Gaia Community: John D's Blog

What most often stops you from listening?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:09:05 GMT

Being in the zone, in the flow, fully mused stops me from listening, momentarily, until I recompose myself and return to listening.

Tags: QaR, listening, listen, difficulty, challenges, zone, flow

Poetry: The Literary Step Child

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:38:08 GMT

Poetry: The Literary Step Child

Once regarded as a sport during the ancient Greek Olympics and a literary genre that has seen golden ages of renaissance, poetry has become a literary step child, relegated to the rear of establishments, often slammed to the ground, and shoved into dark corners.

Before we continue this disastrous cycle of ignorance, there must be an understanding of the presence and the power of poetry. Ask any poet for their definition of poetry and the answers will vary. Even the denotative meanings found in the dictionaries vary. But to all persons who claim: "I don't like poetry" or "I'm not a poet," think again. The truth is that poetry means beauty. If you are a beautiful being, you are a poet. Everyone has poetry. We showcase our poetry in different ways. Know that poetry is beauty.

Poetry consists of all persons, places, things, and ideas that are beautiful. Poetry includes all beautiful sights, sounds, feelings, tastes, and movements. Poetry is inner and outer beauty, spiritual and physical beauty. There is poetry of sight in the form of attractiveness. There is poetry of sound in harmony. There is poetry in the fragrance of a rose. There is poetry in the gentle back massage with hot oil. There is poetry in the bowl of hot and sour soup with extra shrimp. There is poetry in a spiritual experience. More than a literary genre that is screaming to be respected, poetry is the handy-work of beautiful beings. No longer shall we disrespect poetry by slamming it to the ground. The poets of the day, like the musicians, are the voices of the day. Allow the poets to be heard by opening the doors of opportunity. Celebrate World Poetry Month in April.

www.worldpoetrymonth.blogspot.com

John D. Evans

Empowered by Poetry

Gaia.com

Tags: poetry, poet, beauty, beautiful, spirit, spiritual, power

What was the last thing you smiled about?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:46:53 GMT

I got the job as a Special Education Principal Consultant for the State of Illinois and I'm excited...

Tags: QaR, smile, smiling, heart, warmth, appreciation, job, Special Education, state, Illinois

What most helps your personal growth?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:34:22 GMT

Putting things into my mind, body, and spirit that are good helps my personal growth. Remembering that pain and stress are temporary help my personal growth. Keeping focused on my purpose for living and reason for being help my personal growth. Knowing who I am and why I am here most helps my personal growth.

Tags: QaR, personal development, growth, unfolding, life, mind, body, spirit, pain, stress

What does it mean to be a saint?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:20:01 GMT

A saint is a person who is divinely inspired and who inspires divinely.

Tags: QaR, saints, saintliness, divinity, divine, inspired

What's the best way to celebrate peace?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:23:45 GMT

The best way to celebrate peace is to exercise it. We celebrate peace everytime we intervene and resolve conflicts peacefully, everytime we acknowledge and promote peace, and everytime we speak, write, dance, and sing of peace. We celebrate peace by setting time aside to honor peace. And yes, peace is honorable, worthy to be celebrated.

Tags: QaR, peace, international day of peace, peacefulness, celebration, sharing, exercise, honor, honorable

What is it that you do to let go?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 22:04:54 GMT

Nike made famous three words that come to mind: Just do it! I concur...

Tags: QaR, letting go, release

What have you been paying attention to?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:34:32 GMT

I have been paying attention to the essence of people.

Tags: QaR, attention, thoughts, thinking, heart, love

What pattern has characterized your life recently?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:46:58 GMT

The constant inhaling and exhaling, the on-going falling to sleep and rising again, and the inspiration that fills me in spurts are patterns that characterize my life recently because without them, I have no life.

Tags: QaR, patterns, life, cycles

What's the connection between midsummer and mystery?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:54:20 GMT

Everyday is a mystery to me because I never know what to expect. Each day, let alone each season, is a new one.

Tags: QaR, solstice, magic, midsummer

Is your mind a safe place to be?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:06:16 GMT

My mind is a relatively safe place to be. Compared to being out of my mind, it's an awesome place to be. It is also important to me that my body and my spirit are safe places to be.

Tags: QaR, mind, safety, judgment, cricitism, love, life, world

How do you respond to being alone?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:15:03 GMT

I enjoy being alone because it is at that time that I feel closer to God.

