This poem and homily really resonate with this new year. I've noticed a lot of discourse this month about turning points or about easing into things and being gentle and both of those threads seem at home in these themes of watching and anticipation.
This is a favorite of mine as well from Oliver. Her poems always cause me to reflect. I love your insights leading into the New Year. I’ve recently learned that gratitude and anxiety cannot coexist in the mind, what a miraculous thing! Love and gratitude are at the forefront of themes for my year as well.
Well done. I'm encouraged by your post to embark on writing and sharing some poetry of my own! Thank you for that.
Thankfulness is a word which I prefer to the word "gratitude". This, for reasons that I still don't understand. It seems more proactive and intentional. Gratitude seems too passive, like sitting on a beach chair with a Mai Tai waiting for the next wave to come up to your toes to be grateful for.
Thankfulness is our active embrace of The Gift. The Gift being literally everything. Every breath. Every heartbeat. Every one of a zillion sparkles on the snowy sidewalk.
Anyway. See, you've inspired me.
Peace and Blessings to you for a healthy and happy New Year!
Always love a Mary Oliver poem - thanks for sharing and your reflection. Makes me want to make slow living a priority this year. Best wishes in your dreaming for the new year!
I love this! I plan on finally reading her poetry handbook this year, but there is also so much to learn from her poems, as your insightful post points out. :)
Beautifully written, Kassi! Mary Oliver’s words always have a way of grounding us, and your reflections bring such depth and meaning to this piece. The reminder to live with gratitude and let our hearts lead is so powerful, especially as we step into a new year. Thank you for sharing this inspiring and heartfelt post—love it! I actually have Mary Oliver's A Poetry Handbook: A Prose Guide to Understanding and Writing Poetry, and it’s been such a source of wisdom and inspiration for me. 🥰😍✨️
This poem and homily really resonate with this new year. I've noticed a lot of discourse this month about turning points or about easing into things and being gentle and both of those threads seem at home in these themes of watching and anticipation.
I’m so glad to hear it resonated. I’m moving slow but I think that’s good and a way to be reflective before jumping fully in.
This is a favorite of mine as well from Oliver. Her poems always cause me to reflect. I love your insights leading into the New Year. I’ve recently learned that gratitude and anxiety cannot coexist in the mind, what a miraculous thing! Love and gratitude are at the forefront of themes for my year as well.
Thank you Ali for sharing 🕊️ I truly enjoyed reflecting on this poem.
My pleasure! So good.
Well done. I'm encouraged by your post to embark on writing and sharing some poetry of my own! Thank you for that.
Thankfulness is a word which I prefer to the word "gratitude". This, for reasons that I still don't understand. It seems more proactive and intentional. Gratitude seems too passive, like sitting on a beach chair with a Mai Tai waiting for the next wave to come up to your toes to be grateful for.
Thankfulness is our active embrace of The Gift. The Gift being literally everything. Every breath. Every heartbeat. Every one of a zillion sparkles on the snowy sidewalk.
Anyway. See, you've inspired me.
Peace and Blessings to you for a healthy and happy New Year!
✨️🕊🙏🤸🎊✨️
Thanks for showing your thoughts! I’m so glad you feel inspired! Happy Writing! ☀️
Meant to say sharing your thoughts!
I like how you interpreted her poem and the encouragement about time slow if need be but also get a move on!
💜
A lovely choice of a Mary Oliver poem to revisit. Thanks, Kassi!
Thank you Caroline 🕊️
This was so good, Kassi. Felt like I was in an English Lit class!! 🤍
That makes me smile 😀
Always love a Mary Oliver poem - thanks for sharing and your reflection. Makes me want to make slow living a priority this year. Best wishes in your dreaming for the new year!
Thank you Bethany 🙏🏻🤍🕊️this poem made me tear up!
Love the poem! It fists.
Same here! Thanks for sharing Linda!
Loved the poem and the homily! Well done.
Thank you! 🙏🏻
I love this! I plan on finally reading her poetry handbook this year, but there is also so much to learn from her poems, as your insightful post points out. :)
Beautifully written, Kassi! Mary Oliver’s words always have a way of grounding us, and your reflections bring such depth and meaning to this piece. The reminder to live with gratitude and let our hearts lead is so powerful, especially as we step into a new year. Thank you for sharing this inspiring and heartfelt post—love it! I actually have Mary Oliver's A Poetry Handbook: A Prose Guide to Understanding and Writing Poetry, and it’s been such a source of wisdom and inspiration for me. 🥰😍✨️