Willing Hearts
Separated
by time
and space
Yet,
physical distance
holds no power
over hearts
willing to listen
and reflect-
Not actually separated
after all
By Kelley Morris
You can find more of her poems here
pianogirlthoughts
I have never met Kelley in person but I feel connected to her. We were once strangers living in separate states, then she joined a writing circle. I listen to her words and I came to know her. Coming together, with women like Kelley, across physical distance to cherish poems and write together is generating hope. It is my heartwork to facilitate a safe space for you to hear your own voice and experience authentic connect with others through writing together. I have written with people from Europe, Canada and all over the U.S, and every time we are inspired by the circle.
sky
I see the sky,
the blue, the cloud; and
at night, the stars,
the moon, the planets.
You see the sky,
don’t you?
the same sky…yes?
Could it be, that
although the miles,
our experiences,
separate us…
we are still connected?
We are the same.
you are here and I am there,
or I am here and you are there.
The same sky…wherever we are.
Carrie Cannady
October 14, 2020
You can find more of Carrie's poems and reflective wisdom here at Leadourlives.net
I am grateful for Carrie’s permission
to share her poem from the writing
circle here. I continue to meet
amazing women across different time
zones. Writing together provides a
mirror for us to process life in a
safe place where we have all agreed
to listen with compassion.
Interested in joining a writing circle?
Email met at coaching@aligrimshaw.com
“Poetry might be defined as the clear expression of mixed feelings.”W.H. Auden, New Year Letter
In this time of change, I am keeping my eyes on love and offering a safe space to gather for reflection. There is much to process each day. Without an intentional pause I notice how easy it is for my brain to experience emotional overload. Poems provide an opportunity for slowing down, to pause. Writing together is an invitation to pause in the wonder of this day and remember we are alive. Every voice is welcome.
Renewal Through Poetry: Writing Circle
Join a small, online group to
Explore the use of poetry to inspire us.
Cultivate curiosity about our thinking and writing.
Experience writing as a tool for positive self reflection and well-being.
You will have the opportunity to connect more deeply with yourself, through your own writing, as well as through the writing shared by others. By offering a safe environment, through reflective listening, this workshop will support participants in expressing their authentic voice.
No writing experience needed. Group maximum 6 participants.
Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a safe place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Thank you to all of you who have written with me in the last few months. I am so very grateful to share this journey with you. I have added this new date and time to open up the invitation to others in different time zones. Let’s connect across the boarders. Stay safe my friends.
The world needs listeners now more than ever. My writing circles are designed to practice deep listening and reflective writing in small groups. I am starting up another four week writing series on the second week of July. Curious about weekly writing circles? Email me at coaching@aligrimshaw.com
we are held one moment, one
breath, one heartbeat at a time.
even when I feel I am falling,
I am held, safely.
sometimes the fire within,
which most often warms and
lights my next step, rages.
out of control – yes – that is the rage
unseen, well hidden and buried;
wounds of the past.
wanting to be felt, seen, honored –
so the soft warm light returns.
brighter, free.
heart opened.
By Carrie Cannady
I am grateful for Carrie’s permission to share her poem from the writing circle here. You can find more of Carrie’s writing on her blog, LeadOurLives.net
I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. Together we are writing, listening and learning from one another. Share your voice with us.
Writing together can:
• Provide authentic connection
• Allow expression of feelings
• Guide our own journey
Click on the links below for information and registration.
“Poetry gives you permission to feel.” – James Autry
At this time of shifting circumstances the work of my heart is to lead small online groups. I have received a clear message from participants that the writing circles are meeting a need to be heard and to process their thoughts through writing. Below is one of the poems that came from a recent writing circle. Thank you Chere Weiss for granting me permission to share it here. If you are seeking connection within a safe space consider writing with me on one of the dates listed below. No matter where you are, take care of your heart, don’t give up. The world needs your light.
Click on the links below for more information and registration.
Quarantine in Spring By Chere Weiss, April 15, 2020
The world as we knew it has imploded, people are dying, we are afraid. Stuck inside our houses we are; helpless, bored, sad, restless and annoyed. Everyone is wounded, or grieving. What day is it? It’s the day I woke up again. It’s the day after yesterday and the day before tomorrow. I am helpless and then a bird comes while I sit outside, he is small and fierce with his song. So delicate, he sings so hard his body vibrates. The cherry tree in front is snowing pink petals, they coat my walkway and follow me into the house. I am helpless and still my tulips stand tall, closed tight teasing me with anticipation. Every day I have no power, eager as a kid on Christmas morning waiting for them to bloom. I planted those tulips. They will open when they are damn good and ready and their colors will astonish me.
Past participants have shared this about my writing circles.
“Thank you for your loving energy, leading us to a place within ourselves that we either didn’t know was there or had been untapped for sometime. Your deep listening is a gift, and I feel held in it.” – Carrie
“I loved it all. Meeting new people and seeing the similarities between us. This also opened me up to a broader feeling of gratitude.” – Mary
“I loved your focus on being intentional, hearing the voices of other women and your positive energy. You are a light and an inspiration.” – Diane
Lately I have been writing with people from all over the U.S. and beyond. It is always a source of joy and inspiration to hear what others share when they put words down on a page. We are unique and also the same. Writing together has been a habitual part of my life for many years. During this time, I have noticed the fulfilling conversations and reflections that bloom from shared writing spaces. I invite you to explore this for yourself. This isn’t about trying to create the perfect poem. It is about connecting as human beings.
One of the delights of writing in a group is hearing what others share. This piece was written during one of our recent gatherings. I appreciate Louise letting me share it here.
This Thread is not like a river.
By Louise Gallagher
Unlike the river this thread has the power to flow backwards. I can follow its course deep into the stories
I tell of how I got here.
Unlike the river, this thread is not bound by its banks. It can overflow, threading off into territories long
forgotten in time’s passing.
This thread runs free. It is constantly unravelling time forwards and backwards. Casing through time and
place into the here and now where all I need to find myself is this thread which I can never let go of for
this thread tells the story of my life woven through the exquisite tapestry of my world shimmering in the
exquisite poetry of the love story that is my life.
You can find Louise’s blog filled with heartfelt writing and artwork here – dareboldly.com
This is the time to boldly take time to care of yourself.
“Poetry gives you permission to feel.” – James Autry
As the world shifts, I am looking for ways to give and create supportive community. With all the emotions swirling, we are faced with finding healthy ways to process them. Poetry provides powerful prompts for reflective writing and group inquiry provides a doorway into our own thinking.
My hope is that, by writing and reflecting together, we can learn from this unusual time, and face it with loving curiosity.
Tickets are available now for my new four session series. This small group will be limited to 6 participants to enable us to dive deeper into writing and sharing with each other.
“Poetry gives you permission to feel.” – James Autry
As the world shifts, I am looking for ways to give. With all the emotions swirling, we are faced with finding healthy ways to process them. Reflective writing using poetry has met that need for me and others I have written with. This is why I have created some group writing circles to provide this for others.
My hope is that, by writing and reflecting together, we can learn from this unusual time, and face it with loving curiosity. It would be especially wonderful to write with others across the globe. If this calls you you please click the link for a free ticket.