Tags: QaR, solitude, aloneness

How do you celebrate life?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:30:12 GMT

I celebrate life by capturing it through my senses and then by recreating it through poetry and music.

Tags: QaR, life, living, celebration, aliveness

In Loving Memory of Mr. Marcellus James Daniel

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:29:08 GMT

In Loving Memory of Mr. Marcellus James Daniel

On the Occasion of Losing Another Child to a Senseless Act of Violence

It has been said many times by countless people that the time has come for senseless acts of violence against our youth to cease, but this message seems to be falling on deaf ears. Are we preaching to the choir when we say that the killing must stop? Are we wasting time and energy trying to get the message across to those who need it the most? When we see children fall at the hands of someone who fails to value life, someone who fails to appreciate life, someone who fails to realize the potential of life, we are witnessing and experiencing a reality that must not be. No longer can we say that it was meant to be when a child is beaten, shot, killed, and left to rot. No longer can we say that it was their time. No longer can we say that it was destined or predetermined that they crossed the path of a bullet or a bully that would bring an end to their physical presence on Earth. The senseless acts of violence that continue to plague our communities surely must end.

This morning, I attended the funeral service for a 15-year old young man who dreamed of attending college and who planned to use his athletic ability to become a professional athlete. He excelled in football and basketball and was known for his quiet demeanor. His life was just beginning. Too many of our young people are suffering at the hands of people who are lost and who need help. Our youth are trying to make it; they are trying to survive, to stay alive, and careless people full of ill will are cutting their days short. This is not a new phenomenon. This is not an isolated incident. While the killing of our young people, whether we admit it or not, has become commonplace, the mothers, fathers, family and friends of those who are taken from us too soon, will never get used to the loss. We can speak until there are no more words left to say, but the question remains, what can we do? What can we do to transform the hearts, minds, and spirits of those who seek to harm, to kill, and to destroy? We must become agents of change.

The young people who have fallen at the hands of the perpetuators of senseless acts of violence are in a better place. They are reborn and now reside in a place where they no longer have to worry about looking over their shoulders. They don't have to duck for cover or fear the dark. They don't have to fight or be afraid any longer, but they can now enjoy eternal peace. While I celebrate their transition to a better place, I look to those who remain. Our youth must realize the importance and value of life and save as many as possible from the grips and strongholds of those who fail to do so. I look for the responsible adults among us to be teachers and role models. Life is a classroom. As long as we are living inhabitants of this Earth, we have a responsibility to lead and to teach. We all know someone who can benefit from words of encouragement and support. We all know someone who is on the verge of doing something to endanger their lives or the lives of others. Let us not only speak about bringing an end to senseless acts of violence but also let us roll up our sleeves and do what we can to bring the matricide to an end.

Marcellus James Daniel

1992-2008

by John D. Evans

Your brother
Remain inspired

Tags: violence, killing, life, crime, role-models, teachers, matricide, peace, community

Lead Effectively

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sun, 13 May 2007 18:08:21 GMT

This is a peculiar time; people all over the world are suffering at the hands of leaders who fail to effectively lead. Leaders are responsible for more than standing in front of the crowd, for parting their lips to speak, for modeling and for representing high personal and public moral and ethical standards and values, but for inspiring others. Without inspiration, leadership is weak. Without inspiration, leadership is lacking. In the absence of inspiration, leadership is null. In order to lead, inspire.

Leaders are dominant muses with a responsibility to inspire. Too often, leadership is taken for granted and leadership is abused. With leadership comes power and with power comes responsibility. We can no longer claim to be leaders and fail to inspire. We must no longer argue over ideology - the definition of good and bad - but agree that life is good, love is good, and that our being can be good. In order to effectively lead, we must be willing and able to be good, to educate, and to inspire.

This is our time – a moment within a never-ending continuum of time – our time to contribute to the world and to make it better for the world to come. Leaders who lack empathy, leaders who fail to listen, leaders who are uncompromising, leaders who are irrational, leaders who fail to inspire are not effective leaders. Anyone who has earned or accepted a position of leadership must serve. Leaders must serve as models, positive examples. It is imperative that leaders are effective. Effective leaders inspire.

by John D. Evans

The Evans Poetry Collection
P.O. Box 2177
Oak Park, IL 60303
www.jdpoetry.com

"Promoting Global Peace from 2006 to eternity!"

