By Gail Martin

My house had a weak foundation so I worked to make it strong
Fixed the roof to make it ready, whatever weather came along
But when twisters blow I’ve heard it’s best, although it sounds all wrong
To leave the doors and windows open
 
We’re 90 percent water, and I’m flooded everyday
By the chanciness of living, and when things don’t go my way
But if my house fills up with teardrops, in time they’ll flow away
If I leave the doors and windows open
 
Leave the doors and windows open
Let it all just come and go
Leave the doors and windows open
To the pain and joy you know
You cannot lock the bad times out
Or lock the good ones in
So leave the doors and windows open
 
It’s also said we’re made of light, day and night shine in their way
How I long to catch these fleeting joys, how I ache to make them stay
But light is meant to radiate, its always changing anyway
So leave the doors and windows open
 
But mostly we’re just empty space, from our atoms to our toes
However strong our walls may seem, they’re the emperor’s new clothes
So revel in your spaciousness, through all the highs and lows
And leave the doors and windows open

Leave the doors and windows open

Growing Instructions ~
If your current life was a hallway with six doors, what signs would you put on the three doors that you would want to keep open, and on the three doors that you want to keep closed? What are the possible consequences of each decision?
 

By Henry Karpinski

Like a package that just came
From a factory far away
That's how I come to you
Packed with paper in a box
Cause what's inside can't take shocks
That's how I come to you

When you open me you'll see
Just how fragile I can be, so please
Handle carefully, I break too easily

Growing Instructions ~
Think of a time in your life when you most needed the understanding of someone else. What did or could they have said or done to help? Ask for help with something you are struggling with. Be specific.
 

By Susan Anders

I forgot I was strong for awhile
I got lost for so long
For so many miles
Now I got back my moxie
I got back my style
I just forgot I was strong for awhile

When trouble hit what could I do?
I dove in deep and muddled through
Till it was the one thing I could count on
The deep blues came following
I went down, I was wallowing
You tried to help but I was too far gone

So I forgot I was strong for awhile….

I did everything I knew
I talked to God I talked to you
I got so tired of hearing my sad voice
Though blue was all I could see
The faintest feeling stuck with me
I knew one day I’d come back and rejoice (or had to make a choice?)

I just forgot I was strong for awhile…

Time and love, they fixed me up

I just forgot I was strong for awhile

Growing Instructions ~
Name three of your strengths. When do you forget you’re strong? Make a list of five phrases that can help you remember.
 

By Holly Near and John Bucchino

Once I thought I needed that pretty dress
Once I thought I needed more stuff
Once I thought I was all about it
Now I know enough is enough
Now I know enough is enough

So let's stop spending money
Let's stop wasting time
Let's stop driving around for nothing
And let's stop living a lie
And let's stop living a lie

Come on and
Jump Jump on
And love the planey
Jump Jump Jump on and love a friend
Jump Jump Jump on and love the children
Let's put a stop to the end
Let's put a stop to the end

I'm goin' up, up to the mountain
I'm goin' down, down to the sea
If you like walkin' and if you like breathin'
You can come with me

I don't always love us humans
We move slower than a snail
But of all the tasks that have been put before us
This time we don't want to fail

You may ask me why all the action?
Why all those crazy people down in the street?
All over the world people be jumpin'
Turn up the love and turn down the heat

Chorus

Once I thought I needed a pretty dress

Growing Instructions ~
What is one thing you can commit to doing (or not doing), to help take care of the planet, no matter how small? Write it down and post it where you’ll see it every day.
 

By Lea Centauri

I never breathe unless I’m far away
The open sea, a sunny day
And I don’t need a picture
I live this way
An open sea, a sunny day

Now I don’t mind the changes of the wind
The story goes, a sailor’s heart begins
And I don’t need a picture
I live this way
An open sea, a sunny day
An open sea, a sunny day

The cloudy days somehow I chance
The swelling waves show me the path
On the horizon a patch of blue
And I don’t need a picture
I live this way
An open sea, a sunny day
An open sea, a sunny day
An open sea, a sunny day

Growing Instructions ~
What place, activity or images help bring you inspiration, sustenance and/or peace? Choose one and schedule a time to experience it this week.
 

