 @ 19:15:42
Ii am so glad you enjoyed. These words have truly stood the test of time. After all this time.
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Jul 17, 2015 @ 20:50:40
So true…some things change so rapidly, but things like courtesy…and standing up for one’s self do not change.
Jul 18, 2015 @ 05:43:49
Some things do not change with time
no matter how quickly the colors in the kaleidoscope change.
Very true Kanzen! These are there all the time! The difference is some have been lucky to have been told and exposed to their goodness early in life. Others may not be so fortunate! Great thoughts!
Hank
Jul 18, 2015 @ 12:01:04
I’m with your grandmother all the way – even through repeated disappointments and being taken advantage of… I sometimes wonder if I should teach that to my children, even though I believe in it myself!
I love your family heritage and sayings coming through so strong and clear.
Just one quick comment – is there an extra ‘be’ in that line:
‘it is more important to be always be kind than to be right.’
Jul 18, 2015 @ 12:21:07
Yes, there is an extra be…thank you! You know, i think it is important we do teach these things to our children, both by our words and by our examples and, by correction. My father overheard me, saying to one of the neighborhood children, who had stopped by to play, that she was in my yard and we played by my rules. He gently pulled me aside and gave me a hug and said, that was not kind. Yes, she is in your yard but is a guest and should be treated with courtesy. I sputtered and he said, you were not playing a board game or other game with rules. You two were making up the rules so there was no right or wrong. Now go play and have fun and be nice. I went back to p,ay and we had fun and he brought us out cookies and lemonade for a treat. I was told over and over and I watched and learned. As an adult,they gave me the same sound advice. I sometimes chose to do differently and learned, the old advice was still best.
Jul 18, 2015 @ 13:40:52
“Being an older child now”… hopefully one realizes the importance of keeping that child alive. Grown-up are no darn fun. Lovely philosophy you have
Jul 18, 2015 @ 15:02:25
Yes indeed. I have grown older, hopefully wiser, but I still haven’t grownup.
Jul 18, 2015 @ 13:58:13
I think you were blessed to have such wonderful models in your life to pass down these messages of life. Your poem was an insightful journey to read. Thanks for sharing.
Jul 18, 2015 @ 15:01:05
I was very blessed both in their messages and love.
Jul 18, 2015 @ 21:01:18
I like your poem. Indeed time passes much quicker now for me than when I was a child. When I was a child, it seemed everything took forever to come (Christmas, vacation, etc.) But the lessons we learned as children seem to stay with us throughout life. I especially like the lesson you mentioned: “Don’t take that crap….” It is good when eventually we learn we don’t need to.
Jul 20, 2015 @ 16:20:02
So grateful that you share these wonderful things with us, Kanzen…
Jul 22, 2015 @ 16:35:40
How are you? I love your ‘Philosophy.’ The lines, one after the other, hold onto endless possibilities.
Jul 22, 2015 @ 16:49:55
I am in one of my depressive down cycles, but plowing through. I was just thinking about you last night. I hope you and Tom are well. I go to a job fair for a local grocery chain tomorrow. Money needs are desperate and so…back to work I go.
It has been insanely hot today, and the past couple of weeks actually. head index says temp is 105 – 108! Yikes. I’m doing a lot of crockpot cooking these days to save the propane and cut down on heat in the house. I did an amazing, and I do mean amazing crockpot fresh peach cobbler the other day. It was idiotically easy and I used half sugar, half splenda and brad couldn’t tell. Next time it will be all splenda. The spices and bit of lemon juice helped I think.
Found an amazing way to microwave corn on the cob….insane. You leave the corn in the shucks, put in the microwave for about 4 minutes per ear. Use a potholder to take out, let sit a couple of minutes, cut off the bottom and then use the potholder to hold the top of the ear and just shake it out – it slides out and all the silks and stuff stay behind in one neat package. I’m hooked. I spray on the can’t believe it’s not butter and it just melts.
Writing like a madwoman, trying to cheer myself up and keep busy. Have gotten extremely discouraged but am doing what I can to to pick up, you know?
Let me know what you are up to. Take care of yourself and Tom. Huge hugs to you.
Jul 22, 2015 @ 17:12:25
Lots and lots of hugs back at ya. The peach cobbler and corn on the cob sound wonderful. How about sharing the peach cobbler recipe.
Now that it’s so hot I can’t get into the garden, our weather is the same as yours, I sink into depression many days. I do my absolute best to stay on top of it. Tom sleeps around the clock or so it seems. I’ve missed you and the gang.
Jul 22, 2015 @ 18:44:44
Tess is on a reading spree and loving every moment. I’ll email you the cobbler recipe.
Jul 24, 2015 @ 08:35:47
Thanks, I’ll be looking forward to receiving the recipe. Take care my friend. Hugs [Lots of them].
Jul 22, 2015 @ 22:38:43
They’ve stood the test of time.
Jul 28, 2015 @ 18:51:58
email me and i will tell you what to do on the links.
smiles.
btm2007@yahoo.com