Tags: leadership, muse, inspiration, effective, models, leaders, peace, inspire, standards, values, ethics

Whatever Happened to Censorship?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:35:36 GMT

We must no longer wonder why children are using profanity as common language today; it is apparent that censorship has dissipated and, in many instances, has disappeared. On the radio, television, computer, and in books and magazines, profanity is commonplace. Adults are no longer the only persons who are resorting to vulgar expletives and behavior, but today’s children have joined in. Profanity is common language in the mindsets of many. The inevitable question remains – Whatever Happened to Censorship?

Profane language, also known as cursing and swearing, is no longer shunned, but in countless circles of our modern society, profanity is encouraged. In homes, businesses, and schools across the country, children are using offensive and profane language as everyday speech. Profane language is rude, vulgar, unattractive, and impolite – it is negative. Although children are using profanity, there is hope for today and tomorrow. All leaders have a responsibility to effectively lead and a charge to teach that profanity is no longer commonplace.

Our response to profanity shall become: No more! No longer must children be allowed to use language that offends and demeans. No longer must we turn our heads to the words and phrases that are the epitome of verbal ugliness. We were created to be poetry, beautiful beings. As beautiful beings, we must no longer tolerate profanity. We must no longer use or permit others to offend us with profanity. It is ugly to be profane. We must showcase beauty in our communiqué. We must discourage the use of profanity; we must censor ourselves.

By John D. Evans

www.jdpoetry.zaadz.com

www.jdpoetry.com

Tags: censorship, profanity, communication, lead, teach, beauty, poetry

Deified Man or God?

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 11:48:40 GMT

What I am about to proclaim, masses of men are not ready for, but the message remains the same: there is a significant difference between deified humanity and God. The world's religions have been created, shaped, modified, and destroyed based on varying beliefs in personifications of God. We refuse to accept the notion that God is conceptual, an ideal, and, alone, represents perfection, excellence, omnipotence, and omniscience. Once the religions of the world understand the difference between deified man and God, we will become more tolerant and more prepared to seek global peace.

With the language, geographic, and cultural differences varying so greatly around the globe, there will never be one religion consisting of one faith, one belief system, one culture, or one common goal; however, oneness may be attained by a common belief in God - the essence of perfect goodness. For ages, the nations and people of the world have been, literally, up in arms over the name of God, the face of God, the Word of God, and the will of God when all God wants us to do is to inspire one another with love.

No longer shall the religions of the world preach and teach intolerance, as intolerance of other persons and their beliefs lead to discord. Whether we believe in God as force or as an idea, as a thinking wonder or not, as the Creator or as a concept - God is good. Regardless of our language, background, or personal beliefs, God represents the perfection and excellence that we all have access to. God is love, beauty, hope, peace, and joy. It is a contradiction to the meaning and purpose of God to fight over a name. We may or may not acknowledge and thank all of the world's deified humanity, but we must remember the true meaning of God.

By John D. Evans

The Evans Poetry Collection
P.O. Box 2177
Oak Park, IL 60303
708-214-0706
http://www.jdpoetry.com/

"Promoting Global Peace from 2006 to eternity!"

Tags: deified man, God, humanity, intolerance, tolerance, peace, love, joy, poetry

Power of the Spirit

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 05:08:35 GMT

Spirit is essence - the essence of persons, places, things, and ideas and this essence reveals itself as muse (inspiring power) or anti-muse (destructive power). We are as powerful as the spirits we nurture. Spirit, in the form of positive energy, is, arguably, the most powerful weapon that we have. Spirits control the mind that dictates countenance and composure. Spirits control our psyche that actualizes our attitudes and emotions. Spirits make manifest our livelihood and productivity by providing us with the positive energy and mobility necessary to accomplish them. Our handy-work and our progress are the direct result of the activity of our sprits. We are more than systems, organs, tissues, and cells, known as man, but we are mystical beings with the power of the spirit.

Both muses and anti-muses are powerful, but the muses will prevail. Spirit is constant and universal and, like energy, it is only transformed from one form to another or transferred from one place to another. Spirits are omnipresent. The spirit, the essence of persons, places, things, and ideas surround us daily and they greet us. Spirits prepare us for the unseen and may share with us the previously unknown. Many spirits are divine. Muses acquire, maintain, and perpetuate inspiration by remaining connected to inspiration. We are as powerful as we are inspired. Muses are powerful.

