A Special Haiku for the United States' Independence Day (July 4, 1776)

A Special Haiku for the United States' Independence Day (July 4, 1776)

From other countries,

They settled on Native soil,

Calling it their land

The ‎#AmericanStory has long been written by immigrants. 

On July 4, 1776... 

"Fifty-six founders put their names on a piece of paper. Up until that moment, none of them were American. Even those who had spent their entire lives in one of the thirteen colonies had grown up in another country.” —Cecilia Muñoz, White House Domestic Policy Council

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Today's Haiku: Thursday, July 4, 2013

Today's Haiku:  Thursday, July 4, 2013

Water, full of life,

Flow in peace, tranquility,

Cleansing our souls

(Photo Credit:  Photographer Peter Ahsue - San Diego Zoo June 12, 2013)

Click here to see more of Professional Photographer Peter Ahsue's collection

https://www.facebook.com/steven.a.yagyagan.author.poet

Today's Haiku: Oceanside, CA Celebrates 125th Birthday

Oceanside, CA celebrated it's 125th birthday yesterday, July 3, 2013.  Professional photographer, Peter Ahsue, captured the fireworks celebration for all to enjoy.  I have set my haiku thoughts to each of his seven photos.

Special Haiku for Oceanside's 125th Birthday:

She dresses in red,

Celebrating her birthday,

Dancing in the night

(Photo Credit:  Photographer Peter Ahsue)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Ahsue-Photography/104803226280717?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/steven.a.yagyagan.author.poet

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Special Haiku for Oceanside's 125th Birthday:

She stands out in white,

Accessorized with purple,

Ready for her dance

(Photo Credit:  Photographer Peter Ahsue)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Ahsue-Photography/104803226280717?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/steven.a.yagyagan.author.poet

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Special Haiku for Oceanside's 125th Birthday:

Petite in her frame,

She makes up for it with style,

Bedazzling the night

(Photo Credit:  Photographer Peter Ahsue)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Ahsue-Photography/104803226280717?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/steven.a.yagyagan.author.poet

***

Special Haiku for Oceanside's 125th Birthday:

Celebrate in gold,

Frilled in white and splashed with red,

She wooed them tonight

(Photo Credit:  Photographer Peter Ahsue)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Ahsue-Photography/104803226280717?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/steven.a.yagyagan.author.poet

***

Special Haiku for Oceanside's 125th Birthday:

She takes the night sky,

Painting the dark with thin lines,

Like a star, she shines

(Photo Credit: Photographer Peter Ahsue)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Ahsue-Photography/104803226280717?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/steven.a.yagyagan.author.poet

***

Special Haiku for Oceanside's 125th Birthday:

Though here, they are still,

Clusters explode, one by one,

Coloring the night

(Photo Credit: Photographer Peter Ahsue)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Ahsue-Photography/104803226280717?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/steven.a.yagyagan.author.poet

***

Special Haiku for Oceanside's 125th Birthday:

She makes a huge splash,

Her entourage by her side,

Red and white salute

(Photo Credit: Photographer Peter Ahsue)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Ahsue-Photography/104803226280717?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/steven.a.yagyagan.author.poet

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Today's Haiku: Wednesday, March 27, 2013

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Today's Haiku: Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Walking their webbed life,
The goal ahead leaves a trail,
Footprints in the snow

Geese feet at McGraw Wildlife, West Dundee, IL (Photo credit: Michelle Scott-Diehl)

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Today's Haiku #2: Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The sound of silence,
In awe with all her brightness
The hush of Winter

McGraw Wildlife, West Dundee, IL (Photo credit: Michelle Scott-Diehl) 

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Today's Haiku #3: Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Snow white is melting,
She thaws and morphs to a pond,
Absorbed by Spring's thirst

McGraw Wildlife, West Dundee, IL (Photo credit: Michelle Scott-Diehl)

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Today's Haiku: Tuesday, March 26, 2013

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Today's Haiku:  Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Determined, he swims,

He becomes one with water,

One stroke at a time

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Today's Haiku: Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Though I'm faced with pain,
He shines His light upon me,
The Valley of Hope

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Today's Haiku #3: Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Shades me from the light,
She covers me with delight,
Grains of sand, so white

Carmel, CA (Photo credit: Jessebel Ibao Cellery)

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Today's Haiku: Friday, February 22, 2013

Today's Haiku:  Friday, February 22, 2013

If you judge people,

you have no time to love them,

Learn to accept them

(based on Mother Teresa of Calcutta's famous quote)

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There's only one race,

If we see ourselves as "one,"

We realize peace

(based on Mother Teresa of Calcutta's quote:

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.")

