Tag Archives: reflection

Time or Timeless

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I may be writing, or marketing the latest writing project, yet life goes on. That means getting ready for Christmas, and taking care of things on the property.

Time marches on, yet my hubby finished a project we’ve been brainstorming for several years. I am so delighted.

When we purchased the house, we gained an old cooktop. In its day, it had some interesting features. But compared to today’s cooktops, it was archaic and a gigantic step backward from what we previously owned. It was a twilight time for us. Thinking of changing it created many challenges. We did not want to switch out the countertop but knew that might be a last resort. The downdraft fan was more efficient than current models. With much research and some design ingenuity, my hubby solved the problem. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Below are a before and an after photo.

Before

…and now…

After

And life will continue to march on.

During this holiday season, I trust you will find moments of quiet celebration in your days.

Christmas is Coming

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Out back are these pristine white blooms 

They rise toward the sky

Emitting their sweet fragrance

Into the air

Their message is simple

Christmas will soon be here 

The stark white speaks of the perfect

Love of Christmas

Enjoy the beauty

Savor everything they stand for

Breathe in the sweet fragrance

Fully embrace the Christmas promises

the in-between

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TWILIGHT

The in-between

Twilight …the in-between is now available on Amazon.

You can find the book using this link: 

  amazon.com/author/lindalflynn_words

Twilight …the in-between is a collection of poetry. The poems are about life in the in-between spaces. That is where we all live and grow. So, pick up your copy today, or one for a friend. Then sit back and ponder the in-between spaces.

Feel free to share your responses to the poems. Those exchanges are also part of the in-between. Part of our becoming.

A little personal history note:

The December 2 release date is in honor of my mother. Some of my earliest memories from my childhood revolve around the two of us sitting on the sofa in the living room, her reading stories to me. Eventually, I was reading stories to her, and then I was off. Often with a book in hand. The love of the written word carried me away and dropped seeds, planting a desire to write. 

So, thank you, Mom, for planting such a love in my heart.

Between Here and There

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Where are you?

Really, where are you when you are between “here” and “there” or between “now” and “then”?

Perhaps here?

NOWHERE

Or maybe here?

TWILIGHT

The concept of in-between has been on my mind lately. It started after I did a word study of “twilight.” 

I’ve been writing poetry and putting it together for a collection. In looking for a title, I liked the emotions TWILIGHT invoked, but didn’t think it matched the theme of my writing. 

I, perhaps like you, thought twilight happened daily as the sun sets. Imagine my surprise when I learned twilight happens twice a day and is defined as the period when the sun is below the horizon by a range of degrees. It occurs before the sun rises, and after the sun sets. Twilight is the “in-between” time occurring twice a day.

So, where do you find yourself when you are between here and there? I like to think I’m in the twilight. The word suggests a mystique. What a fun way to think about life! And really, aren’t we perpetually somewhere between here and there?

Yes, TWILIGHT …the in-between hints at what this poetry is about. The book will be available soon. Keep watching for updates and ways you can help promote the book. 

What Do You Think?

Light Hearted Living..., , , ,

When someone says “Twilight,” what do you think?

What emotions are triggered within you?

Excitement

Anticipation

Foreboding

Boredom

Do your thoughts turn to romantic ideas?

Or do you search for other thoughts?

I’m curious about your reaction to the word.

Please use the comments to share your thoughts.

Later I will share mine.

I forget…

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I forget how vast this country is, how rapidly the topography changes as we speed down the highway
I forget within this vastness lays great variety of how daily living plays out
None better, simply different.

I forget how our forefathers struggled to inhabit this land and how the cruelties of climate, geography and wild elements challenged them

I forget how close to the land my own ancestors lived; myself preferring to live in the realms of books and travel

I forget the value of the farmland, as I suspect many who live in an urban environment have similar remissions of thought

I fear that collectively we have forgotten how much we need each other
Those in the rural farmlands
Those in the denser urban areas
Those who work the land
Those who study intellectual matters
Those who perform manual labor
Those who design and build 
Those who teach
Yes, collectively we need each other

While traveling, I’m reminded of my life
Of how blessed I am
Of the family and many friends
Who have enriched me and contribute to how rich my life is

News continues to bombard me
I suspect others might say they forget the stories of their youth
I forget the stories where people fought and sacrificed
To create the freedoms I consider part of my life
No one tells those stories anymore

What important truths or stories have been pushed out of your mind?
Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Let Your Inner Beauty Shine Bright

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(This little tidbit was from the Spring 2022 edition of bella GRACE, issue 31.)

Encouragement for all!

