the world may see dried-up and irrelevant —
they may not even see me at all —
LOOK! i’ve re-blossomed with beautiful new petals —
strength, focus, perspective, poetry, silver wisdom —
i am roaring out all that i have held in,
taken on, and put up with — for all my life —
i roar for myself and for all women
i roar at the top of my lungs with all my midlife rage —
LISTEN! no longer can i do it all nor do i want to —
i may be getting old, but also i am brand new —
—Terri Guillemets
We’ve lost, we’re losing,
it’s so much loss, too much.
But the clouds are rolling
and the breeze is blowing
and nature is so beautiful
and the dried delicate leaves
are doing their dance of balance
between hanging on and falling away
amidst their wintry shiverings —
they love the wind
for helping them let go —
they fall to the ground
and the gentle rain comes
and helps them nourish the earth.
A gray bird lands on a bare gray branch
both unadorned, yet so, so beautiful.
And the leaves are drifting
and our lives are drifting
and loss is just another form of beauty.
—Terri Guillemets
grieving makes us stronger —
it gives us a spirit of grace
and the grace of spirit
our hearts feel weaker
but living past loss is
the ultimate courage
we honor our loved ones
by living on despite —
and all the more because
—Terri Guillemets
it’s not that the people
with nice shiny attitudes
haven’t been banged up —
but they buff out their
dings and scratches with
gratitude and positivity
perspective and grace
resilience and courage
with purpose and faith
—Terri Guillemets
You can’t count the bad things that happen. They don’t count against life. They are life. Only count the good things. Let every blessing strengthen you.
—Terri Guillemets
For every fear that spins out of control, backspin it with a good deed. You may be helping someone else who is afraid.
—Terri Guillemets
It’s not all about healing yourself — it’s just as importantly about letting yourself heal.
—Terri Guillemets
The sun shines different ways in summer and winter. And we shine differently in the seasons of our lives.
—Terri Guillemets
Sometimes we must unfocus our way to clarity.
—Terri Guillemets
For happy health, fuel yourself with dreams and greens.
—Terri Guillemets
Work hard, enrobe yourself in velvet hope, and rule your world!
—Terri Guillemets
Live for the roots
Love the green
Dance with the blossoms
—Terri Guillemets
What is your life’s motto? Write one. And live by it. And revise it when life revises you.
—Terri Guillemets