Category Archives: poetry

Mindful Activities, Mindful Meditation, poetry

Ego Weeps

Ego weeps

I stand before you
My knees are weak

I kneel before you
My shoulders are steep

I bow before you
My head is heavy with grief

I rest and breathe 

Breathing in and out
I feel the relief
of my heart
as it anchors to the shore
of steady

My ego flows off of me
along with my grief 
A drip, then a river’s story

A lightness comes
awakens within
saves me from the ego’s pull
before it begins again

As I stand before you
in strength and light
let the ego weep
-ego weeps by Alexis Cress

When we are in the present moment and let the thoughts of yesterday and tomorrow behind, we feel the light and strength within. This is where our lives truly shine. Don’t let ego’s stories take away your peace. Let your ego rest so you can fully feel peace and calm.

Blessings❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

Alexis Cress 

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Costa Rica, Mindful Activities, Mindful Living, Mindful Meditation, poetry

Peace, just a breath away

Peace, just a breath away  

Sometimes it is hard to find
peace
when the world overwhelms
with chaos and fear

But when I close my eyes
and breathe in the now
my body starts to still
and my mind starts to calm

I open my palms
let the thoughts of overwhelm go
making space for the healing 
to start to flow

I first feel it in my nostrils
where the universe’s energy arrives
then my belly fills up with gladness
as the breath arrives

My heart starts to feel at ease
and a smile soon comes to my face
bringing healing energy
to my body
and peace fills my heart space 

Breath in
Breath out
Peace❤️

Blessings❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

Alexis Cress 

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Costa Rica, Mindful Activities, poetry, Rain

Whispers in the Rain

Whispers in the Rain by Alexis Cress

I am blessed to live in the beautiful rainforest of Costa Rica. Rain here is so much more than a passing weather story, but often the main story of the day (average rainfall per year is over 250 inches!) We see the daily product of the rain in our landscape’s unbelievably vivid greens and also the devastation of the rain in its extremes at certain times of the year with landslides and flooding.

But, if you are lucky enough you will experience the “whispers” of the rain. The gentleness in her sounds – singing you to sleep, the coolness in her drops – waking you from grief, and the strength in her flow – taking away from you what you no longer need. Rain connects us directly to nature, her healing powers, and awakens the power we already have within us.

Experience the “whispers in the rain” today.

Blessings❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

Alexis Cress

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advocacy, animal rescue, love, Mindful Living, poetry

Heaven’s Way

Heaven’s Way

Heaven is
where acts of giving 
are without
search of praise

Where hands hold together tighter
in the storm and haze

Where the answer isn’t
ego’s self-reflection before action
but the strength of mountains
moving the ocean’s waves
 -of inaction 
 -of discontent 
 -of selfish ways

Heaven is
love in its most
unconditional way

Will you live
today
heaven’s way?
-Alexis Cress

May your every day be filled with waves of unconditional love.

Blessings❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

Alexis

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advocacy, animal rescue, love, Mindful Living, poetry

You’re not alone

You’re not alone
even when the night is dark
there are angels nearby 
guarding around

You may feel afraid, hungry, and hopeless too
but know an angel is watching over you

Be certain that she sees you there 
your life is a gift of love and light
don’t despair 

When I saw you there
my tears poured down
I felt your pain, your fear
of being alone

Were you abandoned 
or did you lose your way
It’s still hard to believe the world
would turn away

We are learning and trying 
to be better each day
Our true hearts are shown
in how we choose to live today

As you rest your head
upon the rocky ground
know that you are loved
You are never alone.
-Alexis Cress

We are never alone. When I started writing this poem, I was reflecting on the abandonment and neglect of animals. But, when I came back to the poem, I was thinking of those in our society who are forgotten, ignored, broken. How we choose to live today is not only important to our own physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, but it also affects all beings around us. We are so powerful and we are so loved. We are never alone.

Blessings❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

Alexis

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advocacy, animal rescue, love, Mindful Activities, Mindful Eating, Mindful Living, poetry

Will you join me in this sanctuary song?

Sanctuary Song

Let me be a sanctuary 
for all beings
with voice, with action, with song

For those who can’t speak
a voice that moves mountains
 - Earthquake Strong

For those who are imprisoned
break their chains
of suffering and pain

For those whose cries
are unheard 
lift them up in flight
lovingly in the wings of a heavenly bird

And for those whose bodies are too weak from fighting 
strength in numbers
 - Community Strong

Using our voices, our actions
 - Together
becoming a sanctuary song.

Will you join me in this sanctuary song?
-Alexis Cress

Are we looking? Have you ever had one of those weeks where humanity and its actions (or inactions) really get you down? Whether it’s reading about the never-ending violence in the world, witnessing the continued inhumane treatment of animals, or watching the many migrants crossing through the country with the look of desperation and fear in their eyes. This world definitely shows its sadness for all to see. That is, if we are looking.

