Live It

January 1

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions – my experience is that they set you up for disappointment – but I do believe Darwin had the right idea.
Take a little time this year (and in the years to come) to allow a bit more art and beauty into your life. Plan for it, make room for it, live it.
Don’t be disappointed.
Happy New Year and all the best for 2023.

01/01/2023 j.g.l.

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j.g. lewis

original content and images ©j.g. lewis

a decade of days…

2025 is an anthology of thoughts du jour, unsolicited advice, messages of peace, philosophy, poetry, and photographs from the past decade of Mythos & Marginalia. In unchronological order, the years not as important as the dates, each post a reminder (if only to myself) that I do indeed write every damn day.

May 11

clarity

I keep a little notebook tucked in the front pocket of my packsack. Actually, I have a selection of small notebooks in a selection of bags, and a couple of spare pads on my desk.
While I keep a daily journal — and always have a notebook on the go for reminders, poems and observations — the pocket-sized scratch pads are there should I come across a random thought, idea, or phrase that needs to be written down.
Everything needs a place to go.
I write every damn day. Sometimes it involves hours of composing (or editing) at my computer, other times it is playful poetry in a park. Often times it is sitting in a coffee shop; as it is today, where I am lamenting my neglect in packing my pencil case.
Like the small notebook in the front pocket of my packsack, I always keep a spare pencil (or pencil stub) with every bag in my possession; you never want to be without a pencil.
You never know when something needs to be written down.
Part of my process, my practice, or my purpose, is taking notes. Notes become poems, essays, chapters, letters, or simply remain notes on the nonsense we all encounter.
For me, writing provides time to make sense of the madness.
Writing, for me, provides clarity.
Does it become any clearer if you take the time to write it down?

© 2022 j.g. lewis

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May 8

what mothers do

It is not past tense.
I have a mother.
  How can I say
she is no longer
with me
  when I feel her
light
most days,
but especially
today.
  It is more than
DNA.
  Everything
I know about
compassion,
  forgiveness, and
  generosity,
are
learned behaviors.
  I had a
wonderful teacher.
Still I make
mistakes and they
are my own.
I believe
  she would
understand.
It is
what mothers do.

© 2016 j.g. lewis

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May 7

snail mail

A note from afar, a note from
a friend, something in the mail
that’s not a bill, or a reminder,
or a pizza menu.
Correspondence. A surprise,
something personal and
appreciated.
Snail mail, you get less and less
in this age of instant.
Too many people are too busy
to drop a note to let you know
what’s going on.
It takes time.
Of course, an e-mail is immediate
but it does not have the same
effect as a letter, or it will get lost
in all that clutter and confusion
in your inbox.
Snail mail is an unexpected smile.
Send a letter to someone today,
just because. It may take a while
to get there, but some words are
worth waiting for.

© 2019 j.g. lewis

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May 12

what moves you

There is always a reason,
there always was.

A motivation, the initial
inspiration, an explanation,
interest, enthusiasm or a
passion (even obsession):
what moves you?

It is a drive. But why?

More than the where or
the when, the why began
the all-consuming interest.

We all have our reasons.
We all have our wonders.
We all have our why.

Remember the why.
It is still within you.

© 2023 j.g. lewis

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May 10

Indecisive indecision
anxiety   realistically
difficult
                    to believe
               as it courses
through thoughts you
don’t want
                   to possess

but you do

rather it possesses you

            Breathe it out
    breathe it through
a decision you make
       and not one
made for you

   Overwhelming
apprehension   doubt
            distrust
      uncertain tension

Anxiety comes in all
              colours
       and dimensions

© 2020 j.g. lewis

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May 6

go easier on yourself

Aren’t we are all working on something, whether we admit it or not?
What’s to question?
Can you, will you, make the changes you feel you need right now to support your intentions — or your plans — for the future?
Don’t go any further until you can answer honestly.
If the answer isn’t what you expected, remember it can be changed.
Questions change.
Expectations should be changed. Change them to intentions,
Go easier on yourself.
Be good to yourself.
Be honest with yourself.

© 2021 j.g. lewis

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