Sunday Weekly: a Mary Oliver poem
Let the words wash over you and enjoy! Plus, a new quote, affirmation, prompt, book rec, and more for continued peace this week.
Today, I want to offer you a slow and enjoyable moment by sharing a poem from Mary Oliver called Spring.
Grab your favorite drink and get cozy if you're able to.
Let the words wash over you, and enjoy!
Somewhere
a black bear
has just risen from sleep
and is staring
down the mountain.
All night
in the brisk and shallow restlessness
of early spring
I think of her,
her four black fists
flicking the gravel,
her tongue
like a red fire
touching the grass,
the cold water.
There is only one question:
how to love this world.
I think of her
rising
like a black and leafy ledge
to sharpen her claws against
the silence
of the trees.
Whatever else
my life is
with its poems
and its music
and its glass cities,
it is also this dazzling darkness
coming
down the mountain,
breathing and tasting;
all day I think of her—
her white teeth,
her wordlessness,
her perfect love.
Can you notice all the senses mentioned?
What did you feel after reading this?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Francesca
Did this spark anything for you today? Tell us in the comments. I love hearing from you, and you never know who else needs what you have to say!
Good Quote
Good Thinking
Good Action
Track your dopamine habits. Mental exhaustion and conditions like ADHD can be connected to a decrease in dopamine levels. When we feel depleted, we look for ways to spike dopamine, such as scrolling social media, ordering on Amazon, eating something sweet, etc. If we can recognize the habits we've adopted and retrain our brain by slowing down as much as possible, it may help us feel less anxious and stressed.
Good Question
Move up the ladder to higher vibrations by writing at the top of a blank page:
Do I believe that good things happen to me?
and see what flows from your pen. No judgment or editing.
Good Book
Dopamine Detox is my newest most exciting read. A doctor recommended it to me and here's what the summary says:
"Do you keep procrastinating? Do you feel restless and unable to focus on your work? Do you have trouble getting excited about major goals?
If so, you might need a dopamine detox
In today’s world where distractions are everywhere, the ability to focus has become more and more difficult to achieve . . .
When the time comes to work, we suddenly find an excess of other things to do. Instead of working toward our goals, we go for a walk, grab a coffee, or check our emails. Everything seems like a great idea—everything except the very things we should be doing.
Do you recognize yourself in the above situation?
If so, don’t worry. You’re simply overstimulated.
Dopamine Detox will help you lower your level of stimulation and regain focus in 48 hours or less, so that you can tackle your key tasks."
Sparks of Joy
Cooking dinner: For the last two weeks, I've made dinner almost every night, and it feels grounding to share meals with my little family.
Bridgerton: As cheesy as this show can get, it brings me joy to imagine myself as a woman of the ton wearing frilly gowns whose only job is to read, write, and vacation in the countryside. Anyone else?
Diagnoses: Last week, I did an assessment with a doctor after being tired of experiencing some symptoms. She gave me a diagnosis that brought me relief and hope. Once I dive more into it I may share more :).
Rainy day: As weird as it feels that L.A. has been rainy and cold most of the time since we moved I love it!
Extra Goodies
Good Read: The Most Disturbing 7 Quotes Carl Jung Ever Spoke (That'll Rewire Your Psychology Forever).
Good Quote: Nir Eyal, author of Indistractable, on taking back our attention and power: "Hoping and waiting for tech companies to change their products or for your boss to finally learn to respect your time may take longer than you're willing to wait."
Good Recipe: These baked crunchy beef tacos!
Good Watch (30 sec): The #1 indicator of whether or not a child will grow up to thrive.
Love this post?
Invite your friends to join the conversation. This post is public, so feel free to share it.
Subscribe for free or pay to support more posts like this.