Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Care of a tender heart


Today's Wishcasting asks: What do I wish to be gentle with?


The overwhelming consensus amongst my fellow wishcasters seems to be: myself. And after reading so many responses that echo what I am feeling and struggling with, I pretty much felt everyone else had said all that I might want to say on the subject. It has been a challenging week with the Husband out of town and me, the sole adult in the house. I have been tripping over my expectations of what I can do in a single day while wearing many hats: mommy, cook, dog handler, driver, domestic diva/slave to name a few. Factor in allergy season and hormones and voilá - a cocktail for emotional fireworks, for sure.

So thinking about being gentle, I know I have to start with myself. But in all honesty, the incentive for cleaning up my act is Cowgirl. And while looking at this photograph, my answer to this week's question emerged.




Caught in a rut
of busyness
i loose sight of
the many gifts
proffered
by small hands

my head in a fog
cloud
of ridiculous
expectations
i absentmindedly
observe
"she holds my heart
in her hands"

sharp
is the realization
she is holding out to me
her heart
an offering
made daily
with
purest intention
hope
and
unquestioning
trust

tiny and tender
this immense
gift
and responsibility
is one i pray
i never again
take for granted
or overlook

my wish
for her -
which really is a wish
for myself -
is to recommit
to the practice
of being
mindful
knowing
my words, my actions, my thoughts
rain down upon
both our hearts

not just right speech,
but words
born from
gentleness and love

To read the other responses I wish I had written, visit here. And remember to go gently through your day. ♥

20 comments:

  1. This poem really speaks to me. My answer to your question before I read your answer was to be gentle to one self. This is such a good message for us all I think.

    In the midst of the craziness of life, remember to carve out some "you time," a little "mother culture," and make something lovely each to nurture your own soul and then you will have more to offer to others and prevent burn out as well. And don't forget that The Artistic Mother's Art Group can help with that.

    Trudy
    Host for The Artistic Mother's Art Group
    www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  2. Oh, and may God bless your day.

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  3. Beautiful poem Liz. As Liz wishes for herself , I wish for her also.

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  4. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

    I collect heart shaped rocks. It never fails to astonish me when I find them. My children think nothing of me pronouncing, "Time to go rock collecting!"

    Breathe gently, love gently, speak gently... I also noted how many wrote of being gentle with themselves... that was my first hit...
    followed by... AND? (so consider me alongside you as well.... )

    As Lis wishes for herself, so I wish for her also...

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  5. ~can i share your wish!!! this is written so beautifully in every way possible...as a mother as a friend and simply as a woman...being real...we can take on as much as we've been given and conquer through somehow someway...yet it may not always be the gentle minded soul that carries us through such moments...nourish yourself and always be gentle in body mind and spirit...as Lis wishes for herself so I l♥vingly wish with and for her too...warm wishes and brightest blessings~

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  6. "words/ born from/ gentleness and love" I think I should write this on my arm - or on my husband's forehead! Thank you.

    As Lis wishes for herself, so I wish for her as well.

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  7. As Lis wishes for herself, I wish for her also.

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  8. So powerful! Our words can do so much... and something tells me that your words, and just your presence, is a gift to your daughter and everyone else in your world.
    Your words were definitely a gift to me this morning! I needed the reminder that as a healer I am simply a channel - so thank you for giving it to me when I needed it most.
    As Lis wishes for herself, I wish for her as well! (I also wish that all your Vata issues will be resolved soon. :-)

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  9. So lovely! As Lis wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

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  10. such a beautiful wish, Lis! as Lis wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

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  11. I too collect hearts - of different materials.
    What a lovely, lovely poem! You are so eloquent! Thanks for shring it.
    As Lis wishes for herself , I wish for her also.

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  12. The poem ...BRAVO!!!!


    As Lis wishes for herself I so lovingly wish this for her also. xxx Such a loving post.

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  13. As Lis wishes for herself, so I wish for her also... Beautiful poem..

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  14. Such a beautiful poem and wonderful picture. As Lis wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

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  15. Yet again I can fully identify; juggling all those hats and living mindfully at the same time can be most challenging. I haven't been doing too well with the multitude of hats recently but am learning yet again to take one step/one task at a time. It is funny how there are certain lessons that need to be learned over and over! I love your poem very much and once again really admire the sheer love you have for Cowgirl :)

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  16. As Lis wishes for herself, so I wish for her also...

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  17. Such a gorgeous poem filled with emotion.

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  18. tender, sweet poem. Thank you. As lis wishes for herself, so I wish for her also!

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  19. what a fantastic meaningful poem..so true

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  20. Your poem made me cry, Lis. I know that so many times in my children's lives I have been guilty of behaving otherwise. And as I read this a thought came into my mind that I've thought fleetingly before when I've looked at photos of you and Cowgirl clearly loving each other so much - that although she was born in a different part of the world to other people, there is no doubt that she chose you for this life, and that you were absolutely meant to be together.

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