Stretch forth thine hand.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.

When I give, I give myself

Of holding out my hand, even when utterly alone and abandoned,

Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.

I am alive, I live, I breathe, I put my hand out, unfolded, into the sunlight.

I will trust you — I will extend my hand to you — despite the risk of betrayal, because it is possible, through trust, to bring out the best in you, and perhaps in me. So,

If you shift your focus from yourself to others, extend your concern to others, and cultivate the thought of caring for the well being of others, then this will have the immediate effect of opening up your life and helping you to reach out.

Act toward others as you would act toward a part of your own self.

For Warmth

I hold my face in my two hands.
No, I am not crying.
I hold my face in my two hands
to keep the loneliness warm –
two hands protecting,
two hands nourishing,
two hands preventing
my soul from leaving me
in anger.

Reaching out for that hand to hold. Reaching out for the Star. Reaching out for the Star that explodes. Reaching out for Mama.

The one is ready even to sacrifice itself for the good of others, the other to plunge into peril provided it drags others with it.