Under Construction

Dear Mind and Body,

I decided that this month, you will be part of an under-construction plan of action. That may seem strange, but I will explain why the logo above is my opening thought. After several weeks of deliberating on my one word for 2026, I chose restore. Of course, I need you, Mind and Body, to challenge myself. I would like to see life differently than just gray skies and feeling forlorn. Did you know that an Arctic Blast has spread across the USA. Today, temperatures are dipping lower than before. Layers of clothing and acceptance are needed. 

I am not ready to shoo away the gray sky of winter, but I am willing to stop feeling like the morning routine is regimented and boring. I need to take a fresh approach to start each day. Last night, I ended the evening by reviewing one of the mounds of paperwork that sits on my desk, table, and bed. All of this is a start to a new year that is not about renewing life but restoring it. I invite you both, Mind and Body, to help me restore my heart and soul with positive intentions, stillness, and less anxiety.

💝It is time now for me to settle in

and be comforted by words that flow.💝

"Heart's Reset"

at day's end,

I sit in silence

surrounded by darkness

my one word, restore,

will guide me to

re-store

my broken heart 💔

to a growing heart 💗

draft  ©CVarsalona, 2026  

💝After a stressful week, I sit here at my computer listening to the music video, Restore My Soul.

The lyrics bring comfort,

especially these words: 

Restore my soul, revive my heart.

Renew my life in every part.💝

A Golden Shovel poem evolved from listening to the song many times. The strike lines for my poem are above.

Time to Restore

2026 is time to restore

what is in my

grieving soul

and kindly revive

what makes me strong - my

mind will open my heart

my faith will renew

me and my 

family's life

there is love within

nature's every

beating part

Amen! 

 draft  ©CVarsalona, 2026 

Thank you for listening.

 Carol

💝

Even though it is late, I am offering my blog post, Under Construction, for the Poetry Friday Roundup, hosted by a dear friend, Jan Annino at Bookseed Studio. Jan is sharing her thoughts on one of the honored leaders of the 20th century, Martin Luther King. Jan's statement on MLK is strong. "This weekend, especially, I wonder where a leader is, who can remind us and begin to renew us, with the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." Let's band together to lift up prayers as Martin would for peace and justice.