Minimize and Maximize Beauty

"Instructions for living a life.

Pay attention,

Be astonished,

Tell about it."

Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver may have passed into the next realm, but her messages to us through her essays and poetry will long be with us.  Her writing is inspiring and yet simple.  She sticks to the point without a loftiness which could lead us astray. 

Pay attention:  Be aware of surroundings, not lost in thought or daily routines.  Look with new eyes.

Be astonished:  Be entertained by simplicity such as falling snow flakes, the antics of a two year old.

Tell about it:  Jot it down, sketch it, paint it, tell a friend or simply hold it in the mind's eye.

When we learn to expand appreciation we feel connected, inspired, and entrenched in the happenings surrounding us.  We develop an awareness of the larger background pieces bringing depth or grandeur, just as we take notice of the smaller unrecognized things contributing to the larger picture.  As we minimize and maximize our perceptions, change occurs and our vibration partakes in a glorious frequency.

Mary Oliver, Poet

"When you write a poem,

you write it for anybody and everybody."

Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver died at the age of 83 on January 17, 2019.  For over 50 years, this poet shared her wisdom and skills with the world.  It was as though she was writing from her heart, basing words on life experience, and simply sharing her love for nature.  

Mary Oliver's poetry was approachable and easily understood.  There was no guessing what her intention was as she was simply sharing.  She was writing to all of us expressing her love for the connection between nature and God.

Mary Oliver shared what was in her heart, knowing it was the same in the hearts of others.   She wrote for everyone hoping to ignite appreciation for life no matter what presented.  She drew her readers in with compassion, wisdom, and simply by being human.

Pleasures of the Journey

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do 

with your one wild and precious life?"

Mary Oliver

Life offers diverse opportunities.  We may change careers, locations, partners, or values and still wonder who or what we will be in this one lifetime.  When I was growing up, many families lived in the same home prior to children, raising children, and remaining into retirement.  Men seemed to be locked into their careers as though it was too great a risk to change midstream.  Family was first and stability a close second.  This does not seem to be true today.  

People, both young and old, tend to change jobs for a variety of reasons.  Relocating does not seem to be a reason to turn down an attractive chance to excel. Retirement for many is a time to try a second career or develop in depth hobbies or extensive travel.

So it would seem to be confining to believe we will have just one plan for our life.  We can set goals or intentions, but we can be very creative with our present moment.  With hindsight, we find some of our incidental activities along the way turn out to be important aspects of a future challenge. 

It is important to have a destination in mind, but this should not distract from the pleasures of the journey at hand.  No matter where we are, we need to enjoy the scenery.