A brief compilation of my poetry reflecting on mindful experiences.
For several years, I have sought ways to merge my passion for design with my fondness for poetry. These creations are among my earliest efforts, from a time when I still shared my work under my maiden name.
This poem encourages action, but it’s important to emphasize that this can be the smallest of steps. It might be a restorative, self-care choice like sipping another glass of water, ensuring timely medication, or anything suitable for one’s personal health objectives.
A motivational snippet, yet I prefer a more pragmatic perspective instead of merely offering well-known platitudes. We can comfort ourselves with soothing phrases, but often, the act of taking a deep breath and beginning to work towards a solution provides much greater tranquility.
I crafted the design of this piece to be extremely minimalist to align with the concept of doing less and having less. I composed this during my bustling years, transforming it into more of a hopeful aspiration than a reality.
To be quite direct with this poem, I penned it while on a cruise back in 2018 with my now-husband and his family. We got an excellent deal on the trip, and I was determined not to spend $15 daily on internet access when I was eager to disconnect. It was a wonderful experience that imparted valuable lessons about the ease of leaving my phone in another room for hours of concentrated time.
Pursuing the theme of water, this poem held significant vulnerability for me. Although I currently have a fantastic support network of close friends, I’m distanced from the majority of my biological family. There were many years when my only chance to unwind was during those rare moments I could access a pool and simply surrender to the water. Even after several years, it remains an incredibly calming sensation.
They flow through, vanish into something greater, and then they’re irretrievable. This poem serves almost as a caution; it’s so simple to lose oneself, to succumb to chaotic thoughts.
This small poem was created during one of my morning commutes while living in Maryland and traveling to Baltimore. I would eventually relocate to the heart of Baltimore, but initially, I faced a long commute on Baltimore’s notoriously unreliable metro. My life operated like clockwork and was incredibly hectic, yet I was making strides toward practicing mindfulness.
The purpose of this piece was merely to capture one of those fleeting morning instances that vanish without a trace. To me, that embodies mindfulness—paying attention to the small moments that constitute our lives, taking the time to appreciate the beauty of the sun, even amidst a busy life.
I’ve undertaken [a gradual mindfulness journey](https://medium.com/the-yoga-narrative/my-mindfulness-journey-reprogramming-my-thoughts-8d4878362b42) over several years. While I have become quite consistent in my meditation routine and focusing fully during my yoga sessions, all of these aspects required time. Poetry serves as another avenue through which I attempt to guide myself towards cherishing important but minor moments.