Hopeful Intention

~ Ali Grimshaw

 

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What do you hold onto
when the bottom drops out
leaving you foundationless?

Your roof carried away by a tornado.
Left only with blankness and a pen
you forgot was in your hand.

I draw myself a new house
openness of windows, tin roof to hear rain
a welcome door without requirements

with the hope that you feel safe enough to visit
uncensored, just as you are not
when you leave the premises

© Ali Grimshaw 2019

“Active Hope is a practice.

Since Active Hope doesn’t require our optimism, we can apply it even in areas where we feel hopeless. The guiding impetus is intention; we choose what we aim to bring about, act for, or express. Rather than weighing our chances and proceeding only when we feel hopeful, we focus on our intention and let it be our guide.”

– Joanna Macy, respected voice in the movements for peace, justice, and ecology.

dVerse – Open Link Night

52 thoughts on “Hopeful Intention”

  2. I draw myself a new house
    openness of windows, tin roof to hear rain
    a welcome door without requirements

    I loved the description of this new house and also your poem – it is very true of times like that, and how we can always start over.

    Liked by 1 person

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      1. Exactly what you describe – openness of windows with new vistas and perspectives that wash off any smudge on my mindscape, I can hear the winds and the rains, the door is welcoming and open, I don’t have fears and judgments of who walks in. I loved what you drew so don’t want to do my own drawing 🙂 I have a tendency to hold on to things until the last shred of it is gone, and also have tasted starting over in life repeatedly in some ways – so I would love for the rigid walls of my current home/mind disappear 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  6. The ending really called to me:

    “a welcome door without requirements

    with the hope that you feel safe enough to visit
    uncensored, just as you are not
    when you leave the premises”

    thought the thought of a world uncensored is *slightly* terrifying

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. I am going to send this beautiful poem to my son, Ali. His bottom recently dropped out and he is in the process of drawing himself a new house. I think he would appreciate the thoughts on active hope. Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Kirsten, Thanks for letting me know. Any time I can add lift to your life it makes my heart beat with joy. You have a special story to tell and your actions are making a difference. I love you, Ali Grimshaw

    Make a memory today.

    On Thu, Dec 12, 2019 at 4:05 PM flashlight batteries – poetry wrote:

    > Ali Grimshaw posted: ” What do you hold onto when the bottom drops out > leaving you foundationless? Your roof carried away by a tornado. Left only > with blankness and a pen you forgot was in your hand. I draw myself a new > house openness of windows, tin roof to hear ra” >

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    Reply

  15. This is a very inspiring poem about staying strong even when tragedy destroys you. I loved the idea of drawing a new house when one is left only with pen and paper.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Nitin, it makes me smile to hear that you connected with my words and found them inspiring. We always have the power to choose our response and choosing hope in action keeps me from losing my balance. Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I am not surprised. I thought you would might be interested in this concept based on what you write about.
      Joanna Macy is an inspiring woman who has written many books. Great to hear from you. I hope your holiday season is joyful.
      Ali

      Liked by 1 person

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