The Ladybug

Compelled by Compassion "In our modern day society, there seems to be little room for compassion. We are suspicious of one another. We stray away from direct contact and interfering in other people's business. Contrarily, if we open our eyes, look around and observe that people are working hard not only to improve their own lives but the lives of others while making sacrifices. Perhaps, I can be an instrument of compassion. Just showing simple expressions of compassion can have an astounding power to heal and make an everlasting impression ."                                                                                                                -Darlena Swann

Unsettlement The heart wants to love yet we fight each other with unkindness and hate The heart wants to reason yet we are often ridiculed The heart wants stability yet we are unbalanced The heart wants to help yet we are selfish The heart wants to trust yet we are dishonest The heart wants to see the truth yet we are still blind The heart wants to hear yet we are mute The heart wants to be flexible yet we are rigid We must overcome the things that divide us apart and concentrate on what can bring us together.                                                                                                -Darlena Swann

Heart to Heart  "When you think of February, Valentine’s Day comes to mind. A time to celebrate love and friendship. It’s all about relationships. We all form relationships with our colleagues and in our own personal lives. Developing good relationships is enriching in so many ways. We have the opportunity to communicate our feelings towards each other. We can set aside the time to listen and sometimes be silent when necessary.   Creating solid relationships empowers us to give and receive feedback and to respect each other’s needs and ideas. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this month, take a moment to appreciate all the heartfelt relationships in your life."                                                                                                       -Darlena Swann 

Let's Talk   We should talk until there are no more words to say We should clarify until the point that everything is understood We should be straightforward until nothing is kept in secret We should listen until everything has been said We should question with the objective that we want to know why If we don't communicate, we will never know the untold story                                                                                                                            -Darlena Swann 

Good Service  "Live a good life by serving others. It’s the unremembered acts of kindness shown to others that may go unnoticed from day to day. Helping others is a divine mission. Life is more meaningful when you give of yourself. Make an investment in serving others from the heart without expecting something in return."                                                                                                              -Darlena Swann