Magnolia Surprise

Now that I'm home from an extended stay at the hospital, I continue with my morning rituals along with new ones from the doctors. First, I flick the remote to release the shades. I see a gorgeous blue sky with billowy clouds greeting me. While I cannot feel the warmth of the sun shining, I appreciate nature's gift. Later in the day, I will slowly walk around the patio to admire my flowers and magnolia trees. Until then, I shall stare at the photo of the first magnolia bud my husband sent me while in the hospital.

one single bud

sends vibrations of joy

spring's corsage

©CVarsalona, 2024

Photo by RVarsalona, 2024

The opening of Joy Harjo's poem, Eagle Poem, is a tribute to nature offering me much-needed quiet reflection before bed.

To pray you open your whole self

To sky, to earth, to moon

To one whole voice that is you.

READ the rest of the poem HERE.

May is nature's breath of freshness.

Breathe in the essence of spring.

Like me, build yourself self-care rituals and routines.

 

Michelle Kogan, the poet-artist is hosting with garden delights and a birthday bash. Several poet friends are celebrating their birthdays, including Michelle, so I wish them wonderful birthday greetings. Please read the various posts gathered for the Poetry Friday Roundup besides Michelle.

By the way, my youngest granddaughter was one this week. I did get to spend time watching her eat her birthday breakfast. Attached below is the digital card I made for her.

"Life Move" Tips-Day 2 SOLSC! #Sol2021

In the midst of a new life move, I need to slow down. There is so much to do; I rush around, jumping from small job to large one. Multitasking is no longer a plausible way to get to the bottom of my to-do list, nor is worrying about the move. What I need to do is seek balance when life becomes heavy. 

Balance was my guide word, my one word last year but you know what kind of year that was! I am ready for a small step plan. 

Tips for Today.

Breathe in. Exhale. - Pack with focus. - Find silver linings in what I do.

Pause intermittently. - Be grateful for small accomplishments.

Writing is a daily practice, an opening of my heart to the whispers of my soul. 

This post is the second in my March Musings 2021 series for Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21. You can access the site here to read what the other slicers are saying as they begin Day 2 of their March Slice of Life writing journey. 

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When Ideas Get Stuck

In the messiness of the creation process, persistence allows for ideas to percolate. The end product is as tasty as a fresh brewed cup of coffee, so I savor creation moments. Did you ever notice that sometimes ideas percolate without coming to brew or they don’t even emerge? In the stuck stage, we need to find ways to allow ideas to gel and flow once again.

What Gets Ideas Stuck?

Mind clutter prevents us from letting ideas flow.

• There may be too many thoughts spinning around in our heads each day.
• To do tasks may be mounting.

What Hacks Can We Use to Relieve Mind Clutter?

• Finding your pause button: In feeling the tension between what is and what can be, stopping to be still for a few moments helps.
• Breathing in: Ideas need space to breathe, to circulate, and find a landing pad but first the mind needs to be free. Find a focal point. Breathe. Deep breathing settles the mind.
• Yoga: In yoga class, we are asked to push aside all ideas that enter our space and steer us away from focusing. We are asked to become one with the space around us.
• Walks: A walk in the neighborhood or at the beach may be just the right approach to lure you into a peaceful state.

Scattered thoughts can clutter our minds so a few moments spent in quiet contemplation, listening to the sound of our breath, are welcoming. At these times, space opens and releases closed quarters of thought. New clarity may be achieved and a renewed spirit regenerated.

Tips:

• Self-help hacks come in handy only if we really practice them. Sitting in stillness in a minimalist space or walking at the beach allows the pause button to declutter my mind and draw me into the moment. 
• Being one with self is an awakening.
• Releasing "stuck" thoughts restores creativity.

I'm off to pause, breathe, release my thoughts, and move on.
Are you ready to join me?

It's Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers.

You may enjoy reading other colleagues' slices of life here.

REMINDER: This week, I am collecting artistic expressions: digital inspirations, image poems, inspirational quotes, music, and artwork all inspired by nature for my newest gallery, Summerscapes. Find your summerscape moment and create! You can even see some of the offerings at the Twitter hashtag, #Summerscapes.