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Things that remind me of Mother are these:the truth 'mid deception, a warm summer breeze,the calm within chaos, a stitch in a rip,a comforting blanket, the smile on her lip,an ocean of love in a heart big as whales,the morals in everyday stories she tells,a wink amid laughter, the wisdom in books,the peace in humility, beauty in looks,the light and the life in a ray of the sun,the hard work accomplished disguised as pure fun,concern in a handclasp, encouragement too,the hope in a clear morning sky azure blue,the power in prayers uttered soft and sincere,the faith in a promise, and joy in a tear.These things all attest to the wonder and graceof my precious mother, none else could replace. By Richelle E. Goodrich Mother Things Truth Mid Deception

My ears interpreted a mix of nearby voices as calm, friendly, ordinary chatter. With that as background noise, I enjoyed the silent attention of my mate. The way his hand brushed softly over every inch of my bare skin tempted my eyelids to close and my mind to wander, but I kept focused, not wanting to miss a moment of admiring this beautiful man and his seductive, wild look. I felt a flood of emotion set in, born from absolute, interminable love for him. I wished for the voices to cease, for time to halt, for the moment we were living to replay over and over and over again perpetually. The world could have its gain and glory, its vengeance and victories - all I wanted was the enduring love and attention of this man who most assuredly was my soulmate. By Richelle E. Goodrich Friendly Calm Ordinary Chatter Ears

Christ was born in Bethlehem asHeaven sang with joy.Roaming shepherds came to see theInfant, swaddled boy.Several wisemen sought him out,Traveling from afar.Mary wondered, looking skywardAt a bright, new star.Sacred was the Christ child's birth.Sacred is CHRISTMAS. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Christ Bethlehem Theinfant Swaddled

True friends esteem you of greater worth than you feel deserving. False friends demand you prove that worth. By Richelle E. Goodrich True Deserving Friends Worth Esteem

Imagine in vibrant, wonderful detail your heart's desire - a reality only you can envision, an adventure only you can direct.Then cradle your creation. Caress it. Mold it. Coddle it until it comes to life.And when your precious treasure grows so grand as to steal your breath away, set it free for all the world to experience. For that is how you live your dreams. By Richelle E. Goodrich Imagine Vibrant Wonderful Desire Envision

Determined, I riseand face the dawn with resolve.This time I will win. By Richelle E. Goodrich Determined Win Riseand Face Dawn

You and I were never meant to be together, but we are. Our pairing is not unlike two electrons ignoring natural laws in order to orbit one another. Life now defies reason - quirky but beautiful. By Richelle E. Goodrich Meant Life Reason Quirky Beautiful

Knowledge gained is as useless as prideif filed away and never applied. By Richelle E. Goodrich Knowledge Applied Gained Useless Prideif

Pride is not your friend. He would have you think he is, that he affords you strength and courage, but in truth he robs you of your health and by slow, diluted degrees steals your might. He is a crafty and cunning liar who would have you think that stubborn, unapologetic, superior, boastful, and popular are admirable traits. Pride would convince you that being right is more crucial than being kind. He would have you sever relationships, even turn your back on family and friends rather than utter a humble apology. To do so is beneath you, pride would say. He would have you fight like a raptor and gnash your teeth while jutting out an inflexible jaw to defend and protect him, regardless of who is hurt in the process. He would use and demean you in order to puff up and fortify himself. He would destroy your life and every meaningful association before casting you aside without a hint of remorse. Again, Pride is not your friend. By Richelle E. Goodrich Pride Friend Courage Slow Diluted

If only you would kiss me.Press your lips to mine like a searing iron. Wrap me in your arms as if you were a monarch claiming a kingdom. Hold me close until I warm through to the core. Do this, and I promise to melt into you, no longer a cold and frozen figure in your narrowed sight. How devoted I would be if only your lips burned for mine!If only you would kiss me. By Richelle E. Goodrich Iron Mepress Searing Kiss Lips

It is a fight to let go of a past that refuses to withdraw its sticky tentacles from your present. By Richelle E. Goodrich Present Fight Past Refuses Withdraw

One smile has the power to ... Calm fears.Soften stone walls.Warm a cold heart.Invite a new friend.Mimic a loving hug.Beautify the bearer.Lighten heavy loads.Promote good deeds.Brighten a gloomy day.Comfort a grieving spirit.Offer hope to the forlorn.Send a message of caring.Lift the downtrodden soul.Patch up invisible wounds.Weaken the hold of misery.Act as medicine for suffering.Attract the companionship of angels.Fulfill the human need for recognition.Who knew changing the world would prove so simple? By Richelle E. Goodrich Smile Power Calm Simple Fearssoften

Son, I hope your opinion of your mother hasn't lessened, knowing what you now know." Gavin glanced up; incredulity skewed his eyebrows. His expression appeared both stunned and appalled. "Never, Father! I love her! It makes no difference to me where she came from." The man nodded, a show of relief in his features. His large hand, soft in touch, went to brush a string of hair away from his wife's peaceful profile. "Your mother loves you too, son, more than anything in the world. She worries about you, day and night." That sentiment stirred something profoundly pleasant inside the boy. He grinned at the internal warmth it created. By Richelle E. Goodrich Lessened Knowing Son Hope Opinion

How crazy it would be if the moon did spin and the earth stood still and the sun went dim!How absolutely ludicrous if snakes could walk and kids could fly and mimes did talk!How silly it would be if the nights were tan and the mornings green and the sun cyan!How totally ridiculous if horses chirped and spiders sang and ladies burped!How shocking it would be if the dragons ruled and the knights were daft but the fish were schooled!How utterly preposterous if rain were dry and snowflakes warm and real men cried!I love to just imagineall the lows as heights,and the salty, sweet,and our lefts as rights.Perhaps it is incredibleand off the hook,but it all makes sensein a storybook! By Richelle E. Goodrich Sun Dim Talk Cyan Burped

Haiku Christmas StoryNew light in the skyannounces a sacred birth.Shine brightly young star.Hallelujah songcarries on a gentle wind,heralding a king.Shepherds lift their heads,not to gaze at a new lightbut to hear angels."Unto you is bornin the city of Davida Savior for all."Born on straw at nightunder low stable rafters,Baby Jesus cried.Sheep and goats and cowsgather 'round a manger bedto awe at a babe.Wise men come to seea child of greater wisdomand honor divine.Rare and precious gifts,gold and myrrh and frankincense,to offer a king.Mary and Josephhuddle snugly together.They cradle God's son.On this wise He came,the Son of God to the earth.A humble wonder. By Richelle E. Goodrich God Born Christmas Davida Savior

Born on straw at nightunder low stable rafters,Baby Jesus cried. By Richelle E. Goodrich Jesus Born Cried Straw Nightunder

Unto you is bornin the city of Davida Savior for all. By Richelle E. Goodrich Davida Savior Bornin City

What is this thing of intangible substance that wreaks consequential havoc on our lives? What is this sensitive thread that runs through heart and mind, and when given the slightest tremor grasps hold of all sanity, dragging the afflicted down to insufferable depths or flinging him weightless to euphoric heights? What is this magic we would deem imagination, fantasy, or pretend if not for the evidence of power manifest by human consequences? Effortlessly controlling us, it affects the infected in an instant. It takes but one word, one thought, one act to become immersed. To stop it is hopeless. To stifle it, demanding. To think to master it is both improbable and pretentious. What is this invisible hand that blinds our eyes and reigns hearts with a string? It is nature's drug and poison we call emotion. By Richelle E. Goodrich Lives Thing Intangible Substance Wreaks

To look in the mirror and smile is a challenge for many people. Those who do so without the slightest scowl are indeed fortunate. By Richelle E. Goodrich People Mirror Smile Challenge Fortunate

The jack-o-lantern follows me with tapered, glowing eyes.His yellow teeth grin evily. His cackle I despise.But I shall have the final laugh when Halloween is through.This pumpkin king I'll split in half to make a pie for two. By Richelle E. Goodrich Tapered Glowing Evily Eyeshis Yellow

Oh, yes I can! I'm not sorry! The answer's no! I really don't care! And I do not always have to have the last word!No - I don't! By Richelle E. Goodrich Care Answer Word

And so the game went on in this manner, a throng of children playing keep-away from a bowling ball tossed back and forth between two plump ogres. The air filled with shrieks and cheers and shouts of laughter as daring players thrilled at the sport. That is, all but the few poor souls knocked flat and captured. No laughter rose from behind bars because those in the birdcage knew what was in store. They would soon be lunch for a couple of hungry ogres. Now you might be thinking - didn't Gavin call it fun when he was swallowed by a wolf earlier? And didn't he tell that raven-haired girl it doesn't hurt to be swallowed whole by a bear? All true, all true. But here's a secret you might not know. Ogres chew their food. Luckily, it's only the first bite that stings. By Richelle E. Goodrich Manner Game Throng Children Playing

Don't quit.When your latest efforts fail, don't quit. When your performance is scoffed and ridiculed, don't quit. When you're told you have no talent, don't quit. When you come in dead last, don't quit. When it seems an uphill fight to keep going, don't quit. When you can't see any possible way to achieve your goals, don't quit. When your last supporter is you alone, don't quit. When discouragement and depression seem your constant companion, don't quit. When you feel like quitting, don't quit.Time and time again you will crave relief from the harsh fight of trying to succeed. You will falsely think that quitting will bring peace and reprieve, but alas, only regret and disappointment await the quitter. Victory means never ever ever quitting. So don't quit.Do not quit. By Richelle E. Goodrich Quit Fail Quitting Quitwhen Latest

Face it; life's gonna chew you up and spit you out. If you're lucky you'll get stuck to the bottom of someone's shoe and be carried far, far away from it all. By Richelle E. Goodrich Face Life Gonna Chew Spit

Past and Present I know well; each is a friend and sometimes an enemy to me. But it is the quiet, beckoning Future, an absolute stranger, with whom I have fallen madly in love. By Richelle E. Goodrich Present Past Future Friend Enemy

Forgiveness is a revolving door positioned in your path. You must step through it to move on, but it takes both timing and choice to escape walking circles inside. By Richelle E. Goodrich Forgiveness Path Revolving Door Positioned

I don't so much mind looking back on having lost the election, or having been denied a role in the play, or having had my novel repeatedly rejected, or having been turned down for a date, or recalling laughter at my expense when I attempted some silly challenge. Those things simply prove that I lived life. What I do mind, however, is looking back on the lost opportunities where imagined concerns kept me from even trying - lose or win. I've learned that there is no regret in a brave attempt, only in cowering to fear. By Richelle E. Goodrich Election Play Rejected Date Challenge

Sometimes it feels as if God set you on Earth with a bottle full of nasty-tasting pills called days and these instructions: Swallow one at a time. When entire prescription is finished, you may return home. By Richelle E. Goodrich Swallow God Earth Instructions Time

Happiness is simply a habit of looking on the brighter side of everything. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happiness Simply Habit Brighter Side

I was breaking down, wanting to fade away and cry, yet I feared ever being invisible again. My head lowered to conceal my humiliation behind a curtain of hair where I trembled as if sobbing."Hey, Gwen, it's okay. It's okay. Calm down."I yearned to feel Daniel's soft touch meet my temple and then trace along my ear, brushing back the hairs from my face. What I wanted was the comfort his caress always afforded me. He moved as if he would grant my wish, realizing at the last moment that neither of us possessed the power to touch the other."Your hair, Gwen."I refused to do what he wanted. I didn't care for him to see the shame plainly visible in my features. But the next thing I knew, his blue eyes were staring up at me from the ground, a glare reflecting off his glasses. The guy had dropped his books to fall over for a clear view of my face. His desperation made me laugh."It's going to be okay, Gwen, I promise." - from "Phantom's Veil By Richelle E. Goodrich Gwen Wanting Cry Breaking Fade

I'm sorry. Oh, what simple words are these!I'm sorry. Lips should breathe them out with ease!But nay, in barring up the way,"I'll die first" are the words you say.I'm sorry, woe is all pride guarantees. By Richelle E. Goodrich Words Lips Ease Nay Woe

They went back to scooping up breakfast, licking the mess off their fingers. Soon the pile of berry mush was gone and their tongues were dyed a nice midnight blue. Ian seemed in a good mood, sticking his tongue out playfully at his best friend. Eena did likewise, right back at him. She was happy he was smiling, even if his teeth were purple. (You're too much fun, Eena,) Ian announced in her mind. (I'm really glad we're friends.) (Me too,) she agreed. (Best friends.) Ian leaned back on his hands and watched the waves roll in from far off. The swells were building into large, flat-crested waves. (Angelle never thought like you do. You're creative and kinda crazy. Her thoughts were always more simple and, well ... ..normal.) (Yeah, well, deadly dragons and evil witches tend to suck all the normal right out of you,) she grumbled. (I suppose.) By Richelle E. Goodrich Ian Breakfast Licking Fingers Eena

What if stars were the glimmering tears of a giant, welling in his cheeks, waiting to fall at the first tender stroke of emotion? What if the moon were a wide-open eye gazing down on our tiny, little world and its tiny, little inhabitants as they rush to and fro in pursuit of tiny, little dreams? What if the sun were the glowing heart of a great beast, pumping hot blood to keep him alive while providing warmth for our pitiful world? Ahhh, imagination; it is a wondrous thing! By Richelle E. Goodrich Tiny Giant Welling Cheeks Waiting

Never give up.This applies to more than goals and dreams, it is a maxim for basic daily struggles. It shapes one's life, including the will to continue to live. It supports love and committed relationships; it bolsters hope, faith, and charity; it is power in every area of existence. Never give up on anything or anyone of any worth, especially yourself. By Richelle E. Goodrich Dreams Struggles Upthis Applies Goals

If you feel that love isn't all it's cracked up to be, then you've never truly possessed it. For true love is the most desirable treasure in existence. It is a glory worth any sacrifice. By Richelle E. Goodrich Love Feel Cracked Possessed Existence

