Love This Moment
Love This Moment is a poem I wrote in the middle of 2007, largely inspired by what I learnt by the life and death of one of my best friends, Greg, in March 2006. Namely, the importance of being happy now, and of being true to your heart and soul (and what it is you really want in your life).
I then put it together with my photography into a slideshow (which you can view at www.lovethismoment.com)
After getting a great response from the slideshow, my Mum mentioned she wished it was in a form she could hold in her hands, so I made some photo books for family and friends for Christmas 2007.
After an even greater response, I looked at the photo book and thought, “I’d like to do this for real.” It reminded me I’d always wanted to be a writer. So in February 2008 I started looking into publishing.
I decided to self-publish, and on December 16, 2008, after much learning and much effort, I received a shipment of 2,156 copies of Love This Moment…just 6 hours before my book launch!
Now the real work has started as I look for distribution and other ways to get my book “out there”. It’s exciting!!
I really believe in the message of Love This Moment. When I get out of balance, when I’m feeling sad or anxious because I’m caught in the past or worrying about the future, I read it and it reminds me what’s really important in life – those things I learned through the pain of Greg dieing and the gratitude I hold that he was part of my life and has given me so much.
Just today I had a lady come into work, read Love This Moment and cry (in a good way!) It reminds me why I want to share it with everyone I can.
If Love This Moment resonates with you, you can find it at www.lisafrost.com.au. The book also contains the story that inspired the poem, which for some is more inspiring than the poem itself.
With love,
Lisa
Love This Moment belongs to the following groups:
All Things Poetic, Artistic, PhilosophicalOne day as I trudged wearily
Down a path not far away,
I came upon a bright old man
Travelling the other way.
He walked along with a jaunty step
That was so free and light,
While his smile shone like the fullest moon
Upon the darkest night.
When our paths did meet I begged of him
To stop but a little while,
For I had to ask in bafflement,
“Dear sir, why do you smile?”
“For I walk this road every single day
Through wind and rain and sun,
And for each heavy step I tread
I wish the journey done.”
The man replied in a merry voice
That was music to my ears,
“My friend, I’ve learnt a thing or two
Throughout my many years.”
“While it’s great to have a purpose
From which you do not stray,
More important by far it is to love
Your journey along the way.”
To that reply I looked askance
And voiced my inner doubt,
“How can you love a well-worn path
That rambles all about?”
“For it does not run straight and true
Towards my desired goal,
Instead it wastes my precious time
With all its bumps and holes.”
“And do you know the worst thing of all,
That makes me quite lose heart?
While every morning I reach the end,
Each night I’m back at the start!”
That wise old man smiled knowingly
And gently turned to say,
“You won’t travel very far in life
Marching the same track every day.”
“You think that to gain your far off dreams
This path needs to re-arrange,
But there’ll never be a different end
Unless you decide to change.”
“To reach a dream that seems remote
You must round every bend,
Instead of always turning back
To retrace your steps again.”
“And once again I say to you,
If I might be so bold,
While the dream may be the silver,
The journey is the gold.”
“For every person’s true desire,
Throughout their very soul,
Is to live a life of love and joy.
To be one and true and whole.”
“It is our hope most precious,
To connect with all the Earth,
To feel life’s energies within
All moments from our birth.”
Then he answered my next question,
Which was very simply, “How?”
“Just live each day inside your heart.
See the beauty of right now.”
“For no matter if the path you step
Is an old one or a new,
Behold it with the eyes of your soul
To find wonder in all views.”
“When you are grateful for all the world
As a gift from up above,
You’ll realise that what you’re doing
Is simply allowing love.”
“And when that love completely fills
Every crevice of your heart,
Your journey will be one of joy
- What you wanted from start!”
Then satisfied he’d made his point
This great man did turn away,
To continue down the splendid path
Of magic in every day.
Since that encounter I have walked
Many roads towards my goal,
With forever his gift inside my heart:
To love this moment with all my soul.
Julie Thomas
How beautiful and inspiring!!! Congratulations on publishing your book :). I will watch the slide show and visit your website when I have more time tomorrow :)
Nerida13
Fantastic writing!! Loved it.