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This week we lost a hero, Senator John McCain. He lived his truth by trying to make a difference in the world. Politics aside, few people could have accomplished what he did. He “fought the good fight” and in doing so, taught us a lot about life.

When I read author Ronovan Hester’s Haiku prompts for this week, I wondered if he had Senator McCain in mind. The two words he selected are diametrically opposed. They are hero and coward. 
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My Haiku attempts to address that which is at the heart of courageous action.

​If you would like to know more about Haiku, please click on Ronovan's name and you'll be directed to his webpage

If you are like me, you react with anger at hearing of the abuse of children, and if you are like me, you feel frustrated with self-serving political nonsense. Some mornings when I hear the news, I just feel profound sadness. Do you?

We all want an end to predatory behaviors. We want justice, we want peace. We want the good guys to win. But how? Is there anything you and I can do to help?

I believe there is much we can do collectively and individually, but whatever action we might choose, if we lose our humanity, by becoming hardened and divisive, we have lost everything. Why do I say this?

All the major religions, the field of psychology, and even medical research point to an important truth – hate destroys, and love heals.

It sounds too simple, doesn’t it? How can we possibly “heal” the ails of our time through love?
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If we understand love as the vital force that animates us, that makes us human, then we have a sense of its magnitude. People like Malala Yousafzai and the Dalai Lama come to mind, extraordinary individuals who hold on to their humanness, no matter the circumstance. ​

​Whatever our response might be during this challenging time, I believe it is important that we safeguard our hearts for this is a time in which our humanity is critically needed.

How do we keep our hearts open when each day is an assault on our sensibilities?
 
Think with me for a moment to a time when you were you at peace. Who were you with, what were you doing? Were you walking in nature or holding the hand of someone you love, or perhaps you were cuddling your pet? Once you identify a peaceful moment, then you know how to hold on to your humanity.
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If each of us were to listen to our hearts, I suspect miracles would follow.

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DEAR READER, I AM MIGRATING OVER TO A NEW WEBSITE. I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME THERE: www.gwenmplano.com  (The address is slightly different, in that it includes my middle initial.) Thank you very much. 

Every week author Ronovan Hester invites readers to participate in a Haiku challenge. This week he provided these two words as prompts: rebel and change. If you'd like to participate, just open the link above and you'll find "how to" information and guidance. 

Since I grew up in the Sixties, I thought about the idealism of that time when I created my 5-7-5 syllable poem. 

I wasn't exactly a "flower child" but my parents certainly saw me as a "hippie." ​They didn't know what to do and finally told me I could not write to the family about politics or religion. Even at the height of my rebelliousness, I recognized and respected the wisdom of their request.  

​Considerable time has passed, but my idealism remains. It has, however, become much more moderate. What I didn't know at eighteen was that we humans don't like change - unless we are the ones creating it. 

​What do you think? Have you discovered that to be true as well?    

I have a fondness for the Noah's Ark cartoon below, which I stumbled upon years ago. If you live in a wooded area, you know how pesky a woodpecker can be. They have a way of destroying an otherwise serene day with their incessant pecking on the sides of your home. I’ve tried one gadget after another to keep them at bay, but nothing seems to work. So, the bird and I coexist.

Today I thought of the Ark cartoon when I read the following statement by Jennifer Egan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author: I’m happiest when apparently mutually exclusive states can somehow coexist. 

I’m pretty sure she was referring to differing opinions and perspectives and not to irritating birds. But, truthfully, don’t we all have woodpeckers in our lives? They may not create holes in our houses, but they surely disrupt our day. And, horror of horrors, each of us may be someone else's woodpecker!

I’ve been thinking about my personal woodpeckers, the real ones outside in the trees and the figurative ones who might be neighbors or elected officials or Heads of State. The heightened divisions between people and countries give me pause, especially when I realize I might be contributing to it.

Like the Noah cartoon, we have to find a way to live peacefully on this beautiful crowded planet of ours. And so, I’ve created a silly mantra.  It is, the woodpeckers and I are one. A few months from now, I'll let you know if it's helped me become more loving or if I found more woodpeckers instead. ☺  Have a fabulous day.

by Gwen M. Plano

Four years ago, I published my first book, blissfully unaware that I needed to promote it. I hadn’t thought about such practical matters; my focus was simply the mechanics of telling my story.
 
At the suggestion of a local writer, I signed up on Twitter but did not know what I was supposed to do. I sent out a couple of tweets and otherwise stared at my screen, terrified by the volume of messages rolling past me.

I was drowning in a sea of hashtags and unknown followers until a writer in Greece (Nicholas C. Rossis) threw me a lifesaver. He invited me to join the Rave Reviews Book Club.
I did, and not only survived, I eventually found my way.

Today is my 4-year anniversary in the Club. So, what has changed?

The Club, under the direction of the CEO author Nonnie Jules, has given me sea legs, which is to say – confidence. I’m no longer lost, I am found.

I’ve discovered a community of authors and readers who value serious writing and who share freely of their talents. I met John Howell, the co-author of my second book, THE CONTRACT, through the Club. And, within the Club membership, I’ve met editors and promoters. Importantly, I’ve learned – about marketing, about good writing, about service, about life.
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If you are a writer or a reader or someone associated with industries tied to writing, I invite you to join. I think you too will soon realize that you have friends and family scattered about our beautiful planet. You may even discover a miracle or two. 

by Gwen M. Plano

​Have you ever wondered about prayer? How it works or if it works?

Recently, I faced a medical challenge because of a CSF Leak. As part of the pre-treatment, I underwent 3.5 hours of radiological testing which required cage-like restraints. I could not move and because of this fact, I grew anxious. As I lay confined, I began to pray for help, as I didn’t know if I could manage the situation.

It was then that the first miracle occurred.

I saw in my mind's eye, a friend praying for me. I looked into my friend's eyes and focused on her kindness. I felt her genuine care, trusted it, and let go. Temporarily, I surrendered my fear.

With this release came the second miracle.

I became aware of an absorbing silence. And, I realized there were many, many others with me - my deceased mother and aunts, unnamed angelic figures, as well as friends and family. I was buoyed by love; I just hadn’t noticed it before, because my attention was on fear.

Finally, the third miracle.

I had longed to understand prayer. Through this experience, my questions were answered. I realized that prayer is simply love extended.

Some may pray loudly, passionately; while others might pray quietly, meditatively. Whatever our mode of prayer might be, the only thing that matters is the heart’s intention. Is love offered or restrained?

I believe the heart reaches what the mind cannot fathom. The truth is, we are loved beyond belief and when we participate in this powerful dynamic, miracles occur. 
                                                                     
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Thank you one and all for your caring thoughts during my medical adventure. I don’t know how to adequately express my deep gratitude. I can only hope that you know that your kind thoughts touched me deeply, giving me strength when I had little, hope when I lost my way. Know this, your goodness continues to reverberate profoundly throughout our universe. Prayer, heart felt, can indeed move mountains.

Thank you for helping me realize that love is our destiny.

                                                                  Namaste.