We will see life more clearly once we attempt to perceive it through our spiritual eyes. We are a world of spirits - muses and anti-muses. The anti-muses are fighting and the muses are seeking peace. The concept is as old as night and day and good and bad; muses and anti-muses are among us. With spiritual powers to inspire or to destroy the inspiration of others, we must be aware of them. We must discern the muses from anti-muses in our lives. We must approach the anti-muse with sincere concern and seek to inspire the spirit. All muses are talented. Talented muse may become dominant muse. Dominant muse inspire the masses. God is the Ultimate Muse. Once we realize that we are more than flesh and bones, we will be more prepared to execute our power.

By John D. Evans

The Evans Poetry Collection
P.O. Box 2177
Oak Park, IL 60303
708-214-0706
www.jdpoetry.com

"Promoting Global Peace from 2006 to eternity!"

Tags: inspiration, power, spirit, essence, muse, anti-muse, dominant muse, talented muses, Ultimate Muse

Electronic Incubators: Revolutionizing Community

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 10:14:50 GMT

No longer are we confined to physical and spatial incubators for our inspiration and growth, but we now have electronic incubators, revolutionary communities, with the power and capacity to change our world for the better. In addition to the physical, brick-and-mortar, incubators of the world and the spatial, atmospheric, incubators, we have electronic incubators. These e-communities are specifically designed for bringing together like-minded people. Web sites, chat rooms, and now, blog rooms have become our newest incubators. We have more than buildings and surrounding space to inspire community, but we have a third incubator, the electronic incubator.

A hi-tech world warrants a hi-tech incubator; electronic communities are hi-tech incubators. The internet and other technological advance have made it possible for people all over the world to become more connected. We are able to build relationships with friends in foreign countries. We are able to establish electronic communities to support noble causes. The World Wide Web is more than a superhighway of free flowing messages, thoughts, and ideas, but it is a network of electronic incubators, a global e-community. We live in the day of high technology when electronic communities combine to form what has become a revolutionary community, a global electronic incubator.

Whether we are in a building, in a park, or on a computer, our incubators must inspire. Incubators are places of growth. In order to grow, we must be inspired. We must be connected to other sources of inspiration. The physical and spatial incubators are no longer the only two places and areas for community, but the electronic incubators have expanded our territory and reach. The World Wide Web is a global electronic incubator that houses countless smaller electronic incubators, online communities, and families all over the world. As technology continues to advance, electronic incubators will continue to expand. All incubators, including electronic, must seek to make the world a better place.

The Evans Poetry Collection
P.O. Box 2177
Oak Park, IL 60303
708-214-0706
http://www.jdpoetry.com/

"Promoting Global Peace from 2006 to eternity!"

Tags: communication, community, inspiration, life, love, technology, living, global

The Power of Presentation

http://jdpoetry.gaia.com — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 02:43:56 GMT

Before we utter a word from our mouths, before we showcase one talent or skill, before we execute our initial impression, we exude power - the power in our very presence. There is power in a presence that inspires. Beauty inspires. Cleanliness and neatness inspires. Our first impressions are lasting and, in many cases, are the most important impressions we will make. We must be mindful of how we present ourselves to others because our presentation speaks. Our overall appearance and attitude represent who we are before we can say a word or perform a single act. Our presentation includes our mental, physical, and spiritual presence and all of these must inspire. There is power in our very presence.

With influence, there is power; influential people are powerful people; inspired people are powerful people; powerful people have a powerful presentation. Just as the content of the resume is important, so is our presentation. Just as the poetry in our speech is important, so is our presentation. What we present and how we present ourselves to others has power. Powerful people present themselves with mental, physical, and spiritual composure. Powerful people are trendsetters, as well as trailblazers. In order to fully exercise our power, we must recognize the power we have in our very presence.

Every mortal being has power because we have the innate capacity to inspire. Because we have the ability to create a positive change in our lives and in the lives of others, we are powerful. Because we have the capacity to uplift spirits and to encourage souls, we are powerful. When we present ourselves to others, we must present respect, we must showcase esteem, we must wear confidence, and we must be clean. Before we impress the crowd with articulation, before we wow them with our style, we must inspire them with our presentation. Our presentation speaks of our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Powerful people are inspired people. We all have power - power in our very presence.

The Evans Poetry Collection
P.O. Box 2177
Oak Park, IL 60303
708-214-0706
http://www.jdpoetry.com/

"Promoting Global Peace from 2006 to etey!"

Tags: inspiration, poetry, power, presentation