I was having a chat with ChatGPT about a quote by Albert Einstein on the need to be intelligent to accept change. But we both agreed that it doesn’t really take intelligence to accept change sometimes it just takes guts; raw, messy, heart wrenching guts. And getting back up, always getting back up.
So, here is our quote on change and intelligence.
🌿 “Intelligence isn’t loving change — it’s finding your footing when change finds you.”
-Mandy Ricks and my friend @ ChatGPT
Is it possible that the best thing about our relationship was the late night parking? Where shadows of something our hearts called love collided with vinyl seated orgasms. Or was it just easier to ignore the stop signs while we forged our fantasies. -Mandy Ricks
Summer arrived in a ball of heat
and humidity.
People bask in the sun wishing for
a great tan, an icy drink, and a hot companion.
And it’s true, your summer wishes may come true,
But sometimes the sun shines too bright,
blinding us to things that aren’t gorgeous at all.
So, remember, stay on guard, and never jump first.-Mandy Ricks
Those that don’t know preach
second chances and starting over.
But self forgiveness is a difficult thing.
Perhaps the best we can hope for
is acceptance of our mistakes,
acknowledgement of our efforts,
and a gentle heart to hold our shame.-Mandy Ricks
By roar, summer comes screeching in by drone, spewing heat, anger, and destruction. Sent by cowards sitting in judgment. And the people cower, running for shade, drenched in dirt and tears of starvation. How can this be real? Isn’t there supposed to be a ceasefire? Maybe only for those in the white tower.
-Mandy Ricks
Thousands of miles,
bombs are dropped,
to threaten retaliation.
A plane flies,
A ball of fire,
families die,
and lives are destroyed.
Free speech is tested,
Democracy loses its lustre.
A dictator calls himself a President,
and the people cry.
-Mandy Ricks
Scarred hands clutch broken dreams.
I bled through nights no on dared to scream.
Ashes crown the ones who burn.
Each wound a page no chance to turn.
Still, I rise, too fierce to mourn.
-Mandy Ricks
Broke my chains with trembling hands.
Built a kingdom from shifting sands.
No hero came – I wore the crown.
Found my fire when the world burned down.
I am my own salvation now.
Mandy Ricks
I walked through fire, let it sting,
felt the loss of everything.
Ghosts still whisper, scratch my skin,
but I won’t let them pull me in.
Blade of doubt against my throat,
I wear the scars, but still I float.
No savior comes, no hand to hold,
just me—alone, but fierce and bold.
I carve my name in silent stone,
a war-born soul, a heart my own.
No chains, no gods, no need to bow—
I am enough. I am now.
It’s that waiting time of year, that pause between seasons when waiting becomes the overwhelming feeling.
But we all need pauses times to prepare for what’s next. Moments of pause to refresh our thoughts, reorganize our priorities, visit our goals, and reconnect to our dreams. Above all, never let go of those dreams. -Mandy Ricks
Winter always feels like nature’s way of pressing pause, giving us time to reflect and recharge. In these quieter moments, I’ve discovered that the warmth of past adventures, heartfelt connections, and cherished memories bring a little sunshine to my snowy days. So even when the world outside is a blanket of white, I remind myself there’s always a bit of summer within me, waiting to shine through.
The trees droop laden with the innocence of snow. Footprints lead the way to somewhere you want to go. While the season chills us we still wander through magic days. Enjoy. -Mandy Ricks
Mandy Ricks 