This is how deadlines work: we draw a line in the mud, or in the sand or on our foreheads.

We put our heads down and move toward that line.

On the day I wrote this haiku it was possibly the last thing I wanted to do. I have a lot going on in my spirit, I had a lot of responsibilities of leadership and my energy was sapped due to grieving and sadness and not feeling “up to it.”

Instead of avoiding it, I did my best.

I allowed myself to be where I was, without judgment.

I moved forward, with love.

While in process, it looked like the blurry screen, the not quite there words. When I called it finished -well,

here’s how it turned out:

Haiku 13/37

They’re still dancing

Taming from yesterday’s storm

blossoms still open

I may morph this into a tanka. It may take a variety of forms. For right now, right here, this is just right.

Plantain lilies in the church/manse yard, gentle yet harsh teachers.

Coming upon the intimate scene, I chose to honor them and didn’t get as close as I might have usually gotten. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not.

This haiku included study, contemplation, research and presence.

I will remember these lilies, as they were and as they are. Yes. Will return tomorrow.

Is anything about this haiku or what I wrote particularly earth shattering?

No. It is none of those things. 

AND it is earth shattering in that I stayed the course. I shared my progress. I was authentically, whole-heart-and-soul present.

It is so easy to walk away.

The next time you have the thought “Why bother” in one of its many variations, I hope you will remember this moment of time: showing up, in that moment’s best. Not worrying about comparing that moment’s best to anyone else’s best.

PS: This is also why I use the word “Guidelines” instead of “Deadlines.” Guidelines are full of life and possibilities. Deadlines remind us of the losses that loom. I would rather focus on possibilities, even within loss. Guidelines do that for me.

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she has recently finished her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

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