It takes work to be an optimist. Especially during the dark months of winter. We light candles, hang twinkling lights, decorate our homes, bake sweets, gather together, give gifts, sing songs. With all this gaiety and joy surrounding us, it’s hard to imagine anyone being sad. But so many people are this time of year.

We expect so much of ourselves and others. Of course this just sets us up for disappointment. And we are entirely too hard on ourselves, in my humble opinion of course. Alright, I’ll be honest with you, I tend to be too hard on myself.

I found a heart shaped lump of snow this week. (True story) It warmed my heart. It made me realize that the most important thing in this world is kindness and yes, love. Not just loving others and being loved. As wonderful as that is, it’s loving oneself that makes all the difference. It’s realizing that I am worthy to be loved, most of all by myself. That little lump of snow reminded me. And I hope you realize it about yourself, too. And don’t be so hard on yourself (I’m saying this to myself most of all). May you find the light that shines inside of you this season of long nights. Have a great week.

Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 16 December 2018

clinging to petals, frozen,
dawning amber, silent morn
Ya neva’ know what ya’ might find in its belly
things that stir my soul
nose to the grind stone
soft snores, puppy breath
you’ve signed away every drop
reminding me that love’s everywhere

~kat

A ReVerse poem is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the ReVerse features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week.