Dec 11, 2023
PEBBLE
Once you find yourself, believe in yourself.
-Judy Markle (comment on a social media post with the quote: “Before you can be anything, you have to be yourself. That’s the hardest thing to find.” -E.L. Konigsburg)
BOULDER
If you’re looking for a sign
to keep doing things your own way
please google, “how do cashews grow?”
and witness the unhinged beauty
of that entire operation
I hope it serves as a reminder
that you’re not
nuts
for planting your roots way out in left field
You’re just one of the few
willing to brave the elements
so all of your wild things can grow
–Lyndsay Rush, shared by Rev. Emma in Mindoro, WI
PONDER
I don’t recall having ever read a poem that invited me to do a google search, but I’m glad this one did. I accepted the invitation and was initially skepitcal–could this possibly be another Spaghetti Tree Hoax? I eventually read enough articles and saw enough photos that I became convinced cashew apples are indeed a thing, and that cashews come into this world very differently than other things that we call nuts.
And then I was able to return to this lovely poem, clearly planted way out in left field, to appreciate the encouragement around letting my wildness grow.
I fully recognize that “Be yourself” and “Believe in yourself” are such commonly tossed around phrases that you may be tempted to roll your eyes a bit. But here’s my truth:
Being myself isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s really (really) hard.
Believing in myself isn’t always easy, either. Sometimes it seems impossible.
For today and for now I’m going to ponder cashews, one of my favorite treats, and how their weird and wild ways surely contribute to their awesomeness.
Peace,
Paul
P.S. Thank you for believing in me, and the power of Ripples, too. Having you alongside this journey has helped me find myself and believe in myself. For sure.
