WITH HOPE IN MY HEART by Joanne Boyle

"WITH HOPE IN MY HEART"
by Joanne Boyle

The breeze through the trees

whispered my name,

It called on me

to play its game.

I could see the light,

through the mornings mist

as each ray beckoned,

I couldn't resist.

I passed growing flowers,

as they came from the ground.

I could hear the birds making

a beautiful sound.

I rose through the air,

the light was my friend.

I saw the hope

that God did send.

I found myself moving

from one season to another.

I passed my Father

as he held my Mother.

I looked around

with hope in my heart

I believe that spring

shall be a fresh start.

Joanne Boyle

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Art by Steffi Krenzek

 

The Night Stalker by English With Mia

"The Night Stalker" by English With Mia

In a small town, there lived a young girl named Lily. She was always curious and loved exploring. But there was something eerie about the old, abandoned house at the end of her street. People said it was haunted and that a mysterious figure, known as the Night Stalker, roamed around there at night.

Lily was brave and didn't believe in ghosts, so one evening, she decided to investigate. She sneaked out of her house and tiptoed toward the old, creaky gate of the abandoned house. The moon was full, casting eerie shadows on the ground.

As Lily approached the house, she heard strange noises—creaks and whispers. Her heart raced, but she reminded herself that there's no such thing as ghosts. She cautiously pushed the rusty gate open and stepped inside.

The inside of the house was dark and musty, and the floorboards creaked with every step she took. Lily's imagination began to play tricks on her. She thought she saw shadows moving in the corners and heard faint footsteps echoing through the hallway.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, a rustling noise came from behind an old, dusty curtain. Lily's heart skipped a beat. She slowly pulled the curtain aside and saw a stray cat, scared and trembling.

Relieved, Lily giggled softly and reached out her hand to comfort the frightened cat. Suddenly, a faint sound echoed from the other side of the room. It sounded like someone sobbing.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Lily followed the sound. She found a hidden door, slightly ajar. She hesitated but pushed it open gently.

Behind the door was a small room. In the corner sat an elderly man, hunched over and crying softly. Lily's heart ached seeing him so sad and alone.

She cautiously approached the man and asked, "Are you okay, sir?" The man looked up, startled. He seemed surprised to see someone there.

With a shaky voice, the man explained that he was once the owner of this house. He had lost everything and had been hiding here, scared and lonely, avoiding everyone.

Lily listened intently to his story. She felt sorry for the man and wanted to help. She told him about her family, her friends, and the kind people in the neighbourhood.

Slowly, a smile crept onto the man's face. Lily's kindness had given him hope. He thanked her and promised to come out of hiding and seek help.

Lily returned home, feeling proud of herself. She realized that sometimes, what seems scary might just be someone who needs a friend. The next day, she told her parents about the man, and together they reached out to help him.

From then on, the town didn’t talk about the Night Stalker anymore. Instead, they welcomed the man back into the community, showing kindness and understanding. And Lily, the brave little girl, learned that sometimes the scariest things hide the most heart warming stories of all.

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The Sinister Ritual by English With Mia

"The Sinister Ritual"

by English With Mia

In a small village nestled among rolling hills, there lived a young girl named Lily. The village was known for its lush forests and warm community. But beyond the village outskirts lay a dark and mysterious forest that everyone warned to avoid. Tales of strange happenings and eerie whispers filled the air whenever anyone mentioned the forest.

One moonlit night, as Lily sat by her window, she heard faint, haunting melodies drifting from the depths of the forest. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to investigate. Ignoring the villagers' warnings, she ventured into the forest, her heart pounding with both fear and excitement.

The forest was dense, the trees looming tall and gnarled, casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. As Lily wandered deeper, she stumbled upon a clearing bathed in an otherworldly glow. In the centre of the clearing stood an ancient stone altar, adorned with cryptic symbols etched into its surface.

Mesmerized by the sight, Lily felt a strange pull towards the altar. Suddenly, a group of hooded figures emerged from the darkness, encircling her. Fear clenched her heart as she realized she had stumbled upon a ritual in progress.

The figures chanted in a language unknown to Lily, their voices echoing through the trees. Their movements were synchronized and ritualistic, adding to the chilling ambiance of the clearing. Lily attempted to flee, but she found herself rooted to the spot, unable to move.