People will insist on building high and wide barriers directly in your path, often with the intent of closing you in. If you treat these obstacles like fencing walls, they will prove mightily so. I choose to see them as grand towers meant to be scaled and conquered, providing an added victory as well as a great view of the journey ahead. By Richelle E. Goodrich People Path Insist Building High

I saw a man climb a mountain with no feet or hands and barely a stump for each arm and leg. At once I realized there was no excuse at all for me not to scale my own mountains. By Richelle E. Goodrich Leg Man Climb Feet Hands

Oh, Man in the Moon""Oh, man in the moon, send an evening star to wink at my dreary eyes, and I shall make a wish for a peaceful world that spins with no more lies. Oh, man in the moon, send the night's cool breeze to lull my leery heart, and I shall cast my fears to the wind with ease, and watch them all depart.Oh, man in the moon, send the sandman's dust to rest my weary soul, and I shall slumber in happy dreams until the morning bells do toll. By Richelle E. Goodrich Man Moon Send Eyes Lies

The world seems to want us to be sad and angry because bad things frequently happen. But I say we should feel the opposite. We should be happy and cheerful because good things happen. We should be delighted to see the sun rise and stars glow and rainbows color stormy skies. We should savor every simple breath and eat each meal with gratitude. We should slumber in sweet dreams and relish moments of laughter and love. We should take more notice of the joys and kindnesses that do exist, still dictating the actions of millions of good people all over the world. Life is filled with pleasant moments, not just grief. We should be happy because this is true. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happen Sad Angry Bad Frequently

Happiness isn't complicated. It is a humble state of gratitude for simple pleasures, tender mercies, recognized blessings, and inherent beauty. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happiness Complicated Pleasures Tender Mercies

Teach me to sing and recite,To whistle and jingle and strum.Teach me to color and paint,To sculpt and weave and create.Teach me to sway and dance,To tap and leap and twirl.Teach me to laugh and giggle,To tickle and play and pretend.Teach me that life is beautiful. By Richelle E. Goodrich Teach Beautiful Sing Reciteto Whistle

I realized at that moment - observing his form move further away without once turning back - that I'd already begun to rebuild the imaginary wall between us. I was shielding my heart with stone cold feelings again, the only way I knew to protect it. I still planned to try my hand at prayer. If God would grant me this one request, if I could keep my only friend, I would give anything in return, even the treasured books trapped beneath my arm. I'd tasted enough of a dismal life to know that a real, true friend was of greater worth than the collection of every imagined fairytale in the world. By Richelle E. Goodrich Moment Observing Back Realized Form

I think in the heart of every human being there burns an ember of hope that warmly entices us to believe everything will eventually come together into one perfect day, and that potentially the hours in this day will stretch on indefinitely. And so we live our lives in hopeful anticipation, dreaming and praying to reach this wondrous day, while in the process we miss out on the anxious affair that life truly is. Life is not perfection; it is everything else. We must taste and experience heartaches and trials in order to feel the genuine joy that comes from enduring them well. We then move on, wiser and more capable of charity - this being pure love and the reason for life's trials altogether. By Richelle E. Goodrich Day Indefinitely Life Heart Human

To be a rainbow in someone's cloud is commendable, but I prefer to be the rain because it dampens cheeks and washes away tears. By Richelle E. Goodrich Commendable Tears Rainbow Cloud Prefer

It's not wrong to feel sorry for yourself. Just like it's not wrong to stand in a puddle of water while the rain pours down on your head. But neither is productive, unless you enjoy feeling cold and miserable and soggy while mascara runs down your face. By Richelle E. Goodrich Wrong Feel Head Productive Face

Sometimes a problem isn't really a problem but the solution in disguise. By Richelle E. Goodrich Problem Disguise Solution

How easy it is to slip.How hard it is to climb.How wise it is to keep in stepAnd never fall behind. By Richelle E. Goodrich Easy Sliphow Hard Climbhow Wise

My goals may seem impossibly far-fetched when really they're not. Break them down into steps and see how I accomplish great things. I can easily reach from A to B. I can manage from B to C. I can then make it from C to D. And so eventually, I will find my way from A to Z. By Richelle E. Goodrich Goals Impossibly Farfetched Break Things

They urge us to study our history that we might learn from past tragedies and errors. But sometimes I think it's actually a good thing that humanity so easily forgets. The haze that eventually claims old suffering often enables us to move on. By Richelle E. Goodrich Errors Urge Study History Learn

I am accountable for every lie that I tell, but I am also accountable for the effects of every harsh truth I deliver. By Richelle E. Goodrich Accountable Deliver Lie Effects Harsh

Magic Words""Silly words cause trills because they're ludicrous and funny.Happy words paint endless smilesand swallow troubles whole.Thoughtful words are thusbecause they make the day feel sunny.But hurtful words are suchthat pierce the heart and weigh the soul. By Richelle E. Goodrich Words Silly Magic Soul Trills

The most powerful and courageous heroes I know are those who bite their tongues when justification, validation, temptation, or vengeance would have them strike with truthful, hurtful words. By Richelle E. Goodrich Validation Temptation Justification Truthful Hurtful

The fact is, the man who'd begotten me didn't want me. In his eyes I should never have been born. And perhaps that would've been best. As it was, my existence had proven to be nothing more than a nuisance for everyone. I angered my father, brought strife upon my mother, irritated my teachers, and annoyed the other children who were forced to interact with me in school. All by simply being. When you aren't loved, you aren't real. Life is cold, like the stone against my palm. By Richelle E. Goodrich Fact Man Begotten Born Eyes

They tell me you're the best and the worst thing to have happened to me, but I do not see how it can be both. For if my death resulted from your presence, an everlasting sleep would have me dreaming happily of us together. I see no bad in that. Therefore, you must be the best thing to have ever happened to me because you make the worst seem wonderful. By Richelle E. Goodrich Worst Thing Happened Presence Death

God cries for us in the same way we cry for others. His tears most often spill over for the pain and suffering caused from the mortal misuse of a gift called agency. He will not revoke the gift. It was promised to us for the duration of our time on Earth. But He will hold each one of us accountable in the end for how we applied this power of agency. By Richelle E. Goodrich God Cries Cry Agency Gift

Some decisions in life naturally lead to an unhappy ending, leaving you sinking by degrees in a lake of quicksand. And, unless someone reaches to pull you out, chances are you will drown in the consequences. By Richelle E. Goodrich Ending Leaving Quicksand Decisions Life

Every brush stroke on the canvas, every dab of color introduced, the fine textures impressed in the paint - this accumulation of many small acts combines to shape a final work of art. And so it is with life; each step, each deed, each brief choice builds gradually, day by day, to shape both character and destiny. By Richelle E. Goodrich Canvas Introduced Paint Art Shape

Learn to brush off criticism as easily as you brush aside hollow compliments. By Richelle E. Goodrich Learn Compliments Brush Criticism Easily

I might be tempted to socialize more if the conversations taking place around me were half as interesting as the dialogue going on inside my head. By Richelle E. Goodrich Head Tempted Socialize Conversations Taking

We live that we might have experience; that through it we might gain wisdom, compassion, faith, and inner strength. By Richelle E. Goodrich Compassion Faith Experience Wisdom Strength

Isn't it strange how a lamb can feel like a lion when comparing itself to a mouse, whereas a lion feels like a lamb when measuring itself against dragons? By Richelle E. Goodrich Lamb Lion Mouse Dragons Feel

Don't simply exist in this world, but grasp life's potential by the jacket. Dare it to be all it can. Make life historical - a gripping account of accomplishment. Make life a mystery - a challenging, bold adventure. Make life heartfelt - an enduring, poetic romance. Whatever it is you make of your world, live the fairytale. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Make Jacket World Simply

To love her was to taste sweet surrender. For had she not entered his life, he would have sought the wonders of both Heaven and Earth. But she surpassed them all and, by her pleasing nature, stayed him. By Richelle E. Goodrich Surrender Earth Love Taste Sweet

My shoulders, broad and sculpted thick, were designed for two useful purposes. The one, to carry heavy loads like cedar logs and beams of steel and now and then the careful transfer of an injured friend to a bed of safety. The other purpose I consider superior, and that is to be, in all circumstances and forever, your headrest and cry pillow whereupon you may leave your heaviest burdens. By Richelle E. Goodrich Shoulders Broad Thick Sculpted Designed

Don't give up.I know you've made a thousand attempts to reach your goal, but look at it this way: after repeatedly banging your head against the wall, you ought to be numb enough break through this time. By Richelle E. Goodrich Goal Wall Time Give Upi

Mothers care in volumes of tears and earnestness of prayers and a depth of emotion others cannot fathom. By Richelle E. Goodrich Mothers Fathom Care Volumes Tears

Fathers ... Rise at dawn.Stand up strong.Fix and build.Plow the field.Carry the weight.Work 'til late.Encourage our dreams.Provide the means.Fight with might.Defend what's right.Protect the home.Refuse to roam.Forge the way.Take time to play.Spoil our moms.Keep homelife calm.And all becauseof selfless love. By Richelle E. Goodrich Fathers Rise Weightwork Til Love

I stumble and fall.I weep and struggle to rise.My mom feels it all. By Richelle E. Goodrich Stumble Falli Weep Struggle Risemy

I've a habit of placing a happy-face or a frowny-face on my calendar, depending on what kind of day I've had. Often I slap a droopy circle in the box, discouraged by the things I failed to accomplish and the unpleasant encounters endured. But then, invariably, a wise muse stops to ask me these three questions: Did your children let you hug them today? Yes. Did you do a kind deed for someone? Anyone? Yes. Did God forsake you today? No. Then, my dear, despite your challenges, it was a good day after all. Standing corrected, I twist that frowny-face upside down and smile. By Richelle E. Goodrich Calendar Depending Habit Placing Happyface

I walk at night under a moonless sky. Only the terrain guides my steps, yet my footfall is as sure as if a dozen suns lit the way. I go to meet you under a leafless tree that never seems to grow or alter its shape. I am uncertain if it still lives or has learned to disguise its death. The same thought crosses my mind when I feel your cold fingers take my hand. It is not the tree I reflect upon. 'Do you still love me?' The words tumble clumsily out of the dark. Hesitation is its own answer, but I reply 'I'm here' anyway as if my words were whispered comfort and not a weathered blade. They are taken wrong.'I love you too.'Your arms wrap me up and clamp tightly around my waist. An old, familiar kiss hardens my lips. I wonder why it is I return to this place every year where only memories remain fond. Perhaps it is because I keep hoping this leafless tree will either change or die. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sky Tree Walk Night Moonless

You pierce me with a look, a word, a gesture. And yet those same weapons could shield me from hurt if you so choose. By Richelle E. Goodrich Word Gesture Pierce Choose Weapons

At the core of love is validation. It is what gives love power. For when love is given away, validation seeps in and expands in the heart of the recipient, filling up every empty, dark corner. It is a wonderful, light, consuming feeling we long for, and once found, we hope - even expect - it will forever remain. But there are times when that most precious love is revoked, and a hard scab forms over the empty hole. Though this scab is both healing and protective, it is the reason why validation from future love may not seep in so easily, no matter how wanting the heart. By Richelle E. Goodrich Love Validation Core Heart Empty

Small steps may appear unimpressive, but don't be deceived. They are the means by which perspectives are subtly altered, mountains are gradually scaled, and lives are drastically changed. By Richelle E. Goodrich Small Unimpressive Deceived Steps Altered

Stubbornness is a weapon.People tend to draw it out when a sensitive part of their identity is threatened - be it dignity, honor, pride, desires, etc. If loaded with righteous resolve, stubbornness can assist in overcoming obstacles and achieving great feats; however, more often than not it is loaded with anger, used as a means of destruction for both the possessor and those whom he turns his weapon upon. It is best utilized by wise individuals who are able to dispassionately perceive if their stubbornness will accomplish good, or if it should be put away and replaced by a humble substitute to spare the lives of everyone affected. By Richelle E. Goodrich Honor Pride Desires Stubbornness Threatened

Silly little monster" all would say.They'd scratch its head and turn awayuntil it snatched their tiny noses.They couldn't even smell the roses!Ever after, every childdreaded monsters, fierce or mild. By Richelle E. Goodrich Silly Scratch Roses Fierce Mild

The description of Huck's father grabbed my full attention, and I glanced up at the book in my teacher's hand as if to double check. My eyes bulged reflexively. Huck's father was an abusive drunk just like mine. The boy was hopeful that a corpse found near the river was actually his dad, but it turned out not to be. It was spooky how high my hopes rose for the boy, and then sank so utterly low when the body was discovered to be a female in disguise. I should've mourned for the woman, but it was the boy I felt bad for. By Richelle E. Goodrich Huck Attention Check Boy Father

Prayer, faith, and vision, plus real effort too.Blend them together for one potent brew.The magical spell to your dreams coming true. By Richelle E. Goodrich Prayer Faith Vision True Real

Life is the clay from which dreams are molded. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Molded Clay Dreams

One thing I've learned is that in the midst of your darkest moments of tribulation, there is no such thing as mass friends. By Richelle E. Goodrich Tribulation Friends Thing Learned Midst

I think I'd rather be liked than loved. It just seems as if more criticism and chastening is shown to those we love, while kind manners and compassion are reserved for those we simply like. So, I hope you like me. By Richelle E. Goodrich Loved Love Criticism Chastening Shown

Autumn is a cunning muse who steals by degrees my warmth and light. So distracted by her glorious painting of colors, I scarcely realize my losses until the last fiery leaf has fallen to the ground and the final pumpkin shrinks. Autumn departs with a cold kiss, leaving me to suffer the frigid grasp of winter in prolonged nightfall. By Richelle E. Goodrich Light Autumn Cunning Muse Steals

