Category Archives: poetry

Mindful Activities, Mindful Living, Mindful Meditation, poetry

Let your story unfold

In stillness
we find calm
Let your mind settle
and your worries flow out

It's hard, I know
my emotions sometimes feel strong
I don’t know if I can stay afloat
or if I will drown

Take a breath
and another
soon you will see
the worries
the sadness
become distant memories

While they are gone
take the time
to focus on the light within
let it shine
let it grow
this is where your story begins

Let your story unfold
in the present
not the past
Fill each page with awareness
and lightness 
but don’t grasp
Because even holding too tight
to what you have now
will rip the page
of your present
and stop the flow

Let your story flow naturally
with every breath
in and out
Ride the waves 
of the present
and let your worries flow out.
-Alexis Cress

Sometimes in our busy days, we don’t take the time to really pay attention to what is happening within us. When we have a moment to ourselves, we often choose to escape the present moment by checking social media, watching television, or reading a book. Take some time to be with you during the day. Maybe this will be a time for seated reflection, or a walk in nature, or just a moment focusing on your breath as it comes in and out. Let your story unfold naturally, and you will find calm.

Blessings,

Alexis

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love, Mindful Activities, Mindful Living, poetry

Do you believe in angels?

Do you believe in angels?
I do
different shapes and colors
celebrating life with you

A puppy dog’s tail as it wags with joy
a hummingbird’s wings whirling by
the breeze as it blows at just the right time
for sure angels are here, definitely a sign!

When the sun rises and colors the sky
and the kitten purrs when swatting at a butterfly
When the butterfly gracefully floats by
wings open
colors abound
surely angels are in disguise
surely angels are around!

 What else could it mean?
So many gifts in our sight
I don’t think its magic
but God’s gifts in flight

On the wings of an angel
from heaven they come
to celebrate life with us
with each rising sun.
-Alexis Cress

Do you have someone or something in your life (humans, animals, nature’s sights, smells, and sounds) that when you notice them, your heart overflows with warmth, with light? Take a moment to experience these gifts today. Maybe they are angels in disguise?

Blessings to you,

Alexis

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education, health benefits, Mindful Activities, Mindful Living, Mindful Meditation, poetry

Your Mindfulness Breath

Your Mindfulness Breath

Sit still
think of nothing
only your breath 
coming in and going out

Do you hear it
the silence in your mind 
and the awakening in your heart

Do you feel it
the warmth in your body
the lifting of the life weight off your shoulders 
and the opening of your soul

Can you see it 
the lightness before you
the path to your true calling

Can you touch it
the beauty that lies before you
beckoning you to come closer

Will you allow it
this mindfulness
this path to true discovery

Will you accept it 
this beauty and love that surrounds you

It is always there for you 
waiting in your mindfulness breath

Sit still
think of nothing
only your breath
coming in and going out.
-Alexis Cress

Have you ever tried mindfulness meditation? As my 3 part Mindful Living series will demonstrate, you can practice mindfulness doing anything and everything (which I hope you do!).

The American Psychological Association describes mindfulness meditation as paying attention to what is happening in the present moment and then accepting what is happening without judgement. For example, when you are in a seated meditation focusing on your breath, and your mind starts to wander or a specific thought comes into your mind – no worries – just become aware of this without analyzing your thought or yourself, and come back to your breath. I will discuss more about mindfulness meditation in Part 2 of my Mindful Living series, as well as in upcoming blogs. It is one of my favorite meditation practices. Stay tuned!

Be mindful today, and experience your life in a whole new, glorious way!