As the ritual reached its climax, a surge of energy emanated from the altar, enveloping Lily. She felt a strange sensation coursing through her veins, an otherworldly power that seemed to awaken within her. Fear turned to confusion, and curiosity replaced her initial panic.

In that moment, the lead figure approached Lily, removing the hood to reveal a kind, weathered face. The figure explained that the ritual was a test one that called forth those with a pure heart and courageous spirit. The forest was not sinister; it was a guardian of ancient wisdom.

Lily had been chosen to inherit the wisdom and protect the balance between the forest and the village. She was bestowed with a gift—an ability to commune with nature and bring harmony to the land.

Over time, Lily became the guardian of the forest, respected and revered by both the villagers and the woodland creatures. She learned the ancient ways of the forest, and her connection with nature grew stronger each passing day.

The once-feared forest transformed into a place of wonder and tranquility under Lily's guidance. She shared her wisdom with the villagers, teaching them to respect nature and live in harmony with the land.

And so, the legend of the sinister ritual faded away, replaced by the tale of Lily, the guardian of the forest, whose bravery and kind heart had brought light to the once-darkened woods.

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I WILL TRUST THAT TIME IS A HEALER by Tahlia Hunter

"I WILL TRUST THAT TIME IS A HEALER"
by Tahlia Hunter

Now is the time for you to walk a new path and let go of all that is old and holding you back from getting where you wish to go and becoming who you wish to be. Trust that all that is meant for you will always be for you, all that is meant to be in your life will be there when the time is right and all paths will lead you to where you are meant to be.

And if on the path,

you find yourself feeling discouraged, saddened or let down,

you may repeat to yourself the following:

"All I need I possess within me. I have no need of outside approval or attention. No matter where I presently find myself, I will choose to bring myself peace and closure in this moment. I have no need of searching for love or acceptance from another, for I am love itself and I fully embrace and accept myself.

I will trust that time is a healer, bringing perspective and directing my attention and energy elsewhere. And however angry or discouraged I may be in the present moment, in time, once I have healed, things will look very different. Just because I cannot see or feel it right now, that does not mean it will never come to be.

I do not regret my past missteps and detours

for I am committed to a path of love and growth

and they helped to shape me into who I am today.

And I will embrace periods of temporary rest and inaction,

for a bow must be pulled backwards to shift forwards -

this is how the greatest growth occurs.

While I may feel temporarily wounded, my heart will heal once again,

strengthened far greater than before,

and once healed,

what my eyes cannot glimpse, my heart need not grieve.

And I will choose to shift my focus

from what I cannot control

to what I can create

and from who I once was

to who I wish to be."

Words by Tahlia Hunter https://www.facebook.com/TahliaHunterBlog

Artwork by Katarína Vavrová Artist

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The House of Whispers by English With Mia

"The House of Whispers" by English With Mia

In a small town nestled between rolling hills and ancient forests stood a peculiar house known as the House of Whispers. It had been there for as long as anyone could remember, its weathered walls adorned with ivy, and its windows always shrouded in mystery.

The townsfolk spoke in hushed tones about the strange occurrences surrounding the house. Some claimed to have heard faint whispers carried by the wind that seemed to emanate from the old building. Others spoke of flickering lights or shadows moving behind the curtains when no one lived there for years.

Among the locals, there was a tale passed down through generations. It spoke of a kind-hearted family that once lived in the house, spreading joy and warmth throughout the community. But one fateful night, they vanished without a trace, leaving the house empty, yet filled with secrets.

One bright morning, a curious young girl named Lily decided to investigate the House of Whispers. Lily was known for her bravery and adventurous spirit, and she was determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious whispers that echoed through the town.

As she approached the house, its creaky gate opened with an eerie groan. Lily stepped onto the overgrown path that led to the front door. She could feel the eyes of the townsfolk watching, but her curiosity outweighed any fear.

Upon entering, Lily noticed the house was filled with remnants of a life once lived. Dust-covered furniture, faded photographs, and an air of melancholy surrounded every room. The whispers she'd heard about seemed like a distant echo, almost indistinguishable.

Lily explored further, drawn to a room at the end of the corridor. The door creaked open, revealing a cosy space filled with old books and a rocking chair facing the window. As she scanned the room, she noticed a faded journal lying on the table.