The first real day of spring is like the first time a boy holds your hand. A flood of skin-tingling warmth consumes you, and everything shines with a fresh, colorful glow, making you forget that anything as cold and harsh as winter ever existed. By Richelle E. Goodrich Hand Real Day Spring Time

Life is a valuable and unique opportunityto discover who you are.But it seems as soon as you nearanswering that age-old question,something unexpected always happensto alter your course.And who it is you thought you weresuddenly changes.Then comes the frustrating realizationthat no matter how long life endures,no matter how many experiencesare muddled through in this existence,you may never really be ableto answer the question ... Who am I? Because the answer, like the seasons,constantly, subtly, inevitably changes.And who it is you are today,is not the same person you will be tomorrow. By Richelle E. Goodrich Matter Life Question Valuable Unique

I slay dragons at night while you sleep. I see by the way your face contorts how they exist in your dreams. Willing a magic sword, I plunge into your deepest nightmares and swing at the beasts with all my might, dodging flames exhaled by monsters that would eat me alive to go on torturing the fair one I love. I see your face relax, eyes still drowsily closed, when the mighty dragon is slain. It may be that my fingers rub soft circles on your forehead as I imagine my brave fight as a knight reclaiming your dreams. You smile under the spell of my touch, and I am rewarded. And so, my love, as I await the dawn, I stand ready to slay dragons while you sleep. By Richelle E. Goodrich Dreams Night Sleep Face Dragons

I bleed words.I dream in narrative. I live in infinite worlds.I befriend figmental characters.I wish on stars in other galaxies.I harvest stories from a brooding muse.I bloom under moonlight in hushed seclusion.I am a writer. By Richelle E. Goodrich Narrative Bleed Wordsi Dream Writer

I have lost my spark, I'm told, and should seek to rekindle it. Respecting the messenger, I wonder if this is true. I feel as if my spark endures, but having opened up to the world so bright, perhaps it no longer shines by comparison. So, without a word, I slip back into seclusion to nurture my beautiful inner glow. By Richelle E. Goodrich Told Spark Lost Seek Rekindle

I sat in a boxWith walls on each side.Not too tall.Not too wide.To think.To ponder.To pray.To hide.I sat in a box and cried. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sat Cried Boxwith Walls Sidenot

Christmas, when observed with the right spirit, still has the power to call miracles from Heaven to Earth. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Earth Heaven Spirit Observed

The greatest lessons I learned from my father didn't come from lectures or discipline or even time spent together. What has stuck with me is his example. From watching, I chose whether to be or not to be like him. By Richelle E. Goodrich Greatest Lessons Learned Father Lectures

Life's gonna kick you in the butt.That's what it does. But if you gotta put up with this crap, the least you can expect is that your friends will stand by you. I mean, for crying in the night, what else are friends for but to help you make right what isn't in life? (Kira, The Mishmorat) By Richelle E. Goodrich Gonna Kick Life Friends Kira

My love for you reaches beyond the borders of continents, so vast in scope that I would cross oceans to be with you.Yes, but does that same love penetrate so deep as to dare thee to sink to the oceans' depths to find me?"-from "My Aquarius By Richelle E. Goodrich Aquarius Love Continents Youyes Reaches

Perhaps, if you weren't so busy regarding my shortcomings, you'd find that I do possess redeeming qualities, discreet as they may be. I notice when the sky is blue. I smile down at children. I laugh at any innocent attempt at humor. I quietly carry the burdens of others as though they were my own. And I say 'I'm sorry' when you don't. I am not without fault, but I am not without goodness either. By Richelle E. Goodrich Shortcomings Qualities Discreet Busy Find

In the middle of a grocery store, two children were horsing around (one holding the other in a headlock) when the mother turned abruptly to give them a stern reprimand.'You two are old enough to know better than to behave this way in public! Could you - at least for the time we're in this store - mind your manners enough to act like an adult?'The children took less than a moment to consider their mother's question before facing each other and engaging in the following conversation:'I hate you.' 'I hate you too.' 'Let's get a divorce.' 'Okay.'Perhaps 'act like an adult' isn't such good advice anymore. By Richelle E. Goodrich Store Headlock Reprimand Public Children

Though I may accumulate a great deal of riches in this world, it is only my wealth of knowledge, talents, and emotional bonds that I keep when I leave. By Richelle E. Goodrich Talents World Knowledge Leave Accumulate

You are the one star I wish upon nightly, praying your glory will fall from the heavens and land in my undeserving arms. By Richelle E. Goodrich Nightly Praying Arms Star Glory

He reached out for her hand and she grabbed onto his. "Eena, when you're ready to talk about it, I'll be here. That's what best friends are for." She let the tears fall. He'd never know they were for him. He'd think they were because of Derian. They held hands silently throughout the night, Ian unaware that this was by far her most tortured nightmare ever. Paradise so close, and yet completely unattainable. By Richelle E. Goodrich Eena Reached Grabbed Derian Ian

Dreams become reality once the dreamer goes beyond imagining and acts them out. By Richelle E. Goodrich Dreams Reality Dreamer Imagining Acts

I opened my eyes today to a world that felt alien. For though things resembled the familiar, nothing was the same. Walls I once considered confining, crumbled at the slightest shove. Mountains that for ages had barred my view now faded, transparent. Meandering roads stretched out as straight as an arrow, void of stop signs. Obstacles no longer stood stationary. Pinnacles loomed within reach. Beasts were tame, bullies timid, wagging tongues all tied into knots, and in the palm of my hand glistened the end of a glorious rainbow. It took but a moment to realize that in my newfound sight, everything I'd ever longed for was accessible. Incredibly, the only thing that had really changed was the way I saw the world. By Richelle E. Goodrich Alien Opened Eyes Today Felt

Trust in the silent doers. It is far more difficult to put your dreams into action than into flowery words. By Richelle E. Goodrich Trust Doers Silent Words Difficult

If you invest nothing, the reward is worth little. By Richelle E. Goodrich Invest Reward Worth

Even the smallest tender mercy can bring peace when recognized and appreciated. By Richelle E. Goodrich Appreciated Smallest Tender Mercy Bring

Night helps us appreciate daylight, while lengthy days make us yearn for a good stretch of night. By Richelle E. Goodrich Daylight Night Lengthy Days Make

The humanitarian is a treasure hunter seeking gems of remedy and appreciation. By Richelle E. Goodrich Appreciation Humanitarian Treasure Hunter Seeking

The pleasures of being a novelist are many. But the greatest by far is the manner in which I live through my characters; experiencing every detail of their story as it unfolds gradually and personally within my own creative psyche. I'm like a cat with untold lives, because each new book is my rebirth. By Richelle E. Goodrich Pleasures Novelist Characters Experiencing Psyche

Christmas is our annual reminder to look up - pondering celestial stars, to look out - serving those in need, and to look down - glorifying our Lord in humble prayer. By Richelle E. Goodrich Lord Christmas Pondering Stars Serving

I have always felt that fear possesses such great power, enough to paralyze and quake an individual. Pondering this, I realized that the source of fear's power comes from within me. So, I ask myself, does that not make me the powerful one? By Richelle E. Goodrich Individual Fear Power Felt Possesses

A word of consolation may sweetly touch the ear.Now and then a quiet songwill clear the mind of fear.A simple act of kindnesscan ease a load of care.Stories told in memorydiminish all despair.A whispered prayer of comfortdraws angel arms around.Counting blessings, great and small,helps gratitude abound.These acts, all sympathetic,will kindly play their part.But seldom do they dry the tearsshed mutely in the heart. By Richelle E. Goodrich Blessings Great Heart Word Consolation

Many people believe they have found the key to Heaven's gate, not realizing that there is no key hole. It is a barrier upon which you must knock. And I believe that it is by our small and simple acts of kindness that we find the gate left ajar. By Richelle E. Goodrich Heaven Key Hole People Found

Despair is not for the living but for those unable to rise and continue; they are the only souls with a right to it. It is an end where breath and strength and will have vanished, leaving no way to persevere. To sink into the abyss that is despair is to suffer an existence far worse than death; therefore, cling to its enemy, our ally - hope. For life goes on, and we must not live in despair. We must not. By Richelle E. Goodrich Despair Continue Living Unable Rise

The sun shines every day without being told that it is brilliant. The mountains stand tall and majestic though no one informs them of their grandeur. The winds twirl and dance with clouds, minus cheers or compliments to inspire their moves. Flowers bloom, showing off colors, long before passing smiles acknowledge any beauty. The ocean claps at its own underwater chorus without topside ears listening. What is the world trying to tell you? Be wonderful because you are. Quit waiting to be told so first. By Richelle E. Goodrich Brilliant Sun Shines Day Told

If your best friend truly is the person who knows you completely and loves you anyway, wouldn't that be your mother? By Richelle E. Goodrich Mother Friend Person Completely Loves

You stare at your dream from a distance, longing, sighing, seeing what you deem is a warning of IMPOSSIBLE. But if you would squint real hard you would see the truth; the sign correctly reads 'I'M POSSIBLE. By Richelle E. Goodrich Impossible Longing Sighing Distance Stare

Who told you it was too late? And more importantly, why did you choose to believe them? By Richelle E. Goodrich Late Told Importantly Choose

I'm going on a diet. (Crud, I know)I am going to be cranky. I am going to be irritable.I am going to be moody and sad and mean. And, yes, I am going to be hungry. Please don't feed me, even if I try to bite you. Please don't tease me, I may hurt you.Please don't try to encourage me, I may growl and snap at you. Please don't help me, I may blame you for everything aggravating in the known universe. Please don't be offended by my scowl, I cannot smile. But most importantly, please keep your distance until this trial is over to prevent any unnecessary casualties. Thank you for your understanding. By Richelle E. Goodrich Diet Crud Cranky Irritablei Moody

It's not my job to make you happy. It's your job to learn that only those who quit selfishly seeking their own happiness find it. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happy Job Make Learn Quit

Knowing the path to follow doesn't make it a breeze to step along. If every desire were only a skip, hop, and a jump away, we'd all have arrived. By Richelle E. Goodrich Knowing Path Follow Make Breeze

It is easy to say I am thankful for the sweet and beautiful things in life: flower gardens, ice cream cones, diamond rings, dances under moonlight, children's laughter, birdsongs, and the like. The challenge is recognizing things of value in the dark, sour, uglier parts of life. But if you look hard enough, you will find that even tough times offer pearls worthy of gratitude. By Richelle E. Goodrich Birdsongs Life Flower Gardens Ice

Optimism: That effervescent, blindingly- bright, perky, chipper, twittering quality you want to squash out of annoying people. By Richelle E. Goodrich Optimism Blindingly Bright Perky Chipper

Far more important than the tribulations and heartaches, the thrills, merriment, and pleasures of life is what you learn from it all. It isn't the tunnel we pass through that matters, it's what emerges on the other side. By Richelle E. Goodrich Merriment Heartaches Thrills Important Tribulations

A dreadful thing one day befell me when a horse came to stand on my toe. Having no power to remove him, I found that I could not go.An awful thing sometime later befell me when the horse was removed from my toe. Alone and with naught to secure me, I found I was forced to go. By Richelle E. Goodrich Toe Befell Thing Horse Dreadful

Pray each morning and each night.Talk to God and be polite.Tell Him what you're grateful for.Leave your troubles at His door.Share your wishes, needs, and hopes.Ask God how to bravely cope.Tell Him all you learned today.Say the things you need to say.Beg forgiveness for your sins.Pray to live with Him again.Speak with earnest heart and soul.He will listen. This I know.For prayer is hope put to the test.And hope is faith in what is best.Faith is power to do great things.Thus, prayer is faith's enabling wings. By Richelle E. Goodrich God Pray Wishes Listen Morning

If we simply imagined that everyone who crossed our path was living out his or her very last day on Earth, we might treat people as kindly as we ought to each day they lived. By Richelle E. Goodrich Earth Day Lived Simply Imagined

To fight discouragement, remind yourself of the basics: I can write.I have the opportunity to do so. I love what I write. Now smile and be thankful. By Richelle E. Goodrich Discouragement Remind Basics Fight Writei

Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone's day. By Richelle E. Goodrich Day Sunrise Invitation Arise Brighten

It seems there's confusion at this time of yearregarding the reason for Christmas.From shopping for presents to spreading good cheer,the world makes an overly huge fuss.But Christmas is not for the gifts we exchange.It's not about sleigh rides or sweet candy canes.Nay, Christmas is simple. A time to recallChrist's gift of atonement He gave to us all. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Canesnay Simple Time Confusion

Lying is wrong. When you tell a lie for the sake of sparing someone's feelings it is not suddenly right, but it is compassionate. And is not compassion a form of love? Love - the greatest of all virtues! So, my darling, I do wrong for you. I lie that you might feel loved. By Richelle E. Goodrich Lying Love Wrong Lie Compassionate

Though I love you to the core of my being, so thoroughly that every cell comprising me aches to be near you, I must accept that we can never be together. For our existence parallels the sun and the moon - a temptation in constant, beautiful view, yet if the sun were ever to kiss the moon it would devour the heavenly orb whole. Oh, my darling, if only I were the moon! Then I would dare taste your lips and be happy for my last and final joy! But alas, I am the sun, and I will not venture to destroy the one I love. By Richelle E. Goodrich Moon Sun Core Cell Comprising

It's easy to be kind to friends who return your smiles and happily lend a helping hand. But the true test of good character is finding the will and desire to be kind and charitable to those who give us absolutely no motivation to do so. By Richelle E. Goodrich Kind Hand Easy Friends Return

I finally figured out the big, elusive secret to weight loss. Don't eat! Who knew? By Richelle E. Goodrich Big Elusive Loss Finally Figured

Never give up. It's like breathing - once you quit, your flame dies letting total darkness extinguish every last gasp of hope. You can't do that. You must continue taking in even the shallowest of breaths, continue putting forth even the smallest of efforts to sustain your dreams. Don't ever, ever, ever give up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Give Continue Breathing Quit Hope

