My Dearest Reader,
A little story to start…
The coffee was out!! We stood and waited patiently, as the cafe attendant replaced the fresh barrels of liquid gold into their respective coffee bar retainers. The gentleman to my left, also waiting along with me, dressed head to toe in full surgical scrubs, poured his cup first. Whoosh! Hot, steaming, dark-roasted, liquid love shot straight into his waiting paper cup. We both felt relief and joy. A feeling of freshness rose up with the coffee steam. As if, only now we knew we could begin our individual days that lay ahead with purpose. We did the coffee dance as we fixed each of our cups with cream and sugar. Mixing in polite ‘excuse me’s” and “patient smiles.” You learn a lot about a person by the way they take their coffee, I thought. I started with almond milk in my cup first, then filled it the rest of the way. He filled his three-quarters with the coffee, then went for the cream and sugar. Then, came back to top off his cup with a little more joe. How interesting, I thought, with gratitude for this forced, sort of, pause, before receiving, reminding me to begin mindfully. He wished me a good day. As I did the same, for him. But, in my mind, I’m really thinking God bless you as you go change countless children’s lives, today, by helping to heal them. As for me, my good day will be spent sitting with my son, in his hospital room, as he finishes his chemo treatment.
Here we are again, it seems, each full moon, as it has landed over each in-patient treatment stay for him. Thus, being my writing goal to release this creative endeavor of mine each full moon of the month. I have been finding ways of staying occupied. Catching up on reading is a favorite, of course. I remembered my Sunday edition of The New York Times and came across this lovely piece by columnist Stephen Marche. This part of the column was my favorite. Sunday, February 26th, 2023, Book Review section, pg 23
These words were so comforting. Speaking about human nature and how writers are seen as victorious in expressing said nature and producing great masterpieces. But, just like many others, have lived defeated existences. This writing, this time spent here with my son, is my endurance in action. As Baldwin says, "finding a way to stay alive and write.” This leads me to my current mantra of choice, in my daily spiritual practice. OM. Simple, yes. Complicated, no. But, layered with richness and full of tremendous potency. Pronounced AUM, this mantra is known as the highest, single syllable mantra. The most spiritual sound in the universe. It is often spoken at the beginning and end of a meditation or yoga class. As Paramahasma Yogananda stated, “Through the actual hearing of this Cosmic Vibration a conscious contact with God or Christ Consciousness can be established.” By listening to the instrument of your own voice, your own signiture sound, is a powerful tool for self-healing. I have created a playlist on Spotify that includes this mantra.
Just search Mantras & Coffee: Spring
Enjoy!
Sanskrit: OM
How can you take your power back from your mental habits, in a healthy way?
What remains constant in your life? What changes?
Where does your joy live? What brings serenity? How can you take time for yourself, think about the things that are changing, and relax your mind, body and soul?
Coffee Talk:
I had the pleasure of participating in a Ballad Challenge on Instagram dreamed up by writer and visual artist, Kim McKellar.
I had never written a ballad before. So, I thought…why not?! I’m so grateful to Kim for putting this call out. A fellow participant shared her ballad about…COFFEE! Fun right?!!! So, I asked her if it would be ok to share her piece here. So good! And so perfect as the coffee-themed highlight this month! Rachel is a writer and editor at Blood and Bourbon Journal.
Makes you wanna have a cup of coffee and take a walk in the woods, right? Wonderful ballad, Rachel! She has many other incredible pieces on her Instagram. Go show her some love!
Kim really helped me to remain present that beautiful, Sunday morning. I honestly went into such a lovely space of peace writing my contribution to this challenge. And the best gift came afterwards with the connections made through this creative endeavor.
I just made a recent realization and it may seem obvious. But, it took me all of my 43 years to learn this. We don’t just have resilience. We acquire it from those around us. And sometimes we have to seek it out. It’s about receiving. This has been a major lesson for me this season. Especially, having a sick child. There is no other way when faced with certain situations.
Moving into this new season, under this Full Moon in Virgo, can you notice the openness of your own heart? How can it soften just a little bit more?
How can you give yourself a little grace?
What is your internal dialogue?
How can you open to others offering to you their gift of grace?
Heart Happenings:
My friend Ellen Rowland has a beautiful offering coming up on Saturday, March 18th
A poetry workshop on Submitting to Literary Journals
Submissions are open for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press’ forthcoming Haiku Anthology: To Live Here-a Haiku Anthology
For more information on learning Haiku, Zen and Japanese culture check out,
The Haiku Project 22. They regularly share useful information and host online workshops!
Gal’s Guide Book Launch is happening March 25th!!! Very excited to have a poem included in this forthcoming anthology, titled Journey!
In parting, my friend,
take a short moment and think back into your day…what was your very favorite part?
Close your eyes and let that moment wash over you again. And if you’d like, I’d love to hear about it. Leave me a note in the comments! And if not that’s ok. You keep it for yourself.
Thanks for reading!! Hope you enjoyed!
With Grace & Gratitude,
Mary Beth
A truly generous and inclusive offering. Thank you for encouraging us all toward gratitude, connection, hearing our own sweet voices, and peace of heart and mind. ❤️
Love all your posts, Mary Beth! You're doing a great job penning down your journey here. The Moon is influencing your pen. Keep writing! ❤️✍️