Pilgrim Seeks the Personification of Another


Pilgrim Seeks the Personification of Another

Warrior remaining true to self

Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

What if today was your last day on this planet? What would you do differently? Who would you call? It is a sad truth that humans are conditioned in thinking that they must work, work, work — forgetting what matters to them most — happiness. Conditioned to think we must ‘sacrifice’ thoughts or beliefs to fit in with the ‘in-crowd.’ Even further, to ‘sacrifice’ happiness at the cost of living the American Dream.

If today was your last day, would you go to work? Would you work twelve hours? Or, would you call in sick to enjoy the remaining hours with those closest to you?

Another sad truth: humans wait until some catastrophe happens to make necessary changes in their lives. Even sadder: some are hit with a two-by-four — still unable to wake up. They are the living dead.

While ninety-five percent of the population subscribes to the majority, the remaining five percent will break these chains of bondage. These freedom fighters are the true Warriors of Happiness. Sadly, these same Warriors who step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary are considered crazy.

 Where do you want to be? Do you align with the ninety-five percent or the other five? Do you want to be ordinary or extraordinary?

Name one famous conformist….tick, tock…times up. Bet you cannot name one. Paralleled, in the below clip, young Sheldon is challenged to find a famous Baptist Scientist but can only find one from the early 1500’s.

A friend once called with concern in her voice, asking for advice. When she explained the dilemma, I merely told her she already knew the answer. When she still hesitated to answer, I posed the same question as above, “Can you name one famous conformist?” She could not name one! My next question was, “Can you name one non-conformist?” Her reply, “I can name a thousand.” Silence came over the phone…then stating, “thank you…I know what I must do.”

We all know the answers haunting us throughout our day but believe in not thinking out of the box. An example of this comes from our friend Ani Po…

Ani Po is a pen name, a muse, or name for all we can be, declaring I am here. Early in my writing I would write about pilgrim versus warrior mentality. While pilgrim can take on varying meanings, I chose to use it for the aimless wanderings of self. While the warrior, chooses with conviction, the path before her.

Witnessing a real-life oxymoron, Ani Po could not help but laugh aloud. She was working in a financial office, and the boss called all staff members into a strategic planning meeting. The boss and two other subordinates gave a pep talk about increasing revenue and turn-around times while opening the floor to all staff members suggestions. They encouraged all staff to think “outside of the box.” The irony was when they dismissed them into their little cubicles.

In this case, the boss told Ani Po to think out of the box while sending her back into her box (cubicle). This is very reflective of our society. We are told to do one thing but expected to do another. Why is this? It is because of our conditioning into bondage. Today is the day to be free…Step out of the box!

While the pilgrim subscribes to the majority of thinking, worrying about personal reputation and what everyone else is thinking, the Warrior subscribes only to that of self. “Self-inflicted fun” is all she has in mind. Her day is not spent worrying about “deadlines.” Instead, she is concerned with her ‘dead’ line. She knows that she will not be here one day, making the most of every day.

Stepping into the Canvas and out of the box, allowing the creative juices to flow. Spewing creative colors throughout the Canvas of Life, brightening the scenery with vibrant colors. From darkened Canvas to Canvas of Light, we are left living our lives to the fullest. Be authentic…dare to Step out of the box.

Will you do this now or later? The choice is yours…


Thank you Marcus aka Gregory Maidman for sharing another synchronicity in your prompt, inviting us to dive into the world of young Sheldon. The take away for me, as was young Sheldon’s, do not try to be anyone else but yourself.

Please give this prompt some love and watch the clip of young Sheldon. What comes to you?


Much gratitude to Ravyne Hawke, Christine Graves, Rose Malana, Marcus aka Gregory Maidman and the whole Promptly Written family for sharing these words and complementing thoughts.


Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder, and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and, more importantly, the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

Urgent plea for Slowing Down


Urgent plea for Slowing Down

Taking flight with Hawk to get a birds-eye view

Photo by Elisa Stone on Unsplash

The alarm sounds — giving thanks — preparing for our day. Breakfast is made, the body is nourished — ready for what the day brings. Intending to bring peace and love to all we meet — heading out the door.

Ignition started — slowly making way to the open road. Breathing peace and love once more — with smiles on our faces, we head to the interstate in hopes of a smooth drive to our workday. Last light before the highway — turning onto the interstate.

Slowly accelerating to travel speed — it happens.

Merging onto the highway, the car to the left fails to let you in — deliberate acceleration of his vehicle. Breath stops for a moment. Choice presents — speed up to pass with anger, honk the horn in rage, or slow down and allow them to hurry about their day.

We are not in a hurry to spread love — we just do — slowing to allow hurried commuters to go on ahead. Breathing — peace and love as our passengers, we continue on the commute.

Not more than a mile up the road — greeted by another hurried individual — time riding our butts. Briefly our breath leaves us — choice — but this time with varying script.

Letting the hurried pass — exchanges of their hurried anger — flipping us off with an unfriendly gesture, as though we’re going a few miles over the speed limit was not adequate for their hurried lifestyle.

Blaming us for their morning commute, what do we do?

More choices — smile, wishing them well, returning unfriendly gestures or harboring their anger as our own — ruining the start of a beautiful day.

Luckily for us, it is a beautiful day — filled with many miracles forever in our favor — we are open to seeing them. Witnessing another miracle within the self — letting go of their anger — allowing peace and love to fill our vehicle once more.

Arriving at work, making way to your favorite parking space — cut off by someone you’ve never met. With a stern glare shot in our direction — choices — smile and allow this hurried person to take our spot, offer them silent blessings, lose our cool, get out to confront them, or simply pick another spot.

The workday begins with the intent of making a positive impact, yet something goes wrong with the equipment — engineers unavailable to fix it for a couple of hours — delaying the loving-kindness you so wished to share.

What to do?

Just be.

We are all faced with decisions — challenging the love and compassion existing within us. Our differences with those creating many conflicts — with good intent — wanting to impact the world. Our choices of how to be in any given situation — defined by our reaction to the day’s dilemmas. The angry people, the inadequate working conditions, the misfortunes in life — all present an opportunity to share loving kindness.

Mother Nature is a great teacher in how to be — she just is. No matter the slaughter of her sister trees — destruction of her beauty — giving selflessly to all — allowing enjoyment in her presence. Sadly, too few enjoy her company — getting caught up in the monotony of the day. Those who do risk being ‘weird’ — going out for walks in meadows — swimming in refreshing waters Mother provides.

For today, and all days forward, choose to be ‘weird’ — enjoying all that Mother Nature offers. When days get too burdensome, retreat to her quietest places — returning breath to Peace, Love and Happiness.

Stepping into the Canvas with hopes of being weird. No longer playing the game of the masses, but of the few who find peace and joy all around them. Taking note of the flowers in bloom, birds singing, the wind comforting our soul and Mother Nature as our guide — we take flight, gaining a higher perspective.

~Ani Po


Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder, and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and, more importantly, the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash