Steve Haarman

I sit and look at my windows
A low cloud has “frosted” them
I cannot see out, except vaguely 
So I am left within my confines
I think of liberty and opportunity
A country which allows prosperity
Does not interfere with those who try
Encourages participation in the economy 
Teaches what effort can do for the individual
So many are content with nothing-hood
They are not willing to take a chance
Will feed off of government benefits 
Never take a logical stance
Vote for the status quo
They are not blinded, but
See welfare as their chance
Never know the taste of defeat
Or how to rise when knocked down
Life for them may be empty
I wonder if they realize or understand
The fulfillment is not in taking but in giving
I do not wish to judge, but rather 
Have hope that they will learn
The importance of contribution 
I feel not superiority over them
Many have given their service to our country
Have died defending our liberties
Still the stuff of life that makes it worth living is
An everyday prodding into its undertakings
A successful life takes on many factors
We all play a part in who we are or appear to be
A vagrant may be an inspiration
May be the start of a new journey for someone
Outcomes depend on many participants
Sometimes it is difficult to move if you 
Cannot see beyond the window or something
Else that may be blocking your view
Fear of failure or success is always a factor
For many it is time to take a second look
Forget the peers who may be holding you back
Bring joy to yourself; take a bite of life
It may be delicious

Stanski 
July 6, 2021 ^

Sunshine filters through the trees
And settles on an empty wooden chair
That faces out at the Inland Sea
I think about its emptiness and
How at one time a certain person
Called that chair her own
Because she loved the view it offered
And the peace it brought to her
We deserve it she would say
Not in a selfish way, but rather
Joyous as she had worked, raised
A family, an extended family and
Then back to work always with a
Great attitude and never understanding
Why others could not find happiness
In the things where she found bliss
Life ended too soon for her as it does
For so many and even with the knowledge
Of imminent death she remained upbeat
And remarkably happy up to the end
The angels told her they would be coming
But not for a few days because there were
Her sisters who needed to see her
The empty chair is a grayish white but
The light the angels brought was gold,
Magenta and purple which brought
More joy to her as it would
A small bird flew by the window and
I thought of the wonder of life and
The Almightiness of God the Father
We will all leave an empty chair and
Now while we have life it is time to
Honor and respect that which we have now
As well at what we once had and be 
Prepared for that which will come our way
Life is precious and the hereafter will be
Amazing even more so than the sun
Filtering through the trees

Stanski
July 5, 2021 ^

Time advances
In spite of
Our intentions to
Slow down
A look at accomplishments
Disappoints us
The pile of work
Keeps growing
The shore line rumbles
Clouds are dark
Thunder and lightning
Nature at work
Self-examination
Changes are to be made
Courage and a plan
Transformation to dependability
Changes show improvement
We look at life and nature
It can be beautiful
Not without disappointments
But when things go bad
We must stay focused
Life is what we make it
Nature has her way
Does not answer to anyone
We have the gift of life
Live it to the fullest

Stanski
July 4, 2021 ^

All the proclamations given
Have little effect on the outcome
Praise feels good for the moment, but
The motorcade keeps on traveling
Until it is out of sight
We stand and keep looking
Watching as if magic will bring it back
Once it is over, just the memory is left

We look back on events in life
Thinking:  If we could only do it over,
How would we change the things we did?
The thinking does not make it possible
The going around is one time only
The life we live will come to an end
When it does there is no more
Realizing this sometimes takes too long

Real life is in the minute
It is not a wait-and-see affair
There are no footnotes on a life stating
He meant to do a lot more
The parade you want is the one you’re in
You know where it’s going and desire to be there
There will always be time for second guessing – that’s
The price you pay when you act first and ask questions later

The living and the dying are all part of life
How you live should be the most important part
Think brilliant blaze as opposed to smoldering leaves
Gusto verses indifference 
Many forget how to live and feel of little importance
Others bring magnificence to the smallest deeds
We have one go and attitude plays an important part 
The journey is up to us; the end will come on its own