Curiosity got the better of her, and Lily began to leaf through the pages. The journal belonged to the youngest member of the family, Emily. Her words spoke of joyous days and laughter echoing through the halls. But as Lily read on, the entries turned sorrowful, detailing the family's sudden fear of someone or something lurking in their home.

Suddenly, Lily heard a soft whisper, barely audible. It felt as though someone spoke directly into her ear. She glanced around, but the room was empty. The whispers grew louder, and she realized they weren't external but seemed to echo from within the journal itself.

The pages fluttered, as if moved by an unseen force. Lily's heart raced, but she continued to read. Emily's final entry spoke of their decision to leave, to escape the inexplicable events. But before they could flee, the whispers consumed them, and they vanished into thin air.

A cold shiver ran down Lily's spine as she closed the journal. The whispers faded, leaving an eerie silence behind. With a determined yet trembling hand, she placed the journal back on the table, feeling a sense of both sadness and relief.

Leaving the House of Whispers, Lily felt a mix of emotions. She knew the tale would remain a mystery, and the whispers would continue to haunt the old house. Yet, she also carried with her a newfound respect for the family that had faced the unknown and disappeared into the whispers that echoed through time.

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NEW BEGINNINGS by Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg

"NEW BEGINNINGS"
by Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg

loosen the things,

that hang on to me so tightly-

the richness of my being,

does not come-

from my outer living,

what is held within-

creates the space,

I choose to dwell in.

let the broken pieces,

drift away that try-

to remain,

it is time for their release-

like rising smoke from inside me.

what if I could see,

all of my being drifting-

past, present and future,

equally…

without resentment or criticism,

regret or fear-

coming to my middle way,

of living.

as it comes,

choosing more than doing-

allowing all of me to,

blend into the love-

that holds me.

what brings me out,

of the darkest depths-

to my twilight,

as it comes-

constant and sure,

same as that what holds-

the breath of night,

without hesitation-

it holds me now,

despite my own undoing.

it rises with the rising light-

within me,

to my new beginnings.

Author Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg ©

Artist Christian Schloe

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THE SEASONS OF LIFE

"THE SEASONS OF LIFE" (author unknown)

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn to not judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no – it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but one season in the tree’s life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are – and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life – can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it’s winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfilment of your fall.

Don’t judge a life by one difficult season. Don’t let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

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MAYBE IF YOU STOP by Sir Anthony Hopkins

"MAYBE IF YOU STOP"
by Sir Anthony Hopkins

BRUTAL! These words are from actor Anthony Hopkins.

Let go of people who are not ready to love you.

This is the hardest thing you'll ever have to do in your life and it will also be the most important thing.

Stop having difficult conversations with people who don't want to change.

Stop showing up for people who are not interested in your presence.

I understand your instinct is to do everything possible to earn the admiration of those around you, but it’s an urge that robs your time, energy, and mental and physical health. When you start striving for a life with joy, interest, and dedication, not everyone will be prepared to join you in that place.

It doesn't mean you have to change who you are, it means you have to let go of people who aren't ready to be with you.

If you are excluded, insulted, forgotten, or ignored by the people you give your time to, you are not doing yourself a favour by continuing to offer them your energy and your life.

Truth is you ain't for everybody and everybody ain't for you.

This is what makes it so special when you find people you have friendship with or mutual love.

You will know how precious it is because you have experienced what is not.

There are billions of people on this planet and many of them you will find at your level of interest and commitment.

Maybe if you stop showing up, they won't look for you.

Maybe if you stop trying, the relationship ends.

Maybe if you stop texting, your phone will stay dark for weeks.

That doesn't mean you ruined the relationship, it means the only thing sustaining it was the energy you only have to keep it.

That's not love, that's attachment.

It's giving a chance to those who don't deserve it!

You deserve so much more.

The most valuable thing you have in your life is your time and energy, as both are limited.

The people and things you give your time and energy to will define your existence.

When you realize this you start to understand why you are so anxious when you spend time with people, activities, or spaces that don't suit you and shouldn't be near you.

You will start to realize that the most important thing you can do for yourself and everyone around you is to protect your energy more fiercely than anything else.

Make your life a safe haven, where only people "compatible" with you are allowed.

You are not responsible for saving anyone.

You are not responsible for convincing them to do better.

It's not your job to exist for people and give them your life!

You deserve real friendships, true commitments, and a complete love with healthy and prosperous people.

The choice to separate yourself from toxic people will provide you with the love, respect, joy, and security you merit.

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