There is so much talk and too much thinking; together they remove wisdom.

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine...let it shine..let it shine."

I just had a conversation that compels me now to throw this out to you who live with faith in God.

Know from whom that light comes. There is so much talk of personal light, enlightenment, the power of positive thought being equal to or greater than prayer, inner power, collective thinking, making your own destiny, etc. I need to point out that the definition of destiny doesn't allow room for saying you can make your own. As well, all of this thinking more often creates confusion and inner conflict over enlightenment. Seek wisdom instead. Some will say I'm arguing semantics. I say to you - please seek the one who offers the way, the truth, and the life. And please shine your light, share your love, give of yourself and the gifts God gave you - and glory be to God - not to us.


©Ronda Rae Franklin                                                                                      
Photograph: unknown

What if you knew, then what would you do?

If Love were a road, and you knew that road was full of potholes and dark tunnels and steep cliffs; that it would take you into deep valley's and have you hiking up mountains - would you willingly journey that road? There's a road adjacent to Love and it's smooth and simple and lacks surprises. It's a terrain that remains on an even plain, seamlessly flowing from one day into the next. It's path can be seen clearly, there are no obstructions or obstacles. Does that entice you more? 

What if you knew you would never be alone on the adjacent road - but most often feel lonely amidst the crowds; what if you knew that you might sometimes feel alone on the road called Love - but you would never truly be alone and hope is there for the asking but only if you have faith that it's there. What if you knew that Love's road was an eternal journey but that there would be times you will just wish it would end, and the adjacent road would eventually and most certainly end whether you want it to or not. Then what entices you more?

I am not making this an easy question - because in this world we all live in it's not an easy answer. Love is not what we so often consider it. We put it into the category of "The simple things in life." There is nothing simple about it. "...Faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love." Something great is never easy. It takes courage, faith, hope and a willingness to stumble, look foolish, and spend time feeling you're on that road alone. But I don't know how to get a reward without taking a risk. Do you?


Love is a risk - but over a lifetime it is the one risk that will always bring the greatest of rewards. You will never look back at the end of this life and tell yourself you should have loved less. Never.




Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph by R.R.Franklin

The Road Less Traveled 

Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico

The heart & soul's of life - we belong to each other

As you walk through this life don't just pick up wisdom, pick up people's spirit's as you pass through their lives. 

Just as when you leave a painful tear on another's heart - when you leave a smile on someone's soul it will never leave them. You're human, you'll leave both many times during your lifetime. Encourage yourself to leave more souls smiling than hearts crying.

-Ronda Rae Franklin

Leave fear behind

I don't think it matters how many roads you travel. You could travel one thousand roads in a year, but gain no wisdom because your eyes were closed. 

The real test of spirit comes from choosing to walk the roads placed before you with eyes wide open, head up, looking forward, and leaving fear behind. 

Real growth happens when you choose to walk forward into the unknown and ask wisdom to walk with you.