Happy Fourth of July everyone
Live life to its fullest

By Steve Haarman aka Stanski
July 4, 2021

Praise be to the Father, Who
Has provided all I could ever need
And more.  I have more than I need
And came by it all honestly and 
Know that I must give back 
Especially to those on the fringes
If I am to be a follower
There are many fans and
It is not for me to judge others
But rather do these things that
I have been inspired to do and
Do these things quietly with no acclaim
For I have given what is not really mine 
But gifts that have been given to me
There are many who make claims
Among their own, but these claims
Ring hollow especially when no 
Real joy comes from the deceit and 
The fan must revisit his priorities
Jesus gave us all we have to know
He left the Holy Spirit with us
We have everything we need
Let us not fool ourselves
We must put away the cloak of
The fan and become a follower
The burden is great, but brings joy
The cross is heavy, but we can bear it

Stanski
July 3, 2021 ^

 
I thought about this yesterday in
The Church of Saint Francis:
   Look for Christ in others,
Especially before you consider judging them
I was moved by this and humbled
Who am I to judge anyway?

Stansberry McKricken aka Stanski
July 1, 2021 ^

.

Sunshine poured down on
The wild flowers growing
Our of the grass on a knoll
Near an adjacent woods
It was a reverent scene
And called your attention
To the wonder of nature
Slowly the sun vanished
And was replaced by a mist
Which soon became darker
Gray clouds accompanied
By thunder, but no lightning
One could not see the horizon
The previous uplift turned to
A feeling of listlessness
I remember reading 
About kindness and thought
We must react positively to
All situations in life
Everything is not always 
Going to go our way, but
To become downcast or
Pretend that you are a victim 
Is a foolish thing, especially
When forgiveness and kindness
Replenish the soul with
Gladness and peace
In our interaction with people
The same truths hold worthy
We should respond with
A good nature when offended
To become angry and vengeful
Is foolish and takes us down
The opposite is like the
Morning sunshine giving us
Surprises so unexpected
A wonder and a wonderful
Way to live our lives

Stanski
June 30, 2021 ^

The first sliver of daylight
Finds its way into my heart
It is a magnificent feeling 
I look out to where the
Sky should meet the water
But can find no horizon
I am not confused, but
Would be if this was where
My successes intersected
With all of my failures
No line of demarcation 
This is real life where
Nature provides the mystery
I begin to wonder as
Often I do and focus on
Why I am here and what
My purpose is as well as duties
I settle down and open up
My heart to more light and sunshine
Knowing that God’s purpose for me
Will not be disclosed at this time
I must operate on what I know
On what he has taught me
The cross was arduous and
To follow Him will also be
A difficult task worth doing
I shall be serene and will not judge
Knowing that we are all sinners
The sky and inland sea are 
A blur of whiteness almost blinding
I think of how Jesus used light
When teaching His chosen ones
Who am I to have doubt when
Faith to move mountains exists
I must take my steps and begin now

Stanski
June 28, 2021 ^

THE PRECIOUS GIFT
I look out the second story window
See nothing but forest and water
The day is waning; I am very tired
It is a day of rest but there is no rest
There can be no rest; too much to do
in serving the Father

I see a world that is continuing
the wondrous path of history
where evil often out measures goodness
We do not learn the lessons
We forget Who to follow and why
We cannot blame unless we blame ourselves
Who do we open up to for indoctrination or
are we capable of critical thinking?

Where giving is more important
than receiving although we should
be gracious receivers at times
We are not being led well at this time
Countries who are oppressing and killing 
their citizens are laughing at us as we keep
making concessions to them trying to show 
our splendor and strength and superiority

We are foolish as a nation and also as individuals 
where we keep seeking more when we
already have more than enough
Our churches are not overflowing
with worshipers in thanksgiving
but are struggling for community
We all play a part

We must or should engage with
Those things in front of us
That need attending and are 
Things which we are capable of
Improving and correcting
Mohammed Ali once said that
The things we do for others now
Is the rent we are paying for
Our place in heaven

Stanski
June 27, 2021 ^

We go through days, weeks
And even years, blinking,
Flinching from the light,
Closing our eyes to the sun
Trying to make sense of things
We gather brief glimpses of nature
But for the most part miss what
Is import ant and really matters
Our truth is within us and 
We do not ponder on the
Significance of this or of life
Until that occasional time
When seemingly out of the blue
A clear vision of it all comes to mind
So rare and hopefully beautiful
We dwell on this as we wait
For the tomorrow and 
That which is next in
Our vague and hardly aware life

Stanski
June 26, 2021 ^