Friday, July 27, 2012

Can You? : a poem + a giveaway

Poetry by Julia Fehrenbacher of Painted Path.


print by Julia Fehrenbacher on Etsy

Can You?

Can you, for just a minute
leave
the white tablecloth, the washing
the sorting, the scanning
the lists, the date books
the .coms, the inbox
the goals, the resolutions
the plans, the labels, the schedule, the old
stories
the scars, the scales, the bruises
the pains, the aches
the what ifs, the should haves
the pointing fingers
the too small boxes
the questions, the containers
the dividers, the protectors
the sickening
paralyzing
expectations?

Can you, for just a minute
hush
the voices that howl madly
at your old, tired
little self?

For a brave minute or two
can you pry open the bars

and listen
to the wordless –
to the hum
between
to that which births snowflakes
and stars and sighs
and moonlit little streams?

On this frozen winter night
when your heart
especially needs warming, I'm wondering

can you, for just a minute
get quiet enough to hear
the silent
flutter
of this one precious
life
of this one
precious breath?




Julia Fehrenbacher is a writer, a poet, and a painter. Her life's work is to step into her truest, most empowered self so that she may guide others to the same. She lives in Corvallis, Oregon, with her husband and two little girls.


Some Words + a Giveaway!



On the Other Side of Fear
Poetry & Art by Julia Fehrenbacher

Julia has been a guest poet on KOM many times over the last year, you can click here to get a taste of her gorgeousness. I ADORE her & her work beyond words.

Last month, her book of art & poems, On the Other Side of Fear, was published by Balboa Press (a division of Hay House!) Eeeeee! I can only barely begin to tell you how incredible it is. It's a divine experience. It's one of those books that you want to give to everyone that you love.

Sitting down with this book is like Julia taking your hand & saying, it's okay love, come with me, & you don't crawl to the center of yourself, you don't walk into your core, you don't even run, Julia asks you to leap with her. As you read the words, as you are falling with her, from the moment your feet lift from the edge with the first line, her words start to peel away all those layers we tend to hide ourselves with sometimes, our half-truths, our masks. So, you're reading & you're falling, & Julia is baring her soul. So she can see herself. So you can see her. All the while encouraging you to do the same. So she can see you. So you can see you. When you get to your center, you're standing naked as fuck with her, on the ground, feeling lighter than a leaf & loved, all those stories, all those layers, are scattered all over the ground & your heart is as wide-open as the sky... & she says again:

Take my hand, let's roam
let's pause
at the edge of the stream
no wants
no words
no worries
just the Light in you dancing
with the Light
that is me


It's only then that you realize, that you think, but I don't remember letting go of her hand, but you did.



How to Enter

Leave a comment below with your name + email address so we can reach you if you win -- answering this question:

What can you stop doing right now?

This giveaway ends on Wednesday, August 1st - we will be contacting the winner via email by next Friday!

Good Luck & Love everyone & Happy Friday, I hope your weekend shines!

Love,


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65 comments:

Natalie Thomas said...

I can stop worrying about all the unknown and embrace the adventure.

Lynnette said...

Lynnette- knittingnettsie(at)gmail(dot)com :: I can stop filling the corners of my heart with fear of what might be and enjoy what is. 

Amanda said...

I just read your beautiful poem "Can You?" Thank you for the reminder that I CAN stop planning when I will wash bottles, change over the laundry, shop for shoes that fit my son, etc. Instead, at every moment, I CAN stop to appreciate his smooth skin, the curve of his tiny nose, the scent of his clean hair and stinky feet, and the precious sound of his babbles and nonsense words.  Thank you!
Amanda

Demontrond said...

I can stop wondering if my drug addicted daughter has died overnight and imagine her brushing her teeth each morning instead.

Mel Giles said...

I can stop...holding my breath...
Melanie Giles  melnlw61@gmail.com

Andrea Gits said...

I can stop worrying about what others think, stop worrying whether I can do it or not, stop living in fear!