Today's Haiku: Thursday, February 21, 2013

Today's Haiku:  Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Spring brings new life,

Canopy of white blossoms,

Purify our souls

You can see more like this haiku on my pages and i my book:  "https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steven-A-Yagyagan-AuthorPoet/413056908788591"

My new book, "Haikus For Life" is available NOW:

"https://t.co/ilj54fwG9Y" -- save $4.00 by copying and pasting this code, W5WEFNMZ.

"http://www.princeoftheplantation.blogspot.com"      and

"http://www.boysanhawaii.blogspot.com" (daily haikus, my runner's log and more)

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Haiku #2:  Thurs., Feb. 21, 2013

Be bold like the Sun,

Out of dark clouds, it rises,

Let your rays guide you

Positive Thoughts: Be a Blessing. Be a friend. Make a Difference

Positive Thoughts 

Be a blessing. Be a friend. Make a difference.

1. Be grateful
Create a sense of gratitude for what you have, for what is working, for what is wonderful and sweet in your life. A morning or evening gratitude list, written each day, can do wonders for helping you feel grateful.

2. Take care of yourself
Identify the small things in life that make you feel good, and do one daily. A short walk, a few minutes of writing in your journal, a short meditation, watching the sunset. Whatever reminds you that you are a human being and not a human doing will improve your outlook on life.

3. Be creative
Creativity and self-expression generate happiness. Schedule some creative time each day, even if it's just a few minutes of writing, painting, sculpting, etc.

4. Move
Moving our bodies generates feel-good hormones called endorphins. Move a little every day to stay happy.

5. Get someone to take care of you
It feels good to be taken care of, even in small ways. Get a massage, a manicure, someone to carry your groceries, launder your clothes, or fix something for you.

6. Read inspirational material
It helps to be reminded of positive thoughts and positive attitudes. Get a small book of positive, inspirational thoughts and keep it by your desk. Read one or two thoughts each day.

7. Contribute
Stand up for something that matters to you. Contributing, making a difference feels good. It boosts your self-esteem, your gratitude and feeling of well being.

8. Get some time
I know this one is hard, especially if you are a single parent. But if you are determined, you can find some time every day to just be. Make sure you do this - it will make a big difference in your ability to be happy.

9. Be in nature
Nature rejuvenates and restores the human spirit. Whether your brand of nature is mountains or the ocean, give yourself the gift of visiting it frequently.

10. Be happy
No matter how many wonderful things you do to create a positive, happy, satisfied life, you could still end up unhappy. Ultimately, happiness, gratitude, a feeling of satisfaction is a choice. People often do not choose happiness. Many feel refusing to be happy will somehow get them what whey want, like a child holding his breath. Holding your breath will not get your what you want. It is happiness that attracts.
~ Rinatta Paries

"http://positive-thoughts.typepad.com/positive-thoughts/2013/02/be.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+positivethoughtstobe+%28Positive+Thoughts%29"

Coming soon...Book #2, The Divine Mercy: An Amazing Experience!

Coming soon...Book #2, The Divine Mercy: An Amazing Experience!

March 18th...Book #2: "https://www.facebook.com/TheDivineMercyExperience" Follow our progress and release date on Facebook!  Be ready! Stay tuned!

The Divine Mercy Experience on Facebook

Random Haiku: Speak Through My Fingers

Random Haiku:  Speak Through My Fingers

I speak through my fingers,

Tap every word I feel inside,

Though, I won't say a word


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Humor.....Low Hanging Fruit



"Don't give a hoot!
One size fits all," she thought,
Low hanging fruit...

Monday, February 18, 2013 is National Cookie Day!

Don't want a Wookie,
Just want dessert with my lunch,
How 'bout a cookie?

HPE Haikus!

