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.
💝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
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.
I love that you addressed your mind and body directly with your intention to restore/re-store your heart in 2026. Such and important intention and one that will lead you, not back to who you were because that ship has sailed, but to the new you full of vigor and positivity. Cheering you on from the sidelines! (PS: never apologize for being "late" to Poetry Friday! Think of it as a weekend long celebration and the important thing is that you are here!)
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, thank you for commenting on my blog post. Restore turned out to be a very good one word for me. I do wish for a new me to drop the sadness within. Positivity is key. I am on the way to enjoy the PF Community's blogs that always offer new thoughts and poems.
DeleteThanks for posting, Carol. You've turned your OLW into a mantra! May you have many opportunities to restore your heart and soul this year letting your beautiful thoughts and words lead you to peace.
ReplyDeleteRose, thank you for saying that my OLW is a mantra. That alone is a gift so I will try to unwrap my mantra each step on my spiritual journey. Stay warm this weekend. I can imagine that it is a little colder than Virginia.
DeleteI didn't know you had posted until my comment, Carol. What a special song so full of hope for better hours as you take the steps to 'restore'. I am thinking of you every day, and now I'll know that step by step will bring the peace and joy you are seeking. I'm happy that you've found a path that feels good!
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for your words that are so comforting. Grief is a a difficult stage of life, as you must know, but I think I can wash the waves away and take baby steps to move forward. Writing and reading are my tools to find peace. The path is a dual one. When I found renew as my 2025 word, I did not know that this word would be a two year path. Hopefully, restore will be a strong guide. Have a wonderful weekend and snuggle in when the cold gets too low.
DeleteI love "revive/ what makes me strong". I love this invitation to your mind and body.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of you, Carol, as you take on your paper work and continue on with the work of restoring your life and creating your poetry into the future. The cold is difficult but after living in Syracuse once upon a time, I know you have what it takes to get through the winter. Just think, crocuses will be peaking out of the ground before you know it followed by daffodils. This morning I listened to a MLK press conference on CSpan and was inspired again by his clear vision and perseverance. Have a peaceful and restorative week. xo
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely perfect. I am praying that you and your word have a productive journey.
ReplyDeleteCarol, an excellent OLW for someone who has been through it over the last year. I love your line "Layers of clothing and acceptance are needed." In addressing your mind and body, you are also caring for that third layer of self, your spirit and soul. I wonder if you will enjoy this hymn also:
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/dEx2_ucfQSs?si=3cZd2igBhZy0C8QI
Oh Carol, I love 'restore' and 're-store.' Both hold a deep and hopeful view of turning a page, beginning the year with a sense of growth. I am inspired by your letter to Mind and Body -- such an intimate look at raw honesty. May your 2026 be blessed by 'restore.'
ReplyDeleteRestore is a great word, Carol. And I love how you wrote it to the word, itself. Your creativity is showing! And, that's great! I wish you well as you strike out on non-regimented mornings to a fresh take on restoring your mind and body! (And I was much later than you in my PoetryFriday post this week - embarassingly late - due to a mistake I made). Take care.
ReplyDelete