Category: Blog

This piece was written many years ago, and some elements still hold true…

 

Burning the Bridges

 

Too often in life as we attempt to evolve, we hear a common statement:

“Don’t burn any bridges!”

If we receive an amazing job offer but must leave our current position, we hear it once again:

“Don’t burn any bridges!”

 

If we are in a questionable relationship, and it’s time to break it off, you guessed it:

“Don’t burn any bridges!”

If we are in conflict with a colleague and must take a stand for what is right, those words can’t escape us:

“Don’t burn any bridges!”

 

Why? Why must all bridges remain intact?

Have you examined any bridges recently?

Many are in grave need of repair, yet still, thousands of vehicles cross them each day.

Although in life, many feel we must be cautious to not burn these out of date, overused, and dilapidated structures.

 

We all know I am not speaking of literal bridges here,

but it is an excellent metaphor for life.

People are so afraid of harming contacts or relationships that they hold onto them long after they have run their course of usefulness.

They’d rather stay on that bridge no matter how bumpy or unstable it is than risk taking an alternate route.

 

Well, I am in favor or burning these antiquated structures that exist only in our minds…Hand me a match!

The one way to create an authentic fresh start is to remove the former bridge from our path and then find or build a new one.

Is this frightening? Yes…Is this difficult? Yes…Is this possible?

YES!

 

So step away from those colleagues, organizations, friends, and habits

that have been holding you back from what you were authentically meant to be.

Clean up the debris from the fire.

Get out the wood, hammer, and nails, and start to build your new bridge.

 

You control this structure.

Build it with a strong foundation; Build it using the most excellent materials.

Once completed, it will guide you to the future you were meant to have…not what others expect for you.

If you refuse to be who those around you expect you to be, they’re in for a surprise…and so are YOU!

 

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roadwork

 

As I drive down the boulevard for the hundredth time,

I’m struck by the lack of progress on the roadwork.

It seems this street has been under construction forever,

and I’m tired of it slowing me down.

 

I wonder why on some days there is a bustle of activity,

and constructors work up a heavy sweat making progress.

I can almost see results within a matter of days,

and I imagine how smooth my drive will soon be.

 

Yet other days the entire project is at a standstill.

Machinery does not move an inch,

workers mill about producing nothing at all,

and drivers offer never-ending complaints.

 

If you ponder this, it mirrors life.

For we have not just days but years

when our lives are under construction.

Our life project ebbs and flows.

 

Sometimes we are busy with production:

college, new job, marriage, building a house,

having children, watching them grow,

paying the mortgage, taking vacations…

 

Other times our life moves at a much slower pace:

Between jobs, lack of wellness, financial problems,

retirement, hanging with the grandkids,

reunions, passings…

 

If we look at the roadwork for what it really is

we may find ourselves more patient about the work to be done.

Because our life, like the road, is continually under construction,

and our road will take an extreme amount of time to complete as well.

 

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018

 

 

 

It’s Friday, so let’s get whimsical. Just a silly little chat between my right and left brain…

 

Right, Left

 

“Hey, right side,

I’m better than you.

I organize and analyze,

which you can’t do.”

 

“Hey left side,

you have the skills I lack.

But I’m creative,

and we really need that.”

 

“But right side,

I make more money than you.

There’s a dollar value

to all the things I do.”

 

“To the left I say

you have funds on your side.

But I’ve got self-expression

which I don’t have to hide.”

 

“You know right side

I’ll take my money any day.

Because life is expensive,

and I’ve got bills to pay.”

 

“Well left side

you have many things,

But my imagination is stronger

because it gives me wings!”

 

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Darkness

 

Eyes closed or open?

I have no way to know.

It’s been dark for so long,

am I above or below?

 

I view faint shadows

which are leering at me.

Are they stuck here forever

merely standing to see?

 

I’m feeling so trapped

as the wood grazes my nose.

I can’t feel my legs.

My whole body has froze.

 

Where’s the soft pillow?

Where’s the cushy bed?

Is it all for a show

to honor the dead?

 

Is it there for survivors

as they glance at the box?

It’s the illusion of comfort

as the coffin closes and locks.

 

I feel a slight bump

as the pallbearers’ stride.

I’m placed for final rest

but not sure if I died.

 

I hear the ominous sound

of the dirt as it drops.

It hits the coffin lid

as I try to scream, “STOP!”

 

Life can’t be over,

as there’s so much to do.

It’s gone in a blink.

How is my life through?

 

Why is life ended?

Why is it done?

Solving this mystery

is priority one.

 

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018

 

 

 

 

Hostile Words

 

Hostile words,

angry words,

words that incite violence.

