As many of you know, I’ve been an English teacher for almost 18 years. During this social distancing experiment, I’ve rediscovered my love for poetry a bit, especially nature poems and poets.
I’ve also been more regular with journaling. It’s really been helping me to get a little perspective in this crazy time.
This week, I simply wanted to share a poem with you and give you a little something to journal about if you’re feeling a little adventurous…
If poetry isn’t your thing, just jump to the bottom of the email and feel free to just journal about the topic.
And by the way, this relationship is reciprocal…if you’ve rediscovered a hobby, talent, or want to send me something to do…please send it my way and I’ll do my best to try it out and maybe I can even pass it on to everyone in our community!
Enjoy!
The Journey
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.
–Mary Oliver
Some things to ponder…
I’d love to hear your answers to either of these questions (or anything else this poem or process brings to mind). And like I said, if you have something that YOU’VE rediscovered during this time, I’d love to hear about it.
Here’s to continuing this journey of teaching well together and building this resilience in the classroom and beyond.
P.S. There are two more Monday night guided mindfulness practices. You can register here or check out the weekly recordings uploaded here.
P.S.S. There are still two more weeks in May to add those mindful self-care moments. Check out May’s Teaching Well Together Calendar.