“Don’t pursue the goal, pursue the ‘why’.”
—The Minimalists
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Poetic Minimalism
Celebrate National Poetry Month by writing a haiku
By Alicia Woodward
There’s something wonderful on April’s calendar that hasn't been cancelled or postponed. It’s National Poetry Month. The celebration is taking on new meaning and importance as people turn to poetry to bring comfort, creativity, and connection during this unprecedented time.
Haiku poetry may be the literary world's finest example of less is more. Writing a haiku requires artistic discipline by challenging poets to pare their thoughts to a minimal number of words and syllables.
Well-known for the rule of 5–7–5, a haiku consists of just three unrhymed lines. The first and third lines have five syllables, and the second line has seven syllables. You might remember tapping your pencil on the desk to learn syllables in school. For example, the word frog has one syllable. The word silent has two syllables.
Nature often inspires poetry, but a haiku—by definition—is about nature. It can be traced back to 9th century Japan where it evolved as a form of poetry that celebrated the natural world. Matsuo Basho wrote one of the most famous haikus in the 1600s.
The Old Pond
An old silent pond
A frog jumps into the pond—
Splash! Silence again.
While you’re keeping yourself and others safe by staying at home, find the time to pen your own haiku. Focus on something in nature that inspires you, and distill your thoughts into a simple three-line poem that follows the 5–7–5 rule. It’s a great way to clear your mind and a creative exercise in minimalism.
Poetic inspiration struck me early this morning when, wrapped in a blanket, I stepped out on the porch for a fresh look at the day. I inhaled deeply and watched my exhaled breath quickly disappear in the cool spring air. From inside, I heard the television mumble news of virus and ventilators. Closing my eyes, I took a slower, more intentional breath filled with gratitude and hope.
Air
Nothing more precious
A calming, life-giving flow
In and out. Just breathe.
Finding Comfort in Crisis
How reflecting on essentials during this pandemic can help create a better world
By Hannah Johnson
In one way or another, most of us can agree that the last few weeks have not been ideal. Whether you have lost your job, an opportunity, or have someone affected by COVID-19, the season we are experiencing is one of discomfort, pain, and boredom.
Please do not misunderstand me, for I know how difficult this time is for many and how painful this season can be to talk about. I am a nurse in the United States, working on the frontlines with other essential workers. Being with patients during this time, both established and new, has allowed me to see a different side of humanity—the overwhelming, uncomfortable, and deeply hurting side of humanity.
This strange time has brought up multiple conversations of essentialism between myself, coworkers, and patients. The most common conversation starter that has been used at work is, “I wonder what is going to happen to everyone when this is all over with.”
It’s an interesting question, isn’t it? What will happen when we can hug friends again, go to the park without fear, or be able to buy necessary things from a grocery store with ease? Will we go back to our selfish ways of hoarding? Perhaps on the other side of this pandemic, we will continue to do half-hearted work and get caught back up into the hustle-and bustle of every day. Or, maybe we’ll take the outdoors for granted, feel justified in cutting the line, and entitled to the best of the best.
Instead, what if we came together as nothing but mere humans to implement what we are learning in this quarantine? We could make this world the one we have dreamed—a world with kindness because we know our previous lives were filled with inconsideration. A world with giving and charity instead of selfishness. A world of more thoughtfulness and intentionality, because we had a time where we had nothing but boredom in quarantine. Perhaps, even, a world filled with new friendships, laughter, and better time management skills, because we had time to grow and reflect on what matters.
Whether we are in a crisis or not, we should collectively remember the things that are important to us—be it family, close friends, a pet, a roll of toilet paper, your health, or work. When we come out of this time, we will have had much time to reflect on the essentials of life, material or not, and utilize our newfound knowledge to create a more powerful world.
The thought of a brighter, kinder world eases my anxiety for the current situation, and I hope it does for you as well.
A Little More of Less
A few other articles we think you might enjoy…
We’re All Monastics Now by Leo Babauta
Press Pause on the News by Joshua Hook
10 Little Reminders to Bring You Back to Calm by Courtney Carver
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