The Ladybug

 

Freedom "Freedom is having a vision of economic equality and social justice for everyone regardless of ethnicity.   Freedom is having the right to be heard, to take action, and be fearless."                                                                                                                          -Darlena Swann

The Gratitude Jar "Gratitude is the act or expression of being thankful. Each day is filled with chances to pause for a moment of appreciation. In a fast-paced world of uncertainty, we often neglect to take the time to laugh, relax, to invest more time with family, co-workers, and friends, or to call someone to say, “Thank you.” Today, I give myself consent to appreciate every moment to savor the little things that warm my heart."                                                                                                                           -Darlena Swann

Roll the Dice The dice game is about rolling two pair of cubes across the surface of a board and hoping that the laws of probability will rule in your favor. Life can resemble a pair of dice. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. It’s that constant battle for survival. It’s a gamble. I can randomly play it safe within my comfort zone or option for radical change and be bold. There’s always a risk involved. However, despite what might happen there are endless conceivable outcomes. Today, my probability is to succeed the odds.

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."                                                  ...