by Bela Johnson | May 10, 2012 | happiness, inspiration, lifestyle, personal, philosophy, Uncategorized
When I was young I learned to pray in church. There was a specific protocol for prayer: gratitude always came first. Then I was free to do the asking. As a child in a home fraught with strife, praying for God to release me into a life I could claim as my own...
by Bela Johnson | May 1, 2012 | happiness, healing, inspiration, nature, personal, Uncategorized
It’s already written that today will be one to remember … ~ Steve Winwood I had to cry today. In fact, I used to cry all the time. Honestly, it got to the point that I wondered if I would ever cease weeping....
by Bela Johnson | Apr 24, 2012 | happiness, Hawaii, nature, personal, philosophy, Uncategorized
I never had a proper swimming lesson. Heralding from a family of nine, my mother did what she could to get my younger brothers and me to the nearby community pool in the blistering summer months, where two memories vie for prominence: the spitting trough that...
by Bela Johnson | Apr 19, 2012 | happiness, Hawaii, nature, personal, random thoughts, Uncategorized
Beaches close fairly regularly here in Hawaii while tiger sharks measuring up to fifteen feet cruise on through. When waters are murky, best forego the swim. Plenty else to do. My own shark sightings have invariably occurred at this, my favorite beach – though...
by Bela Johnson | Apr 17, 2012 | happiness, inspiration, personal, philosophy, Uncategorized
Whiskered carp are churning in a too-small bowl – one light and girdled gold; the other charcoal-dark and unremarkable. Steam now rises from the vessel as if boiling – and I know, as dreamers do, that it’s not from the contrast of chill in the crisp blue surrounding...
by Bela Johnson | Apr 10, 2012 | community, culture, food, happiness, philosophy, Uncategorized
We were never meant to be completely fulfilled; we were meant to taste it, to long for it, and to grow toward it. The secret to living life as it was meant to be is to befriend our yearning instead of avoiding it, to live into our longing rather than trying to resolve...
