The Waterproof Word ____ Akshr

The Waterproof Word 

Our future accomplishments 

are determined entirely by

how every second in our life 

is put to a use the future is the 

accumulation of many now.

I used to think I was 

more important than my

temporal self, that 

the past could be changed 

and what was done 

could never be undone. 

People still live in the past, 

but I have learned 

to let go of the past is 

an abandoned house 

there are no ghosts inside.

I am not a ghost, 

so I live in the future. 

The future is my city, my wife,

my children, my friends.

I want to live in the future 

with them, so I will

leave the past behind 

and live in the now.

Akshr

 

Now In A World, There is Noting ____ Akhsr

Now In A World, There is Noting

Our future accomplishments 

are determined entirely by

how every second in 

our life is put to a use

the future is the 

accumulation of many now.

We are not machines. 

We cannot be programmed

with a certain purpose. 

When we toil,

we are toiling for ourselves 

and the people around us

who put their trust in our abilities.

Without a future, 

there is nothing but the present.

Without a past, 

there is nothing but the now.

The experience of our pasts 

will affect the decisions 

we make in our future

and the choices 

that we have made 

will affect what happens 

in our future;

but no matter what, 

the only thing 

that is certain is now.

 Akhsr

 

Love as a Form of Fire ___ Akshr

Love as a Form of Fire 

Love is the only kind of fire

which is never covered by insurance.

Without proof there's 

no way to collect.

The charred remains are only ashes, 

a few cracked bones,

a handful of teeth. 

If the lovers have been 

married for years,

the husband may receive 

the widow's settlement. 

Even then it's nothing

but a meager pension.

Akshr 

 

In the Penal Colony ____ Akshr

In the Penal Colony  

Love is the only kind of fire

which is never covered by insurance.

Love is the only kind of fire

that, when it’s over, 

you can walk back into the ashes.

Love is the only kind of fire

where the smoke goes up in your face, 

and then you blow it away.

Love is the only kind of fire

where an explosion is never a tragedy.

Love is the only kind of fire

where there are no victims or survivors.

Love is a prison with only 

one cell and one inmate: the warden. 

The warden takes away 

every weapon except for one: his heart.

Love is the only kind of fire

that needs a proper ending.

Akshr

 

A Clear Vision of the World ___ Akshr

A Clear Vision of the World

You don’t love a woman 

because she is beautiful;

she is beautiful 

because you love her.

You don’t love a woman 

because she is kind;

she is kind 

because you love her.

You don’t love a woman 

because she is intelligent;

she is intelligent 

because you love her.

You don’t love a woman 

because she is humble;

she is humble 

because you love her.

You don’t love a woman

 because she loves you;

she loves you 

because you love her.

 Akshr

 

Midnight ---- Akshr

Midnight

You don’t love a woman because she is beautiful;

she is beautiful because you love her.

You don’t love a woman because she’s alone;

she is alone because you don’t love her.

Akshr 

 

The Importance of Fred ____ Akshr

 

The Importance of Fred 

Today I will live through 

the next 24 hours and

not try to tackle all of 

life’s problems at once.

Today I will improve myself, 

body, mind and spirit. 

Today, I will refuse

 to spend time worrying about 

what might happen if … .

Today I will not be afraid 

to ask for help. 

Today, I will find 

the time to be alone.

Today I will not let myself 

be distracted by my cell phone.

Today I will say “No” when 

someone asks me for a favor 

and I don’t want to give it.

Today I will rise above 

the drama of life, 

stay calm and carry on.

Today I will watch 

the sunrise or sunset 

and enjoy its beauty. 

Today, I will make it a point 

to see how much good 

there is in all people – 

even if they are my enemies.

Akshr 

The Scent of Tea ___ Akshr

The Scent of Tea 

A writer lives in awe of words 

for they can be cruel or kind,

and they can change their meanings

 right in front of you.

They pick up flavors and odors 

like butter in a refrigerator

and it is the most natural thing

 in the world for a writer to believe

that words are like tea leaves, 

and an open book is a teacup.

A writer remembers that the origin of 

the word “tea” comes from China, 

where tea drinkers believe

the best days are those spent not reading 

but drinking tea with friends.

A writer knows there is nothing 

worse than waking up one morning 

and finding out you have no friends.

