Today I took one of the dog's for a walk in the woods while the kids were in school. I picked a few of the wildflowers that are still hanging around. I stood on a bridge and watched the leaves fall into the water. I looked for acorns. I took deep breaths. I noticed more good than bad in everything and everywhere. I realized (again) that I need a slower pace sometimes and fresh air and solitude to get back a feeling of balance in my life.
I am grateful for balance and wildflowers and finding joy and wonder in the small and ordinary moments.
Today is National Poetry Day. Here is a poem I love from Mary Oliver to celebrate the day and the wonder and joy of the ordinary.
Mindful
Every day
I see or I hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It is what I was born for--
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world--
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant--
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings as these--
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean's shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?
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