In my last post of 2023 on December 16, “Entering a Different Flow of Time,” I mentioned my intention to do a “micro-sabbatical” for the end of ‘23 and start of ‘24. I laid out an ambitious agenda that included working on a book of poetry and finishing up a few courses I’d started—Greater Good Science Center’s course on Awe in Education, and the Waters Foundation’s courses on the Habits of a Systems Thinker.
Well, I definitely entered a different flow of time, just not the flow I’d expected. Instead, I met up with a mystery virus (not Covid, not RSV so yay), and got intimate with the remarkable superpowers of my immune system.
Basically, I couldn’t talk or even read for 2+ weeks so work on the poetry book as I’d imagined was not in the cards. Now if you have a dog in your life, you know that dogs, no matter what is going on for you, still need to go outside early morning every day. I have Keira the Dog to thank for a poem that emerged on New Year's day. It was a lovely encouraging moment—literally dazzling, and dazzling was the medicine I needed at that moment. Poetry gave the means to share it.
Here’s the poem.
Keeping it simple today.
Let me know if you explore Awe in Education or the Habits of a Systems Thinker courses. I’d love to hear. Or just reply to this email to say hello.
Take good care. Be well.