Another gift arrived in my mail box this week.
This email was a message offering hope to people coping with challenging times
The email "gift" came from the staff of the Academy of American Poets with links to a collection of poems specially selected for Times of Turmoil.It arrived with a note from the Executive Director, Academy of American Poets, Tree Swenson, who offered these comforting words: We seem to be able to do so little against the loss and fear and panic. Yet poetry’s realm is precisely here — in the emotional center, where desire and terror and hope and dread converge without easy answers.
Poetry to Help During Challenging TimesI have been a long-time supporter of the use of poetry to help in challenging times, particularly to help with the grieving process. As I noted in this earlier blog post, Poetry - To Help You Make it ThroughPoetry can help us realize we are not alone or unique in our grief or desolation. Someone else has lived through these intense emotions, felt what I am feeling and survived. I am not alone in these feelings of grief.
Executive Director, Academy of American Poets, Tree Swenson also noted that "Poetry can provide solace, give voice to despair, restore optimism, or simply remind us of our common connection through words."
William Faulkner said in his Nobel speech, "The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail."
Poetry Therapist John Fox so explains the beneficial effects of poetry: Poems speak to us when nothing else will. Poetry helps us to feel our lives rather than be numb. Poem making helps us move through grief, life transitions and illness by providing comfort and sustenance on this difficult journey.
Poems for Turmoil - The CollectionI couldn't find the list of poems yet on the Academy of American Poets, so I have included the list with links to the site below.These poems are offered with the hope they will open the possibility of a different kind of reflection in the fog of uncertainty.
I figured I would continue to explore resources for coping with challenges. With all of the craziness going on I think that many people will continue to need some comforting words.Comedians often turn to comedy as a way of coping with their own life challenges and hardships. Carol Burnett is no exception.
I have always grown
from my problems
and challenges.
From the things
that don't work out,
that's when I've really learned.
Carol Burnett
She has faced many hardships and losses in her life, including the death of both a husband and a daughter.
One revelation in facing challenges is that many of us discover a strong internal sense of strength, for some a light, that helps to guide us through the difficult times.
Remember that these are the things that make us stronger.
Photo Source: Stefanie L. Breakthrough. Royalty Free Use.
With all of the craziness going on with the economy, the election and other dis ease in the world, many of us are understandably feeling uneasy. These are troubling and disturbing times.Many people have experienced significant financial losses, job losses and other personal losses. It is hard to know what to do, where to turn or how thing will eventually turn out.In the last couple of days I've started receiving emails in my boxes from people hoping to capitalize on these troubling times by selling their services to help people find comfort and calmness when they might be fearful, advice for what the most important thing is to do in the current economy and also to find ways of pinching pennies by purchasing their products.I was glad to see Paul's weekly Ripples Newsletter arrive this morning as a splash of inspiration and hope to start the week. Paul offered some simple, helpful advice (for free) for coping with these challenging times.Free advice and hope that didn't require a price tag to read it. Thanks Paul!
Enjoy!*************************Ripples v10.41: Face It! October 13, 2008: a free weekly splash to 21,410 subscribers from Paul & The Ripples Project__PEBBLE _________________________________Facing it, always facing it, that's the way to get through. Face it.-Joseph Conrad, submitted by Lin H., Bloomington IL__BOULDER _________________________________Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me.And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.-Frank Herbert, submitted by Stephanie W., West Des Moines IA__PONDER _________________________________If you are feeling scared or bewildered or frustrated by the crazy events recently, you need to remember a few things:1. You are not the only one.2. Things will get better.
3. You can handle this.Yes, you can. You can FACE IT just like you have dealt with other challenges in your life. And I have a sneaking suspicion that not only will you come out of this okay, you might even be stronger, smarter, and braver.So put your game face on, and FACE IT!Peace,PaulThe Ripples Project
For More information about The Ripples Project, see their website.You can also sign up to join the more than 20,000 subscribers and get your own weekly dose of free inspiration.Image Source: Martin Boulanger. Lyon 4. Royalty Free Use.
Another gift arrived in my mail box this week.
