press play
When do you take time to appreciate your life?
vintage cassette tape
a family reunion
summer flowers bloom
…
as much as we
would like to believe
we cannot pause or stop
what has already started
but hold onto the hope
that we will come to appreciate
how beautiful our lives
were, are, and will be
slogans and mottos
Do you have a slogan or motto?
everything I know
everything is coming from
the television
…
there is always
a right time and place
for the words and phrases
we choose and how
we use them
to grab people’s attention
or express our belief’s
pushed to believe
What have you been made to believe?
meteor shower
a lonely village shouts out
the future is here
…
life is a race
time is money
sleep when were dead
might distract us
from the bigger picture
that we are our own painters
creating our portraits and not others
resistance
What has been blocking you lately?
running up the hill
the golden retriever stops
and admires us
…
can take on many forms from
our fear of failure
our procrastination
our imposter syndrome
but when we give ourselves permission
to recognize and accept them
will can start to move forward
we can give
How do you approach solving situations?
rectangle mirror
fragments of chalk ripples down
the next dimension
…
everyone the same
puzzle to solve
but not everyone
will solve it
exactly the same way
and that’s the beauty
of individuality and creativity
be the first
What are you innovating?
cookbook recipe
peeled and crushed dragon fruit
rises from the pot
…
of our community
to do what no one
thought of before
or what was possible
because where would we be
if we left things the way
they were today?
the way it is
How do you teach others?
computer monitor
a magnet opens and bends
our reality
…
is not what
we should be
teaching our kids
but instead leaning into
the discomfort of learning
to better understand
what to say to them
rain or shine
What are you in control of?
pulling the curtain
a flower garden party
welcomes the neighbors
…
birds will sing
bees will sting
it doesn’t matter if
the weather may
set the tone
we control and define
our environments
concentric
What did your teachers teach you?
golden afternoon
folding origami cranes
opening new eyes
…
as students
we look up to
our teachers
learning the basics
and principles to follow
only until we reach
the point of transcendence
some things
What are you embracing today?
polaroid album
grandfather shoveling dirt
covering mole holes
…
are seen better
when we choose
to close our eyes
and open our hearts
to the opportunity
of today’s gift
we call life
sword and shield
Who are you becoming?
dandelion seeds
floating away from the lawn
following the wind
…
there are times
when we will be both
a fighter and protector
a parent and child
a stranger and friend
these dualities exist
because we make them
on our own
What autonomy do you have?
weaving branches
a beaver slaps it’s tail
on a masterpiece
…
figuring things out
when we are left with
only ourselves
to do the work
shows our autonomy
as well as the trust
other’s put in us
participation badge
What kind of award is important to you?
squirrels race
on the park bench
for the last peanut
…
perhaps we should start
awarding our kids
for their personal growth
instead of marking down
their self-esteem
if they make a simple mistake
as if the only point was to get a good grade