This Moment without Judgment–and other things I need to hear

A moment without judgment–maybe some poems will help

This moment without judgment–I needed some inspiration this week, and I thought of this poem (the first stanza is below). Because peace has been in short supply this week. I like this poem because there’s a touch of whimsy mixed in with the wisdom. I hope that you find some inspiration in this too–or at least some food for thought (vegetables or otherwise).

 Peace is This Moment Without Judgment
by Dorothy Hunt
 ​
 Do you think peace requires an end to war?
Or tigers eating only vegetables?
Does peace require an absence from
your boss, your spouse, yourself?...
Do you think peace will come some other place than here?
Some other time than Now?
In some other heart than yours? 
 (read the rest here)

No, I don’t really think so, but I can’t help wishing that I could find it somewhere else–or at least blame someone else if I don’t. But I do know better than that. And when I need solace, I know I can turn to poetry for solace and inspiration. So maybe peace does require poems–what do you think?

One day when I was old

I’ve been listening to Clarissa Pinkola Estes this week. I often turn to her when I need inspiration and courage. She also encourages us to embrace all of ourselves–our wild woman, and I think this includes our judgmental selves. That reminded me of the poem below.

This week, as I went for my daily walks, I listened to Women Who Run with the Wolves. I’d read the book before, but never listened to her speaking it. It’s a lot shorter than the book, but I do love to hear her speak. I also listened to her recording of The Faithful Gardener. I got both of these on Hoopla digital. Here’s a poem she wrote that’s included in one of her other recordings (that I also borrowed from Hoopla)–

“One Day When I Was Old”
by CP Estés



I remember one day when I was young,
forty-five years or so old,
I woke up an old woman that morning.
Not quite in body all the way, but close.
And also in mind.

And I thought, “This is good.”...

And I saw as I leaned in,
There were permanent diamonds
in her tear ducts,
those gotten from years of use
and pressure in dark places....
(read the rest here)

I hope this little bit of poetry brightened your moment and helped you to possibly experience a moment without judgment. Wabi sabi seems like an appropriate topic here, too–embracing the perfectly imperfect.

For more poetry goodness, check out Poetry for Children–where Sylvia Vardell hosts this week’s Poetry Friday. She shares a wonderful list of Poetry Books for Children coming out this year.

Wishing you a wonderful week and lots of moments where you accept yourself whether or not you are feeling judgmental!

xoxo