Akshr 

 

I love you not only for who you are .... Akshr

I love you not only for who you are

I love you not only 

for who you are

but for what you are 

when I am with you.

I love you not only for what 

you have made of yourself

but what you are making of me.

I love you for the part 

of me that you bring out;

I love you for putting your hand 

into my heaped-up heart

and passing over all the 

frivolous and weak things

and for drawing out into the light

 all the beautiful and radiant things.

I love you because you have done

 more than any creed could have done

to make me good, 

and more than any fate could have 

done to make me happy.

And, having done so much,

you have done enough:

I can honor you without worship,

love you without adoration,

and without fear.

I love you because you have done

 more than any creed could have done

to make me good, 

and more than any fate could have done 

to make me happy.

And, having done so much,

you have done enough:

I can honor you without worship,

love you without adoration,

and without fear.

Akshr  

A Handful of Stars ___ Akshr

A Handful of Stars

When you doubt yourself

you doubt everyone else as well.

What is thought to be fear of others

is really distrust of self.

So if you are asked to do something

which requires courage and confidence,

you will not accomplish it.

You cannot even choose what is right

or wrong for fear of being wrong.

Without trust in yourself there can be no joy,

without self-confidence there can be no love,

without courage there can be no victory.

You must have faith in your own ability,

trust in the power that created you,

and respect yourself

enough to follow through.

Akshr

 

Uncertainty ____ Akshr

Uncertainty

When you doubt yourself

you doubt everyone else as well.

What is thought to be fear of others

is really distrust of self.

When you doubt yourself

you find reason only to doubt.

You are the first to assume

failure in all things you attempt.

When you doubt yourself

you fall short of your own standards.

You know what is expected but

do not feel able to deliver.

You want more, but also less.

When you doubt yourself

you lose the ability to be free.

You are burdened with all your

insecurities,

and they only grow day by day.

Akshr

 

Love one another - - that is true greatness. -- Akshr

Love one another

that is true greatness

All I have to say is,

Love one another

- that is the height

of all philosophy.

It is beyond all religions.

It is the secret of joy

- the fountain of

Perpetual Youth

- the only rainbow on

life's dark cloud.

It is the heart and

core of education.

It is beauty's and joy's key.

It makes the world go round,

and it keeps the windmill upright.

Ah! but to love another

is a terrible thing:

to lose one we love

is a catastrophe;

to know another

who shall make us

better than we are,

that is true greatness.

Akshr

 

Suffering is not a punishment ___ AKSHR

Suffering is not a punishment

Happiness is not a reward

- it is a consequence.

Suffering is not a punishment

- it is a result.

In the long run,

there is no difference.

The water is wide;

it cannot be contained.

It roars and spills over

its banks, sometimes.

We are all on a river

in the same boat; river of life,

river of love,

river of struggle

and survival

-and we must learn

how to row together or sink alone.

For this moment

may be the last

before the great flood

which will wash us all away!

AKSHR

 

A Guide to the Monastery ___ Akshr

A Guide to the Monastery

Let your soul be the Monastery

Where you are the …. Monk.

Your clothes are usually

white, but who is to say?

You could be in brown, or even

orange, as long as it’s clean.

And once you leave the Monastery,

there is no such thing as

a wise man or woman.

It is just a number,

and the world goes on.

Akshr

 

it is cool enough to sleep under the stars.... Akshr

it is cool enough to sleep under the stars.

Let your soul be the Monastery

Where you are the …. Monk.

Imagine it: a small plot

of land, like a bedroom

or a closet in an old house.

Covered with flapping laundry,

jumbled books. A stained

carpet that looks like it was

snipped by a lawn mower.

A bookcase on the walls, filled with

old textbooks, that held a torch

in the darkness of the past.

A bed in one corner, with

a pillow and blanket that have been

smoothed by the hands of many.

A desk in another corner, where a

typewriter and stacks of paper are

left like a shrine to your work.

A door opens into an adjoining room,

where you store your extra shoes and

clothes, while the living room has

a couch and chair that are mended and

worn out.

There's no electricity or running water.

The windows don't open;

they're sealed tight with cement board,

stained glass is cracked and faded,

the walls are damp and mildewed.

It smells like books –

stale coffee and old dust.

In this place you live alone for years,

only coming out to walk around

the garden at night when

it is cool enough to sleep under the stars.

Akshr