Attention, Please

From the Christmas Truck Convoy
last Saturday, December 1, 2018

Maximizing time means ~ what?

hurrying to fill in as much 

time that ticks on with

  each stroke of the pen,

    stir of the pot or 

      step that we take.

Maximizing time ~ not done

when rushed and flushed through

with little wisdom, attention or meaning

so our hearts and souls can keep up.

Maximizing time takes the hours of the day

and make each day ours so that 

we revolve through our days 

as the sun revolves around the earth.

Maximizing time today means 

cutting writing time short because

I off to gather ideas, food and fun at

 ~ a Tuba Christmas in Market Square and

   ~ The Gingerbread Showcase at the Plaza Hotel.

“Time is what we want most. But what we use the worst.”

~ William Penn

On the Road

On the road

I’ve loved to travel with

Willie Nelson’s gravelly voice

singing to the music of my tires

my heart has filled with 

the beauty of the land seen

through the prism of my windshield

and now there is a new road to take

On the road to retirement

my mind's suitcases packed

with experience, strength and hope,

possibly wisdom in the choices made,

forks in the road to be examined,

crossroads to be met and taken

being mindful of the expectations

that retirement means slowing down.

“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”

~ Jack Kerouac, On The Road

Speak Softly

Daring to say

what is in our hearts

frees our voices to 

speak our truth without

creating small talk

and meaningless static.

Daring to say

what is in our hearts

when discussion is needed

lets even timid voices hear 

the strength of their own souls

despite derision or ridicule.

Daring to say

what is in our hearts 

challenges us

to speak our truth kindly

or not at all ~

finding wisdom in silence.

“All serious daring starts from within.”

~ Eudora Welty, On Writing

And Yet

Sensitivity about any waves of sadness stirs slowly in December except for those that feel it so deeply that even taking a step into each day drags as though walking through mud thick with shattered twigs and matted leaves.

All around us we are asked to feel joy,

have fun, smile and ignore our pain

‘get in the spirit’ of the season

      of joy, 

        of transformation, 

            of rebirth.

And yet 

It is our own joy that has been buried.

It is our own transformation that is to come.

It is our own rebirth from being lost that stirs slowly.

Sensitivity may come from others, 

but being sensitive to ourselves can be 

a gift full of wisdom and kindness in

this most joyous and difficult of season.

“It is because I think so much of warm and sensitive hearts, 

that I would spare them from being wounded.”

~ Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

To be a Nurse

Integrity for nursing is

a deep commitment to care.

Care for those unable 

to care for themselves

Care for individuals

between tasks and schedules.

Integrity for nursing offers 

wisdom, compassion and connection.

“Don’t substitute pills for the patience, care, and skill it takes to nurse,”

~ Venetta Masson, Ninth Street Notebook, Voice of a Nurse in the City

For Honour's Sake

Willingness to enjoy life

despite sadness and loss

blossoms with the wisdom 
that memory brings

of beautiful, welcoming times

 of laughter, fun and silliness 

  of tables groaning with delicious food.

An honour for those loved ones gone too early.

“Let honour be to us as strong an obligation as necessity is to other.”

~ Pliny the Elder

Wising Up ~ WISDOM ~ Theme for December 2018

I was not on the ball yesterday for a new month and a new ‘theme’ for December's blog posts. I had one errand in the afternoon and then had to go out. Went with two friends for a burger at Big Wheel Burger, to the Christmas Truck Convoy and then sit outside at a coffee shop for a Chai latte. A busy day! Now that I'm back, my ‘theme’ for December is Wisdom. 

Willingness to…..

Integrity for….

Sensitivity about….

Daring to say…….

On the road……

Maximizing time……..

“Never laugh at live dragons.”

~ J.R.R.Tolkien

Family Times

There are times….

like holidays 

when lights and families mix,

when ginormous trucks ~

the worker trucks of Victoria,

decked out in lights and fantasy ~

bring us fun while families in mitts, winter coats and toques line Dallas Road for the 2018 Truck Light Convoy.

“I think togetherness is a very important ingredient to family life.”

~ Barbara Bush