Is life a constant competition—a win or lose situation? Some believe it is. So are you 

ready to play the game?

 

You awake each morning and prepare to engage with others who also dream of being successful, and you may discover . . .

 

 

Life Is A Game Show

 

You might dispute the claim

that life

is a game show,

but read the following

with an open mind,

for you could be wrong.

Looking back

on my youth,

everything I did with my friends

seemed to be part of a game—

one I had to play

to get along.

 

From trading baseball cards,

in my early years,

to getting a date

with the girl

of my dreams,

I played “Let’s Make A Deal.”

Later in life,

while on the job,

spending time with acquaintances,

or at home with my wife and kids,

I bargained so much,

it seemed unreal.

 

Winning

appeared to be

what life was all about

and the right deal

had to be made

to get ahead.

As time went on,

I got better and better

at playing,

but wondered

if I should be doing

something else instead.

 

Sometimes

I had to bend the truth

to make my point,

telling people

what they wanted to hear,

so I’d come out on top.

However, if I wanted to become

the person I aspired to be,

I had “To Tell The Truth,”

and pretending

to be something I was not

had to stop.

 

My parent’s teachings

played a large role in my life,

especially as to how

I spent the money

I worked hard to earn

and, as such, I am very tight.

They told me there are just two things

you should buy on time—

a house and a car.

Everything else

should be paid for in cash,

but only if “The Price Is Right.”

 

Both what you say

and what you don’t

can get you into trouble,

shaking the family tree

and disrupting

marital bliss.

Arguments are part

of any relationship,

so you need to try hard

to resolve each “Family Feud,”

by reaching an agreement—  

sealed with a kiss.

 

Saving for the future

was the thing to do,

and, as is clear

from above,

I always managed

to put money aside.

So when the topic,

“Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,”

came up

in discussion,

my eyes

opened wide.

 

I knew,

if I played the game,

as it was meant to be played,

and did it in an honest

and forthright manner,

I would be rich someday.

For wealth is measured by things

other than cash in the bank,

such as playing life’s games with pride

and appreciating

the company of the people

with whom you play.

 

 

Copyright © 2021 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.

April is Rotary’s “Maternal and Child Health Month.” As Rotarians, we pledge to help those in need, both locally and worldwide.

 

This can be a daunting task, as you will see in the poem . . .

 

 

Help Save Our Future

 

“Please save my child,” a young, Nigerian rural mother pleads.

But there is no doctor within hundreds of miles to help fulfill her needs.

 

“I’m six-months pregnant and my baby isn’t moving inside me,” 

      a Brazilian mother-to-be shouts and begins to cry.

But doctors, laboratories, clinics, neonatal intensive care units, and incubators 

      are in short supply.

 

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 830 women die every day 

      from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Ninety-nine percent of maternal deaths occur in developing countries 

      where nearly half of all mothers and newborns do not receive care during 

      and after birth.

 

It is estimated that close to six million children under the age of five die           

      each year.

Reasons include malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation,         

      all of which can be prevented, if we persevere.

 

Rotary clubs and districts dedicate their efforts to providing mothers 

      and their children with a healthy future through access to quality care.

Projects to support them include mobile prenatal clinics, cancer screening,  

      immunizations, and training on how to protect their children 

      and themselves from disease and despair.

 

Throughout the world, these and other maternal and child health and well-being 

      causes Rotary has undertaken—worthy goals, indeed.

Rotary makes health care available to vulnerable mothers and children, so they 

      can grow stronger, live longer, and succeed.

 

Healthcare before, during, and after childbirth can save the lives of women          

      and newborn babies worldwide.

As Rotarians, we need to support these efforts through donations, and volunteer, 

      as appropriate, and do so with pride.

 

 

Copyright © 2022 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.

2022 VOICES OF LINCOLN POETRY CONTEST

 

 

Poets wanted. The 18th Annual Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest begins in April, National Poetry Month. The contest theme is “People Are . . .  Everything.” Both adult and young poets are encouraged to enter. 

 

Contest Rules and Entry Form can be downloaded here or requested from Alan Lowe, Contest Coordinator, at slolowe@icloud.com.