Notes to Myself

Green Market, Union Square, Diana Instant+

Notes to Myself on a Thursday

You don't have to try so hard.
You don't have to be the glue that holds it all together.
You're not the only one who can cook or host.

You still think it's your job to feed the world.

But what if it is enough for you to get out of bed every day,
what if no one minds your plaid hat and your unwashed hair?
What if they scan your tired, half-hearted appearance
and call it
“hip”?
What if all anyone ever needs is you, just as you are?
What if your presence alone gives the world
something
true?

Let the chatter die away
and forget about getting
a single thing ever ever right.
Ask for something you want,
and let someone else give it to you.

Consider there's some other glue that holds it all together,
and your job is only
to be held.

Jen Lee

Comments

[Michelle Shopped]

are you a big sister too? the oldest of the bunch? i'm so glad you wrote this -- i feel better already...xo

[The Other Laura]

Just this morning I've been struggling with being kind (and patient) with myself as I get over a pretty nasty virus. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you, Jen.

[Donna]

this tells all about the appearances we keep up and not allowing ourselves to ask for what we want and to just let someone else step up to the plate for us. This poem is a "keeper" for me.

Thanks again Jen Lee!

[Leslie Lee]

This is great! I had to laugh about this line :
What if they scan your tired, half-hearted appearance and call it “hip”? LOVE that - if I decide to feel hip and abandoned, they probably WILL think I am hip. (giggling)

It is so important to not take ourselves too seriously so that we can engage in life with our imperfection without apologies and ENJOY it. I used apologize about almost anything and everything, it it too tiring, had to give it up!

Love you, Jen Lee!

[Lindsey]

This is so lovely, and something I struggle with too. Like somehow if I let go of my white-knuckle grip, everything will fall apart ... which of course it won't. And then I curse myself for the self absorption that creates that thought. Alas. Welcome to the hamster run of my brain.

[Trish]

Love you, love you, love you

Trish

[Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams]

I love this. And your presence alone does give the world something true.

Words to hold close today. xoxo

[cindi]

L.O.V.E. this Jen!!
May I share this? (with due credit of course!) I have a new blog:

http://thrucindiseyes.blogspot.com/

and would love for this to be my next post!
either way thanks for sharing!

[Rebecca]

Amen to that! From one who recently resigned as family lynch pin, but still finds herself running with the role in spite of herself...

[Sheila]

AHH! I needed that! My hat is striped and yes sometimes just getting up is enough. Hello and thanks
Jen :)

[stef]

beautiful words ~ words to live by every day!

xo

[Christen]

Beautiful! My favorite line is "what if all anyone ever needs is you, just as you are?"
Thanks for sharing this!

[Sheryl]

Thank you. Just thank you.

[jane]

i sent a link to this page to all my lovely friends who are mothers all struggling with ill health and life... your words are like a balm Jen. Thankyou

[mim o]

Oh my word. I need to read this every day to remind myself of your wise, true words. Thank you.

[amy rehnae]

wow. i think i may have to print this out, several times...journal it, color it, and hang it on the fridge to boot! would you mind if i blogged it?? too great. how did you know just how i was feeling?? :~)

[emily]

it's only wednesday, but i needed that.

[mekate]

Oh how i love this.
truly.

[leoniewise]

thanks jen. perfectly timed.

[jeanine]

deep breath. i feel liberated. thank you. for this. for being you.

[Karen D]

your truth is beauty, your message is universal

[gerovital]

very good lyrics and a message understood