9. Understanding
9. Understanding
The Power of Understanding is the next one. It refers to knowing, perceiving and comprehending that we are wise and intelligent so we know what to do and how to do it. The Fillmores noted that, “Poets are natural mystics and metaphysicians, and…nearly always make the proper distinction between wisdom and understanding.…Intellectual understanding comes first in the soul’s development, then a deeper understanding of principles follows, until the whole man ripens into wisdom.”
Silence Is No Longer an Option *Understanding, Imagination
Silence is no longer an option
even when we don’t know what to say.
It’s now time for uncomfortable conversations
about what it’s like to be black or brown or different.
It’s all about listening while screaming on the inside
and knowing that I can channel my inner strength
to make a difference one person at a time.
My anger is as deeply rooted as my desire to be part of the solution.
But how can I get around my silence to deepen my understanding?
That is my challenge and my duty.
I will use my words to explore my soul and follow my heart.
The Universe is in control and I surrender to its prodding with grace and gratitude.
--June 2020
*Imagination
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Transformation and Rebirth *Understanding, strength
My transformation leads to my rebirth as a butterfly
able to use my new wings to fly free as my more enlightened self.
It also encourages me to bloom into an explosion of possibilities,
bright green with new growth and holding the promise of peace and love.
I surrender to my transforming flow,
enjoying its soft waves that gently rock me into a new consciousness.
I recognize that my inner strength will guide me
as I continue into my uncharted future.
--October 2020
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Healing Balm *Understanding, healing, success
Everyone’s pure on the inside,
even if they storm and rage.
Their inner child just needs loving
to release them from their cage.
We can heal this division of spirit
that rips us apart at the seams,
and keeps our neighbors and leaders
from reaching our common dreams.
Success is the goal for all people
no matter how high or how low.
One success breeds many others
and forgiveness cements the flow.
The spark of God within us
can become our guiding light
and healing balm for our spirits
in this long, dark season of night.
If we expand love and compassion
to include both sides of the aisle,
we can make unity a core value
and healing replaces the bile.
--January 2021
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The Formula for Success *Understanding, success, abundance
If limitless good surrounds us,
and abundance flows to and through us,
then changing our thoughts prepares us
for abundance and good to enfold us.
--February 2021
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Post-it Thoughts *Understanding
Thoughts are Post-its others stick on our back.
We believe they define us and allow the attack.
Or we THINK it’s attack but we don’t really know.
What’s in THEIR minds is where we can’t go.
Since I can’t hear what they’re thinking, I’m not good enough.
At least in my OWN mind and that’s kind of tough.
So all I can do is follow MY way
and then I’ll be happy at the end of each day.
--March 2021
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God’s Garden Wall *Understanding, love, forgiveness
Love, grace and peace are spiritual needs
in this world of turmoil and pain.
They give my soul support and a goal
by allowing it to avoid life‘s pain.
The things I desire may not be the best
for my soul’s long-term health I know.
The love that it craves and the grace that it saves
are the nourishment it needs to grow.
Forgiveness and love are essential fuels
that my soul needs above all.
Without them I’m lost and my soul could be tossed
over God’s garden wall.
--July 2021
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The Sea of Uncertainty *Understanding, focus
We live in a Sea of Uncertainty,
never knowing what to expect.
The stress that comes as life changes
sometimes makes us feel like a wreck.
Not knowing where our lives are going
or when things will turn around
leaves us floating in turbulent waters
never knowing when we’ll touch ground.
But we have it in our own power
to control what our thoughts project.
If we use daily meditation,
we can reduce uncertainty’s effect.
Just ten minutes of spiritual assessment
as a daily practice will bring
rewards far beyond expectations
and encourage our hearts to sing.
It won’t change our lives’ situation
or magically turn things around
but it will focus our concentration
onto which priorities we’re bound.
So next time you feel your boat rocking,
remember to stop and think.
Perhaps a short meditation
will keep you out of the drink.
--October 2021
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Transformation *Understanding, transformation
The somber ashes blow.
Mothers weep for children lost.
The earth bleeds for us.
All will suffer pain;
all will long for peace and love.
Meditation soothes.
We are all the same,
destined to live together.
Transformed, we will thrive.
--April 2022
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My Expanding Spiritual Practice *Understanding, transformation, spiritual practice, truth
The balloon that’s my mind is expanding
as my gratitude goes into gear
and crowds out fear and anxiety
whenever they try to get near.
