Time is cruel in melancholy’s capture
A lover’s sacred dance
Stained in my dreamy trance
With echos of love’s laughter
O Cherished in my mind’s reserve
Weaved into a thought that glows
It takes all the sorrow away
Until nothing but a smile shows...
Time is sweetened in joy’s rapture
Lips that kissed learn how to smile
Sinking into memories all the while
With hearts that dare not to fracture
By Angela Puorro
Rainbows rainbows I hope the stain grows the drops like skittle just remember you can't have a rainbow without a little bit of cloud stay proud in the crowd Rainbows rainbows I hope the stain grows I hope your stain grows keep the pain low just remember you have a little rain without the rainbow don't forget let people know tie it up seal it with bow be proud to show your big rainbow watch the stain grow Rainbows Rainbow Rainbows
By Paul Hamilton
Bringing the flow
by Laura Frances Zaki
Life is like a flow, it comes and goes. How can you turn it on and get that good energy flowing? The first ingredient is love. Do what you love. Do things in your life with love. Love yourself and bring love to others in your life. Love is energy and it flows. When you are blocked it's because the good energy isn't flowing properly. You may feel stuck in old patterns. You may hate your life or the situation in which you are living. It's never your outer circumstances that creates energy and flow. It's an inside job and you can bring flow to any circumstance. Find things that bring you joy. Collect and cultivate them. Surround yourself with people who bring good positive energy to your life. Find people who have ideas, goals and dreams and you will find that you too with start having ideas, goals and dreams. Reinvent yourself. Shake up your life! Old patterns may not serve you anymore. Don't be afraid to try something new and different. Travel even if it's only within your own city. Be a traveler and be a seeker. If you can't find the flow, then be the flow.
Today I rise
by Laura Frances Zaki
Darkness fades as the light shines through my wounds
You always said "Show them how smart you are"
But what I didn't know is that I am resilient
I am strong and steady
I give wings to others and that helps me to fly myself
Show me your scratches
I've got them all over my arms too
Today we forget the past and rise up to meet our broken souls
I know it's really hard to keep on moving
When all you want to do is wrap yourself up in a cocoon
In search of some elusive type of comfort
Hold me close and you will know
That I'm always there for you
I am your best friend, your compadre, your confidant
I am yourself and you are mine
Be what you are and live in the moment
Start feeling that small bright light of hope coming through the clouds
And know that sunshine will be coming your way again.
Even just for a little while
L.Zaki 5/18/22
Dreaming of peace
Faded jeans and long blonde hair
She steps out into the day
And you swear you knew her forever
Back when you were young and crazy
Today is just another day in between
One more cup of coffee or a bottle of wine
Sing it before we get too old
Dance like you are on fire
Keep dreaming those hippie dreams of yours
Peace, love and loud music on this dreary day
Dreaming of peace and sunshine
How to deal with toxic people
There are many reasons why people are toxic and negative. It may stem from a bad childhood or upbringing. They might not have felt love or caring in their home when they were growing up. It might be an enduring pattern of cynicism and negativity that has become engrained in their mind. It might also be a way of seeking attention. When someone always has to be "the worst" that is a sign that they are focused on their ego just the same as someone who always needs to be the best. They crave attention even if it is negative. They don't trust anyone and see the world as a bad evil place. Others are narcissists and fake love bomb you and shower you with compliments at first, only to later degrade you and have you walking on eggshells.
If you're anything like me, you are empathetic and like to help others. You somehow think you can fix or save negative people. It's time to realize that if they don't want to be helped you can't help them! They will only drag you down and bring you into their negative world. You are a bright shining star. You bring your sunshine to those who are connected to you and warm them with your smile.
The best way to deal with toxic people and narcissists is to cut them off completely if you can. If they are family members and you don't want to cut them off entirely then you need to set clear and firm boundaries. You will not tolerate any backbiting, negative talk or name calling. They need to elevate their behavior to be around you!
Keep doing what you do and don't let others get you down. Eventually your positive energy will repel those who have nothing to say but put down others and complain about the state of the world. Always look up and surround yourself with those people who have ideas and want to contribute positively to the world. If you see those qualities in a person who is negative but is trying, encourage them to take a path down the right road to a better, happier life!
How to change to a positive mindset
Are you always thinking negatively? Do you feel like your life has no purpose? That you can never win?
Negative thinking attracts negative energy. Some people love negative energy, they seem to live in that negative space because they got so used to it and they crave attention and affection. The trouble with living in that space is that nothing good ever comes from it.
Have you ever noticed that some people do nothing but complain and they seem to always have problems? That is because their vibrations are at a very low level. In order to start improving their life they need to focus on positive energy and thoughts that raises their vibrations.
We are surrounded by energy fields. A person's energy can actually be measured. People who are very negative or depressed live in very low energy ranges. In contrast, people who are positive and always looking on the bright side and focused on healing vibrate at high energy and they also ATTRACT good energy to themselves!
There are many ways to have a positive mindset. The first step is to set an intention that you will try to think positive thoughts and to actively chase away the negative thoughts. A glass is half full approach will really serve you best to set you on the path to achieve your goals and dreams!
Next, surround yourself with positive influences. Rather than watch negative feeds on social media check out some inspirational podcasts on YouTube. Jay Shetty's How to Think Like a Monk podcast is very popular and always uplifting. Tom Bilyeu's series Impact Theory gives you great ideas on how to achieve success in your life. Or listen to our podcast series, Sunshine for a Better World for tips on thinking positive and being happier in your life.
The other way to upgrade your mindset is to focus on helping others and doing good deeds. You will find that you are happier when helping others! In fact studies show that those who help others and give to others are much happier than if they receive something themselves. This can be done in small steps, you don't have to be rich to give back and to help others. In fact you don't need any money at all! A smile or a kind word is a great way to improve your mindset and increase your own happiness. Being good feels good!
As you start to take these small steps and change your mindset you will notice that positive energy comes to you and people will start to gravitate towards you with positive ideas and good energy. We wish you well in this new journey towards wellness and a happy life!
They wore bright headscarves and fashionable clothing. They might be university students, he thought, from the University of Tripoli. Or work colleagues on a coffee break.
She caught his eye from across the room, her long dark hair shining . She sat alone and he wondered was she waiting for a friend or for her husband? He thought of poor Fatima his work colleague. They had worked together for two years now and she refused to accept the fact that he did not want to marry her! He liked Fatima with her gentle smiling face and sweet voice. But there were no sparks and he couldn't imagine being attracted to her. She was from a wealthy Libyan family and was more confident than the women he knew in Egypt. 
