Dear Friends,
In my Off-Leash Writing Workshops, we use poetry to inspire our writing. Today’s offering—a bit of a departure from my usual personal essay form—grew out of one of those exercises.
Warmly,
Tanya
P.S. Learn more about my writing workshops here or drop me a note here to get on my email list and be the first to know when I announce the fall sessions!
Lift a spoon,
a cup, things that fit in your hand.- Terry Kirby, “What Matters”
PICK UP
Babies, small dogs, caterpillars, friendly cats.
The check when you eat out with a friend.
Random bits of trash.
The poop of others’ dogs (to make up for the times you ran out of bags and made a guilty run for it).
Your pace: Jog. Skip. Dance.
A new language. Use it whenever you can.
Some good habits, like eating quinoa and walking a few miles a day.
Clues to what’s happening around you. Respond appropriately, whether by offering support to those in need, pushing back against injustice, or taking yourself out of a bad situation.
A pen. Use it to name what’s true.
A protest sign. Wave it in the streets.
A casserole dish. Bring it to a neighbor.
Your own hand. Hold it gently but firmly. Give yourself some love.
A paintbrush. Let yourself play!
A different kind of book than you usually read. Dive in. Don’t give up too soon. You may be surprised.
Some cool moves. Dance them with commitment.
A new song. Sing.
Carry the things that carry you forward.
PUT DOWN
Shame.
Despair.
Self-hatred.
Other-hatred.
Grudges.
Your phone. Look up at the world.
The longing for a better childhood than the one you had.
The desire for a different body than the one you’ve got.
The idea that no action you take, globally or locally, will bring about a single iota of meaningful change.
The notion that the world is going to hell anyway, so fuck it, let’s burn it all down.
The idea that your voice doesn’t matter.
The sense that you’re unworthy of love.
Any belief you’re carrying that separates you from the cornucopia of life around you and the possibility of expansive love.
Put that shit down.
And pick up the reins of your one life.
Please pass on this post to anyone you think would enjoy it!
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like Silence Says; That Bright, Unbroken Planet; and Somewhere in the Universe, All of This Is True.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.