To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour

William Blake, from Auguries of Innocence

When I'm worried about things not going my way,
Mind spinning over all the stress in my day,
I head to the park, 'round and 'round I chase.
Troubles whirl away. I just be, in this place.

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When I have a problem, and don't know what to do,
When I can't figure it out, and my heart is feeling blue,
Blooming beauties still my mind, silent stones state their case:
"This too shall pass," they whisper. "Just be, in this place."

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When my heart is heavy, and sorrow is near
Solace arrives in beautiful blooms, they melt all my fear.
Under the grace of these branches, my troubles erase
Everything's going to be alright. When I just be, in this place.

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When I'm rushing around, thinking I must do more,
That I have to try harder, all that superwoman lore,
Time with friends at the park, to slow down the pace
Helps me know all's okay, if I just be me, here, in this place.

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When I think something's missing, and feel I need more,
I head down my street to visit the shore.
Gentle breezes nudge sailboats, smiles soften my face.
So charming...I see clearer now...here, in this place.

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When my heart has been broken one more time by the world,
Dreams dashed, my plans for the future unfurled,
A hushed trail, rustling leaves, slow down the race
I exhale, I unwind, I just be, in this place.

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When I feel small and unimportant, not mighty, nor strong,
I lose myself in timeless beauty, dance, theatre and song.
I see my reflection, in this wondrous human race.
I, too, am meant to be here. I am part of this place.

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Body aching and weary, I make my way home.
Looking up I am reminded: we are never alone.
We are all part of this world, spinning in space.
We are one, each part of the whole. We are here, in this place.

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When I let go of thought, know myself other than mind,
When I tune in to my senses, life treats me kind.
There is something special here, we are gifted with grace.
All we need do is...notice...and just, be...in this place.

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Want to hear about new paintings in this series?

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