Celebration Resolution

January 3, 2015 by margaretsmn

Ruth Ayres invites us the celebrate each week. Click over to her site Discover. Play. Build. to read more celebrations.

I chose Reach as my OLW for 2015. The recent gift of an Amaryllis bulb reminds me daily to reach. It has quickly grown about 2 inches in 2 days, reaching up to be a blossom.

I am reaching out to other writers, sharing my work and encouraging theirs. A recent writing partner was introduced to me by Gae Polisner of Teachers Write and the author of two YA books, The Pull of Gravity and The Summer of Letting Go. Linda Mitchell and I have been exchanging poems for a few months. She is not blogging yet, so when she told me she had chosen her OLW, I asked her to write a poem about it. Here is her poem about the word Nourish. Love this word because you can nourish yourself as well as others. Her writing and advice nourish me.

New Year Resolution 1.1.2015
The women residing in me– but not limited to:
Daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend,
teacher, student, poet.

Whereas limited time is granted daily
by our creator and selfish choices;

Whereas desire to express meaning
is hindered by our ability to grasp
the essence of the language;

Whereas our attention and focus
is worn away and eroded
by frivolous pursuits;

Whereas our hope is to achieve
peaceful and mutual understanding
with our world;

RESOLVE, THAT the verb and action nourish
fortify all work, play and spiritual activity
January 1 through December 31, 2015.

And as such,

Be it resolved that we commit to:

Promote growth

Provide sustenance

Train, build and raise up

Ourselves, our loved ones
and our communities
beginning with prayer,
contemplation, word,
silence and
meaningful action
whenever and wherever
possible.

–Linda Mitchell, all rights reserved.

Posted in Celebration Saturday, Teachers Write, Writing | Tagged Gae Polisner, Linda Mitchell, OLW, Reach | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on January 3, 2015 at 2:22 pm | Reply Leigh Anne

I love the thought of “all the women residing in me.” We wear so many hats and yes, many times our “attention and focus is eroded and worn away” because we try to be so many things to so many people. Nourish is a wonderful word and I am glad your friend decided to share her words with us. Beautiful thoughts for me on this dreary, rainy day. Happy weekend to you.
on January 3, 2015 at 2:38 pm | Reply Michelle Haseltine

What a beautiful poem! Please send my compliments to your writing partner!! I love the idea of writing a poem about my OLW. You have inspired ME TOO today!
on January 3, 2015 at 3:30 pm | Reply Linda Baie

I like the poem’s structure, rather like a contract with oneself. Nice that you have a writing partner to share with, Margaret. Happy New Year with your own OLW.
on January 3, 2015 at 3:32 pm | Reply Deb Day (@mrsday75)

Love your OLW. Reach. So many possibilities. And I love that you are using the Amaryllis as a visual reminder. Perfect!
on January 3, 2015 at 3:44 pm | Reply Linda M.

Thank you, Margaret! So many words….REACH is perfect and I look forward to seeing you reach and grow. Of course, I’ve already started tweaking that poem and paring down words. Never finished fiddling 🙂 Happy New Year of Reach.
on January 3, 2015 at 3:46 pm | Reply Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer

Great OLW. I love that it includes others.
on January 3, 2015 at 4:32 pm | Reply Julie Johnson

First, I think it’s beautiful that you reach out to other writers to share and encourage. I know that your encouragement has helped me take some risks as a writer. 🙂 Secondly, I love Linda’s words…to promote growth, provide sustenance, train, build and raise up. I’m so glad you introduced us to her through your blog. Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing where your reach takes you.
on January 3, 2015 at 5:38 pm | Reply jarhartz

I agree with all that has been said. This poem and your post touches me in so many ways. These olw’s have reached and nourished me. Hmm. Reaching to nourish; sounds like you have a team. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a day (maybe once a month) when olw’s reach and nourish each other.
- on January 3, 2015 at 5:44 pm | Reply margaretsmn
  
  Have you joined the Spiritual Thursday round up at Holly Mueller’s blog? She is scheduling OLWs as themes for each week.
on January 3, 2015 at 7:04 pm | Reply Jennifer Laffin

A beautiful poem written by your friend! Thank you for sharing it. Have a great week!

Jennifer
on January 3, 2015 at 7:07 pm | Reply cvarsalona

You reached out to a friend, Margaret, and showcased her lovingly framed poem. To me your reach and Linda’s nourish co-exist in a caring relationship.
on January 3, 2015 at 11:19 pm | Reply joyacey

I love that your word REACH has the word EACH right in the middle of it to remind us to live each moment and to live in the moment. Thanks for a good poem.
on January 4, 2015 at 9:03 am | Reply Terje

I just read how Leigh Anne has difficult time letting go “Reach” as an OLW – it was such a great and strong word for her. I hope that the word will bring you more than you expect right now, that it will surprise you.
on January 4, 2015 at 7:17 pm | Reply Holly Mueller

I love the image of the Amaryllis reaching toward the sky, with plenty of unfurling and blooming ahead!
on January 5, 2015 at 3:02 am | Reply gae polisner

Okay, seriously, how much do I love how this connection has blossomed? How amazing is it to nourish one another? And this, Linda, this:

Whereas desire to express meaning
is hindered by our ability to grasp
the essence of the language;

So true. And yet we keep striving to grasp, and to express.

Happy New Year to you both!
on January 5, 2015 at 3:45 am | Reply Jen Vincent (@mentortexts)

I love the word reach! That’s great! I considered risk…but it seemed to risky. Reach would be great though. I’m excited to read more about your year. 🙂