Stress Management

By now, I presume that all of us who are going back to work, have gone back and those who are between jobs, have resumed the search. What we all share, more than likely, is a sense of stress. So, I'd like to share my
take on a remedy that I heard of a couple of years ago. When it comes to stress:

I’ve heard that cowboys don’t need shrinks
or boxes of puffs tissues.
Some gather with Jack Daniels
to help resolve their issues
while others learn stress management
to help them to unwind
and their technique will work for you.
First, you clear your mind.
Imagine you can hear the splash
of water over stones
The solitude surrounds you
in this place that’s all your own.
Sunlight streams through Oak and Pine.
Bluebirds dart thru trees
and there’s a sort of wet leaf smell
wafting on the breeze.
Then picture you next to a stream
with water, clear and cool
and you can see your image there,
reflected in the pool.
Now, next to you, you see the face
of one who caused your pain.
And you hold him underwater
till you’re peaceful once again.

Jeff Hildebrandt © 2012

Hey, Jude!

I admit it, I am a fan of The Beatles music. It still brings back memories of younger days in Kansas City, where I grew up. So, a while back, after reading the book of Jude in the Bible, I was inspired to write my version of a Beatles hit. With a little work, your church choir might be able to do something with it. Let me know.

Hey, Jude !

Hey, Jude, you made me sad
with the warnings there in your letter;
reminders to guard our mind and our heart
that’s how we start to make things better.
Hey Jude, you’re words are clear.
You foretold then what we see growing
Perversions, like Sodom there by the sea
aggressively,
their seeds are sowing.
You say they walk the way of Cain,
clouds with no rain
They carry the world toward destruction
And they don’t know that it’s a curse,
it will get worse
By turning their back on your instruction
Da da da da da da da da da
Our God, won’t let us down
We’re inspired by what’s in your letter
Reminders to fight for faith in our heart;
be set apart to make life better.
We must speak out against their sin;
time to begin
you’re calling the faithful to be soldiers
And now we know, just what to do
With prayer it’s true
The power of God will make us bolder
Da da da da da da da da da Yeah
Hey, Jude, God’s Spirit who
used your true words to make us better
reminds us to speak in love and begin
telling again what’s in your letter
that will make us better, better, better,

Jeff Hildebrandt © April 30, 2010

Have Buns Will Travel

I shared this with my pal, Johnny Western, who wrote the Ballad of Paladin. (you can sing along at the end of every episode of Have Gun Will Travel on Encore Westerns) He thought it was funny so I'll share it with you.

HAVE BUNS WILL TRAVEL

Have buns, will travel
reads the side of his van.
a chef on a mission
in a hungry land.
His buns raising higher
and his icing's thin.
The warm, gooey goodness
oozing down, down, down your chin.
Sticky Buns, Sticky Buns
Latte's with foam.
Sticky Buns, Sticky Buns
Please, take some home...

Jeff Hildebrandt © Oct. 11, 2011