I am so happy to welcome my friend Robyn Harrison, who generously agreed to let me share this poignant poem she wrote several years ago. The gorgeous photograph above is one of hers as well. She says she pulls this poem out each year, dusts it off, changes the date, and reads it again. The message is indeed timeless, and the idea of writing yourself a song is so beautiful…beautiful like you are.
A Song To Myself ~ New Year Prayer
What will 2014 bring for me? For those who touch me? What will this nation and the world endure? What will we all look like & sound like when it is done?
I stand at the open door to 2014, bowing to what was what is & what will be. I embrace the honor of living the mystery of this next year.
As I meet every challenge every pain & every joy may I ~
Remember to appreciate the good – to see & to recognize & celebrate the inherent beauty of life.
Be always cognizant of the great privilege & responsibility of living.
May I at all times show compassion & respect for myself & for all others.
May I be mindful of the Earth & all that dwells here.
May I choose my words carefully, remembering the hurt noise can cause.
May I always find the time & the strength to be quiet to be still & to listen.
May I always hear.
May I choose kind acts rather than angry gestures.
May I daily reach within myself to claim the goodness that is born there. May I be wise & thoughtful in all things.
May I not want more than I truly need & with my surplus may I be generous.
May I be equally attentive to the needs of my physical being as to those of my consciousness.
May I learn to make a joyful noise.
At the close of every day may I comfortably own my every deed.
And when I am bowing at the portal of 2015 – if that is my destiny – may I find that I have grown positively & illuminated faithfully my own unique light upon my modest space in the universe.
Namaste
Amen
Photo credit: Colorful city bench by Robyn Harrison
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Robyn Harrison is a photographer & poet. Having spent most of her life battling mental illness, she found her balance and her voice while living on the beach in the Outer Banks of NC. Moving across state to the mountains, she now joyfully resides in Asheville, NC. She is currently enthusiastically designing her own greeting card line which combines her short verse poetry with her photography. She hopes to have her cards for sale to the public by April 2014, with all net profits donated to help those struggling with mental health issues in the Western North Carolina area. Please “like” her Sand and Earth Woman Facebook Page.
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Kelly Walker says
atPERFECT!
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atThanks, Kelly! I thought so too, and really appreciate your reading and commenting. I love what you’re doing on YOUR blog too: http://lifeofadailypainter.com/
Happy New Year!
Robyn Harrison says
atThanks so very much Kelly. I’m glad you like my piece. Hope you have an amazing 2914 – I’m planning to.
Karen R. Sanderson says
atHow wonderful. “May I learn to make a joyful noise” is my favorite part, but I love the whole thing. The poem is full of good reminders for us all. And I love the photo!
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atI love that part too, Karen. I knew you and Esther would appreciate this. Robyn grew up in Shenandoah County, and it’s been a joy to see her claim her creativity and talent in such beautiful ways. Thanks for stopping by to comment!
Readers: don’t miss Karen Sanderson’s blog The Word Shark: http://www.thewordshark.com/.
Robyn Harrison says
atThank you for your kind words Karen. I recently acquired a pixie harp & have found it is a wonderful relaxing & satisfying way to make a joyful noise. The photo was taken in an area of Asheville called the River Arts District. It is rich with color & there is always something new happening there – & it’s only a 5 min walk from my home & one of my favorite places to walk. Sometimes I sit & rest on this bench. I’m glad you like the photo.
Esther Miller says
at“May I choose kind acts rather than angry gestures” is the part I needed to see. Great way to start the new year,.
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atThanks so much, Esther. I think we ALL need this part at one time or another. I think you do better than most when it comes to spreading acts of kindness. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Robyn Harrison says
atI hear you Esther. This is one I need to remind myself of often. It sometimes comes way too easily for me to quickly react w/anger rather than taking a deep breath & a different approach. I’m really glad my words have touched you. Thank you.
Robyn Harrison says
atThank you Elizabeth for featuring my work in Heartspoken. It is quite an honor for me. I will be very busy the next couple of months as I get my Sand and Earth Woman greeting card line ready for its full launch. It is a vision I’ve had for 2 years & how sweet it is to be making real progress at last. Much love to you & all your readers in this new year.
Karen R. Sanderson says
atEsther – I think that was my second favorite, though it’s hard to pick a “favorite” among these ideas. They are all good.
Robyn Harrison says
atI am truly touched by your kind words. Thank you so very much.
Robyn Harrison says
atThank you for your thoughts & kind words Esther Miller & Karen Sanderson. It means much to me to know that my words & thoughts & feelings resonate with others. May we all have a positive peaceful & loving 2014 – & May we sail easily through the trying times that regularly come our way through the act of living our lives. Much love to all.
Mimi Meredith says
atPerfect. Thank you to Robyn, and to Elizabeth, for lifting us on our way into a year full of such mindful choices and possibilities!
Robyn Harrison says
atThank you Mimi. I’m so very glad you like my piece. Happy new year to you.
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atOh, Mimi, it always lifts my spirits to see your name pop in here. I so appreciate your taking the time to comment on Robyn’s beautiful piece. Happy New Year, my friend!
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atFor some reason the link on Mimi’s name isn’t working from my end, but I hope readers will go visit her blog too: http://thegoodnessgrows.com/ [It’s working now…for some reason WordPress didn’t want us to include the www in the URL]