barefoot

little shrimp toes
squishing in the
garden mud

her footprints
are good fertilizer

relief

The work and school
schedule is tight
feels like
a stretched rubber band
snapping occasionally

weekends
are a supple gift

sun

I feel solar powered.
Waning at times
and stronger with light.

There's something about
the morning sun
that gives me a boost.

obligations

duties
expectations

which are vital
and why?

prioritizing
relieves
the pressure

concentrate
on quality

my goal is to feel
poised
not overwhelmed

humbled

I continue to find myself
in situations
at work and home
where I feel humbled.

feedback
reciprocity
risk taking
reflection

With support,
I rise up and
take on new learning.

conformity

depart from what is
expected

push yourself
into new territory

you have the freedom
to be bold

choose, respond, grow

mend

The morning power struggles
are a drain.

We have a slow leak
that needs mending.

Patch up the hole.

Focus on the positive.
Stop "rubbing it in."
Stay calm.

How can we make this a win/win?

strength

exert and endure
build capacity

recognize this
source of power

maintain
potency

a force

generosity

giving freely
time, talent, gift
without expecting in return

lifting spirits
contagious

when someone extends a
generous gesture
accept graciously

and keep the cycle going

performance

whole, part, whole

it starts with a vision
a big idea

deconstructed into steps
there's a purpose to the practice

improving, building, gaining confidence

recital time
all the pieces come together
the moves, the dance, the music, the costumes
the dancers' expressions

drenching the audience
with an aesthetic experience

outbursts

we've had our share today

details lost
words launched
looks of contempt
misunderstandings

where's the rewind button?

patience found
mindful approach
compassion
connections

hook

sharing just enough
to entice
captivate
and take hold
of someone's attention

driving in the car today,
my 6 year old daughter said,
"you've got to hook 'em."

vibrant

Hiking
the trails around
Balboa Park
at twilight

I feel
energetic
stimulated
and lively

magenta petals like wet paint
sweet aroma of the trumpet flower
silhouettes of trees
hummingbirds dive bombing descent

pulsating with life

recharge

I find moments
of peace
in the car alone.

when I arrive with time to spare,
I park in the shade
and read
for pleasure.

There's not enough time
for another chore or errand.

But, there is time
to open a new world
and read.

I feel like myself.

gossip

weeds in my garden
that spread fast
and take over

suffocating
what I'm trying to grow

yank them out by the roots
one by one

free

after the race
there were gobs of people
in line to get
free stuff

bumping
pushing
grabbing
hoarding

i found myself
reaching up with outstretched arms
for the give aways
for my daughters
for fun

i thought about mothers
around the world
who do this
for their children
for survival

help

not just when it's convenient and easy
to offer
but when it's needed

choice

In the car, snail's pace
car accident up ahead
watching the minutes on the clock
late for school
missed my volunteering

Slowly, I start bubbling over
like a pasta pot filled to the brim.
You know what a mess that is
to clean up.

It was out of my sphere of control
yet I changed the energy in the car.
from content and cooperative
to snappy and upset and stressful.

It all comes down to a choice.

waffling

Yes, No, Maybe so, But
going 'round in circles

decisiveness...
I know it when I see it

My dad used to say,
stop grinding sawdust.

approximation

So often we focus on the exemplary.
How about acknowledging improvements?

cyclical thinking
about one next step

constantly
evolving and growing

I'm in the process of getting better at...

kindness

it takes more effort to care

give full attention
seek to understand
interact with gentleness
be compassionate

The Dalai Lama says,
"My religion is very simple.
My religion is kindness."

motherhood

is a kind of metamorphosis
sometimes conspicuous
other times abrupt
dynamic and profound changes
of structure and substance
from pupa to butterfly
magical

encouragement

a nudge...
you can do it
I believe in you

complaining
cramps

another nudge...
holding hands
running together

feet dragging
heel aching

more nudging...
counting breaths

the finish line in view
pace picking up
red in the face
sweat beaded cheeks
high fives

we ran a 5K today
together

disposition

What's
your inclination
your tendancy
your habit of mind
that you display?

rigid
adaptable
closed
open
serious
playful
reflective
supportive
anxious
insightful
calm
enthusiastic
positive
draining
kind
generous
critical
creative
compassionate
peaceful
loving

How would a friend of yours
fill in the blank about
your mood
your attitude
your spirit?

listening

hearing the words
versus
listening for the
feeling and intent
behind the words

Why is it so much easier
to talk than to listen?

Have you ever pretended
to listen
but really
you are waiting
for an opening
in the conversation?

Inhibit the impulse
and be...

an active listener
genuinely interested in
another's perspective.
actively checking understanding
before responding.

Maybe there's a reason
why we have two ears
and one mouth.

pomegranates

crimson
tear drop
jewels
with a
sweet and sour
burst of flavor

support

There's a little word
tucked among the string of letters.
UP

The support I experienced today
lifted me
UP.

meltdowns

socks, homework projects,
swim caps and baths

underwear, running club
wheat bread and clean up

the trigger?
a pattern?

i tell myself to stay calm
again, again and again
it's all in the range of normal

behavior has meaning
i just haven't figured out the code

bold

she calls it a
bold eagle

I love how it sounds
and consider its meaning of courage

wishing I wrote 'em all down

damage

I see the signs ahead

STOP
WRONG WAY
DO NOT ENTER

but I still go forward

sharp tongued
low blows
scowls

a chasm

tires are easy to repair
but a relationship?

an apology
unaccepted

follow the sign
make a U turn