Last night I didn’t feel well, so I opted out of book club and then tossed and turned and kvetched the night away, shaking my fist at the new moon until I allowed her to hold me close.
This morning I wrote my 35th haiku in thirty-five consecutive days. I haven’t left my porch yet. I continued with my morning writing practice and lit my candle in another new, sustaining ritual pointing towards intentional connection in all I do, make and live. I did this before I drank my first cup of coffee.
I don’t know what today will hold specifically and I have several distinctive containers – a toastmasters meeting and a book club meeting – for deliberate connections with people. As I wrote that sentence, it occurred to me I may take those appointments (before this I saw them as duties) as ways to truly see and hear specific people who also gather in these groups.
What I mean by “seeing and hearing specific people” is I will not only mindfully listen to people as they speak, I will also initiate conversations with people who may not be engaged – those who may be feeling left out or unimportant to others in the group.
When I show up this way it isn’t so much of a battle to get there, although I believe a shower is in order and I have yet to achieve that!
Why is this worthy of sharing on my blog?
It is worthy of sharing because our future is built on our everyday moments, our conscious intention or lack thereof. If we choose to stay focused on anger and disassociation from everyone who doesn’t think, feel, create and move through the day exactly as we do, we miss opportunities for surprise, delight and increased meaning and creativity.
What of this message today resonates with you?
As one of those outsider type members of groups, YAS!!!
“… I may take those appointments (before this I saw them as duties) as ways to truly see and hear specific people who also gather in these groups.” not only does this inspire me, it redirects me to your words intention and connection. This is exactly what that means to me!
Intention and Connection are areas of focus for me this year. Such a difference in so many ways. Thank you for your comment!
Thank you for writing this morning. Reading the sentence above where you stated, “I will also initiate conversations with people who may not be engaged” spoke volumes to me. I have found myself many times in places where there are many peoples gathered, but silence is loud. Sometimes, a simple hello is all it takes to engage people. I think though, we wait for others to make the first gesture!
I did exactly this and it felt great. Every person was engaged fully – setting that intention made a difference.
Congratulations on your 35th haiku writing and hope you felt better as the day went on.
It is ok to opt-out of a book club meeting once in a while, but we will miss you if you opt-out of the blog challenge.
Don’t forget to blog on.
I most definitely will continue to blog. My writing voice is getting stronger daily, more like my old self. I like it!
My personal haiku challenge has been instrumental in proving to myself I can keep up with myself and with life as it flows right along. I’m so grateful!