REPAIR PROJECT

In the living room,

there is a 2 by 2 foot ceiling square

upainted,

imperfect,

the leftover mark

from a leaky plumbing repair project.  

Most days, I don’t notice it.

 

When I do notice, I remember,

the wet ceiling,

cutting the drywall,

discovering the ceiling/floor bracing,

identifying the leaky culprit,

getting the parts,

taking plumbing apart,

putting pipes back together,

testing for leaks,

screwing the drywall back in place,

spackling,

and then

moving on.  

 

There was no more leak.

The potential major damage was averted

with direct action.

 

Yet, even when (If) I finally

smooth and paint over

the 2 by 2 square,

it will still be slightly imperfect,

different from its original state.

 

This imperfection reminds me of the work

needed

to fix what was potentially disastrous.

 

The repair projects of

my life

are not as easily fixed

as the plumbing.

And now, this imperfect square

reminds me

it’s best to take action

and remember

even healing leaves

a mark.

GROW INTO YOURSELF

In the early years

of adult freedom,

she wanted to

go, go, go.

 

Her days began with espresso,

ran on group chats,

and most nights she

went by a club to see a show.

 

As some years passed,

she settled in a bit

finding love

and

enjoying a little quiet.

 

Some of her friends never made the transition

and wondered

why they felt stuck in their situation.

 

(The club scene was old.

Her friends grew tired.

The loves they pursued just wanted to party.)

 

Work demanded more

and so did her conscience,

so nights at the club gave way

to serving at a women’s shelter.

 

In these later years of adulthood,

she realized,

if you grow

into yourself

you cannot always be what you

once were.

IT HAPPENS SO FAST

Dear Friends,

It happened fast.

I was looking forward to the holidays of 2017.

The parties,

the get-togethers,

the celebrations

all lined up in a relatively sane arrangement.

 

Then, the first week of January was here.

I was SO ready for celebrations to be OVER,

for some calmer calendering.  

 

And now, as we’ve been back to

work and routines for a while

and the daily news cycle has taken its toll,

I wonder if you,

like me,

are longing for gathering some friends and neighbors

to talk,

to share,

to come together

around conversations

about things

true,

good,

and sometimes difficult.

These are the kinds of conversations

I’ve been honored to participate in when

people like you invite me to lead a

salon.

 

Here’s how it works:

You pick a date,

invite your friends and neighbors,

(those with whom you would love to have some deeper conversation)

as many as would fit in your living room.

You pick three or four of my writings,

either from Every. Single. Day.

or from my emails.

 

When everyone gathers,

we can have some appetizers and drinks.

Then, we’ll spend an hour or so digging into

the writing, and our lives,

sounding a steady drumbeat of hope.

 

If this makes your spirit sit up and take notice,

then send me a message (joel at joelmorgandotcom) and let's schedule your salon soon.

 

For soon, we’ll be saying,

“It happened so fast. Summer is here.”

 

Joel

SEEKING WISDOM

So often, we celebrate the young,

those who have accomplished much

and taken little time to get it done.

 

Study them, you should

for tips and tricks,

looking for anything good.

 

If there is something deeper you seek,

not just knowledge and strategies,

but wisdom to make life complete -

look to those with a lot more years

of living,

of loving,

those who have cried a river of tears.

 

Sit at their feet,

look into their eyes,

listen to their stories,

you may be surprised.

 

Know this in choosing to follow wisdom’s path:

seeking her takes more time

than

a podcast,

a webinar,

an article

about how to make another dime.  

 

Wisdom isn’t instantly clear,

you may have to let it

ferment,

percolate,

marinade

in you

for

days,

weeks,

and

years.

 

Then, at the end of your days,

if you follow her path,

you will have a life well lived

because you learned to enjoy everything that lasts.  

DREAMS

As I look at pictures from

the March on Washington,

I wonder what dreams have been realized

and which have been forgotten.

 

Thoughts of justice, equality, reconciliation

sometimes feel so futile,

when the world seems to want to return

to times feudal.

 

No matter what seems to stand in the way.

No matter if it feels like all progress is rescinded.

today is always the day

to dream on.

 

But, let this not be forgotten,

the Dream must live

in

our words,

our work,

our actions

if it is to live at all.

THE MONKEY TRAP

How do you catch a monkey?

 

You put a rock of salt in a hole

with an opening smaller

than the monkey’s fist.

The monkey reaches in,

grabs the salt

and is trapped.

 

All because he won’t let go

of what he thinks he wants.

 

Wisdom requires letting go

of more

than you ever embrace.