By Kerrigan Black

The love of your family is a mighty powerful thing
And so is the desire to make a difference in the world
Love of his people inspired Martin Luther King
To make a way for every single little boy and girl

(He was just an) ORDINARY MAN
(Living in a) ORDINARY HOUSE
(How can such an) ORDINARY MAN
(Do such) EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

Martin Luther King believed that everybody needs
Freedom and equality, dignity and love
He believed that the land was rich, but we must plant the seeds
To make a way for everyone to reach the heights above

(But he was just an) ORDINARY MAN
(Living in a) ORDINARY HOUSE
(How can such an) ORDINARY MAN
(Do such) EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

When we look at his life the lessons very clear
Every single one of us must do the best we can
To end racism and poverty, ignorance, hate and fear
We can’t wait for someone else, we all must take a stand

(You may be just an) ORDINARY MAN
(Living in a) ORDINARY HOUSE
(But even just an) ORDINARY MAN
(Can do such) EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

Growing Instructions ~
What extraordinary thing would you like to do or see happen? What ordinary thing can you do today to help achieve it?
 

By Don Arbor

Oh, I’m on the road again
I’m feeling free, lost and unknown
The old path is overgrown
I don’t know which way is home
I’m just wandering free

In the Sweet November Rain
Oh, winter’s come again
Can’t you see
Winter is changing me
I’m restless s the breeze
I can’t let my heart freeze
And I’m moving on
In the Sweet November Rain
Oh, its driving me insane

Ladadada, etc.
In the Sweet November Rain

Growing Instructions ~
Think of a time in your life when you reshaped your purpose or direction. What factors caused the change? What supports (people, routines, resources) helped you with the transition? Share some of those tools with someone who might find them useful.
 

By Renee Hayes and Susan Anders

I was driving down that same old funky highway

Listening to Prince’s “Musicology”
I was wondering why life never seemed to go my way
When a Maserati zipped right in front of me
I was about to lay on the horn
Make the driver regret he was born
Till I read his bumper sticker
And had my epiphany

(It said) “Dance, Sing, Laugh, Floss and Travel”
(Renewable Soul!)
If you want to lead a better you got to try
“Dance, Sing, Laugh, Floss and Travel”
(Renewable Soul!)
You got to live, live, live until you die

Now I pulled off that same old funky highway
Put the metal to the metal and drove home real fast
Delayed gratification has never been my forte
I signed up right away for a comedy improv class
I sang “Staying Alive” super loud

(Staying alive! Staying alive!)
Doing a dance for my imaginary crowd
And when the neighbors said

(Be quiet!)
I told them to kiss my—

(It said) “Dance, Sing, Laugh, Floss and Travel”
(Renewable Soul!)
If you want to lead a better you got to try
“Dance, Sing, Laugh, Floss and Travel”
(Renewable Soul!)
You got to live, live, live until you die

(It said) “Dance, Sing, Laugh, Floss and Travel”
(Renewable Soul!)
If you want to lead a better you got to try
“Dance, Sing, Laugh, Floss and Travel”
(Renewable Soul!)
You got to live, live, live until you die

(It said) “Dance, Sing, Laugh, Floss and Travel”
(Renewable Soul!)
If you want to lead a better you got to try
“Dance, Sing, Laugh, Floss and Travel”
(Renewable Soul!)
You got to live, live, live until you die

Growing Instructions ~
What is your definition of renewal? What makes you feel most alive and energized? Did you dance, sing, laugh, floss or travel today? Pick one and do it.
 

By Tom Manche & Renee Hayes

If it takes my whole life to sing
one note that rings clear and true
I would do it, gladly do it
It has taken many years for me
to cast away my fear and face the music
face the music
All the words I’ve heard cannot express
how it feels when you surrender
to the power of your song

Wise the one the one who sees,
Truths the seed of harmony
Believe it and you will see it
You’ll awaken from a sleep to find
You can no longer keep your soul from singing,
From singing
It sets your weary mind at rest
and lifts you up so high
To the inner sky
Inner sky

Growing Instructions ~
If you could face one of your fears and conquer it, what would it be? If you could have a sudden surge of inspiration for one aspect your life, which aspect what would it be?