Although our culture puts a great deal of emphasis on gift giving for the holidays, some of the most treasured gifts that I’ve received over the years have been ‘words’ given by friends or family. The gifts have been poems, phrases or sayings, some personally authored. As you might guess, often the words refer to nature: but not always.
Frequently, holiday gifts I’ve received have been forgotten after a season or two. For several years though, I’ve kept the ‘word’ gifts stowed away in a box in my closet. Every so often, I treat myself and read some of them. After doing so, when I return to my everyday activities, I feel more grounded, happier and at peace. These words are treasures that I will have for a lifetime. What better gifts could I ask for ?
I thought during this holiday season that it would be special if we shared some of our favorite words with each other. They can be anything: a quote, a phrase, a poem or your own thoughts. Who knows? Perhaps your words will end up as a gift given to someone thousands of miles away.
Here are the words I’ve chosen.
“A Singing Cleaning Woman” by Hafiz
![Hosta_Dryopteris_erythrosora_Astilbe_chinensis_pumila_midJune_2005[1]](https://gardeninggonewild.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Hosta_Dryopteris_erythrosora_Astilbe_chinensis_pumila_midJune_20051.jpg "Hosta_Dryopteris_erythrosora_Astilbe_chinensis_pumila_midJune_2005[1]")
A leaf says,
“Sweethearts —–don’t pick me,
For I am busy doing
God’s work.
I am lowering my veins and roots
Like ropes
With buckets tied to them
Into the earth’s deep
Lake.
I am drawing water
That I offer like a rose to
The sky.
I am a singing cleaning woman
Dusting all the shelves in
The air
With my elegant green
Rags.
I have a heart.
I can know happiness like
You.”
Fran is the author of the highly-acclaimed book, Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening, which Andrew Weil, M.D., recommends as "a profound and inspiring book."
A graduate of the University of Chicago with Honors in Psychology, she is also a gardening and creativity expert, coach, inspirational speaker, CBS radio news gardening correspondent, and Huffington Post Contributor.
Learn more about Fran and get free resources that will help you improve your life at www.fransorin.com.
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