“Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.” – Patrick Henry (1775)
It is a curious thing that the more the world shrinks because of electronic communications, the more limitless becomes the province of the storytelling entertainer. – Walt Disney
“The greatest good we can do our country is to heal its party divisions and make them one people.” – Thomas Jefferson (1801)
Based in part on Psalm 19:14:
On the Gains of Godly Meditation by Michael Doyle The Bible isn't just words but application We must understand before proper supplication Thinking and asking in prayer and open heart Listening to God, hopeful for His wisdom to impart Like a lamp unto our feet, we learn to learn And from this learning, we are still and discern Adhering to the Commandments, we become wise Keeping our promises rather than be caught up in lies Meditating on God's principles as we live Taking it all in that He offers and freely gives From the moment we are saved, we have direction And at times needed, we will feel His correction Listen for His words in every circumstance Hearing His direction over our every happenstance Shutting out everything else directly and fully out Letting there be no distractions without any doubt We must listen seeking only to fully understand All of the truths and insights of His commands God will always bring His truth and insight Teaching us the way of life to be lived right Meditating on the Word to our best capacity Is the very most important of all our activity This is our place of humbling clarity It must be approached with somber sincerity God's Word calms us by witness of the spirit Given to us with His assurances, if we'll hear it His is the path of faithful love in His sovereignty He enlightens us with peace through His divinity Inadequate in ourselves, God gives strength and energy His riches are provided in the glory lived as His legacy In our meditation, we openly expose all of our sin Until we receive forgiveness and know purity again Toward God, we grow in knowing and in our love As our lifelong reminders bring us closer to Heaven above In strengthened faith, we experience His power and authority As we leave our pride behind to walk in our humility This knowledge of the fullness of his presence Comes to us as blessings that feel like presents Each teaching us to know life with its sweet joy Every man, woman, girl and boy (c) May 26, 2020 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
Photographic composition often has the challenge of how to turn the two dimensional into something that has depth and seems a bit three dimensional.
Framing the Lines by Michael Doyle Doorways, windows and rock formations Layer our photos with their information Framing the world in depth and dimension Adding to the zest with interesting precision There are leading lines in the roads Well traveled as photographic journeys unfold Tools of focus guide the eye in composition Catalysts of involvement without too much imposition Doors open their focal of containment Offering involvement deep in their entertainment Let's never forget we need to craft the light Finding the story and telling it just right Everything in a photo is meant to draw in Drawing in the eyes just to find the eyes again Truth told that eyes are the Holy Grail Of making the connection to our tales Eyes are, indeed, the very windows of the soul A good photographer knows and keeps this in control It's all about what makes the very best connection And its up to the photographer's soulful detection Trying to get three dimensions in a 2D world While bringing a bit of order to chaos unfurled Is essentially the key to the photographer's lot With it's multiple elements to never be forgot (c) May 26, 2020 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations…This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.” – John Adams, Letter to H. Niles (February 13, 1818)
“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common — this is my symphony.” – William Henry Channing, clergyman and reformer (25 May 1810-1884)
Some say this time we live in is too familiar to the Spanish Influenza back in 1918. So far, the numbers don’t even remotely echo that horrific event. Still…
This Haunting Song by Michael Doyle This epidemic is a narrative goldmine With every kiss a gamble of soul shine That litters our lives with its mistakes Always upping the stakes of lethal heartbreaks There was a pull of stress in the 1918 flu With an unexpected congruity for me and you Here with the days that we now live Where one fatal misstep may be all we have to give There is a sense of urgency to get things right With its tone of emergency making everyone uptight Poured a glass of whiskey pretending to be a cure Those were the days, that the world had to endure Caught in the contagion of loss and creeping dread When it was damn near impossible to escape our heads All of the collateral damage of cramped in scapegoats Living on sinking ships that forgot to procure life boats All we've left to do is keep calm and carry on Staying at home until the day the dread is gone All the timeless moments as we hum and nod along Whispering half forgotten words to life's haunting song (c) May 25, 2020 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
My youngest daughter turns 11 tomorrow. She’s brilliant, witty, charming in her own ways and has a bright future ahead of her. Yes. I am a very proud father of both of my princesses. The only kingdom I have to leave to them is that of the heart and soul. These kingdom treasures will have never been in better hands than theirs.
On Being Eleventeen by Michael Doyle It's coming I see - that is your birthday We've had to celebrate it on Saturday Not because I didn't want to do it right But because, I won't get to see you that night I can see it there in your beautiful eyes No, it's really not that huge of a surprise You're tired of being treated like a child By those who do and you become a bit riled Knowing that you know as much as you do And that there is no one quite as good as you At being and becoming and seeing what you do And pursuing those things with a heart so true You seek as you do to be seen as someone to trust I'm glad that you do because it's true and you must There are changes in the you I see of transcendence Earning every step of your growing independence Listening as you become ever better at communication Hearing your thoughts and feelings with fasciation Watching as you seek your best to know and then knowing As you become the you that you are always growing Though we may joke around, I am not so totally blind I haven't missed how you've grown into being more kind How you listen with loving ears in full consideration Seeking to know the world in your deep investigation As your loving father, I need you to know you're wonderful Growing into a young lady and magically quite beautiful These things have not escaped my meandering attention I take in every change and nuance with great retention I need and want you to know that we can always talk Be it in a quiet cuddle or along with me in a walk Your truths as you see them and your thoughts and feelings Are safe with me as you gain confidence in their revealing It's so easy to be interested in things that you are Whether it be cooking or learning or even in counting stars No, you don't have to answer all of time to my questions But, when you want to, I hope you do without any hesitation It is amazing to watch as you begin to truly find yourself From friends, online, magazines and even books on the shelf You just be the best you that you are and your best shines through Always know that you are the most wonderful at truly being you It's important to me for you know how much I truly love you That I put the greatest trust and confidence in what you do We will not always see things eye to eye, but my ears hear All the things that you love and don't and like and fear Most of all, I want to be here for you to always know That you can turn to me as you search and learn to grow That my heart will always love you until end of world Whether you stretch out bravely or sleep there all curled (c) May 25, 2020 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
Let today be a day of thought on, remembrance of and deep reflection on those who have given their lives for the cause of freedom and liberty, this Memorial Day 2020:
For the peace lovers out there, may I readily agree that war is, indeed, a very ugly thing. But there are worse things. This is said perhaps more eloquently than I will ever have the capability to do in a seminal work by John Stuart Mill:
https://americanliterature.com/author/john-stuart-mill/essay/the-contest-in-america
This essay explains why so many of us have been willing to sign our names on that blank check of willingness to give their lives that you and I may enjoy the rewards of freedom and live our lives in liberty. To these men and women, we owe a debt of gratitude that we can never truly repay. So won’t you please take a moment and give a bit yourselves today spent in quiet reflection on this idea and in gratitude? This Veteran (me), I would appreciate that so very much!!
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