Estrella Azul said...

Thank you for this guest post, Julia is such an amazing artist!

As for trying to win a copy of her book, here's my answer:
I can stop and let myself be present, I can stop worrying and feeling stressed/burnt out and I can let the Universe provide.

Carroll Kaitlinb said...

I can stop obsessing over my imperfections and celebrate my beauty!
carroll.kaitlinb@gmail.com

Leona Weaver said...

I can stop NOT being present, here and now, for my children, my friends, my husband...I CAN be happy in the current moment and enjoy it!
leona_weaver@yahoo.com

Lisa Perry said...

Yesterday was a bad day, but today is better. Reading Julia's poem came at the perfect time. Thank you, Julia, for the poem, and Amanda for sharing. 

I will stop telling myself - right now! - that I am NOT worthy or good enough. I will stop berating myself to tears and inertia when reminded of a past mistake from a few years ago.  Last, I will stop worrying about whether or not my family will (want to) come to celebrate my upcoming 50th birthday (8/25) with me and enjoy my day - my life - for what it IS and for what it will BE.

Stopping those things allows me to believe, to really know, that I am a good person, worthy of love and respect, and way more than capable of pursuing my dreams. Let the second-half of my life begin!

Thank you!

Lisa Perry

Claire Lopez said...

Beautiful words!

Maryann said...

Thank you - the poem and the book look so wonderful.

Erwakefield30 said...

I can STOP thinking about the dishes and the laundry and the sweeping.....especially since I'm not even nowhere near any of that, and won't be for another five hours.  :-)     erwakefield30@yahoo.com

Mnovotny said...

What a beautiful poem!  This has been one of the worst weeks for me.  Julia's words lifted me up and reminded me who I am!

Right now I can STOP giving in to the condescending words of others.  I can stop letting them control me with their snarled ugly taunts.  I am a kind, loving, nuturing soul and I will not be drug into the poision of their being.

susie carranza said...

love this post!  the words are just what i needed to read right now...

i can stop doubting myself.  i can get out of my own way and believe in myself, in my artwork, in my worth.
thank you... :)

Renee Avard said...

This is amazing and would LOVE to win this.  It means a great deal to me, this site and recommendations :)  Blessings! 

Renee Avard said...

eek forgot my email: 

furlowrenee@gmail.com

Danie B. said...

Danie - degreeofreegmail.com

Right now I can stop worrying, and fall into each breath as it comes, without expectations, hopes, or fears. 

JennF said...

Beautiful poetry. It brought tears to my eyes!
I can stop WORRYING and being afraid of the future and the unknown, of things I can't control.
jfoggfogg@yahoo.com

Laurie said...

I could stop planning every second of everyday; stop cleaning every spec of dust & dirt; stop organizing every event or mound of clutter-- and start listening to the beautiful raindrops kiss the parched earth; listen to the laughter of my grandson as we ride the adventures of what/where-ever our imaginations dare to take us; and listen to the sweet sentiments of my ever romantic boyfriend when he calls from his job in Georgia tonight!   

Laurie said...

Sorry email address:  louloukeller@gmail.com

Brandi Nabors said...

i can stop overwhelming myself with needless worries and begin loving me

Crystal Dawn Craig said...

Crystal- craigcrystal@ymail.com: Right now, I can stop worrying about what people might think of me and learn to be myself and not be afraid of it. 

Miriam said...

I just received a copy of this book today in the mail, and it's even more gorgeous and thoughtful than I imagined!  I feel so lucky!

Hockeynut1921 said...

I can stop worrying.  My email address is hockeynut1921@gmail.com. 

Angela Vular said...

Beautiful words!

I can stop feeling stuck/unable to move forward.  My e-mail address is: vular@comcast.net
 
Thank you for offering this give away.

Theresa said...