For those of you who are familiar with HPE (Hawaiian Pidgin English), I like to write my haikus in HPE from time to time.  Below is a posting from this morning's Facebook page:  ("https://www.facebook.com/groups/52845872548/?fref=ts")

HPE = Hawaiian Pidgin English

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I like write some HPE Haikus.  Chime in wid yo flavah...('membah, chree lines, syllables can be 5-7-5 owah 4-6-4 owah 6-8-6 but wotevahs...make yo own kine if you like.  Ainokea!)

(5-7-5 sampo)

We go talk stawree,

Anykine random nuttings,

Az long good fun, yeah?

************************

(4-6-4 sampo)

I like eat meat,

But no can, I Cat'lik,

Tomorrow, den

************************

(6-8-6 sampo)

Wotchu like to today?

Watch movie, den surusuru?

Shhh, da kids stay lis'nin!

************************

K den, I like read yaw HPE Haiku

Proof for my 1st book, Haikus For Life is IN!!!

Read my 1st Published eBook, "Haikus For Life"

My first eBook was published on February 7, 2013

"Haikus For Life:  Live, Love and Laugh With Passion"

You can buy it here:  "https://www.createspace.com/4093522?ref=1147694&utm_id=6026"

"Haikus For Life" on CreateSpace.com's eStore

About the book:

Steve is a father and husband who decided to start running again after a three-year hiatus. He took his Chow Chow-Shiba Inu mix dog, Koa, along with him on his daily runs. Within a month, he started to connect with nature, appreciating the birds, trees, flowers, ocean, sun rises and sunsets. Then, he started to form haiku poems in his mind as he ran. His lovefest for nature and haikus led him to get carried away with his running. Before he knew it, he was running eight, nine and ten miles. He started running in July 2011 and is still running in 2013 with Koa and writing haiku poems every day. His life has become more spiritual than before.

Steve has three more books slated for publication in 2013, but he hopes to publish a minimum of five books this year. His book has been well-received by its first reviewers, giving him 4 and 5-star ratings. Steve's poetry was deeply personal to him and he hopes that you'll savor every line and every haiku slowly, like fine wine. He wants you to take a moment and feel the message, what does it mean to you? Can you relate to it somewhere in your life's journey thus far? Mostly, Steve hopes his words will help you heal spiritually.

****************

About the author:

Steven A.Yagyagan, is also a SAG member (Steven Kane). He has done voiceovers, body double and background work. His love and preference is in doing voiceovers because he gets to create a character that people can only imagine and because he'd rather remain somewhat visually unseen.

He is of mixed Pacific-Asian-European descent. Born and reared on a sugar plantation in Waialua, Hawai'i, he has been working on his books for some twenty-plus years. This year, he has a total of four books to be publish, Haikus For Life, being the first of the four. The other three books are, My Amazing Divine Mercy Experience, Prince of the Plantation and Haikus For Life Vol. 2, which will include poems he wrote in 2012.

Haikus For Life came about through his love for running with Mother Nature. After a three-year hiatus, he started running again in 2011. He began to reacquaint himself with the sights, sounds, smells, texture and in some cases, tastes of nature's beauty. He then started take snapshots of what he saw and felt. Haiku poems began to flow naturally through his heart and soul. He kept a personal blog updated daily. The result, Haikus For Life!

Steve is deeply spiritual, although he enjoys writing music, playing music with his friends in their band, Da 2nd Wind Band. He relishes living every moment of his life to the fullest with his wife, children and closest friends. Otherwise, he is a very private person. It is in his private moments that he collects his thoughts of the day and expresses them in poetry and in song.

Watch for his upcoming books:

1. My Amazing Divine Mercy Experience
2. Prince of the Plantation
3. Haikus for Life - Volume 2
4. Haikus For Life - Volume 3

Steve now resides in Chula Vista, CA with his wife, Regina (the Queen Mum) and their two children, Matthew (Gift from God) and Gabrielle (God's Strength). Did we mention that he has a wild and crazy sense of humor too? Laughter is a big part of his life. You can find his blog at:

"http://www.princeoftheplantation.blogspot.com"

He welcomes your feedback on his books at:

"plantationprince@gmail.com"

Positive Thoughts: It Takes Courage to be Happy

It takes courage to be happy.