Patience isn't tested when it is self-imposed and the duration is self-regulated. Patience is hardly tested when the outcome means little to you. However, when circumstances beyond your control force you to wait with baited breath knowing the outcome will affect your life substantially, that is the true test of patience. It is a cage inside a burning building where every exit is blocked by angels calmly advising you to wait a moment longer. Your choice is to either trust their words or madly claw through them. By Richelle E. Goodrich Patience Tested Selfregulated Selfimposed Duration

A session of boasting won't attract any real friends. It will set you up on a pedestal, however, making you a clearer target. By Richelle E. Goodrich Friends Session Boasting Attract Real

It is tempting to quit striving toward a goal when you have neither the time, the resources, the support, the means, nor perhaps the confidence in talent to reach the level of standing you wish to reach. But these are not reasons to quit. Move forward anyway. Try your best. Put what little you do have into accomplishing what you can, because along the way you may attain a portion of what you feel is lacking. And owning a portion of a dream is better than owning no dream at all. Never give up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Reach Quit Time Resources Support

Gavin stood within the trees, observing her from the shadows. He watched the basket rise to her nose as she closed her eyes to sniff at its contents. A smile told him it smelled delicious, but she didn't open the container to pinch off a sample. Instead, the basket lowered to swing at her side as it had previously done. All at once the air was filled with soft singing--a sweet, merry tune comprised of ludicrous lyrics. It was impossible not to grin at the words."Rainbows paint the sky 'til the sun melts their colors. Swinging in the wind, whiskered cattails purr. The pigs gallop by and snort at the moon, While frogs kiss the lizards and princesses too." By Richelle E. Goodrich Gavin Trees Observing Shadows Stood

Dare to imagine. Dare to be. Books are the seeds. Dreams are the soil. The fruit of the harvest, a world reborn. By Richelle E. Goodrich Dare Imagine Books Seeds Dreams

Afraid of offending with an off word or the slightest insensitivity, I keep an unobtrusive and silent distance. Nevertheless, my pursed lips and offish stance are perceived as cold, managing to offend all. By Richelle E. Goodrich Afraid Insensitivity Distance Offending Word

As a child, I once suffered a bad fall that resulted in scratched palms and scraped knees. I remember how badly it stung, the cold air hitting my bleeding wounds; I felt that I couldn't stand up for the pain. Through a veil of tears, I recall a kind hand reaching for me and helping me to my feet. My knees and palms were washed clean, and I remember thinking that for the rest of my life, I wanted to help people stand back up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Child Suffered Bad Fall Resulted

Maybe love isn't meant to be bliss never-ending. Maybe love is unwavering support and befriending. By Richelle E. Goodrich Love Neverending Meant Bliss Befriending

Don't be fool enough to think you can know a person's character after a few moments of observation. You can't. You have no idea where his life began or how his saga has unfolded thus far. Only his present state can you witness. To judge him at a glance is like reading one page in an open book, believing it's enough to confidently recite the story from beginning to end. True, one page may tell you much, but not nearly enough to accurately critique a book or evaluate a life. So, either become his friend and learn his entire story, or refrain from commenting on a tale you know nothing about. By Richelle E. Goodrich Observation Fool Person Character Moments

The key to a better life isn't always a change of scenery. Sometimes it simply requires opening your eyes. By Richelle E. Goodrich Scenery Key Life Change Eyes

You can't make me be nice.You can't make me be good.You can't make me believe.But your example, your kindness, your patience and love will affect me perhaps enough that eventually I may choose to do those things. By Richelle E. Goodrich Make Kindness Things Niceyou Goodyou

Moisture falls from the sky, cleansing the world and sustaining precious life. But it's the gloom - the cold, dark air - that receives notice. We fail to see the miracle of raindrops through our own tears. By Richelle E. Goodrich Moisture Sky Cleansing Life Falls

Four-letter words have always offended me. I cringe at hearing them. Can't, don't, and won't are the worst. By Richelle E. Goodrich Fourletter Words Offended Worst Cringe

There would be no cloud-nine days without rock-bottom moments left below. By Richelle E. Goodrich Cloudnine Days Rockbottom Moments Left

Pray as if you are fully aware that the intricate timing and rotation of every celestial entity in the universe - including the coming and going of innumerable, precious life forms - does not rest in your tiny, mortal hands. By Richelle E. Goodrich Pray Universe Including Innumerable Precious

The reason people fail to reach their goals is because they give up too early. They don't understand that most successes are built upon foundations of multiple attempts. By Richelle E. Goodrich Early Reason People Fail Reach

Some birthdays make you happy.Some birthdays bring you down.Some birthdays make you jump for joyWhile others paint a frown.Regardless of your feelingsOr if you're far or near,The earth was blessed this special dayWhen Heaven placed you here. By Richelle E. Goodrich Make Birthdays Heaven Happysome Bring

When a child truly understands his grand potential, he looks to the stars not simply to make a wish but to chart a destination. By Richelle E. Goodrich Potential Destination Child Understands Grand

Friendship true is a vow of care.A warm embrace when in despair.A loving presence waiting thereto lift a heart, its burdens bear.Friendship true is an earnest prayer.A tongue of praise for one's welfare.A smile 'mid laughs as light as air,and thoughtfulness most kind and rare. By Richelle E. Goodrich True Friendship Heart Smile Mid

Have you honestly pondered your individual worth? Consider every lower life form in the world - the animals, plants, fouls and fishes. Consider the land forms and numerous earthly wonders. Consider the countless worlds beyond this planet as well as their stars and galaxies. And then consider yourself. Of all God's creations, you were formed in His image, resembling the likeness of a God. That's something to think about. By Richelle E. Goodrich Worth Honestly Pondered Individual God

When you do fall in love with me, Eena, I don't want it to be because I gave into your demands, but because your heart gave into its desire to truly be loved. With an injured frown he uttered goodnight and left the room. She stood alone, chastised and bruised. It seemed right to apologize for her insensitive words, but not now. Not while a room full of people remained out there. By Richelle E. Goodrich Eena Gave Demands Loved Fall

If every day you were to walk past the same individual and ignore him, never smiling or saying hello or returning any kind gesture he extended toward you, would you expect that same individual to readily respond if suddenly you were to implore his helping hand? Then don't ignore God. Say 'hello' now and then. By Richelle E. Goodrich Individual Hand Ignore Day Walk

Wilted or in bloom,taking or lending daylight,the world transitions. By Richelle E. Goodrich Wilted Transitions Bloomtaking Lending Daylightthe

Trying to change old habits is like fighting a war in your head - a draining and exhausting skirmish that makes you wonder at your chance of survival. By Richelle E. Goodrich Head Survival Change Habits Fighting

Raging fires grow from the tiniest spark; it is the same principle at work in life. As long as there's a spark, tend to your fire. Never give up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Spark Raging Life Grow Tiniest

You're right; you can't make someone be happy. But I don't see the harm in trying. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happy Make Harm

Act like you care. Pray like you care. Speak, smile, reach out, and live like you care. The point is to make sure those in your life know beyond doubt that you do care. By Richelle E. Goodrich Care Act Speak Smile Pray

One grateful thought is a ray of sunshine. A hundred such thoughts paint a sunrise. A thousand will rival the glaring sky at noonday - for gratitude is light against the darkness. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sunshine Grateful Ray Thought Thoughts

Today is a BRAND NEW day - a perfectly good reason to get up and start over. Never give up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Brand Today Day Perfectly Good

Between here and there is a journey illuminated by the rising and setting of a radiant sun. Don't miss its splendor in your all-fired hurry to cross the finish line. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sun Journey Illuminated Rising Setting

It is a pleasurable thing to earn the admiration of others, but it is a far better feeling to honestly admire thyself. By Richelle E. Goodrich Thyself Pleasurable Thing Earn Admiration

I believe the main purpose of life is to accept with gratitude what you've been blessed with so that you may use those gifts to mold yourself into the best person you can possibly be. Learning to discern things of true value from those of little or no worth is part of the process. By Richelle E. Goodrich Main Purpose Life Accept Gratitude

The Christmas spirit will elude you'til a selfless love consumes youand the joy of giving moves you. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Spirit Elude Youtil Selfless

Mistakes focus our minds on specific details. They weed out truths and afford us goals, bringing straight to our attention lessons to be learned. Mistakes are not meant to make us failures; they are meant to make us wise. By Richelle E. Goodrich Details Mistakes Focus Minds Specific

Many times what we perceive as an error or failure is actually a gift. And eventually we find that lessons learned from that discouraging experience prove to be of great worth. By Richelle E. Goodrich Gift Times Perceive Error Failure

If you couldn't sense heat, you'd not be alive. And if that heat never grew uncomfortable, you would never move. And if you were stagnant - unchallenged by unpredictable flares - you would never grow capable of shielding yourself from harsher flames. So yes, life was meant to drag you straight through the fire. By Richelle E. Goodrich Alive Heat Sense Uncomfortable Move

The sun, moon, and stars God gave to the world, but He embedded their glories in your countenance just for me. Woven in your hair are the sun's shimmering golden rays. From your face glows the pale luminescence of the moon. And in your eyes God sprinkled a million stars to twinkle against a backdrop of endless night. You are my celestial light. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sun God Moon World Gave

Love - such a keen mystery prone to pierce and shatter the delicate heart. Yet it possesses more strength, power, and influence than any other magic known to man. By Richelle E. Goodrich Love Heart Power Keen Mystery

I felt sad.I felt cold.I felt hurt.I felt forsaken and lonely.I felt doubtful and hesitant.I felt scared and deeply worried. I felt different, unknown, and unwelcome.I felt empty and woefully neglected.I felt weak and intimidated.I felt withdrawn and shy.I felt utterly hopeless.Then you held my hand, and I felt better. By Richelle E. Goodrich Felt Worried Sadi Coldi Hurti

Friends are those crazy people who keep coming back, in spite of being exposed to the real you. By Richelle E. Goodrich Friends Back Crazy People Coming

Life isn't all perpetual bliss, nor is it one woeful weeping session. But you can concentrate so hard on noticing moments of one or the other that either a bright outlook or dim expectations becomes your regular illusion. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Bliss Session Perpetual Woeful

If you love something, you find a way to have it in your life. Opposers may take away your means and tools, but you simply turn to crude replacements, fashioning them from scraps if necessary. Threats only make you steal moments of secrecy to satisfy your love. And if it means but a morsel here and there, you accept each crumb gladly because nothing else can even begin to satisfy your hunger. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Find Satisfy Love Opposers

Love is an afternoon of fishing when I'd sooner be at the ballet. Love is eating burnt toast and lumpy graving with a big smile. Love is hearing the words 'You're beautiful' as I fail to squeeze into my fat jeans. Love is refusing to bring up the past, even if doing so would be a slam dunk to prove your point. Love is your hand wiping away my tears, trying to erase streaks of mascara. Love is the warm hug that extinguishes an argument. Love is a humbly-uttered apology, even if not at fault. Love is easy to recognize but so hard to define; however, I think it boils down to this ... Love is caring so much about the feelings of someone else, you sacrifice whatever it takes to help him or her feel better. In other words, love is my heart being sensitive to yours. By Richelle E. Goodrich Love Ballet Afternoon Fishing Sooner

One of the strongest loves I've ever witnessed is the love a mother has for her child. By Richelle E. Goodrich Child Strongest Witnessed Mother Loves

What is more powerful than the love of a mother? Perhaps only God's hand in answering her earnest pleadings on your behalf. By Richelle E. Goodrich Mother Powerful Love God Behalf

Too often we let others stamp a price tag on us, and we accept their appraisal of our worth, forgetting we are in fact priceless. By Richelle E. Goodrich Worth Forgetting Priceless Stamp Price

I never realized how much you meant to me until someone spoke your name and an irrepressible, goofy grin stretched my lips. By Richelle E. Goodrich Irrepressible Goofy Lips Realized Meant

What you perceive as a failure today may actually be a crucial step towards the success you seek. Never give up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Seek Perceive Failure Today Crucial

Maybe there is no such thing as success - a final destination where you arrive once and for all. Maybe existence is a never-ending journey of peaks and valleys and forever chasing dreams. By Richelle E. Goodrich Success Thing Final Destination Arrive

Just because a person successfully steers a voyage through hell doesn't mean he ever wants to sail that route again. By Richelle E. Goodrich Person Successfully Steers Voyage Hell

A warm feeling fell over the boy. A mix of security and comfort, as if a blanket were wrapping its soft layers around his heart and nuzzling him snuggly. Gavin loved his mother, and he would be forever grateful to his father for protecting her. The whole mystery behind it made him itch with curiosity, however. By Richelle E. Goodrich Boy Warm Feeling Fell Comfort

A sunrise is a wondrous marvel, but in reality the sun never rises. It is the earth that rotates to face the sun. Life too can be a wondrous marvel, but like the earth, we must turn our eyes toward brighter things. By Richelle E. Goodrich Marvel Sun Rises Wondrous Sunrise

But you will die, Amora." "I know." She couldn't help but smile at his bemusement. "It's a fact I've always known, just like my ancestors before me. Don't you see? That's what makes us who we are. That's what makes life valuable, Pallador, knowing that each and every day we live is a gift. Therein lies mortality's great value. We cherish it because of its temporality. It's precious because it is fleeting. By Richelle E. Goodrich Amora Die Makes Pallador Bemusement

To punish someone for your own mistakes or for the consequences of your own actions, to harm another by shifting blame that is rightly yours; this is a wretched and cowardly sin. By Richelle E. Goodrich Actions Sin Punish Mistakes Consequences

The greatest gift you can give is your time. Not money, not items, not food, not pretty cards with handwritten sentiment, but time. People need your presence. The way you can help a soul the most is to simply be there. By Richelle E. Goodrich Time Greatest Gift Give Money

