The Real Life

 

Don’t be greedy with the universe, she said to me.

But she didn’t say it in the mean way.
She didn’t say don’t dream big, don’t want things, don’t think you deserve.

She meant: look at your life and trust it.
Notice how you have forever been given what you need.

Notice how, while you’ve been railing and ranting and wanting,
enoughness has gathered around you like stones around a fire,

How, while you’ve been making lists of what should be
wishing the set and costumes were different,
there was a whole other play happening on another stage.

The real life.

Witnessed when you hand a dollar to the woman behind the register
in the color of the orange
in the magic laugh

Never calling, just crackling, speaking in tones —
the real life

Cup your hands and ask for it.
Start looking.
Sweetness. Honey in a bowl. Nectar.

– Tara Mohr

 

photo credit: Jeremy Yap

Join the discussion 21 Comments

  • Uzma says:

    wow..lovely message and very well written.

  • Suzyn says:

    Lovely. And totally true.

    When started to become interested in minimalism, I noticed that the biggest shift for me was not in getting rid of stuff, but in appreciating what I have, right now, and letting go of the urge to optimize.

    So, instead of “I love this blue cup, but I wish it was bigger.” or even “I love this blue cup. Y’know what would be even better! A blue cup with gold stars! Someday I’ll be a ceramics designer, and I’ll make cups this exact blue and put gold stars on them.”

    Simply, “I love this blue cup. Isn’t it nice to have something I love.”

  • Jay Schryer says:

    This is really beautiful. Notice life, just as it happens. I love it…you are such a gifted poetess.

  • m says:

    This is clear and has the ring of truth. I love how it moves seamlessly between poetry and prose.

  • Talia says:

    What a beautifully written post! What a gift you possess. Thank you for this. It is a message I needed to hear.

  • Katie says:

    Honey indeed.

  • Awesome writing Tara. Thank you for sharing this.

    The real life is what happens when we are busy planning another one. This is a much needed wake up call for me.

    Best,

    Alex

  • Dorothy says:

    Beautifully said… Isn’t it lovely when you really notice people and they notice you back? And you share a REAL moment?

  • zeba says:

    I just love the one on brilliant women.i’d started receeding into my own self for some time,but this touched my chord.it can b applied to doing the simplest of things. Like doing up ur home.

  • Love The Real Life. Posted it on my blog, referencing you and your blog.
    Sheila
    booksandboots2010.blogspot.com

  • Sue Mitchell says:

    “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon

    Understanding “enough” solves a multitude of perceived problems…thank you for sharing this sentiment in such a lovely way.

  • Tara says:

    What a beautiful sentiment, thank you Susan. This sounds like a post in the making…for you. Let me know if you write about it!
    Hugs,
    t

  • Tara says:

    Thank you Jay!

  • Tara says:

    Thank you. Yes, I’m into that prose/poetry meeting place lately…

  • Tara says:

    Thank you Talia. Glad it came at the right time for you.
    Hugs – Tara

  • Tara says:

    Lip-smackin!

  • Tara says:

    Thank you Alex. I’m so glad it came at a helpful time for you. We can never get enough of those wake up calls, huh?

  • Tara says:

    Thanks Dorothy. Yes, so agree! And all we have to do is turn on our perception to see/appreciate people and those moments start showing up.

  • Tara says:

    Thank you Zeba. So glad to hear it struck a chord for you. And glad the brilliant women post is serving you well too. The world needs your brilliance.

  • Tara says:

    Thanks Shelia!

  • Tara says:

    Yes, love that quote, Sue. It’s so true – both in the sense explored here- and in the sense of “when you make plans, God laughs.” Hugs to you – Tara

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