"The Summer Day"
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
-Mary Oliver from "The Summer Day"
Found this one in an Oprah magazine from May while I was working out. Trying to rid myself of the tiredness I have been overcome with lately. Lots on my plate. I love that last line, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
What is my plan? Where am I going? Some days I think I know precisely and on other days it is such a mystery. Questions. Unanswered questions. I feel like I am constantly reevaluating myself and my life, but never really getting to a concrete place of understanding. Maybe it is easier to be in that place of unknownness. Or maybe it is just part of the journey. I just don't want to get caught up in overanalyzing and listing and questioning and forget the part about just living, about being alive.
My one wild and precious life. Take action. Be alive. Risk. Laugh more. Stop the grump. Breathe more fresh air. Fresh. All kinds of goodness.
Maybe I need a BIG sign. Or maybe just a little reminder. A token. Something that is just for me to remember to be alive.
So yea, I know I have talked about all this before. But I needed the reminder today. And the chance to delve into it just a bit more.
•••
Here are a couple lovely links to check out, glad so many of you checked out Beyond:
• Navylane Studio
• Before & After : How to design cool stuff
• Eggplant Art Studio : I met Dona at my class in Phoenix, Oregon. She is super creative and cool!
• Recycline : I picked up one of these tootbrushes at Trader Joes. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
And don't forget to print out your blog entries from last month and back-up your photos - your friendly monthly reminder.
I love Before & After!!
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This life. It's right now, and it's ours. Be Alive.
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Thanks for all the great links. Check out violet magazine too! I LOVE IT.
http://www.violetmagazine.com/
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I love Navylane studio. Melanie is a pea named Meko. But, you probably already knew that! I love her stuff.
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Dude - I have had a Before & After subscription for quite some time now!!! Love it.
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Love your links. Before & After is awesome.
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Thanks for the link to Eggplant Art Studio. Her collage stuff is just amazing! And inpsiring!
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I love Mary Oliver.
Thanks for the linky - that's some lofty company you've put me in! I'm flattered!
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I once heard someone say, "Know how to make God laugh? Tell him your plans."
That's what I love about life. Unexpected events come along that can change nothing or change everything. Like you said, "...it is just part of the journey." There is no plan, just live the best you can and enjoy the ride.
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not sure if this will be seen amidst the other comments, but wanted to say that one of the books on your wish list - messy spirituality - is a great book. and if you like it, i would also recommend donald miller's book - searching for god knows what.
both are fabulous!
g
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i think we all have those days. one day at a time, that's all we can do for sure.
thanks for the links!
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WOW, Well I wasnt gonna post here. Just sent you an email. But you inspired me to share on my blog too.
Thanks Ali.......Enjoy the Journey!!
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i have finally realized your master plan...to keep me at the computer all day long...your links are always so great...i always say 'i'll just check on ali's site really quick....right! an hour later & i'm lost in great art or awesome shopping...you are a cool girl...thanks for sharing...:)
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I love your blog, and your work. And that picture of you behind Simon at that waterfall! priceless.
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I know I wonder some days where I am going, what kind of life I want to lead. In the end I hope that others will say I was a good person. That is my hope.
Life, hard to figure out sometimes.
Off to check out the links!
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I have several Mary Oliver books. I love a lot of her poetry, but one in particular I also ran across in an Oprah magazine about three years ago. It literally changed my life. It's called, The Journey.
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So ture Ali- some days it's all clear and other days it's just mud.
LOVE that before and after link- yay!! I love when you head me off to great links I could kiss ya for them some days! :)
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Sometimes best not to think so much. Just be. No matter what you're doing, you're being alive. I guess I can't explain what I mean very well. Don't look for deeper meaning every moment.
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I'm so there too. Great post Ali!
Rachel
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Wow, what a great quote... there definitely is a fine line between overplanning and just simply being free in the moment.
Thanks for the link to my site!
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