Ten principles.

The trouble with perfection is,
I get more out of my own mistakes
Than I ever could from your perfection.

Most days I am good at being thankful.
I have so much, I am so much.
We are.
But today, I am completely overwhelmed by my own attempts
at radical self-reliance.
I have never in my life been so fail.
But there are lots of things in life that I'm experiencing now
That I've never been...
My own contributions to this funny gift economy
Have left me scraping a little,
Scratching in the dust to get through til next week, or whenever.
I wish I knew better.
Princess fallen, pretty dress all in tatters
All wet and muddy from trying to cross the river by myself.
Trying to fix the sprinklers, the wires, the cars, my bike.
A lesson in pride,
In humility.
In asking for help.
Sheltered so long, too long -
In keeping me comfortable, I was kept from a body
Of knowledge that I could sure use now.
Learning precious lessons about the how-to of Life
Frustratingly late.

I keep paying it forward, you know.
That bright morning, all white and red.
I lost it and cried for a moment, and
Your hand glued my eggshell back together.
For that I'd keep giving until I'd none left
I own nothing.
I am in debt for it all to your kindness, compassion.
I'm just renting this life, now.
Just keeping it safe til next week, or whenever.
So I'm thankful for piles of laundry,
For peeling paint,
Dead batteries and the hole in my shoe.
Thankful to get to wear shoes at all.