What beautiful poetry and art! Thank you for sharing Julia's work and for offering such a lovely giveaway.  What can I stop doing right now?  WORRYING!!!!  Theresa (theresamacnaughtonatgmaildotcom)

julia said...

So, so beyond-words-deeply-grateful to be here.  Thank you, Amanda.  Thank you, everyone.  I am filled by the goodness here. 

Jill Piedmont Derleth said...

I love this.  It's just so important to just "be".

Jill Piedmont Derleth said...

I love this.  It's just so important to just "be".

Duckgoesquack said...

I need to stop worrying about the small things. About the things that will not matter in a hundred years. The things that really are not important and matter to no one. The things that keep me trapped and keep me from releasing my wings. I so want to fly...

Starcatdreamer said...

I can stop doubting that I am a loveable being.

Annelies said...

I can stop my inner critic right now, instead of beat me up, build me up! Loved the poems and thanx for sharing. anneliesp11@hotmail.com

Christel said...

I can stop multi-tasking. I can start being present to my life, to those I love.

Bonnie said...

I can stop soooo many things, but one is thinking in fear. fear of not having enough, fear of regret, fear of lost dreams....
thank u for this chance
bcdering@gmail.com 

Jane said...

I can ignore my Voice of Doubt.
jane1970@live.com.au

Heather S said...

I can stop allowing myself to be so distracted.

Christineepiphany said...

I can stop using negative talk to let go of resistance~ there's gotta be a better way of making peace with the thought of a bad outcome, besides getting cozy with the thought of it totally happening!

Mommastaci33 said...

I can stop saying "in a minute" and focus on the ones I love.
mommastaci33 at yahoo dot com

Tina Tierson said...

No words to describe how Julia's poetry and art make me feel.  I would LOVE to win this contest!  tinakomi@comcast.net

Pine Ridge Treasures said...

Julia's poem made me take a deep breath, then smile! What can I stop doing - worrying about things I cannot control.  jewelryprt@yahoo.com

CatDancer86 said...

I can reach out to all my women patients (I am a psychotherapist in private practice and a hospice social worker) with the love and warmth of Julia's book and glorious art to remind them of their own magnificence.....I am always holding the loving acceptance of them for them until they can accept it for themselves.....and then I continue to hold it for them....
Thank you, dear Julia, for sharing your gifts  ....CatDancer86@aol.com

Amy said...

I can stop thinking that I have the power to make other people happy. I can also stop procrastinating and become the woman I should be, who doesn't hide behind her fear all the time. 

Smileee001 said...

I'm going to stop trying to make things happen ans instead learn to trust more.

Dalywrite said...

i can stop procrastinating... and do the things that scare me...  :) dalywrite@yahoo.com

LyndawithaY said...

I can stop thinking about tomorrow. One day at a time.

Wordygirl said...

I can stop getting frustrated with the kittens and their mama cat.  Isn't that a ridiculous thing to say?  Who gets frustrated with kittens?  Someone tired and lacking perspective, that's who.  But no more. 

wordygirl at earthlink dot net

Peggy said...

I can stop saying "what if".  The "what if's" stops me from experiencing new things, people, experiences.  I will turn it around and say "what if I try eating marshmallows and dill pickles".....it won't kill me, hurt me, or make me a bad person....have fun savoring the experience and then decide if I want to do it again or chuck it up to "I did it!!!" experiences.   peg-e-su.silk@msn.com

Waverunner1218 said...

I can stop living my life as though I am not enough.  I can stop thinking that I am walking alone, because in reality I am never alone.  I can stop being anxious and holding back. I can stop being afraid of EVERYTHING (the future, my family's safety/well-being, being rejected, the world's problems, etc.) and realize that there is someone bigger than me out there Who is taking care of it all.  
I need to stop holding on and learn to just let go.  I need to stop wishing and wanting and always being somewhere else.  I need to be here, and be grateful for all of my blessings, and realize that I cannot control everything.  It is a beautiful life, if you choose to see the beauty, and that is what I am so graciously learning from all of you bloggers :) 
I want to be able to throw myself whole heartedly into all of my relationships and endeavors - recognizing the light in myself and spreading God's love around the way that I am meant to. But before I can do that, I just need to stop. <3 Thank you so much for this!
Lauren - waverunner1218@gmail.com

Linda Smith said...

