Ginger Hamilton

My dear friend Seedy Johnson wrote a dictionary-type entry about me. I think it's perfect.

Ginger Hamilton: /ˈjinjər/ /ˈhaməltən/ An intoxicating and potentially deadly flower, also called the Angel's Trumpet, and among those under its influence, the "Willing Woman". Proliferates in wild environments. Its chemistry produces a strong hallucinogenic effect when ingested and a mental state of preternatural love and desire, making the plant a popular drug for shamanistic rituals. Abuse of this beautiful flower may result in fatalities.

(Ginger's note: Upon reading about Angel's Trumpet flowers, I learned they confer upon the butterflies who consume their nectar and pollen a quality of protection from predators that extends all the way through to the next adult butterfly generation. I am so well pleased.) 

Seedy is a brilliant writer and teller of grand tales, and among his **many** talents and skills, he is a terrific graphic artist. He created my 'gh' logo I sign each column with. Contact him here. ~~GH
[Tomorrow: Let Go of Expectations]

Good Writing: A Definition

Artist Unknown to Me
If you know the title and/or artist's name,
please leave a comment so I can attribute.

Good Writing: Where you take the bones out of your head, and describe them in such a way that others want to take them into theirs. 
          ~~ Ginger Hamilton

Poetry Month

I want to wrap up Poetry Month with this one. It's inspirational and I appreciate its sentiments, but it does not define me. Personally, I do not keep score. I couldn't any more tell you how many of anything I've experienced than the Man in the Moon. Statistics are largely unimportant to me. 

I define myself by my capacity to remain open, and to love and learn. I define myself by my ability to remain flexible and tender. I define myself by my heart. I am not forged like steel. I see myself as more tenderized yet cohesive. ~~GH

Art by Karol Bak

I do not define myself by how many roadblocks have appeared in my path;
I define myself by the courage I have found to forge new roads.

I do not define myself by how many disappointments I have faced;
I define myself by the forgiveness and faith I have found to begin again.

I do not define myself by how long a relationship lasted;
I define myself by how I have loved, have been willing to love again, and how I still love.

I do not define myself by how many times I have been knocked down;
I define myself by how many times I have struggled to my feet.

I do not define myself by how often I have appeared a fool;
I define myself by the number of risks I have taken.

I do not define myself by the number of mistakes I have made;
I define myself by the knowledge I have learned from trying a new way.

I am NOT my pain…

I am Not my past…

I AM that which has emerged from the fire.

-Author Unknown

What Does Love Mean?

This is copied directly from Dr ibn-Hyman's blog and represents his response to the question posed by a student: What does love mean? 

He is a wise man and I am honored to study under him. ~~GH

What Does Love Mean?

We are so inclined to label "love" what we think it is.

A behavior that we do. A psychology that we adopt. A philosophy that we hold.

Something that merely affects us, intoxicates us, plagues us, even condemns us.

Never is it clear what love is not.

Love is not behavior. You behave in particular ways to appease, even defer to love.

Love is not psychology. You think certain ways to understand love.

Love is not a philosophy. You believe certain ways to keep faith in love.

It is that profound recognition, that self-affirming sense of comfort, that sacrificial surrender of selfhood to the certainty that you have encountered your God in the flesh - living, breathing, dwelling among men.

And,  for the sake of love,  you submit...relinquishing all.

~~ Sundjata Keita ibn-Hyman