Now is the only time that matters
Say goodbye to what is gone.
No matter its importance then
now is a new beginning.
We get attached to our words,
to-do lists, the shoulds and woulds
that we tell ourselves.
They keep us tied to the past.
Fill us with regret and doubt
for the next step forward.
Now is the only time that matters.
By Val Boyko
I am grateful for Val's permission to share her poem from a recent writing circle. You can find more of her poems and yoga offerings here, www.FindYourMiddleGround.com. It has been an amazing to write with Val across the many miles, hear her experiences and find connection with someone who started out as a stranger and now is a friend.
I continue to meet big-hearted humans across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle.
Write Yourself: Reflection Through Poetry
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Click HEREfor more information and registration.
No experience needed. All voices welcome.
Photo taken at Smith Rock State Park
Writing together is a beautiful method of letting go, highlighting what is worth holding on to, and listening inward. It is a playful journey and a great way to make friends from distant places. Join me for a writing circle as we start a new year.
Write Yourself: Reflection Through Poetry. 1/15/22, 10:30 AM PST – Click HERE
To Know You by Kelley Morris
Oh, that I would not
Miss the chance
To know you
Past your likes
Past your dislikes
The chance
To offer time
As a gift for us both-
After all, that is
The only way
We truly connect
Occupying
The same space
In the physical
In the technological
Either has the ability
To spark the same magic
Oh, that I would not
Miss the chance
To know you
Due to the foolishness
Of a word
Such as busy-
Is there really such a thing, anyway?
I am grateful for Kelley's permission to share her poem from a recent writing circle. You can find more of her poems here, pianogirlthoughts.com. Kelley lives in Oklahoma, I in Oregon. I never would have had the chance to know her if she hadn't joined a writing circle. It has been an amazing to write with her across the many miles, hear her experiences and find connection with someone who started out as a stranger and now is a friend.
I continue to meet big-hearted humans across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle. No experience needed. All voices are welcome.
Photo taken November 2021, Bozeman, Montana.
up to me
fitting in is not required.
it’s not even necessary.
how could any of us fit
a mold that is not ours?
who made the mold anyway?
why did I never question this
generational imperative
to be someone or something
I was not ever intended to be –
or become?
I question it now.
I release it now – today.
I free myself to be…
me.
all that I am, and
all I can be is
up to
me.
By Carrie Cannady
April 2021
You can find more of Carrie's poems and reflective wisdom here atLeadourlives.net
I am grateful for Carrie’s permission to share her poem from the writing circle. I continue to meet amazing women across different time zones. Writing together provides a mirror for us to process life in a place where we have all agreed to listen with compassion. Come join us for a writing circle. Tickets are by donation.
Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 7, 10:00 am PDT. Register here
Self-Compassion Through Poetry: Writing Circle Friday, May 21, 8:30 am PDT. Register here
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
I wrote across
and down the page
sometimes diagonal doodles
to break through lines
that I refused, not willing
to be penned in.
Editing bled and tore through
to pages underneath.
Grateful for a thick tablet
layers of mistakes on the way to golden
this party called life, waking up
to attend, embrace the tousled mess
tumbles, triumph, trembles of love
that live outside of words.
The minutes are not guaranteed
savor this very one.
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 