Thursday, January 19, 2012

Be a Bear

Wow! Winter's here.

What I am very clear on: I am hibernating! Early to bed, sluggish to rise, slow to answer emails, writing next to nothing creative, falling asleep with a book in my hands...

I decided not to wallow in the "shoulds" and I'm allowing myself a little grace...after all isn't that what I would do for a friend?

This week treat yourself like you would treat your best friend, child, or favorite love. Give yourself a break!

Find a few minutes and breathe...close your eyes and fill up your belly. Whether it's cold or warm outside feel how the temperature of the air slides down your throat and comes back at a perfect 98.6 degrees--consider the warmth--a gift to the snoozing trees. Allow the trees gift you with their patience, peace and strength...you may even consider tucking yourself in for a long winter's nap.

Breath in.
Breath out.

Oh, if you want to check out some really scientific stuff about hibernation go here.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

12X12 Squared

Last week I sent out a cover letter and a picture book manuscript to a publisher. I love reading picture books* and writing one was an unexpected joy. It lead me to Writersvibe powerhouse and reminded me how much I love words.

Picture books are not unlike poetry...the language is precise and simple, and the goal is get your read-tos and read-ers to ask for the story over and over (and over and over.)

So this year, I'm putting some of those funny life quirks into 12 picture books in 12 months.


*Thanks, Mom, I love the way you spoke to me well into adulthood through gifts like Tacky the Penguin and the princess story where the princess outwitted all of her would be princes.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Like One Million Kisses

Winter is my favorite season. This year I've longed for winter. She comes in fits and starts. She's been tease that doesn't stay.

Yes, I did take the swing for a swing.
Why do a love winter? It could be that I'm a winter baby. It could be that I spent my winters with wind chills sending the temperatures well below zero. I love the feel of the air burning down into my lungs, the death wind that steals my breath, and the chill to my marrow that only thaws when spring comes.

When I think of winter, I remember walking to school in my moonboots with Lila Alger--one of us on each side of the rutted dirt road hunting for the thin white ice because the ice tinkles like chimes when you stepped on it exactly the right way.

Tonight it snowed. When I stepped outside, like a child, I forgot to feel the cold. I turned my face into the wind and invited the flakes to fall.

Go outside and invite winter into your bones. What does she say to you?

Like One Million Kisses 
The maples stand naked
Already tipped
With spring's seed
In the dusty pearl dusk
Hiding smoke breath
Cold, not shivered
Face turned to the wind
Eyes closed
You fall like one million kisses
Smothered and dripping,
Never have I been more loved

Sunday, January 8, 2012

360 Degrees of Truth

A new guy started in my office. The first week he was high fiving everyone. He kind of figured out that we don't go for that. The second week, he said my boots were "uhhhh....loud", and it he liked it. (Ummm....seriously.) Last week he was chasing me around the cubicle to read my shirt after I said "No, thank you." (Yes, I am going to give you permission to stare at my chest.)

My co-worker (whom I respect) said "Maybe he's making friends." (Poorly. Maybe next time he can pull on my braids.)

What is he thinking? I don't know. My guess is that to him, I am one scary woman who knows a lot more about what's going on than he does.

What's the point of the story? Truth lies with the observer.

If you sit in a circle with two other people and put a stone in the center, there are three truths for the stone. Add 357 people to your circle, and you'll hear 360 truths--when you remember to listen.

I forgot. Last week, I was reminded with a slingshot and a stone.

This week look beyond your own truth and listen for another degree. If you'd like to share what you noticed, please do.

360 Degrees of Truth

Angle, circumference, degree
A cherry pi
Blinders closed
ON locked OFF
Ready the knife
 
Defended by thundering stone
Falling one-by-one
Sprawled and burning
Sweeping all 'round
Seeing circles of truth
Binding the center stoned

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Resolution--The Dirty Word

It's the first day of 2012. Resolution is a dirty word in my world. Making a Santa sized list of all the things I want to do in the next year is like asking to be on the naughty list. I might as well go buy the lump of coal and bronze it for the mantel. Tomorrow it will still be a lump of coal.

This year, like last year I set an intention. ONE intention. Last night I realized I was successful at my one intention. I created more time for the things that I love..writing, playing, gardening, traveling, resting, reading.


Was it perfect? Yes!
Did I laugh, cry, scream, and dance? Yes!
Did I do enough? Yes!
Will I create more time for love this year? Yes!


If you are feeling disappointed by what you didn't get done last year, light a candle, send it away on a star, and allow yourself a little grace. Pick one "R" or intention for this year, and let it grow. Notice what falls and what flies.


Stand
When you stand at a threshold
Only sky falls before you
A leap is necessary
Love the wings that hold you
Don't be afraid to fly