Humor will add to my peace
as meditation brings on my flow state,
and Nature restores mental health
from bad thoughts I don’t want on my plate.
My Presence continues to grow
and banish my narrow views.
I lift the world with each thought—
my intention is always to choose.
My sense of Self is expanded
as my meditation proceeds.
My Truth comes into focus
and fills my spiritual needs.
--September 2022
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What Is A Friend? *Understanding, friendship
A friend is someone with whom you’ve shared
memories that cannot die.
There are too many times together that
won’t let you pass them by.
A friend puts caring and love on a plate
offered with no need to repay.
A friend is there when others are not
and there’s nothing you need to say.
A friend looks past things that others may shun,
even things hard to take,
because she knows underneath it all
a heart’s about to break.
A friend can see her friend’s inner light
when other lights abound.
A friend will be a solid rock
when the world turns upside down.
A friend has the patience to stick ‘til the end
and comfort every cry.
A friend will rearrange her life
to help without knowing why.
--Betsy Lambert, September 2022
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My Awakening Soul *Understanding, awakening, Christ
I open myself up to the Divine
to be who I’m destined to be.
But I know in my heart I’m already there
and all I need is to see.
My heart energy comes from the One
and it flows through me like a stream.
It lifts me up while it feeds my soul
and my life has become one long dream.
The power of Christ is in my grasp—
it’s one thing I know for sure.
Everything’s mine that I think of to ask
as long as my intentions are pure.
--February 2023
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The Pain of Guilt *Understanding, guilt, anger, control, forgiveness
Guilt rules my life, anger fuels my thoughts,
judging is what I do best.
I project my shame for separating from God
onto others in my life’s quest.
My ego needs me to hold onto my pain,
keeping good intentions obscure.
It wants to control me all by itself
so its power will remain secure.
I must break this pattern passed down to me
by eons of egos before.
My suffering can only be stopped by love,
with forgiveness at its core.
The person I need to forgive the most
is the One who’s hardest to see.
Only when I remember who I really am—
One with God where I always will be.
--February 2023
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My Awakening Journey *Understanding, awakening, Oneness
My life-long awakening journey
is my quest to become whole.
While I want to connect with Jesus,
knowing myself is my ultimate goal.
What will I feel when I awaken?
Will there really be a change?
I doubt there’s a definite outcome
but rather a spiritual range.
I know that the world’s solutions
are superficial at best.
They encourage judgment and sorrow
and aren’t part of my healing quest.
We don’t really need to be saved
except from the actions of others.
Since we’re already One with God,
We’re One with our sisters and brothers.
So we need to come up with questions
since our answers will all be the same.
At least we have Jesus to guide us
as we explore our internal game.
--Betsy Lambert, September 2023
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Namaste *Understanding, awakening
The God that I am greets the God that you are
because we are all the same.
I’m in control of what happens to me
since my Source controls my game.
I am part of the earth and the Universe beyond,
just like the oceans, mountains and sky.
The truth of Who I Am is clear
and my day of awakening is nigh.
Like the acorn that gently falls from the tree,
I manifest all things that are good.
I sprout because I am part of God’s world
and rejoice to be understood.
I mindfully nurture each stage of my growth,
from seedling to full grown tree.
I experience and love each part of my life
because that’s what it means to be me.
--Betsy Lambert, April 2024
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It's Tough Getting Old *Understanding
It’s tough getting old, or so I’m told,
as if I had a choice.
I’d spent my career as a PR hack
before I found my voice.
Now my poetry flows from my inner well
after years of being repressed.
It spills out of me at the oddest times,
like showering or getting dressed.
When we become “of a certain age,”
we’re supposed to spend our time
drinking our tea and watching soaps
and not creating rhyme.
Yet here I am, well past my prime,
writing poems night and day.
I never thought about it before
but I must have a lot to say.
--Betsy Lambert, April 2024
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Finding Ourselves *Understanding
What is the meaning of our lives?
What are we supposed to do?
These are questions we all must face
before our lives are through.
There are things we know we must receive
and things that we can give.
There are things that we should just ignore
so that others can simply live.
Challenges come in many ways,
sometimes easy and sometimes not.
It’s how we navigate through them
that puts us on the spot.
Things or people that we love
help us know who we are
and what they need to surmount
obstacles near and far.
Or maybe it’s suffering that we need
for awakening to begin.
Growing through the experience
is our ultimate win.
All this gives meaning to our lives
and the courage we need to evolve.
The world will help us find ourselves
so our meaning question’s solved.
--Betsy Lambert, June 2024
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