 

Disrespectful words,

hurtful words,

words that lead to an ambulance.

 

Strong words,

bitter words,

words that cause a crime.

 

Painful words,

nasty words,

words that result in jail time.

 

The fact is

they’re just words.

Why do they illicit such action?

 

If we could replace them

with words of joy,

imagine a different reaction.

 

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018

 

 

 

 

We’ve all had a day like this, and only one thing will make it better…

 

That Cold Glass of Wine

 

It’s been a long day

with pressures like no other.

I’m in a comfortable chair

with that cold glass of wine.

 

The world’s going crazy

with deadlines looming.

The boss has been yelling,

but I’ve got that cold glass of wine.

 

Bills are piling up,

and there are chores to do.

Seems everyone needs something,

and I need a cold glass of wine.

 

My head is throbbing,

and my mind’s on overload.

My body is aching,

but I’ve got that cold glass of wine.

 

But not just a cold glass of wine

because that wouldn’t do.

I’ve got a cold glass of GOOD wine

to make everything awesome and new.

 

A sip or two, maybe three

and my troubles disappear

because that good wine makes all the difference.

The only thing better might be a good beer!

 

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018

 

 

Anyone who has ever had an interview knows this feeling…

 

The Interview

 

Your heart is racing,

and your palms are sweaty.

Your mind is turning.

It’s pretty heavy.

 

You’ve worked so hard

to get to this day.

You’ve got 30 minutes,

so what will you say?

 

The questions fire,

and your answers are ready.

Keep the conversation going.

Keep your hands steady.

 

Could you possibly be

what they’re looking for?

Or will they simply smile

and show you the door?

 

Now comes the waiting

which is perhaps worse than the chat.

Your future in their hands;

It’s really hard to take that!

 

I think I may throw up…

 

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018

 

Okay, prepare for a stream of consciousness:

Falling Off the Grid

Have you ever wondered how difficult it would be to fall off the grid?

In the year 2018, we’re tied into everything:

cell phones, bank cards, credit cards, PCs , laptops, e-mail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Tinder, Pinterest, texting, social security numbers, web pages, electricity, alarm services, water bill, MapQuest, Facetime, traffic signal cameras, Skype, i-pad, Nook, Kindle, HD everything, streaming, Dropbox, Google, Amazon, Hotmail, g-mail, online banking, cable, 24/365 news, 24/365 everything, Kardashians (just kidding), direct deposit, E-Pass, YouTube, Bitcoin, eBay, Match, eHarmony, downloads…Did I forget any?

Falling off the grid…

…Nope…It ain’t happening any time soon!

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018

 

Early Morning

There’s a certain feeling you get in the morning.

The kids are still asleep.

The birds are, too.

The house is still with quiet and peace.

 

You may hear a slight snore

Or perhaps a sigh as one of the children turnover in their bed.

The gentle sound of coffee brewing indicates the day has begun.

The wonderful smell wafts past your nose.

 

Then the gentle sound as birds awake

Just as the sun begins to rise.

They each have a particular song to sing

You wonder if that song has significant meaning to another.

 

You sit down with your hot cup.

You open the newspaper or boot up the computer to catch up on the news.

As you sip your coffee, the room gets a natural light with the rising sun.

The birds begin to converse more, and that brings a smile to your face.

 

But the largest smile is yet to come as you hear the children stir upstairs.

They skip down the steps two at a time.

They’re hungry for breakfast

And ready to start the day.

 

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018

 

 

 

This was a little something I wrote after seeing a stressed out child on a shopping trip with his mother…Have you observed a scene such as this?

Errands

Errands…

He stands in a crowded corridor.

He’s no more than four years old.

The mall: grand, colorful, enormous…

He can only see the knees of those around him.

Tears stream down his face.

People blindly mill past him.

They’re ignorant of his obvious stress and sense of confusion.

Some even bump past him, creating an uncomfortable jostle.

 

Errands…

The tears in his eyes grow stronger.

He wonders, “Will she ever find me?”

Just as hope fades, he feels a strong tug at his arm.

The firm hand practically yanks his shoulder from its socket.

“Where have you been?” inquired the stern voice.

“I’ve been looking all over for you!”

It’s impossible for him to keep up as he’s dragged through the crowded department store.

“If you get away from me again, I’ll tan your hide!” she hissed sharply.

 

Errands…

It’s the single word in the English language he most abhors.

Just then his fingers slip out of his mother’s grasp as she reaches for a product on her list.

Tan your hide…

It’s the single phrase in the English language that makes him shudder.

 

Something to think about…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Copyright Susie Krivacic 2018