Let your inner beauty shine, with no regard to who is noticing.

Please share with someone who needs to hear this today.

Risk

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Photo courtesy of Felicia Marie

We all entered this life ready to take risks

Emerging into these beings wanting

Adventure

Though many see the adventures of early childhood

They don’t recognize those actions as risky

But merely a part of the growing-up experience

Enter adolescence and the psyche seems more

Inclined toward risk, or risk – averse

Even at this stage of life, seldom do others recognize

This as risk. Those children are often considered

Difficult or troublemakers

Life moves into adulthood 

Where most effort is spent trying to survive

Or thrive

Seldom feeling as though you are 

Making conscious decisions for yourself

It’s not until later in life

When others are evaluating 

Your actions you might hear about 

How people respect that

You would take risks

It’s as though a curtain is pulled back

Revealing a part of yourself 

You never recognized belonging to you

Yet in retrospect you can see 

How one might think that

The adventurous life has been fun

Full of surprises 

And unplanned outcomes

Some I wouldn’t wish on anyone and

Others I would love to share and repeat

Personal benefits of risks have

Provided friends in multiple geographical locations

Memories galore 

Leaving me with a broad range 

Of interests and a rich life

In our overprotective culture

How do we teach children 

To be comfortable taking a risk

Teach them to be wise about what risks 

Are worth taking and which to walk away from

Linger Here with Me for a Moment

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Most recently, this book has been my quick grab when I’m looking for a pick-me-up. 

I first read this selection a couple of weeks ago. I have not felt released to move onto the next writing. The words are deep. 

I’m not posting this to elicit spiritual divisiveness or to change anyone’s beliefs. For those who know me, you already recognize my faith is core to who I am. However, the words above contain so much truth, no matter what you believe. 

These words reminded me that years ago, I created a notepad as a giveaway for a training session. The little quote on it was something about how “You always find what you look for.” The message is still true.

This writing contains that same truth. In a world that is spinning so rapidly, promoting division and strife, these words speak to a more gentle, kinder nature, asking us to recognize how our thoughts affect everything we come in contact with. It’s our choice.

I want to live in a world where things are more gentle and kinder. How about you?

It is not real life…

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Another World

June 10, 2025

It is not real life…

Awaking early, I couldn’t go back to sleep. An unease hung in the air, which I couldn’t explain. The steady drip, drip, drip of tension has been raining down on us for months. Some go about their days, seemingly oblivious to the erosion of values supposedly held dear by Americans. Others witness this degradation occurring, but cannot process it nor know how to act. Public conversation rarely occurs. People are cautious about their speech and who they are open with. I suspect other homes are as abuzz as ours when the doors are closed, though I do not know what their conversations are. 

I feel the need to prepare myself for the days ahead. Yet I do not know what that means, or how to prepare. I expect things to get worse. Much worse.

My hubby asked me if I was anxious. I had no solid answers for his question. Instead, I told him of my feelings. You know the feeling you get when you are on a steep roller-coaster. The whole time the car is slowly edging to the top, you feel the anticipation or dread building within your whole being. Then, many times, the car stops at the top, leaving you suspended in space hanging above the steep drop. In an instant, you are hurtling down the steep drop at record speeds. You scream. Everyone does. Then the ride levels out and gradually slows to a stop. You get out, laughing, barely able to catch your breath or your balance, and finally recognize that you’ll be okay. Right now, I identify with the stage where the car is slowly edging to the top, to pause, suspended in space before dropping. Just not sure how safe the fall will be, not sure what life will look at the bottom, or if I’ll even stand.

It seems to me that the warning signs have been presented to us for months. With each passing event, the acts become more brazen. I listen to people bemoaning how we may be losing our democracy. This morning, I awoke to news that the National Guard and the Marines are in the streets of Los Angeles. Really? Losing our democracy? It is safer to say that the ship has already sailed. It is gone. People think we can return to something. How? Nothing goes backwards.

 I have no vision of what is forthcoming, or knowledge of what it will be, or how it will materialize. Yet I believe once the burning is complete, something will arise from the ashes. 

I consider we are in for some hard times. Again, I’m uncertain what that means, what it looks like, or how it will affect me and my family. My goal is to continue to focus on individuals, to bring peace and love to those around me. My hubby and I will continue to encourage and support one another. Both of us feel the tension of these days and recognize how important it is to be gentle with one another, to keep seeking things we enjoy, things that bring us peace and contentment.

This won’t happen, but how I would like to awake from this nightmare and declare, “This is not real life,” then sigh and enjoy a sun-filled day.