Mary Oliver - Inspiration for Living

"Instructions
for living
a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it."

Nearly every day now I see something exquisite and wonder why I have never noticed it before. That surprise is often accompanied by a sense of wanting and needing to see as much as possible during my time here on the earth.

Mary Oliver often reminds us that paying attention is the key to living the poetic life. Paying close attention, I have learned, is an act of devotion. What could be more transformative than being in love with the beauty all around us?

Nature truly astonishes me on a daily basis. This wonder has led me to write more and more because I do want to share the magic. Perhaps the amazement in me will meet up with the amazement in you. That would be spectacular!

"Watch, now,
how I start
my day
in happiness,
in kindness."

How we begin the morning has a lasting impact on our day and on all who cross our path.

My first act of the day is always extending love to all of the creatures that depend on me. There is great happiness as my four-legged children greet me.

Simple acts, like pouring out fresh sweetness for the hummingbirds (nectar), watering my geraniums, and listening to early morning birdsong, enable me to enter my day gently and with a peaceful heart.

"You can have
the other words —
chance,
luck,
serendipity.
I'll take
grace."

Out of all the words in the world, why choose grace?

Perhaps we should first define grace. There are many meanings and definitions: unmerited divine assistance; a blessing; an act of kindness, favor, mercy, pardon; the quality of being considerate or thoughtful; a musical note; a pleasing effect; or ease of movement.

I embrace the spiritual dimension of grace. As an imperfect human being, having grace extended to me despite my failures is an immense blessing. Extending grace to others blesses me even more. I have always felt grace is one of the most compassionate gifts one can give or receive.

Just imagine a world in which grace prevailed. Think of how lives would change. I choose grace. How about you?

"Tell me,
what is it
you plan
to do
with your
one wild
and precious
life?"

This is the ultimate question. What will we do with our precious lives?

I want to live my moments and my days as if every single one of them are precious. I want at least one life to have breathed easier because I have lived. I want to fulfill the purpose for which I was created. I want to extend compassion where it is needed most. I want to be love where I live.

What will I do today with this one wild and precious life? How will I turn these intentions into meaningful actions?

"The most regretful
people on earth
are those who
felt the call
to creative work,
who felt their own
creative power
restive and uprising,
and gave it neither
power nor time."

I do not wish to live or die with regrets. For quite some time, I have heard the voice of my creative spirit calling out for time and power. How long can we deny such a life force without negative consequences?

It can feel very risky to heed the cry of that inner creative soul. After all, an act of creation can expose one to judgment, criticism, or even perceived failure. Is it worth the risk?

I can only speak for myself. I know that I am more willing to risk failure than I am to risk an unlived life or a life of regret. Beginning now, today, I will create to my heart's content.

"Sometimes
I need only
to stand
wherever
I am to be
blessed."

Not long ago, as I was walking down my country lane, I stopped right in my tracks and thought: So this is happiness.

For much of my life I have lived in the future. Often, I have imagined experiencing greater contentment when xyz happens. Do you know what I mean — thoughts of how life will be better when you are somewhere else or doing something else? Can you relate?

I am at a point in my life now where I realize the blessing is not out there somewhere. The blessing is in this very place and in this very moment. I want to be a soul who lives with the constant awareness of the immense blessing of being right here, right now.

"Listen,
are you
breathing
just a little,
and calling it
a life?"

What does it mean, for you, to be breathing more than just a little? For me, it means living at a slower pace that allows me to pause frequently to inhale life itself.

A lot of my life has passed by in a blur. There have been way too many years when I was barely breathing. I am so deeply grateful to have finally figured out what I need in order to be breathing more deeply.

Have you discovered that too — how to breathe more than just a little?

"My work
is loving
the world.
Here the
sunflowers,
there the
hummingbird -
equal seekers
of sweetness."

Mary Oliver discovered her real work — loving the world. Have you discovered what you are meant to do or be?

How do we know for sure that we are doing the work that is our true calling? Do you ever ponder these things? Some of us spend a lifetime searching for our authentic niche, our place in the world.

I'm with Mary Oliver. I wish to make my life's work, in its many forms, an act of love.

How beautiful are those who inspire others through their acts of kindness. I am deeply appreciative of these angels who create happiness through their blessings. Many thanks!

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