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| "Wonderous" by SoCal Photo Design |
Hello, Friends!
Long time, no see, right?
Although it's only been about three months since I last participated in Poetry Friday, it feels like much longer. The world moves so fast these days, lurching from crisis to crisis.
My personal life has been eventful as well. With new priorities, I don't have the stamina to dive back into the Ditty of the Month Club. I hope you understand. But that doesn't mean I want to disappear altogether! After taking some time to reassess, I've decided that if blogging is going to have a place in my life, I need to go back to basics—focus on the aspects of Today's Little Ditty that bring me the most joy with the least amount of effort. Joyful baby steps.
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| "Rainy Day" by Adam Baker |
For those of you who follow TLD by email, you probably noticed two posts earlier this week—a Monday Musing quote inspired by World Peace Day and a Two Line Tuesday quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Pairing quotes and images has always been a simple pleasure, so I plan to do more of that. As for Poetry Fridays, it's doubtful that I will post every week. When I do, it will be to share poems that speak to me on a personal level. These days it's more important than ever to give poetry a voice in my life. Creativity grounds me, yet it's one of the first outlets that I neglect when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Makes no sense, I know.
IN THE STEPS OF RBG
Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.
—Ruth Bader Ginsburg
So let me take one step right now,
one step toward respect.
And give me strength to take another
toward clarity. And though
my feet might feel like stones, let
me take another step toward justice.
one step toward respect.
And give me strength to take another
toward clarity. And though
my feet might feel like stones, let
me take another step toward justice.
Read the rest of the poem HERE
Thanks to Jone Rush MacCulloch for hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup.
Missing your monthly ditty challenge? This is a great time to peruse the TLD archives. You'll find an alphabetical listing of spotlight
interviews HERE and links to all 50 of our ditty challenges HERE. You'll also find The Best of Today's Little Ditty (2014-2015, 2016, and 2017-2018) available in paperback and ebook versions on Amazon.com.
Thank you for coming back and taking little steps with us. You picked a perfect poem! I was happy to see an RBG sign in someone's yard yesterday. She is so inspiring. xo
ReplyDeleteShe sure is. And will be sorely missed.
DeleteI believe each one of us needs to try hard to know ourselves & what's good for us personally. Do what you need. I loved what you've shared & supported these recent years, but you haven't let me down, but only made me happy that I could be a part of it, Michelle. Here is a poem that I return to often enough to keep steady with myself. I hope it whispers to you, too!
ReplyDelete...But if a mirror ever makes
you sad
you should know
that it does
not know
you.
― Kabir
Indeed it has whispered to me, Linda. This is a keeper. Thank you!
DeleteWelcome home, Michelle! I missed your generous poetic spirit. I am so glad you have taken the time you've need and made the changes in your approach to your blog that serve YOU. When you say, "Creativity grounds me, yet it's one of the first outlets that I neglect when I'm feeling overwhelmed." I am right there with you, sister! I love that you are honoring your needs. And I love your poetry selection as well...RBG forever! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bridget. Nice to know I'm not alone in my occasional creative neglect. ;)
DeleteHey Michelle always happy to have your blog here and your poetry spices in whatever shape, size and form that fits you. Boy talk about keeping up, teaching is keeping me tethered in many ways–(I'm teaching 4 presently) I love it, though teaching online demands much more time and management, but I'm also very grateful to have my students and the work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all here, I love the pics especially the top one! I'll keep an ear, eye, and open heart for you whenever you drop in, xo.
You're one of the hardest workers I know, Michelle. Thank you for the support. xo
DeleteWelcome back!! Happy to read your words again. Thanks for the poem. We must all take things one step at a time, however we can.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama. It was great to visit Alphabet Soup again!
DeleteMichelle, this whole post speaks to me. It has been a trying time in the last six months, especially creatively. I love the reminder to take little steps, just as Anne Lamott reminds us in BIRD BY BIRD. How big those steps (or birds) may be, is different for each one of us. The important thing is that we are moving in a positive direction, right? I needed to have this affirmed today, and I thank you for that! Step on, friend!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my post was helpful to you, Randi. I have BIRD BY BIRD on my shelf, but am embarrassed to say I haven't read it yet! Sounds like this would be a good time.
DeleteSo glad to see you here again! Both your RBG poem and Linda B's poem spoke to me. There's a world of healing and re-centering that needs to be done. Glad you are nuturing yourself. Here's to little steps for us all! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteHugs backatcha, Maria!
DeleteI get it. Totally.
ReplyDeleteWith everything you've been dealing with, I'm not surprised, Donna. Take care of yourself.
DeleteLove this poem...and I think many of us can relate to the feet like stones and leaden legs. Wishing you joy in the stepping.
ReplyDeleteThat line really spoke to me as well, Buffy. Wishing you joy in the stepping too.
DeleteA short powerful poem inspired by a woman of worthy stature. Michelle, we control what we can and let go of the rest. Best wishes moving forward. We are all in a constant whirl of change and we adapt as best we can.
ReplyDeleteYou sum it up beautifully, Alan.
DeleteHello Friend, what a joy to see your words today. I too have drawn new boundaries. In June I completely got off face book. It's been wonderful. I do miss news occasionally. But, I feel better. Your creativity and creative time are true gifts to protect not allow others to grab from you. It's just nice to see you here. I love seeing how this poem had an impact on you. You be you...and protect you too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I've very nearly gotten off of Facebook too. Sometimes I feel bad about what I've missed and especially about not being there for friends going through similarly tough times, but I do feel so much better on a strict social media diet! It's nice seeing you here too. :)
DeleteThis week was my first Poetry Friday post since the pandemic hit. It felt good to be back. It is so frustrating how our creative endeavors are the first thing on the chopping block when things get overwhelming. Glad to see you back. I'll take those baby steps along side you.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have the company, Becky. :)
DeleteThanks for sharing this poem. And thanks for knowing what you need, and then doing what you need. It's a good model for all of us.
ReplyDeleteNever thought of it that way. Thank you, Ruth.
DeleteYes to all the steps, large and small, that keep us moving forward.
ReplyDeleteWhatever it takes, right? Nice to see you again, Mary Lee.
DeleteYay for you and to taking care of you. We will miss the monthly challenges but we are not disappointed in you at all! We are happy you are doing what's best for you.
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling that while we go through this unprecedented time, many of us will change course, find new direction. A man I recently interviewed thinks this pandemic is God's way of telling us to stop and be still.
ReplyDeleteI love these lines:
"May every step
be toward a bridge. Enough divisiveness."
Enough. Enough. I am happy you are here today sharing this poem. That is enough!
This year has been something and we have all experienced trauma in a way. I get the desire to reset focus and find what brings you joy. BTW, I love the idea of Monday Musing and will share one tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThis is the perfect poem for this week.
And above Margaret mentioned that she her someone say it was God's way to tell us to stop and be still, I have thought similar...the universe sees that we are not capable to reset so the universe gave us the pandemic.
Welcome back, Michelle! Taking time to reassess priorities and doing what's best for you is essential. During the darkest days of the spring, I found it all but impossible to write, so I completely understand how you feel. I'm looking forward to reading whatever you choose to share with us. If this week's poem is any indication, it will be amazing! I will be thinking of these words often in the coming days: "May every step
ReplyDeletebe toward a bridge. Enough divisiveness." Be well.
Michelle, you managed to keep it light, but I think I can feel the deep pain of having to let go of something dear. There are times when all the silver linings, all the relief, are not enough to balance the perception, the palpable weight, of the loss--and this is when stopping, bending, and studying the joy of your foot in the puddle is healing. May you and yours be well.
ReplyDelete