This morning I walked in my garden with camera in hand just for you.
When I saw this calla lily it reminded me of the hearts I send to you.
by Kim McMillen
As I began to love myself
I found that anguish and emotional suffering
are only warning signs that I was living
against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is Authenticity.
As I began to love myself
I understood how much it can offend somebody
if I try to force my desires on this person,
even though I knew the time was not right
and the person was not ready for it,
and even though this person was me.
Today I call this Respect.
As I began to love myself
I stopped craving for a different life,
and I could see that everything
that surrounded me
was inviting me to grow.
Today I call this Maturity.
As I began to love myself
I understood that at any circumstance,
I am in the right place at the right time,
and everything happens at the exactly right moment.
So I could be calm.
Today I call this Self-Confidence.
As I began to love myself
I quit stealing my own time,
and I stopped designing huge projects
for the future.
Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness,
things I love to do and that make my heart cheer,
and I do them in my own way
and in my own rhythm.
Today I call this Simplicity.
As I began to love myself
I freed myself of anything
that is no good for my health –
food, people, things, situations,
and everything that drew me down
and away from myself.
At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is Love of Oneself.
As I began to love myself
I quit trying to always be right,
and ever since
I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is Modesty.
As I began to love myself
I refused to go on living in the past
and worrying about the future.
Now, I only live for the moment,
where everything is happening.
Today I live each day,
day by day,
and I call it Fulfillment.
As I began to love myself
I recognized
that my mind can disturb me
and it can make me sick.
But as I connected it to my heart,
my mind became a valuable ally.
Today I call this connection Wisdom of the Heart.
We no longer need to fear arguments,
confrontations or any kind of problems
with ourselves or others.
Even stars collide,
and out of their crashing, new worlds are born.
Today I know: This is Life!
The garden is in it's full abundance of blooms. Here is the first signs of color on the hydrangeas.
The softness of the peonies sings to my heart.
The petals of the dogwood speaks of butterfly wings.
And so I walk and think of you in all the variations of green.
Let's spend this life being present in the moment, even if it is just walking in the early morning with a camera in slippers and robe.
Have a terrific week, dear friends!
Beautiful words, and beautiful flowers. I love wandering in my garden first thing in the morning, too. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, I would dearly love to see your garden! I know you have a live-in gardener (compliments to him, too!) but I would be surprised if you didn't have a little hand in it!
ReplyDeleteThat is really a nice poem, Marilyn. Your garden would be so nice to walk through every morning. Those soft pink peonies made me happy just looking at them. The words on this poem, "we no longer need to fear arguments" got to me. Someone in my family said long ago that I was controversial. But the truth is, I just say what I mean and mean what I say. It doesn't bother me when people do the same, so in my viewpoint, it's just part of life. But there are some, who just don't like others who are different. Did you write this poem? You take the loveliest photos of flowers, Marilyn.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
I always find the poems that you share thought-provoking Marilyn. The words linger in my mind for a while until I understand what the author is wanting to say. Your flower images are interesting too. I can easily imagine you walking around and enjoying the many aspects of having a garden.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post!
ReplyDeleteSusan
The garden is looking stunning!
ReplyDelete