But love is here. Yet, I also read about and witness everyday the MANY amazing people and organizations who continue to fight for and give refuge to those who need it most – they are sanctuaries.

No act of kindness is too small. To be a sanctuary, your actions don’t have to be huge, just big enough to make a difference for one person, one animal, one being. Maybe today, this action is just a simple smile given to someone who other’s walk by and ignore. Or it could be an action of present awareness to your family and friends, by truly listening to them with love and support. Maybe you say no to a burger or another form of animal meat, maybe just for today. Or, you finally sign up to volunteer at the local animal shelter. There are so many small (which turn into HUGE) ways to make a difference everyday.

Will you join me in this sanctuary song?

Blessings to you❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

Alexis

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Mindful Activities, Mindful Living, Mindful Meditation, poetry

I see you in front of me

Surrender to the Now

When I surrender to the Now what do I see?

I see the sun’s rays dancing on the long grass reeds
I see the palm trees swaying from side to side
I see birds and butterflies flying by

When I surrender to the Now what do I see
I see YOU in front of me

When I surrender to the Now what do I hear?

I hear the rustle of the leaves as they touch side to side
I hear the buzz of the hummingbird’s wings
I hear the song of the birds as they sing

When I surrender to the Now what do I hear
I hear YOU in front of me

When I surrender to the Now what do I feel?

I feel the mist of the morning mountain dew touch my skin
I feel the breeze of the ocean’s salty air blow my hair
I feel the sun as it touches my cheek with a smile

When I surrender to the Now what do I feel
I feel your presence in front of me now

Let’s surrender to the Now
This is where life truly lives
-Alexis

The greatest gift you can give anyone, any being – is YOU. When you are truly present, there is an openness, a light, that shines. This light is felt by all beings around you, especially the one right in front of you.

Surrender to the now, and be present today.

Blessings to you,

Alexis

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Mindful Activities, Mindful Living, poetry

You Gave Me a Rainbow

You Gave Me a Rainbow

You gave me a rainbow today
as I walked to our special place

This is where we walked together
when we wanted some quiet space

Where we could see for miles 
and feel the cool morning air
and watch the gifted sunrise
behind the mountain 
greeting us there

Where we felt free
no more pain or sickness within

We could fly up high with the birds
our wings far reaching the cloud’s pink 
and feel the sun’s warmth on our cheeks
as we floated upon the rainbow’s drink

Now my feet stay rooted to the earth’s ground
and your bright light is up above
But we will meet again I promise 
in our daily acts of love

Together in rainbow’s light we will always be.
-Alexis Cress

Nature and all her beauty give us the gifts of healing, of present moment pause, and she often reminds us of those who have touched our lives. Because of the memories we’ve shared in nature or because our loved one’s presence is felt in the ocean’s breeze, or in the starry moonlight, or when the rain kisses the sun and a rainbow is born. May your day be filled with moments of nature’s beauty today.

Blessings,

Alexis

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advocacy, animal rescue, Mindful Activities, Mindful Living, poetry

Your Voice – Their Hope

Your voice is the answer

When you see something wrong
don’t turn away
Make this the moment
to say something
to act
in a kind, supportive, and positive way

Use your voice to support others
to find strength in numbers
in community
this is where our power lies

Together we can move mountains
Save the abused
Rescue the forgotten
and right the wronged

Together
we won’t be silenced
by the abusers’ anger, their intimidation,
or threatening ways

All actions have consequences
inactions do too
And when we choose not to act
the consequences 
are part of the problem too

Please don’t turn your eye
to abuse, to neglect
to the pain of another being
today

Let your voice
be their hope
A hand 
leading them out of harm's way.
-Alexis Cress

TOGETHER – we will move mountains💜💜💜. 

While I was working with animal rescue here in Costa Rica, the amount of dog and cat neglect and abuse I saw was heartbreaking💔. I often questioned why some community members would turn their eye to the abuse or not want to get involved. Because I truly believed (and still do!) that when more people get involved within their community, become more educated about their community’s problems, the sooner we make positive changes for the good of all beings involved – whether it is in animal rescue, poverty, domestic violence, or other community concerns. You may quickly find that all community problems are connected in some way.

As human beings we have the emotional and intellectual ability to not only feel and know when something is wrong with another being or situation but we also have the capacity to make positive changes for all involved. Just one simple smile to a stranger, one kind word to a neighbor, one act of service with a community organization, could change or even save another being’s life.

I know it can be scary sometimes to speak up, to get involved, but when you see or hear something that makes you uncomfortable – trust your gut, your intuition. I encourage you to speak to someone. Ask questions. Become educated. Your action (no matter the size) may truly be the hand that leads someone out of harm’s way. 

Your Voice – Their Hope.💜💜💜

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for all beings.

Blessings,

Alexis

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