I couldn't think of anyone I'd ever felt sorry for. There were plenty of kids I was envious of. There were others I achingly admired, but that might simply be another form of jealousy. Then there were those I feared, dreaded. And the worst of them, the man who shamed me. I could see my father's angry features looming over my mother. I could clearly picture her beside him in his truck, cowering against the door while he belittled and assaulted her. I guess I did know someone I felt sorry for. By Richelle E. Goodrich Felt Plenty Kids Envious Admired

Vengeance, retaliation, retribution, revenge are deceitful brothers - vile, beguiling demons promising justifiable compensation to a pained soul for his losses. Yet in truth they craftily fester away all else of worth remaining. By Richelle E. Goodrich Vengeance Retaliation Retribution Vile Revenge

What is the spirit of Christmas, you ask? Let me give you the answer in a true story...On a cold day in December, feeling especially warm in my heart for no other reason than it was the holiday season, I walked through the store sporting a big grin on my face. Though most people were far too busy going about their business to notice me, one elderly gentleman in a wheelchair brought his eyes up to meet mine as we neared each other traveling opposite directions. He slowed in passing just long enough to speak to me."Now that's a Christmas smile if I ever saw one," he said.My lips stretched to their limit in response, and I thanked him for the compliment. Then we went our separate ways. But, as I thought about the man and how sweetly he'd touched me, I realized something simply wonderful! In that brief, passing interaction we'd exchanged heartfelt gifts!And that, my friend, is the spirit of Christ~mas. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Spirit December Passing Story

Eyes speak louder than words; life is precious; hate is poison; God is the best of all possible friends; silence and time are valuable treasures; happiness can be just as powerful in pretend; and soft licorice is a temptation in any color, especially exotic black. By Richelle E. Goodrich God Eyes Words Life Precious

It is important that we remember. It is vital we do more than just remember. By Richelle E. Goodrich Remember Important Vital

Glittering tinsel,lights, glass balls, and candy canesdangle from pine trees. By Richelle E. Goodrich Glittering Tinsellights Glass Balls Trees

When you begin to care too much about what everyone else says, your confidence shrinks and you start to feel like insignificant, little Jack in a strange land of intimidating giants. But when you come to realize that opinions are as diverse and plentiful as dried beans, you might reach the conclusion that your own is of the greatest worth. That's when your confidence grows, and soon you find yourself striding like Gandalf the wondrous wizard among common hobbits in the shire. Respecting your own opinion is the magic that transforms both you and your world. By Richelle E. Goodrich Jack Insignificant Giants Confidence Begin

Nothing can squelch your fire except turning your back on the thing that fuels it. By Richelle E. Goodrich Squelch Fire Turning Back Thing

Have you ever stopped to ponder the amount of blood spilt, the volume of tears shed, the degree of pain and anguish endured, the number of noble men and women lost in battle so that we as individuals might have a say in governing our country? Honor the lives sacrificed for your freedoms. Vote. By Richelle E. Goodrich Spilt Shed Endured Country Stopped

Shhh, Eena, it's going to be okay. I promise, you'll get through this. She didn't fight him, but grabbed onto his shirt, weeping softly into it as before. He began to hum faintly, a familiar Earth tune. Soon he was singing the words in that deep, consoling voice of his. The song itself was meant to be comforting, and his tender manner made it that much more effectual. Eena recognized the song. She fell asleep to the soothing lyrics.Abide with me fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens. Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.He went on to sing the other verses, hoping to ease her broken heart. Until her grief finally healed, no matter how long it took, he'd be there for her. By Richelle E. Goodrich Shhh Eena Song Abide Earth

Life's journey doesn't start on the highest mountain peak where a clear view of the trail ahead, obstacles and all, is laid out for us to observe before setting foot on the path. No. Life's journey begins on a low road, in a valley, or even down inside a pit where the trail beyond can only be seen in short stretches, and any obstacles are met as they come. This makes life trying, even scary at times. Have faith that God gave you this life, and hence it is worth seeing through to the end of the trail. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Trail Journey Ahead Path

Eena!" Recognizing Ian's voice, Eena turned to find him approaching her from behind. He was entirely clad in body armor and gauntlets, cradling an open-faced helmet in one arm. Painted on his chest plate was a flaming, gold sword. From his side hung a leather sheath, a golden hilt peeking from the top. "I'm glad you're back. You are going to stay and watch us play, aren't you?" He looked hopeful she'd say yes. Eena smiled brightly. "I didn't know you were talented enough to be on a dueling team. Nice sword," she teased. Ian blushed a degree. "Thanks. They call us the Savage Warriors!" He rasped their team name in a semi-ferocious voice. "Jerin's team captain." She laughed at the showy designation. "And who's your challenger today?" "The Dragon Slayers - Derian's team." Eena's face fell. "Derian is playing?" She groaned internally, knowing she should've guessed as much. This was starting to look like another setup. By Richelle E. Goodrich Eena Team Derian Ian Sword

True greatness demands humility; the journey draws it from your struggling soul. By Richelle E. Goodrich True Humility Soul Greatness Demands

Flames burn so long as they are fed. Rivers rage so long as it rains. The sun rises so long as the earth rotates. Prayers are answered so long as they are uttered sincerely. Hope exists so long as there is a new day. Miracles never cease so long as there is faith. Love endures so long as kindness rules all actions. Dreams thrive so long as they are pursued. Never give up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Long Flames Fed Burn Rivers

In a world plagued with commonplace tragedies, only one thing exists that truly has the power to save lives, and that is love. By Richelle E. Goodrich Tragedies Lives Love World Plagued

Happiness, thou art naught but an illusion. Thy enchantments are cast upon my eyes, my mind, my spellbound heart. Dependent upon nothing but thy victim's perception of thee, souls soar at thy artful hand! I have fallen in love with thy illusions, Happiness. Thou hast made me a part of them, and I am left delirious. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happiness Thy Thou Art Naught

The hours spent forming a written work can make one obsessive, distracted, compulsive, and neurotic even, especially when it comes to those rare, precious occasions of streaming pure inspiration. To have a muse moment interrupted - to watch her scuttle back into hiding with unshared insight remaining on the tip of her tongue - is a wicked irritation. When a writer's eyes glaze over, when she stares off at nothing or appears to be memorizing the lines on a blank page, when she falls asleep at the desk ... tiptoe softly. For a writer's greatest desire is to receive inspiration; her greatest nightmare, to have tossed to the wind what could've been captured in words. By Richelle E. Goodrich Distracted Compulsive Obsessive Rare Precious

Funny thing how when you reach out, people tend to reach right back. Best, then, to make sure your hand is open and not fisted. By Richelle E. Goodrich Funny People Back Reach Thing

One bad turn does not excuse another. By Richelle E. Goodrich Bad Turn Excuse

Vengeance is a monster of appetite, forever bloodthirsty and never filled. By Richelle E. Goodrich Vengeance Appetite Forever Filled Monster

Validate my existence with your words and I will speak to you all the day long. By Richelle E. Goodrich Validate Long Existence Words Speak

Giddy is a grin and giggles and that glint of goofiness in your gaze. By Richelle E. Goodrich Giddy Gaze Grin Giggles Glint

Believing in yourself means more than simply believing in your own ultimate success; it means believing you will survive failures, disappointments, rejections, and criticism but still persist. By Richelle E. Goodrich Disappointments Rejections Believing Success Failures

I love you sounds best spoken in quiet acts of kindness. By Richelle E. Goodrich Kindness Love Sounds Spoken Quiet

Lies don't fit snugly into disguises. Eventually the cloak falls off and you're left staring at the naked truth which is always an uncomfortable situation. By Richelle E. Goodrich Lies Disguises Fit Snugly Eventually

Life works on the same principle as a boomerang. It's simple, really - what you send out you get back. A smiling face receives many smiles. Friendliness finds itself surrounded by friends. Giving hugs creates hugs. Offered help is reciprocated. In contrast, if you hurt people you will find much hurt in your life. Unkindness begets unkindness. Misery begets misery. A dour face will receive many sour looks in response. That said, it is easy to understand that if you want a happy life you must contribute to the happiness of those around you. By Richelle E. Goodrich Boomerang Works Principle Life Hugs

Marriage is a million piece puzzle, a pristine and exciting pursuit at the beginning that gradually becomes a daunting task, usually more challenging than anticipated. It is only those truly committed to solving that puzzle who witness in the end the miraculous outcome of every tiny piece laid out and pressed together in an inspiring and envious creation - a treasure only time, resoluteness, and perseverance could create. By Richelle E. Goodrich Marriage Task Anticipated Piece Puzzle

No one is born a sprinter. We all learn to push ourselves up from the floor and then balance before taking that first, wobbly step. It is an individual choice where to go from there. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sprinter Born Wobbly Step Learn

Abandoned.The word alone sends shudders down a sensitive spine, troubling the thoughts of pained souls as their hurt swells in ripples. It is a sentence of undesired solitude often pronounced on the innocent, the trusting - administered without warning or satisfactory cause. One day the moon is yours, or so you believe. The next, his countenance transforms from Jekyll to Hyde with no intention of ever turning back, and you are left trampled upon in a deserted street, concealed by dirty fog that squelches all illumination or any hope for future rays of light. It is the worst of mysteries why a beast considered noble would forsake his duty, exhibiting a heart of stone. And all who once looked on him, now turn down their eyes and suffer, beguiled. Some poisons have no antidote, but are slow, silent, torturous ends that curl up the broken body swept into a cold, dark corner. There she is left to drown in her tears - a dying heart.Abandoned. By Richelle E. Goodrich Abandonedthe Spine Troubling Ripples Word

I made a sorry face in response to such strong insistence, but I couldn't believe him. Fantasies were exactly that.. ... ..fantasies. Whimsy. Wishes. Mere castles in the sky without foundation or substance. Dreams didn't come true. To believe so would be to believe falsely, to surrender to madness, to give in to an unreliable hope that would crush me once again as it always, always did! By Richelle E. Goodrich Insistence Made Face Response Strong

It is a sweet thing to have someone love you, but it is a far sweeter thing when his actions convince your heart, and his words persuade your soul. By Richelle E. Goodrich Heart Soul Thing Sweet Love

You were formed inside a borrowed womb - a nourishing safe haven for months - then delivered through painful effort and sacrifice by a woman willing to give you the precious gift of life. That truth alone deserves your gratitude and respect. By Richelle E. Goodrich Womb Months Life Formed Inside

I believe life is an education meant to teach us the need to be better people. And I believe this learning often takes place through trial and error which may mean being an awful person at times before clearly seeing and grasping the necessity to improve. If you don't agree with me, just ask Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge. I think Charles Dickens got it quite right. By Richelle E. Goodrich People Life Education Meant Teach

If all of our sins, bad habits, and poor choices were permanently inked into our skin like tattoos, we would all dress quite modestly. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sins Bad Habits Tattoos Modestly

Life is a puzzle, a riddle, a test, a mystery, a game - whatever challenge you wish to compare it to. Just remember, you're not the only participant; no one person holds all the answers, the pieces, or the cards. The trick to success in this life is to accumulate teammates and not opponents. By Richelle E. Goodrich Puzzle Riddle Test Mystery Game

Take it one step at a time - inarguably wise advice. And yet we all take a running leap, hoping the wind will catch us on its wings and lift us clear to the top of the beanstalk. Those few Jacks who have reached new heights in this manner inevitably wish they'd had more time to prepare for the overbearing giant who greeted them. By Richelle E. Goodrich Inarguably Advice Step Wise Time

Everything in the world that happens to you may be someone else's doing; I'll grant you that. But what you do with it, how you react to it, what you make of yourself in the midst of it all - that's totally you. By Richelle E. Goodrich World Grant React Make Midst

I dreamed my shoulders held up the sky for a thousand hawks that squawked and cawed and beat their feathered wings against the hotness of the day. I supported their flight, watching and marveling, until sweat dripped from my body, and groans crossed my lips over fatiguing muscles. Choosing to let the sky fall, I awoke. My eyes opened to a cast of hawks gripping me in their talons. They supported my weight, hauling me high above the clouds through a blue expanse of heaven. And though they struggled - squawking and flapping wearily - never once did a single bird release its hold. By Richelle E. Goodrich Day Sky Dreamed Shoulders Held

Happiness must be a jealous pet. When you try seeking yours out, it tends to keep hidden. But as soon as you turn to help a friend find his, your own happiness comes bounding out of the darkness like some crazed animal. By Richelle E. Goodrich Pet Jealous Happiness Hidden Animal

Today You SoarLike the grand eagle, you spread your wingsAnd put forth the effort to do great things.Looking skyward you dared to challenge the wind,Harnessing power to help you ascend.With an eye on the goal, fixed in flight,You climbed to an impressive height.Undaunted by gusts and unkind gails,You never gave up and would not fail.So now you've reached where few even tryAs the eagle high in a glorious sky.Not superior, but grand.Not proud, but sure.Not a cub, wolf, or bear but an eagle pure.Today you soar. By Richelle E. Goodrich Eagle Wolf Today Goal Fixed

Even among familiar faces, people often feel invisible and desolate, like an island in cold waters or a shadow apart from the crowd. Be the reason another never feels alone. By Richelle E. Goodrich Faces People Desolate Crowd Familiar

Happiness is a frame of mind. It is a state of thinking. It is an attitude, a headset, a mentality. Happiness is a disposition and demeanor. It is a mood and sensibility. It is a philosophy, a notion, a tone, an outlook and perspective. Happiness is all of these things, none of which exist separate from me. They cannot be extracted or stolen because they constitute my very being. Therefore, happiness must be the natural essence of me. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happiness Mind Frame Thinking State

Happiness isn't reserved for privileged individuals. It is a state of mind that can neither be bought nor stolen nor traded; it is a liberty available to anyone. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happiness Individuals Reserved Privileged Traded

I always envisioned myself as traveling the ocean of life in a rowboat where my mother was one oar and my father, the other. Having two good, solid oars made rowing much easier. By Richelle E. Goodrich Father Envisioned Traveling Ocean Life