Posted: 26 Jan 2013 08:46 AM PST

Do you live as if your cup were half full? How cognizant are you of the fact that what you say is directly correlated to the outcome you’ll get?
If you continually speak of your life as if you never feel good, things never turn out right, or nothing positive comes your way, you’ll more than likely end up being right. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it takes courage to be happy.
You can choose to take all of your experiences and channel them into your own reality show based on fear and anxiety, or you can think of all difficulties as opportunities for creating something new. Negativity is like a big black hole with slippery sides. Once you fall in, it takes a lot of effort to crawl back up.
Many people like the security of the darkness. So if you’re down there, you’ll have lots of company. However, when you decide to come back into the light, the others there won’t help you. They’re stuck in the quagmire and want you there with them, too.
It takes a lot of vigilance to be the guardian of your thoughts, words, and deeds; and you’re often at the mercy of years of conditioning that make you operate as if you’re on autopilot. When you use language such as If only, I wish, or I can’t, you’re dismissing the possibility of today. Why maintain the familiarity of the past or nurse a fear of the future? You may think it’s easier to stay in an unhappy relationship or job or maintain habits that don’t serve you, but ultimately you’ll suffer. In fact, it’s easier and takes less energy to fell good than it does to feel bad.
By Loretta Laroche

"http://positive-thoughts.typepad.com/positive-thoughts/2013/01/-it-takes-courage-to-be-happy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+positivethoughtstobe+%28Positive+Thoughts%29"

Positive Thoughts: Words of Wisdom

Words of Wisdom... Posted: 25 Jan 2013 04:06 AM PST It‘s not where we stand but in what direction we are moving. Sometimes we find ourselves running in place, struggling to get ahead simply because we forget to address some of the simple truths that govern our potential to make progress.  So here’s a quick reminder: The acquisition of knowledge doesn’t mean you’re growing.  Growing happens when what you know changes how you live. You can’t have good ideas unless you’re willing to generate a lot of bad ones. A good idea without action is worth nothing. Change is often resisted when it is needed the most. Discipline is choosing what you want most over what you want right now.   People seldom do things to the best of their ability.  They do things to the best of their willingness. You can’t change other people; you can only offer guidance, and lead by example. Right now, there’s a lot you don’t know.  And if you never challenge your own beliefs, the list will never shrink. If you’re talking to someone you don’t know well, you may be talking to someone who knows way more about the topic of conversation than you do. The most common and harmful addiction in the world is the draw of comfort. Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone.  Stepping outside of your comfort zone will put things into perspective from an angle you can’t grasp now. When you spend time worrying, you’re simply using your imagination to create things you don’t want. It’s usually only as good or bad as you think it is.  Most of what we see is only what we think about what we see. Most of the bad things you worry about will never happen.  Most of the bad things that do happen will have never crossed your worried mind. Some circumstances are uncontrollable, but we can always decide how we react to those circumstances. Those who complain the most, accomplish the least. Whenever somebody discredits you, and tells you that you can’t do something, keep in mind that they are speaking from within the boundaries of their own limitations. Every problem you have in your life right now is your responsibility, regardless of who initially caused it. It’s not so much about finding opportunities as it is about creating them.  "http://positive-thoughts.typepad.com/positive-thoughts/2013/01/words-of-wisdom.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+positivethoughtstobe+%28Positive+Thoughts%29"

Positive Thoughts: Focus less on what you need to do and more on what you need to be.

