Sara Teasdale — From the Heart

Do you listen to your heart?  Our most original creative work comes from the heart. The heart produces work that is more authentic than work produced by the analytical brain. Analytical stories and poems often fail to connect with the hearts of the readers and leave them wanting. Creative work that does not come from the heart can be cold and uncaring. You will do your best work if it comes from your heart.  So listen to your heart.  

Debt

by Sara Teasdale

What do I owe to you
Who loved me deep and long?
You never gave my spirit wings
Nor gave my heart a song.

But, oh, to him I loved,
Who loved me not at all,
I owe the little open gate
That led through heaven's wall.

(Originally published in Poetry, March 1914.)

Harley King — Tomorrow

During a conversation with a colleague this week, she asked me in jest: "What is the meaning of life." I responded with the first thing that came into my mind: "The sun will rise tomorrow."  And we both laughed.



On the surface, this appears to be a mundane, boring observation about the obvious. We all know the sun will rise tomorrow so we never give it any further thought.  We sometimes become so caught up in the stresses, challenges and problems that vex our daily lives that we act like the world is coming to an end. What we often forget is that tomorrow is a new day filled with new opportunities. 



In my 67 years on this planet, the sun has never failed to rise.  Now, I may not have been able to see it  on some days because of the clouds, but I knew it was there. This may seem like a simple observation, but it is filled with wisdom. If we choose, each new day is an opportunity to begin again. Every time the sun rises, we are given a chance to try something different — to find another path.



Have you ever sat before a blank piece of paper and had no idea what to write?  Have you ever stood before a blank canvas and had no idea what to paint?  Do you remember your frustration and maybe even anger?  Have you ever spent a few hours writing or painting and felt that your work was worthless? Have you ever wanted to give up and quit?  Remember that today will simply pass into history and tomorrow will be a brand new day that offers the opportunity to start again.



So tomorrow, give thanks for the sunrise and shout, "Good morning, world!" from the roof tops.