Twinkle tiny star.Oh, how great you truly are!God's sign from afar. By Richelle E. Goodrich God Twinkle Staroh Afar Tiny

If you mess with dragons, you will get burned. Don't say no one warned you. By Richelle E. Goodrich Dragons Burned Mess Warned

Write at a pace that doesn't surpass your creative flow. Don't be hasty; don't be sloppy. Don't forfeit impressive writing for an impressive word count. Because eventually it will all have to be edited, and you'll find that it is harder to make bad writing good than to make good writing better. By Richelle E. Goodrich Write Flow Writing Pace Surpass

You think I read your thoughts, but it's your eyes that speak to me. When they glisten with moisture, I see a depth of emotion stirring behind them. One tearful glance begs me for a reassuring embrace. When your gaze glazes over like a misty morning, I know I've lost you to personal cares. A sharp, narrow look will keep me at bay while a wink and twinkle and the flirty flutter of your dark eyelashes invite my company. The strength and duration of a stare gives your feelings towards me away. And when those wary eyes dart to avoid my notice, all of your hidden secrets are betrayed. By Richelle E. Goodrich Thoughts Read Speak Eyes Moisture

I learn by doing ... the same thing over and over and over again countless times. By Richelle E. Goodrich Learn Times Thing Countless

Fear is the devil's most powerful tool because he can't always convince a good man to do wrong, but he can paralyze his will with fright, keeping a good man from doing what is right. It eventually results in the same end. By Richelle E. Goodrich Good Man Fear Wrong Fright

They say to never look back.But sometimes I do. It's gratifying to see how far I've come. By Richelle E. Goodrich Backbut Gratifying

People are drawn to you because you make them feel happy; I understand that. But wouldn't it be nice to have people flock to you wishing for your happiness? By Richelle E. Goodrich Happy People Drawn Make Feel

Of all the magic words in existence, words of kindness create the greatest transformation spells. By Richelle E. Goodrich Existence Spells Words Magic Kindness

To actively improve the worldand change your life as well,speak all the good you know,and all the bad refuse to tell. By Richelle E. Goodrich Actively Improve Worldand Change Life

Little girls grow up thinking that knights in shining armor actually exist. But they don't. And if those valiant heroes ever did bless this world with their chivalrous deeds, I imagine, just like Christ's apostles, they were destroyed by envy on the battlefront. By Richelle E. Goodrich Exist Girls Grow Thinking Knights

Before you take that first curious, coerced, spiteful, or vengeful step forward, remember this: it's a thousand times easier to slip into a muddy pit than it is to climb out of one. By Richelle E. Goodrich Coerced Spiteful Curious Forward Remember

No one stands at the beginning of a race and then finds himself at the end having never taken a step forward. And if that were to happen - the sweat and struggle avoided - what stories would he have to tell? The goal includes the journey; it's all part of the dream. By Richelle E. Goodrich Forward Stands Beginning Race Finds

When you open your mouth, listeners are offended. When you close your mouth, the expectant are offended. If a person seeks misdoing from you they will find it regardless of whether or not you deliver. By Richelle E. Goodrich Mouth Offended Listeners Open Close

Goals are my north star. My compass. The map that guides me along the road I wish to travel. Goals are motivations with wind in their sails - they carry me forward despite the storms. By Richelle E. Goodrich Goals Star North Compass Travel

Thank you, Mom, for the way you managed yourself during the childish, mean, selfish, insensitive, irresponsible, unreasonable, hateful moments I put you through. From your example I learned to be patient, positive, kind, selfless, sympathetic, reliable, sensible, and loving. You have my endless appreciation. By Richelle E. Goodrich Mom Selfish Insensitive Irresponsible Unreasonable

You breathe.You feel.You seeand hearand smelland tasteand thinkand moveand laughand weepand healand danceand singand love.Thank your mother. By Richelle E. Goodrich Mother Breatheyou Feelyou Seeand Hearand

To have a caring and committed heart toward someone - a heart so firm in its devotion as to sooner stop beating than neglect the object of its desire despite the person's state of health, appearance, reputation, finances, troubles, or challenges - that, dear world, is love. It is a rare find. By Richelle E. Goodrich Appearance Reputation Finances Troubles Heart

Service is a smile. It is an acknowledging wave, a reaching handshake, a friendly wink, and a warm hug. It's these simple acts that matter most, because the greatest service to a human soul has always been the kindness of recognition. By Richelle E. Goodrich Smile Service Wave Handshake Wink

Dress yourself in the silks of benevolence because kindness makes you beautiful. By Richelle E. Goodrich Dress Beautiful Silks Benevolence Kindness

Choose altruism, because selfishism is a lonely, cold, dark hole. By Richelle E. Goodrich Cold Choose Altruism Lonely Dark

We never think lightly of those who walk with us on our uphill days. By Richelle E. Goodrich Days Lightly Walk Uphill

The bulk of life is discovering who you are - and then reconciling that with who you wish you were. By Richelle E. Goodrich Bulk Life Discovering Reconciling

When a person reaches the end of a book and says, 'I want to read that again,' what he's actually saying is that he wants to mentally merge with his favorite character and stroll among all the other creative personalities, feeding a hungry imagination through the vicarious reliving of each and every wild chapter that stirred his emotions, the whole while surrendering to a safe yet daring existence where any crazy, hopeful thing can and does happen. That's all. By Richelle E. Goodrich Personalities Feeding Emotions Crazy Hopeful

A closed book will lie there like a dead horse. But an open book will kick, buck, and bolt through perceived adventures like a wild and free stallion. So hold on. By Richelle E. Goodrich Horse Book Closed Lie Dead

The secret to happiness is elusive because it is a paradoxical truth. To gain happiness, you must first cease pursuing it. Things perceived to provide happiness are like shiny, pretty bubbles that lure us this way and that way, chasing after their glossy buoyancy. But once they are handled, they "pop" - empty - vanishing along with the hope that happiness could ever be captured. Happiness cannot be caught or won or purchased or even handled. Happiness simply forms like a rainbow in the kindest and most grateful hearts. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happiness Truth Secret Elusive Paradoxical

Time and again the sun sets like a bedimming curtain before my eyes, taking with it all illumination, warmth, and color. I am overwhelmed by night and the monsters that lurk in shadows of despair. But alas, stars twinkle from afar, shedding the tiniest rays of lighted hope. I am reminded that the sun also rises and that morning's glory shall restore beauty to my world. The realization of this dream is only a matter of waiting out the dreary night. So, I shall persevere. By Richelle E. Goodrich Warmth Time Eyes Taking Illumination

As a writer, I see the saga of your life in a single glimpse. It may be inaccurate, but my version doesn't lack for creativity. By Richelle E. Goodrich Writer Glimpse Saga Life Single

Mothers were meant to love us unconditionally, to understand our moments of stupidity, to reprimand us for lame excuses while yet acknowledging our point of view, to weep over our pain and failures as well as cry at our joy and successes, and to cheer us on despite countless start-overs. Heaven knows no one else will. By Richelle E. Goodrich Mothers Unconditionally Stupidity View Successes

Before the DawnIn the darkest night the sun may seem like an extinguished match or an ember drowned by rain. A light forever lost.The cold world grows steadily colder and shrinks like the abused, closing in on all sides. Laughter, smiles, the glimmer of dancing eyes, and all else indicative of human brightness is gone. Colors leeched from everything leave shadows and emotion dull-gray in their absence. Time is a void. A moment feels eternal. Hope does not blossom in the darkness but withers fast, starving for what only the sun can offer. As its petals turn to dust, fear blows in and sweeps the remnants away. The soul succumbs by degrees to nightmares emboldened by the dead of night. All is lost! All is lost! The wretched sun, repulsed by our nothingness, has abandoned the lives in its care!And then the eyes open wide, seeing mountains take shape on the horizon. By Richelle E. Goodrich Rain Sun Dawnin Darkest Extinguished

Severing our young and fragile friendship was a sad ordeal, but sadder still was the fact that this friend found it so difficult to respond to my immediate need, unlike a dreamed boy who always afforded me easy comfort. I couldn't understand what was so hard about reaching out to hug someone. But judging by Gregory's uncomfortable conduct I had to assume it was an honest trial. By Richelle E. Goodrich Severing Ordeal Unlike Comfort Young

Often we withhold our affections, waiting first for love to be extended to us. The irony is that we are loved for loving. By Richelle E. Goodrich Affections Waiting Withhold Love Extended

Thank you for the day and night,for rainy spells and summer's light.Thank you for the skies of blueand puffy clouds in grayish hue.Thank you for the gigglefestsand midnight's cloak to hasten rest.Thank you for tomorrow newand yesterday's tomorrow too.Thank you for "I'm glad we met"and also for "we haven't yet."Thank you for the peace of mind a grateful soul doth always find. By Richelle E. Goodrich Tomorrow Met Yet Find Day

Courage to me is doing something daring, no matter how afraid, insecure, intimidated, alone, unworthy, incapable, ridiculed or whatever other paralyzing emotion you might feel. Courage is taking action ... no matter what. So you're afraid? Be afraid. Be scared silly to the point you're trembling and nauseous, but do it anyway! By Richelle E. Goodrich Insecure Intimidated Unworthy Incapable Courage

Have you ever felt as if your dreams were more memorable, more alive, than what you knew to be reality? Have your dreams ever seemed so tangible as to make you question upon waking if you'd truly only dreamt them? Have they at times been addictive enough to consume your waking hours; blurring actuality and pretend together until your wishes and passions stare back at you with open eyes?If only dreams could be reality, that beautiful garden of sweet-smelling roses we all long for. But reality for me is no such bed of roses. It is nothing but a field of unwanted dandelions.- From the thoughts of Annabelle Fancher By Richelle E. Goodrich Dreams Memorable Alive Reality Felt

Life has me trapped in a cocoon of earth where I must grow and change until the day I sprout wings. And on that day I shall burst free, no longer marooned on a pebble of dust in a universe that only waits for me to find a means to fly. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Wings Day Trapped Cocoon

While you judge me by my outward appearance I am silently doing the same to you, even though there's a ninety-percent chance that in both cases our assumptions are wrong. By Richelle E. Goodrich Wrong Judge Outward Appearance Silently

People are more inclined to ask what's wrong than what's right. They note errors and faults, seeing weaknesses before strengths. So expect criticism; it's the nature of the beast. By Richelle E. Goodrich People Inclined Wrong Faults Strengths

Mirror, mirror on the wall, I have placed you in my hallWhere I wander every day.Echo beauty, and you'll stay. By Richelle E. Goodrich Mirror Wall Beauty Stay Hallwhere

Love is the ultimate no-calorie sweetener. By Richelle E. Goodrich Love Sweetener Ultimate Nocalorie

It's simply this:the Irish kiss,a snog o' bliss,be blessed luckfrom any miss. By Richelle E. Goodrich Irish Blissbe Miss Simply Kissa

One of the most critical decisions made in life is choosing with whom to spend your time. For it is those close relationships that gradually mold our character until we become a reflection of the company we keep. By Richelle E. Goodrich Time Critical Decisions Made Life

Forgiving yourself can prove as difficult as licking a scab off your elbow. By Richelle E. Goodrich Forgiving Elbow Prove Difficult Licking

Frozen yogurt is tastier than ice cream, nobody is too old for cartoons, bald men are sexy, chocolate is the best medicine, BIG books are better, cats secretly rule the planet, and everything should be available in the color pink, including monster trucks. By Richelle E. Goodrich Big Frozen Cream Cartoons Bald

Life is a harsh, twisted paradox.On one hand, you wish for no pain or suffering or misery on anyone. Yet you hope to see your children grow into individuals of compassionate and kind character. And it seems that pain, suffering, and misery adequately humble an individual, cultivating empathy and understanding for others in similar plights. While a life of ease and comfort and pleasure often fosters extravagant and selfish habits, spurring pride and blinded vision. Still, you pray for no pain or suffering on your children. Life is a harsh, twisted paradox. By Richelle E. Goodrich Pain Suffering Life Hand Harsh

I hate it when storm clouds roll in, heralded by dazzling claps of thunder and lightning that boast an ocean of tears. This majestic performance of bad temper manages to overshadow my pathetic attempts at pouting. No one broods like Mother Nature, hence she steals all the attention I was sulking after. By Richelle E. Goodrich Heralded Tears Hate Storm Clouds

Obsessing over something that has jarred your world is called coping. By Richelle E. Goodrich Obsessing Coping Jarred World Called

People love super heroes. It's true we're impressed by their bravery and fortitude, their supernatural gifts and physical brawn. But the fact is, villains possess these same qualities. So why our admiration for the hero and not the nemesis? Because of virtue. A super hero gives everything to defend what's good and right without seeking praise or reward. Think about it. All the great heroes give without taking, help without grumbling, sacrifice without asking recompense. A super hero's real strength, what we absolutely fall in love with, is his finer virtue. By Richelle E. Goodrich People Super Hero Virtue Heroes

Having this, we want that.Owning some, we want more.Standing here, we wish to be there.If it's impossible, we struggle to make it happen.Why are we like this? Why not be content with some, here, and now? Why is enough not enough? Because humans are ambitious creatures not meant to be idle or fruitless. We strive to learn, to grow, to achieve, to amass; therefore, we will never be content. By Richelle E. Goodrich Impossible Thatowning Morestanding Thereif Struggle

You don't do kind deeds expecting kindness in return. You don't do kind deeds because you deem the recipient worthy. You do kind deeds because it's who you are, and because you understand the powerful difference your gentle hand makes in this dreary world. By Richelle E. Goodrich Kind Deeds Return Expecting Kindness

Hey, pretty book, why don't you lie in my lap awhile? By Richelle E. Goodrich Hey Pretty Book Awhile Lie

Though it pained me, I gave in. Why was it that I repeatedly succumbed to the first whisper of a promised maybe? How did the enticer, hope, always find my heart unguarded? There was no such thing as hope. Not for me. Why was it so hard to accept that? By Richelle E. Goodrich Pained Gave Hope Enticer Unguarded