Blessings,

Alexis

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advocacy, Animal Organizations, animal rescue, education, love, poetry, volunteers

Dear Animal Rescuer

Dear animal rescuer
this message is for you

I know some days are tough
heartbreaking too
You secretly wonder if there are any
tears left to cry inside you

But, then you see the hope
and the love
return in the puppy dog’s eyes
He was alone and forgotten
barely alive
Remember, how you rescued him?
You gave him food and a safe place to be
Now look, 
he is running and playing
his tail wagging
with his new family  

And then you hear the loud purrs of the kitty cat
nestled next to your leg
She and her siblings
were tossed in the trash
left in a box, wet, almost dead

Remember, you rescued them too
from the garbage that day
gave them warmth and safety
a comfy place to lay

Your work makes a difference
dear animal rescuer
don’t ever think a different way

I would know
because you rescued me today.
Thank you! Xoxo Puppy
-Alexis Cress

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As someone who has worked in animal rescue, most recently in Costa Rica, I know much of the sadness, the hopelessness, that can be felt on a daily basis. When an animal is found tied up in a bag by the side of the road barely alive, or crammed into a box in the trash, or chained to a 3 foot lead left out in the sun and rain, emancipated, almost dead. These acts of neglect, of torture, can leave a heart ripped wide open feeling like there is no compassion left in the world.

But, when you see the light in the rescued puppy dog’s eyes, hear the hope in the kitty cat’s purrs, and feel the warmth of your heart as it mends and grows even bigger while tears flow from your eyes, you know it was all worth it. A life has been saved!

The animal rescuers, and those who advocate, volunteer, donate, and educate for the humane treatment of animals worldwide, you are the true heroes. Fighting for those who don’t have a voice, who are dependent on humans’ actions (or inactions) – whether domesticated animals or animals in the wild – Thank You!!! Everyday your compassion, your determination, your strength, help others wake up, give others courage to speak up, and help make change for the betterment of animals and the world.

There are so many amazing organizations in this world. But, here are some of my favorites near and far (I have many favs!): Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, El Refugio Costa Ballena, Perra Vida, Charlie’s Angels CR, Paws, China Rescue Dogs, Humane Society International, and SPCA International.

Dear Animal Rescuers – Thank You!!!

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advocacy, education, life lessons, love, poetry

Your Voice is Your Strength

Your voice is your strength
what you think
you become

Don't let others silence you
otherwise they have won

Choose peace over war
and love over hate

If you don't understand others
then learn to educate

We don't own this world
or its inhabitants 
we are only renters in this space

We do own our actions
our words
and the consequences they create

So let your light shine

Lead with your heart everyday

Every breath
open your eyes to wisdom

And let love lead the way.
- Alexis Cress

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advocacy, education, love, poetry

Alexis Cress Yoga and Rainbow’s Light

About Me – the start of a new beginning

EARTH -my Strength. NATURE -my Healer. LOVE -my Voice. BREATH -my Teacher

Hi, my name is Alexis Cress. I’m a poet, activist, writer, yoga and meditation instructor, vegan, and a huge lover of all animals (wild and domesticated). This blog was originally created back in 2019 to showcase the awesomeness and uniqueness of shelter cats, especially the cats in Costa Rica where I am currently living. The blog was called “Norman’s Corner” because I adopted a beautiful orange tabby cat from the animal shelter El Refugio in Costa Ballena, Costa Rica.

While the blog will continue to honor his name, our Norman will take a much needed cat nap (he is still the best cat ever and continues to encourage the adoptions of shelter cats to everyone he meets, even while lovingly annoying his canine siblings!).

Because the blog has evolved into something much bigger, I will take over the writing of the blog. But knowing my sweet, but very vocal cat, I will have guest writers share their feline and canine knowledge once in a while. The blog will now include my poetry and excerpts from my poetry book “Rainbow Light in the Cricket Sound”, animal activism writings and educational materials to share (in both English and Spanish), spotlights of animal welfare organizations (and people) who are making huge differences in the lives of animals, and other topics that are near and dear to my heart. So, please stay tuned.

Share a blog post with others if it inspires and connects with your heart, and above all, be the unique, divine self you are meant to be today and everyday! And TOGETHER we WILL ease the suffering of all beings in this world.

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