In Celebration of National Poetry Month

I love poetry. I remember being in school and memorizing poems - I think it was one of my favorite things to do. Poetry is a beautiful song of expressing our deepest thoughts. What poems are your favorite? Do you read poetry? If not, consider reading some to lift your spirits and feel your own song within.

In celebration of National Poetry Month, I am sharing one of my favorite poems, this one by Mary Oliver.

The Journey

 

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice --

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations --

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice,

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do --

determined to save

the only life you could save.

 



 As I am about to begin a year long study in Positive Psychology. This poem expresses my own journey. I am taking this course for my own personal growth, knowing that I will change this year and I am certain that what I learn will impact my entire life, both personal and professional. I am excited, curious and ready to take a next step in my own growth. I will be back to share more as the course unfolds.

What poem guides your life? Poetry is the song of our hearts.

Daring Greatly

I am inspired by Brene Brown and her refreshing insights on vulnerability, shame and whole-hearted living. Her latest book, Daring Greatly, is a book I will read again and again. I value her work as it comes from her years of research as well as her life experience. Her recent Soul Sunday talk with Oprah was inspiring and worth watching.

Brene shows us all how to live whole heartedly and to have the courage to be vulnerable. Changing the way we live and interact with one another through the courage to be vulnerable is a clear path to a more peaceful and functional world. I think her work should be required for all parents, teachers, and leaders in every field.

We live in a time where we hear too much about bullying and the use of shame in families, classrooms and cultures. What would our world really be like if we were to nurture vulnerability and whole-hearted living instead?

Take your next step and begin reading, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown.

Chasing Owls

In the last month, I have been blessed with a gathering of owls in and around my woodland neighborhood. I am in awe of these creatures and grateful that I've been close enough to feel their presence and allowed to take their photographs. Indeed, I feel they have given me permission to photograph them. I spend many hours in the woods and rarely have I been able to be close enough to an owl to capture their beauty on my camera!

Though I do know that it is their mating season which explains their presence, I have also been reading of their symbology in a number of native traditions and truly feel they have been gathering around me - them, for a teaching moment, and me, for a learning and remembering moment. I have always believed that nature is my greatest teacher of life and these owls are no exception.

After my most recent encounter, I am convinced that the Owl is my newest totem and one I wish to take within and embody. Wisdom, quiet listening, patience, silence and grace. All of these are qualities I wish to develop more within myself as well as acknowledge where these qualities already express themselves in my life.

This owl watched as I shoveled snow during the last snow storm. I was frustrated that the storm prevented me from my plans for the day and was running quite the dialogue in my mind when suddenly there was a moment of sensing. I looked up and there sat the owl as if patiently waiting for me to quiet my mind enough to feel its presence. My response was to stop, listen and laugh as I was then aware of my racing thought process and this owl was simply witnessing, waiting and watching.

When the owl finally decided to move on, I witnessed an awesome experience - the effortless flight of an owl through the woods. She seemed to slowly lean forward, outstretch her wings and with barely a movement of her wings, she silently glided through the air with such grace, my breath was paused as I could feel the gliding within myself!

In Native Americn tradition, owls are known as those with silent feathers. After a month of noticing these majestic creatures in flight, I agree. When walking in the woods, it is not hearing them flying by but sensing them flying by that leads my attention in their direction. When they land on a branch they are so still and blend in to their environment so fully that it takes a seeing without looking to notice they are there. Thank you Owl Totem for reminding me the value of stillness in my life, the sensing without hearing and the seeing without looking!