From the beginning, man could look up at a vast universe dotted by innumerable stars to find every evidence that he was nothing. This evidence only grows stronger as science and technology record an expanse of galaxies filled with planetary solar systems beyond any visible end. Man is but a grain of sand lost on an endless seashore, and yet he believes with conviction in his own greatness. He is either a divine soul intuitively aware of his inherent, limitless potential - or he is a blind fool. By Richelle E. Goodrich Beginning Man Evidence Vast Universe

I live in two unique worlds, traveling between both with just the opening or closing of my eyes. By Richelle E. Goodrich Worlds Traveling Eyes Live Unique

Happiness is feeling confident that the god of this universe is pleased with the things you say and do. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happiness Feeling Confident God Universe

I love writing poetry because it's pretty. I love writing pretty. By Richelle E. Goodrich Love Pretty Writing Poetry

Are you what others say and think you are? Or are you who you are regardless of what others say and think? By Richelle E. Goodrich

Barking at people earns their respect about as effectively as staring into the sun improves your vision. By Richelle E. Goodrich Barking Vision People Earns Respect

It wasn't a kiss that changed the frog, but the fact that a young girl looked beneath warts and slime and believed she saw a prince. So he became one. By Richelle E. Goodrich Frog Prince Kiss Changed Fact

Kiss a frog with your eyes wide open. If he turns into a prince you won't miss the transformation, but if he doesn't, you won't be fooled by some wishful illusion in your head. By Richelle E. Goodrich Kiss Open Frog Eyes Wide

Bad habits are spiraling slides that drag you round and round down the narrowing end of a cone that eventually ends up in a dark, tight, confining spot. Good habits are hooked wings that steadily grow in girth and strength. At first, they grasp and climb until those beautiful wings can lift the bearer out of the darkness and above the clouds to heights few ever experience. By Richelle E. Goodrich Tight Round Bad Dark Confining

I love words. I crave descriptions that overwhelm my imagination with vivid detail. I dwell on phrases that make my heart thrum. I cherish expressions that pierce my emotions and force the tears to spill over. In essence, I long for a writer's soul sealed in ink on the page. By Richelle E. Goodrich Words Love Detail Crave Descriptions

There are many pitfalls in life; one is dwelling on blame. It's pointless. Move on. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Blame Pitfalls Dwelling Pointless

Never be intimidated by what seems ominous, for BiG is only an accumulation of many smalls. By Richelle E. Goodrich Ominous Smalls Intimidated Big Accumulation

Closing your eyes won't make the awfulness go away. It may be that nothing will. But dwelling on it, dreading the evil, playing out the misery in your head - doesn't this feed the monster? You can't close your eyes to life, but you can choose where your gaze lingers. By Richelle E. Goodrich Closing Make Awfulness Eyes Dreading

No one is without troubles, without personal hardships and genuine challenges. That fact may not be obvious because most people don't advertise their woes and heartaches. But nobody, not even the purest heart, escapes life without suffering battle scars. By Richelle E. Goodrich Troubles Challenges Personal Hardships Genuine

There are no rest stops on the road of life. Otherwise they'd be congested with traffic. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Rest Stops Road Traffic

Those things that challenge the worst in us tend to strengthen the best in us. By Richelle E. Goodrich Things Challenge Worst Tend Strengthen

Those things that inspire, enthuse, and compel you should consume your life. By Richelle E. Goodrich Enthuse Inspire Life Things Compel

When problems beat upon you like a raging storm, search for the eye. You might not be able to avoid misfortunes, but you can find the calmest spot within them. By Richelle E. Goodrich Storm Search Eye Problems Beat

Mothers give us life, love, and the heartfelt inclination to cry 'I want my mommy' no matter how old we get. By Richelle E. Goodrich Love Mothers Life Cry Mommy

You made me laugh at your jokes.You made me cry at your criticism.You made me shout at your lies.Then I noticed how in every case someone else was present, hearing you without laughter or tears or anger.I alone reacted.I see now; you never made me laugh or cry or rage.I chose to find humor.I chose to take offense.I chose to feel scorned.The truth is, you never had power over me. By Richelle E. Goodrich Made Chose Laugh Cry Present

There are those who fear the sunset, worried they will never see light again. There are those who ignore the sunrise, squandering dawn, believing they will never run out of daylight. And then there are those who have learned to live in the sun's warmth, gauging time by its positions, thankful at night that the day happened. Be aware of time. Use it wisely. Be thankful for the light allotted. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sunset Worried Fear Light Time

I don't believe that the course of anyone's lifetime has ever been as unerring as that of the rising and setting sun, but I know many lives that have been just as inspiring. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sun Inspiring Lifetime Unerring Rising

In someone's darkest hour your simple act of kindness may imitate the sunrise, and to sad eyes you become their only source of light. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sunrise Light Darkest Hour Simple

Remembering our loved ones is breathing life into their fading images, that we might once more see their faces and pass along a tearful "I miss you. By Richelle E. Goodrich Remembering Images Tearful Loved Breathing

The woman laughed again. She was the loudest person in the cave. Eena wondered if perhaps she was talking to a female Ghengat. Curiosity got the best of her and she turned around to look, surprised to find neither a Ghengat nor a Harrowbethian woman, but a Mishmorat. A striking, cheetah-spotted Mishmorat with straight lengths of charcoal hair and the most alluring dark eyes in existence. This bronzed female was the same size as Eena but observably more muscular. She appeared to be a mix of cheetah, Arabian princess, and gladiator in tight-fitting pants. Eena paused, dropping the stone in her hands. "Kira?" she breathed."Hmmm," the woman grumbled. Her painted eyes scrunched with displeasure. The look was still stunning. "I see my reputation precedes me." Eena gawked as if a legendary ghost had been resurrected. "You're alive? By Richelle E. Goodrich Eena Ghengat Woman Mishmorat Laughed

The power of a smile is such that even drawing a happy face on a piece of paper makes your lips turn up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Power Smile Drawing Happy Face

It turns out the simplest choices have been far more important in the long run than I ever imagined. By Richelle E. Goodrich Imagined Turns Simplest Choices Important

Be good.See good.Choose good.It's a no-brainer. By Richelle E. Goodrich Goodchoose Nobrainer Goodsee

Life is a test. It was designed to be so. It is where we taste the bitter and the sweet; where we feel pain and pleasure; where we learn right from wrong; where we pass through both darkness and light. It is a time to make choices. And through this process we form our characters - some grand and glorious, some barely decent, and others just plain monstrous. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Test Designed Sweet Pleasure

Weakness drives us to set goals, to try harder, to put forth more effort, to dream and wish and hope, to reach out further and down deeper, to pray earnestly, to cry mightily, to understand and empathize with valid sincerity. In truth, weakness is a catalyst for greater strength. By Richelle E. Goodrich Weakness Goals Harder Effort Hope

Rare and precious moments, how I long to live with you eternally! If only your sweetness never ceased to touch my lips, and the flutters you evoke nevermore faded away. I dream of your arm extended immeasurably to keep hold of my reaching hand. But Father Time, being a cruel master, will not grant such a wish. And so I tuck you away as cherished memories, stored in a treasure box buried in my heart. And in times of solitude, I shall bring you out to view like rainbows. By Richelle E. Goodrich Rare Moments Eternally Precious Long

There is a point when the anguished soul finally despairs. A moment in life when the heart, the will, even the spirit crumbles. Some say that after much grief and drowning in tears, it is possible to pick up the pieces and carefully repair what was shattered. I say nay. For the chains of despair have no key, and the soul destroyed by that monster can never hope to be unaffected. There are things done that cannot be undone. By Richelle E. Goodrich Point Anguished Finally Soul Heart

I went to bed without reading, instead staring out my window with the curtains drawn, wondering about boys. Why did they behave so oddly? One minute their teasing was relentless, and then bam! they'd stun you with a thoughtful gesture. Either way, their actions made you want to cry. Maybe that was the intent. By Richelle E. Goodrich Reading Drawn Wondering Boys Bed

Beauty isn't visible; I don't know why people think it is. Perhaps because at times there are physical manifestations suggesting beauty exists in a person, but don't be fooled. Beauty isn't the packaging, it's the treasure wrapped up inside. By Richelle E. Goodrich Beauty Visible People Person Fooled

It's frustrating when our best efforts to help people fail. But if we could see life through their weary eyes and experience their trials with the same frayed emotions, we might understand why. By Richelle E. Goodrich Fail Frustrating Efforts People Emotions

Beware of giggle grins; they are highly contagious. By Richelle E. Goodrich Beware Grins Contagious Giggle Highly

Fear confronted me, and I stood paralyzed. He seemed a formidable, abiding presence. Then a voice whispered, "Fear not." Fear not, I thought with desperate longing. Oh, how I wanted to heed those words - but how? Hour after hour, day after day, fear refused to budge while I remained paralyzed. And so I let him make my choices; what else could I do? Alas, he never once chose well for me. By Richelle E. Goodrich Fear Confronted Stood Paralyzed Hour

I once dreamt that the man in the moon took an interest in me and reflected the sun's light directly in my path, lighting the way for my footsteps to sink themselves into the ground. It was wonderful to have my course illuminated by one with a grander perspective than my own. But when I awoke, realizing I could not call on the moon for guidance, my spirit sank until it occurred to me I could talk to the one who had created the moon. And He has lit my path ever since. By Richelle E. Goodrich Moon Lighting Ground Dreamt Man

The only way to change the world is to quit thinking it's a job for Superman. Real power lies in your own hands. By Richelle E. Goodrich Superman Change World Quit Thinking

Five truly effective prescriptions to remedy a bad day. (You can't overdose.) - Pray; discuss your troubles with God. - List your blessings. (The blue sky, soft cookies, warm socks, etc.) - Call your mom. - Visit an animal shelter and hug a lonely cat. - Visit a nursing home and hug a lonely grandparent. By Richelle E. Goodrich Day Visit Effective Prescriptions Remedy

When I reach out, you take my hand. When I smile, you mirror the expression.When I triumph, you glory as if it were your own.When I fail, you point to the light at the end.When I need, you tenderly provide.When I cry, you kiss away my tears.When I suffer, you bleed.And you wonder why I love you? By Richelle E. Goodrich Hand Reach Smile Triumph Fail

A first impression works like a magic mirror; it reflects what intrigues us rather than echoing a truthful picture. A first impression is the creating of an imagined character born from personal desires, perceptions, and biases. Though sparked by an introduction to a real, living, breathing individual, the person remains a mystery long after parting. It is a fictitious ghost masked with similar features that remains. A first impression is rarely accurate; therefore, it should never be trusted. By Richelle E. Goodrich Impression Mirror Picture Works Magic

Some live for their own joy and pleasure. Some live to ease the burdens of others. Then there are those who seem to exist for pain's sake only, that in the end the wrathful fire sent to consume their oppressors will be justified."~ In loving memory of Miss Annabelle Fancher By Richelle E. Goodrich Pleasure Live Joy Fancher Miss

Death lurks in the shadows, just out of view. Now and then I see his reaching hand, uncertain of the blurry image that passes before my eyes, but conscious of the crippling influence of his touch. Some say Death rears an ugly head, so hideous a view the beholder can scarcely gasp their last breath. Others call him beautiful, a sweet relief to look upon. But these are rumors babbled by the unknowing. For Death is like the gorgon, Medusa, who when perceived, turns the body to stone. Those who know Death take the knowledge of his shadowed face with them to wherever it is he leads our dearly departed by the hand. All who are left behind must wait their turn to glance into the eyes of the one who will close our mouths forever. By Richelle E. Goodrich Death Shadows View Lurks Hand

Don't judge too harshly, for if your weaknesses were to be placed under your footsteps, most likely you would stumble and fall as well. By Richelle E. Goodrich Harshly Footsteps Judge Weaknesses Stumble

Why is it that at the very moment I need to appear graceful I stumble and fall like a klutz, as though this scene had never played through my mind differently a million times? By Richelle E. Goodrich Klutz Times Moment Graceful Stumble

Love is donating a chunk of your life to patch up holes in the life of another. By Richelle E. Goodrich Love Life Donating Chunk Patch

A single act of kindness is like a drop of oil on a patch of dry skin - seeping, spreading, and affecting more than the original need. By Richelle E. Goodrich Seeping Spreading Skin Single Act

Sometimes poets expect me to think far deeper than I'm willing to dig. By Richelle E. Goodrich Dig Poets Expect Deeper

It was God who gave a man's rib to a woman. But it is man who must learn to give away his heart and never take it back. By Richelle E. Goodrich God Woman Man Gave Rib

On Easter we wrap up pretty, little decorated eggs symbolizing life and renewal. We do this because of the intangibility of a promised gift, which is the eventual resurrection of the body, restored to its finest forever state. Easter celebrates life and the idea of its eternal value, most notably the life of the gift-giver who demands nothing in return. He is your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Easter Pretty Renewal Wrap

Witches cackle.Goblins growl.Spectres boo,And werewolves howl.Black cats hiss.Bats flap their wings.Mummies moan.The cold wind sings.Ogre's roar.And crows, they caw.Vampires bahahahaha.Warlocks swish their moonlit capes.Loch Ness monsters churn the lake.Skeletons, they rattle bonesWhile graveyards crack the old headstones.All the while the ghouls, they cryTo trick-or-treaters passing by.Oh, the noise on Halloween;It makes me want to scream! By Richelle E. Goodrich Halloween Ness Witches Wind Roarand

Wanting help, I reached out to serve. Seeking happiness, I smiled and offered comfort. Yearning for love, I showed love. And now I understand. My life was never about me, it was always about you. By Richelle E. Goodrich Wanting Serve Reached Love Seeking

None of us have reached the peak of perfection, but it shouldn't stop anyone from trying to make the climb. By Richelle E. Goodrich Perfection Climb Reached Peak Stop

