No.7 Autumn
If Summer is activity
Then Autumn is rest
A time to take stock
Of all you’ve harvested
If Summer is candy
Then Autumn is dark chocolate
Bittersweet on the tongue
Savored by a discerning palate
If Summer is extrovert
Then Autumn is introvert
A soul who loves company
But cherishes turning inward
If Summer is light
Then Autumn is awareness
That light and darkness must coexist
Without one, the other cannot be
No. 6
the cost of freedom is uncertainty
imagine life without it
everything is known in advance
a foregone conclusion
risks cease to exist
but so will:
the unfamiliarity of exploring something new
the excitement of figuring something out
the fear of things going wrong
the relief of things going right
the grief of losing what you had
the joy of loving what you have
a mystery, isn’t it?
the uncertainty we hate
also makes life interesting
and—i hope—worth living
No. 5
do what i can
where i am
with what i have
right now
nothing more
nothing less
i also don’t have
anything else to offer
No. 4
the things we work for
can be measured:
dollars, square footage, friends
publications, likes, medals
the things we long for
cannot:
freedom, peace, friendship
purpose, acceptance, love
No. 3
writing is
to examine our heart
to discover what is alive within us
to create space we did not know existed
the page is empty
but the heart is full
of light and darkness
of love and hatred
of hope and despair
writing demands faith
to reveal what was once invisible
to embark on a journey to an unknown destination
to remain open to what emerges along the way
No. 2
Some people
Warm your heart
Often
They ask questions
They listen
They give
They receive
They connect
They make room
They laugh with you
They mourn with you
They are slow to anger
They are rich in kindness
Sometimes
They smile
They extend their arms
They share interests
They share troubles
They teach you
They learn from you
They say silly things
They say serious things
They speak up
They shut up
Quietly
They support dreams
They accept imperfections
They offer help
They create space
They find humor
They seek the truth
They put themselves in your shoes
They do what is best
They look at you
They see you
Meeting them is
A treasure
No. 1
Life is to find a balance.
Security, but also adventure.
Familiarity, but also novelty.
Companionship, but also solitude.
Closeness, but also distance.
Structure, but also flexibility.
Discipline, but also spontaneity.
Comfort, but also challenges.
Openness, but also conviction.
Courage, but also diligence.
Strength, but also kindness.
Rest, but also growth.
Enjoyment, but also detachment.
Light, but also darkness.
Faith, but also doubt.
Freedom, but also boundaries.
Love, but also sacrifices.
Life is like making a fine dessert.
Sweet, but also not too sweet.