Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for the Slice of Life Challenge.
Out of your whole life give but a moment!All of your life that has gone before,All to come after it,—so you ignore,So you make perfect the present
My friend, Julieanne, sent me the above poem. She said it made her think of me. My One Little Word for 2016 was Present. She knew I didn’t want to leave this word behind. Being present served me well this year, especially when I was laid up by an injury. Present was perfect for a trip to Africa in July and for enjoying every moment of my daughter’s wedding in October. I have loved my daily walks because of presence. And the word turned up again and again in my daily messages from the Enneagram Institute. I needed the word. I needed the feeling. I needed the attitude.
I’ve struggled for days over what my new word should be. I read other friends’ posts and found their words fit them just right. Ruth is being steadfast. Tara wants to believe in herself and in hope. Kimberley is releasing to try to be more open and less controlling. Melanie chose brave. I think she’s already brave, but it helps to choose a word that you want to embrace.
Where was my word hiding?
I wrote a poem in my journal about Peace. Peace is a beautiful word; peace is something I can recognize, but I can’t control it.
Peace–happy ending of a Hallmark movie.Peace– origami cranes on an evergreen tree.Peace– wood crackling on an open fire.Peace– breathing new air.Peace– making perfect the present.
I made a list of possible words:
- Treasure
- Create
- Intent
- Brave
- Inspire
- Grace
- Renew
- Goodwill
All good words, but each word made some requirement of me that I was not ready to take on. Can’t I just be present again?
Then I began looking more closely at treasure. The definition included a synonym that felt right, fit right, is right!
Cherish is the fruit of the tree of Presence.
Cherish embraces me in love.
Cherish fills me with hope.
Cherish 2017, here we go!
Reflections on the Teche 