I can stop holding my breath and waiting for everyone else to be happy before I can allow myself some time to relax and rest and stop adding things to my list of "things that only I can take care of". Linda Smith hiprlinda@aimc.om

Meganmerchant said...

I can 



unclench fear,



release the grip I have on the script of the present moment and let it play out without adding words or fears, expectations or interpretations of life as I want it to be,



instead pick a dandelion, reach for my son’s hand, listen to the breath sounds my husband makes in sleep, find solace in a cup of coffee, let regrets be inspirations for change,



be open to signs instead of price tags and silence self doubt to make room for the loud messages the universe has been whispering in my ear. 


Thank you,
Megan 
meganmerchant@hotmail.com

julia said...

I have a little window of quiet time to myself today and just had the honor of reading each and every one of your "I cans"...what a deep, deep blessing to be on the receiving end of all this heart-softening/opening beauty.  

With tears in my eyes and a wide open heart, I thank you so much for showing up here & sharing your shining Selves.  

With gratitude & so much love,

Julia

Aubzhawaiiangirl said...

Being in the World  but not of the world. I need to stop following other people and start being a leader. I need to stop being afraid of what other people think of me and just be my own self. I need to work on is not being afraid of what other people think of me because like the quote " be yourself because every one is already taken." My name is Aubre and my email address is aubzhawaiiangirl@gmail.com

Jthardyfam said...

I can stop worrying!  Love this poem you shared, and would love to share it on my blog (with a link to you of course)   Would that be possible?  Oh, and I would LOVE this book!

Maryball81 said...

I can stop and put my phone down and let my husband hold me. I can stop worrying about things. I can be grateful for blessings that are right next to me. My email is maryball81@yahoo.com.

julia said...

Please, yes!  Feel very free to share!  

Thank you, Julia

Eydie said...

I can stop hiding behind the curtains and come out on to the stage and shine in the brilliance of the bright light.
Yes, this is my agreement.

Julia, Thanks for this opportunity.  

Much love,
Eydieeydie@whatwecreate.net

nccole said...

I can, right now and repeatedly, choose to believe I already am all those things I have wished I was or could be 'someday' after everyone's needs are fulfilled, that I already have the abilities, creativity, stamina and strength, healing touch and words ~ all of it!  nccole@yahoo.com

Michelle Kroll said...

I can stop saying any derivative of "Hurry up" and "let's go."  I/we nee to slow down and be more intentional with our time.  ME included! 

Eydie said...

Julia,
I just realized my email address is incorrect.  Then and again, you know where to find me.
Hugs,
Eydie
Eydie@whatwecreate.net

Jodi Lobozzo Aman said...

I cannot not and will not stop being present for people going through pain! 

Kate Brown said...

I can quit stressing over a missplaced document. I can take a deep breath and put things in perspective. I was having a serious meltdown when I took a moment to look at your e-mail. I came back to your site to read some of Julia's words and the calming started. Thank you. And thank you Julia.

Lhuff2002 said...

I can stop multitasking and being present in the now.

lhuff2002@hotmail.com

Stephanie at Visible And Real said...

Oh, this is lovely! Both poems resonated with me deeply.

What can I stop doing? I can (and wish) to stop believing that I am not enough. I can stop believing the resistance and I can stop listening to the voices from the past who keep whispering, "You can't." Because I can.

Stephanie
visible.and.real at gmail dot com

Carol said...

Right after reading this I stopped, refilled my coffee cup, looked at the world outside, listened to the birds, thought deeply about what the bigger "stop" could be, and decided for right now, that was the best stop. Coffee + Creation = Refreshment.

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