An accumulation of pennies is a fortune. Day-to-day practice is perfection. A dream realized is nothing more than many steps taken toward the borders of once-impossible. By Richelle E. Goodrich Fortune Accumulation Pennies Practice Perfection

Last night I danced. My body rose from its slump for the first time since the beginning of sorrows - my fingers beckoning to the stars at arm's length, back arching as tingles bubbled up my spine, hips caught in a silent tempo while on tiptoe I twirled in endless euphoric circles. It didn't matter that you loved me or that you didn't. For I was wanted by the gods last night, their seraphs and muses descending on moonbeams into my midst, caressing my face and gliding their spirited arms about my waist, lifting my toes from the soil that I might feel what it is to fly without heaviness of heart. I danced with them under the glow of a loyal moon. For one brief, visceral dance I joyed as Heaven joys - in endless bliss.And the universe cherished me. By Richelle E. Goodrich Night Danced Endless Sorrows Length

Life is the season for loving and caring,for laughing and caroling, giving and sharing.Christmas is meant for the same, people say,which makes life like Christmastime every day. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmastime Life Caroling Giving People

Vengeance would have us assault an enemy's pride to beat him down. But vengeance hides a dangerous truth, for a humbled foe gains patience, courage, strength, and greater determination. By Richelle E. Goodrich Courage Strength Vengeance Assault Enemy

A society built upon a foundation of vengeance is a society doomed to destroy itself. By Richelle E. Goodrich Society Built Foundation Vengeance Doomed

Tomorrow is an illusion suggesting that another chance always exists. It is a dangerously false illusion. By Richelle E. Goodrich Tomorrow Exists Illusion Suggesting Chance

The soft heart is not a thing to harden but a treasure to protect. For soft hearts extend mercy, compassion, refuge, and God's redemption to the world. By Richelle E. Goodrich Protect Soft Thing Harden Treasure

Have you noticed how children never bypass a puddle of water, but jump, splash, and slosh right through it? That's because they know an important truth: Life was meant to be lived; puddles were meant to be experienced. By Richelle E. Goodrich Splash Water Jump Life Noticed

Don't ever give up. Don't ever give in. Don't ever stop trying. Don't ever sell out. And if you find yourself succumbing to one of the above for a brief moment, pick yourself up, brush yourself off, whisper a prayer, and start where you left off.But never, ever, ever give up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Give Stop Moment Pick Brush

Your problem is in thinking the sky's the limit. Why set limits? By Richelle E. Goodrich Problem Thinking Sky Limit Limits

Curiosity killed the cat, but not before teaching her that honey bees are not sweet, tweeting birds are slow to react, mice can serve as both toys and food, big dogs like to snuggle, falling isn't flying, cream drips from lazy cows, water should be avoided at all costs, baths don't require getting wet, kindness and cruelty often fall from the same hand, and engines remain comfortably warm long after the motor dies. By Richelle E. Goodrich Curiosity Cat Sweet Tweeting React

You may think you've hit rock bottom in your life but guess what - there's more crud underneath those rocks. By Richelle E. Goodrich Hit Bottom Life Guess Crud

Beauty exists, even in unlikely places. The key isn't to open your eyes but to open your heart. By Richelle E. Goodrich Beauty Exists Places Open Heart

When kindhearted people smile, demons shrink and turn away as if tormented by the gesture. But when those beautiful smiles are made to fade, every awful creature in the world stands surer. So do yourself and mankind a favor and smile BIG whether you feel like it or not. By Richelle E. Goodrich Demons Gesture Kindhearted People Shrink

Do we ignore the needyto spite the greedy?Or share and defenddespite those who pretend? By Richelle E. Goodrich Greedy Pretend Ignore Needyto Spite

I squinted at the western sky behind Thaddeus, a blood-red smear melting into blackness. Twisting my neck, I glanced the opposite direction. My teeth clenched at a magnified, round moon nearly as scarlet as the portending sunset, its luminous face half masked by hazy cloud cover. Hatred, vengeance, anger ... ... such emotions coursed through my veins in a poisonous concoction that muddied my mind, impelling me to grip my sword tighter and fight with every ounce of strength I possessed against those who threatened my family - my kind. Currently, Thaddeus was behaving as such a threat, using his powers of persuasion to condone human sacrifice for some outrageously perceived good. He wanted an offering for the monsters; a desperate, futile offering of human flesh that would in no way protect the other villagers from being mauled as he promised. By Richelle E. Goodrich Blackness Thaddeus Squinted Western Sky

My soul, I've found, has puppet strings to make me droop or give me wings.And music is the puppeteerthat turns my ear to hear. By Richelle E. Goodrich Soul Found Hear Puppet Strings

When words can't make it better, hold my hand and don't let go. By Richelle E. Goodrich Hold Words Make Hand

Is anything truly impossible? Or is it that the path to our goals appears too unclear to follow? It seems to me that if you seek hard enough, pray hard enough, you usually stumble across a scattering of breadcrumbs that marks the trail leading to the goal you once considered beyond your reach. By Richelle E. Goodrich Impossible Hard Follow Path Unclear

I dream of defeating tyrants and ogres as well as circumstances and consequences that I cannot conquer in life. I dream of a love as sweet and addictive as chocolate-coated rose petals yet as tenacious as a thirsty vampire and as enduring as immortality. I dream of things improbable and boldly insane. By Richelle E. Goodrich Dream Life Defeating Tyrants Ogres

You cannot fully understand a person's need until you have endured the same need. As hard as you may try to predict and comprehend their situation and suffering, I guarantee you'll fall short until you've been there. By Richelle E. Goodrich Fully Understand Person Endured Suffering

The hero isn't the one who is right, but the one who steps forward to take the blame - deserved or not - and apologize to save a relationship. By Richelle E. Goodrich Blame Deserved Relationship Hero Steps

The spirit of Christmas is a sweet, internal peace that testifies of the power of kindness and charity. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Sweet Internal Charity Spirit

The spirit of Christmas exists in harmonious carols like those sung by angels on the day of Christ's birth. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Christ Birth Spirit Exists

The Christmas spirit is simply an honest spirit of love for all humanity. It is the force that moves us to give what we can, to help as we are able, and to always be of kind comfort. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Spirit Humanity Simply Honest

The Christmas spiritwhispers softly in my ear,Go be of good cheer. By Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Cheer Spiritwhispers Softly Eargo

The road to happiness starts with a deep breath and an awareness of the many blessings tied to that single breath. By Richelle E. Goodrich Breath Road Happiness Starts Deep

Sometimes the difference between success and failure is simply the degree to which you crave one over the other. By Richelle E. Goodrich Difference Success Failure Simply Degree

Be loved for who you are, for everything that constitutes you. Be loved for your core beliefs, your strengths and weaknesses, your admirable traits and troublesome baggage. Be loved for you, because anything less is not love at all. By Richelle E. Goodrich Loved Constitutes Beliefs Weaknesses Baggage

Truly there are different kinds of pain. But the most agonizing is the pain of regret, for which there is no lasting relief and no remedy. By Richelle E. Goodrich Pain Kinds Regret Remedy Agonizing

What are you most thankful for?" she asked.My reply came easily. "Being too blessed to have any hope of answering that question. By Richelle E. Goodrich Easily Thankful Askedmy Reply Question

Life has moments that feel as if the sun has blackened to tar and the entire world turned to ice. It feels as if Hades and his vile demons have risen from the depths of Tartarus solely for the purpose of banding to personally torture you, and that their genuine intent of mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish is tearing you to shreds. Your heart weighs as heavily as leaden legs which you would drag yourself forward with if not for the quicksand that pulls you down inch by inch, paralyzing your will and threatening oblivion. And all the while fire and brimstone pour from the sky, pelting only you. Truly, that is what it feels like. But that feeling is a trial that won't last forever. Never give up. By Richelle E. Goodrich Feels Life Ice Moments Sun

Gratitude is the real treasure God wants us to find, because it isn't the pot of gold but the rainbow that colors our world. By Richelle E. Goodrich God Gratitude Find World Real

Problems don't actually exist. They're just the hallucinogenic effects of people being weirded out on what they think life is supposed to be. By Richelle E. Goodrich Problems Exist Hallucinogenic Effects People

A guilty conscience pushed me to try harder - which I did for what seemed like a tremendous amount of wasted time, staring bug-eyed at uncooperative pencils. What was missing? The answer seemed obvious - intense emotional incentive. But at the moment I didn't feel desperate or angry or afraid. Just severely bored out of my mind and guilt-ridden for feeling so mind-numbingly bored." - from "Phantom's Veil By Richelle E. Goodrich Harder Time Staring Pencils Guilty

A liar deceives himself more than anyone, for he believes he can remain a person of good character when he cannot. By Richelle E. Goodrich Liar Deceives Remain Person Good

The earth provides us a brand new beginning every twenty-four hours. It is a repeated invitation to breathe in the cool morning air and start afresh; to mimic the sunrise and brighten up while reaching once more for the sky; to carry a glad song in our heart like the early birds; and, as faithfully as the morning dew, to wash off the dust from yesterday. By Richelle E. Goodrich Hours Earth Brand Beginning Twentyfour

There is a sky full of stars aplenty, and all you can babble about is a cold, little rock we call the moon. This is how it is with petty problems that exist too close to us. By Richelle E. Goodrich Aplenty Cold Moon Sky Full

I claim the right to be who I want to be. Regardless of my choice, I will find those who agree and those who don't. I will gain support, and I will confront opposition, but I will stand firmly as me. It is my choice.It is the only real choice I have to make. By Richelle E. Goodrich Claim Choice Find Agree Support

I survive on moments of make-believe happiness. By Richelle E. Goodrich Happiness Survive Moments Makebelieve

If you've put a smile on someone's face today, you've done more good than you know. By Richelle E. Goodrich Today Put Smile Face Good

I could really use someone else's smile today. By Richelle E. Goodrich Today Smile

Hey, guard!" Ian hollered out loud. "Do you think we could get a bathroom break?" The guard seemed to snicker as he pointed to the grass outside the cell. Eena smirked at how dead-on her thoughts had been after all. "Come on," Ian complained. "She can't do that, she's a girl." The soldier smiled wryly, a shrug communicating his indifference. Eena laughed in her mind. (I don't know what you think's so funny. You're the one who's gotta pee.) Oddly enough, that fact just made her laugh even more. By Richelle E. Goodrich Hey Ian Guard Eena Loud

We forget that the sweetest joys are found in the simplest acts: hugs, laughter, quiet observation, basic movements, holding hands, pleasant music, shared stories, a listening ear, an unhurried visit, and selfless service. It is sad we forget a truth so elementary. By Richelle E. Goodrich Hugs Laughter Acts Quiet Observation

Laughter is magic that dispenses clouds and creates sunshine in the soul. By Richelle E. Goodrich Laughter Soul Magic Dispenses Clouds

It may seem like the dragons tormenting you are bigger and fiercer than those lurking in your neighbor's yard, but this is an illusion. We all face mighty dragons at home in some form. By Richelle E. Goodrich Yard Illusion Dragons Tormenting Bigger

Monsters excite us in this way or that.They make our pulse thrum and steal lives from the cat!They're frightening creatures, one peek and you'll see.Yet life without monsters, how dull it would be.Your tense, nervous laugh tells me you disagree? By Richelle E. Goodrich Cat Creatures Tense Nervous Disagree

Easter is ... Joining in a birdsong,Eying an early sunrise,Smelling yellow daffodils,Unbolting windows and doors,Skipping through meadows,Cuddling newborns,Hoping, believing,Reviving spent life,Inhaling fresh air,Sprinkling seeds along furrows,Tracking in the mud.Easter is the soul's first taste of spring. By Richelle E. Goodrich Easter Joining Newbornshoping Believingreviving Spring

Making a wish is fun to do.Dreaming it out is much fun too.Work, and your wish just might come true. By Richelle E. Goodrich Making Toowork True Fun Dodreaming

I wish upon a glimmering star,My hopes as distant and as far. So if this wish does not come true,I'm thankful for the few that do. By Richelle E. Goodrich Glimmering Starmy Hopes Distant Thankful

It's a waste of time worrying about something that worry won't fix. It's about as useful as trying to feed your pet rock. By Richelle E. Goodrich Fix Waste Time Worrying Worry

I wish I could fly.I wish I were rich.I wish I had more time.""But you can, and you are, and you do; I wish you would open your eyes. By Richelle E. Goodrich Time Eyes Flyi Richi Open

Be the hero of hearts; learn to say I'm sorry. By Richelle E. Goodrich Hearts Learn Hero

It seems there is more interest in sunsets than sunrises. Perhaps because innately we fear the dark. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sunrises Interest Sunsets Dark Innately

Evil exists in this world because it has its place. For had you never sat blindly through the darkness of night, your eyes wouldn't turn toward the sunrise to appreciate its warmth and illumination. By Richelle E. Goodrich Evil Place Exists World Night

Love is years of devotion, sacrifice, commitment, loyalty, trust, faith, and friendship all wrapped up in one. True love does more than cause your heart to flutter. It upholds your heart when the infatuation no longer makes it flutter. By Richelle E. Goodrich Sacrifice Commitment Loyalty Trust Faith

A Halloween flower,if ever there was one,would smell like an onion,have thorns like a rose.With charcoal black petalsand vines that entangle,t'would grow under moonlightin mud, I suppose. By Richelle E. Goodrich Halloween Grow Mud Suppose Flowerif

Life requires us to do things anyway, despite what sort of fear or monster or tragedy or suffering lurks behind that anyway. By Richelle E. Goodrich Life Requires Things Sort Fear

You won't solve your problems by drowning others in them. By Richelle E. Goodrich Solve Problems Drowning

If life is a stage and you are your own agent, then don't hesitate to play the character you wish to play. By Richelle E. Goodrich Play Agent Life Stage Hesitate <