Focus less on what you need to do and more on what you need to be. Posted: 23 Jan 2013 04:55 AM PST How many times have we talked about all the things we believe or want, but deep down we were unwilling to integrate the qualities that would attract them? Focus less on what you need to do and more on what you need to be. Be Clear. Clarity is one of the most important keys to manifesting what you want. If your thoughts aren’t clear, then the Universe , doesn’t know how or what to give you. If there’s something you’ve already determined for yourself, write a list of every detail you can think of, every attribute and characteristic that defines the goal. Look at this list often and add to it. Focus on the details as clearly as you can and imagine them in your mind. Be Open. Now you’re being asked to be open to anything the Universe may send in your direction that either amplifies or clarifies the desired goal. In reality, they are supportive. Once you’ve clearly defined the desired experience, you then open yourself to every possible variation. It’s as if you declare to the Universe: “This or more.” Be Willing. Your willingness to observe, absorb, and then release everything that comes into your consciousness will help determine how easily it flows into your life. Begin by observing what you desire and asking the following questions: Is it something that will serve more than your own self-interests? Does it genuinely inspire your heart? Be Happy.  The more you realize that you deserve perfect joy and accept it, the more you become the kind of teacher the world needs most. Be Focused. Stay focused on what’s behind the goal rather than on the goal itself. Your mind doesn’t always know what’s best for you and a strict, unyielding mind-set might attract something that doesn’t serve your highest good, so opening to a flowing focus makes sense. Be Expectant. Always expect the best! Affirm that everything you desire will come to you easily and naturally. Energy flows where attention goes. If you’re focused on creating something but your inner thoughts are fixed on failure, that’s what you’ll attract. We’ve all heard the saying “Expect a miracle.” This is very good advice, because what you truly expect will always be yours. Be Energetic. The higher the impulse, the more energetic the response. In other words, your energy usually increases when you ask for what your soul really wants.  Your heart is always a better barometer of what Heaven is choosing to add to your life. Be Positive. If you’re negative about what you’re trying to attract, the Universe will interpret your negativity as not wanting. Be True. Being true is the same as being honest—something that’s required if you want to successfully manifest your heart’s desire. You have to be honest with yourself. Be Grateful. Gratitude is perhaps the most important key to attracting everything you deserve. It’s the activating force that Source can’t deny, and the Universe bows to a heart filled with Divine appreciation. When someone is grateful for a gift you’ve offered or a small act of kindness you’ve shown, it makes you want to give even more. The Universe works in a similar way.  By James F. Twyman "Focus less on what you need to do and more on what you need to be."

Positive Thoughts: The words you say will teach, if you practice what you preach…

The words you say will teach, if you practice what you preach…

Posted: 22 Jan 2013 03:46 AM PST

The words you say will teach, if you practice what you preach…

1. Positivity – The things you think about, focus on, and surround yourself with ultimately shape who you become.  Choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills your heart, the peace that rests deep within your spirit, and the voice of hope that whispers, “All things are possible.”  Right now, pause for a moment and repeat after me: “What I think about and thank about, I will bring about in my life.”  
   
2. Patience – Using time, pressure and patience, the universe gradually changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls, and coal into diamonds.  You’re being worked on too, so hang in there.  Just because something isn’t happening for you right now, doesn’t mean it will never happen.
3. Courage – It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you aren’t really living at all – you’re merely existing.  You cannot always wait for the perfect time; sometimes you must dare to jump .  Sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage – just literally twenty seconds of uncomfortable bravery – and I promise you, something great will come of it.
4. Love – When love is your guiding light, you can break through barriers to be of loving service to the world.  Gaining the courage and confidence to stand up for what you believe in is not always easy, but it’s fully within your reach.  Focus on things that make you the most YOU – that bring out the best of you, that make you better than you were yesterday, and that allow you to shine your light into the space around you.  
   
5. Truth – Tell the truth, or eventually someone will tell it for you.  Living a life of honesty creates peace of mind, and peace of mind is priceless.  Period.  Don’t be dishonest and don’t put up with people who are.
6. Confession – Don’t criticize others for their flaws if you are not  willing to confess your own  .  Whatever we refuse to confess about ourselves has a way of rearing its head and making itself known when we least expect it.
7. Appreciation – Sometimes we end up cheating on others and ourselves simply because we pay more attention to what we’re missing, rather than what we have.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, think about what you have that everyone else is missing.
8. Responsibility – In every situation you have ever been in, positive or negative, the one common thread is you.  Responsibility means recognizing that regardless of what has happened up to this point in your life, you are capable of making choices to change your situation, or to change the way you think about it.  
   
9. Growth – You can choose to let your past define you and confine you, or you can choose to learn, grow, and leave it behind you.  Just like the seasons, you have the ability to change.  In many ways, you already have.
10. Persistence – All things are difficult before they are easy.  It’s not about falling, it’s about getting back up.  Success is not a skill,it is a persistent attitude .  By Marc and Angel Hack Life. 

"http://positive-thoughts.typepad.com/positive-thoughts/2013/01/the-words-you-say-will-teach-if-you-practice-what-you-preach.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+positivethoughtstobe+%28Positive+Thoughts%29"