Focused

by Cheryl Merrick

Focused on what
is eternally important,
Listening to the Spirit,
I walk on the path
leading home. 

Doing Well

by Cheryl Merrick

Realizing that scripture study
had become merely another "should"
to be checked off on her list,
the woman prays asking to have
the Holy Ghost with her,
as she focuses instead on
becoming closer to
Heavenly Father and His Son.

Though she longs to have time
to quietly sit at her desk
thoughtfully considering
each verse of scripture,
in the few still moments
when she is not rushing
to meet someone's needs,
she ponders a verse,
and, feeling The Spirit,
is reassured that
she is doing well.

Taking Charge

by Cheryl Merrick

Taking responsibility
for my own needs
I monitor my medication,
responding to stress levels,
providing frequent, balanced nutrition,
gentle activity, stretches, and rest.
I carefully nourish my spirit
with daily scripture study and prayer
And develop my talents
as I spend time in writing and study.

Strengthened and Prepared,
I reach out to serve:
Listening, Counseling, Sharing, Teaching
To Family, friends, school children,
visiting teaching sisters, and BYU students.

I seek to provide Temple opportunities
for my ancestors
and assistance to those who write
in on LDS.org
I work daily to make a home for our family
and strengthen relationships.

Focusing on eternal goals,
Accepting responsibility for my life,
Reaching out to help others,
I take charge of my life.

Removing Rocks

by Cheryl Merrick

Like carrying rocks,
my back bends
beneath the heavy
load of details

Til, staggering,
I can barely move,
and my mind whirls
in a haze of exhaustion,

Unable to go on,
I empty out my bulging pack.
What must I return?

Peaceful Days

by Cheryl Merrick

Peaceful days begin
with mornings
spent in studying scriptures
and writing meditative poems

Moving between nurturing notes,
writing,
household tasks,
visiting,
family history,
and studying,
I gracefully glide
through my day.

Dancing to the music within,
My flowing steps lead,
over time,
to desired goals,
and peaceful days.

It Worked!

by Cheryl Merrick

Details in order
by the time my husband left,
I began my day with
prayer, writing a poem, & thinking,
followed by half an hour
of scripture study
as I exercised on the treadmill.

Next, I sent some special notes to friends,
spent time studying personality type,
checked my adrenal blog and found
        over 500 people have visited it since February!
set up a more personal journal type blog
          for Mormon.org
typed up (in beautiful colors, of course!)
 my ideas on introversion and extroversion of personality traits
and spent forty minutes on family history

Good and Better Questions

by Cheryl Merrick

The question isn’t whether it is good --
It is,
but is it the best use of my time, energies, and abilities?

How can I feel a sense of purpose in my life
while not becoming stressed with excessive details?
Though I sincerely want to help others,
is all this help of equal value?

Am I seeking approval and acceptance
by trying to do more than I’m able?

How do I set bounds so that I  keep to my goals
and not get pulled off course by others wishes?

What must I do and not do
to lessen the stress I feel each day
and improve my health?

I pray for answers
for these
Good and Better Questions

Driving

by Cheryl Merrick

Fearfully, I take my position
    with both hands gripping the wheel
   and both feet hovering over the pedals.
Hesitantly I turn the key.

Jerkily, I proceed
    constantly gazing into my mirrors,
    ever anxious to please,
    ever seeking conformation from others
that I’m heading the right direction.

Drifting

by Cheryl Merrick

Losing sight of my goal,
Slowly I begin to drift
off course.

Becoming mired
in to do lists,
I struggle to make headway
only to find
my destination
waning more distant

Tired, but determined
not to rest
til each detail
is crossed off,
I continue
drifting

Choosing My Day

by Cheryl Merrick

When I choose to do the “normal” things,
the leaden hours crawl
filled with accomplishing endless details,
Til stumbling through the gray fog,
head and body aching,
I at last welcome the oblivion of sleep.

Choosing instead to listen to inspiration,
I eagerly begin my day with writing and study.
Later, I help people who write into LDS.org ,
send email support to others,
and do family history work.
A little exercise, house work,
and visiting round out the day.
Having accomplished what matters most to me,
when the day comes to a close,
I contentedly slip into the world of dreams.

Changing Rules

by Cheryl Merrick

I never thought
I changed rules;
I just solved problems.

Armed with principles,
I design solutions
and simply don’t allow
“shoulds” to stop me.

Carrots and Daisies

by Cheryl Merrick

Desiring peace and beauty,
I plant a garden of daisies.

Why then am I surprised
to find no carrots?

Best Help

by Cheryl Merrick

I thought I could help best
by doing the things he valued,
So I weeded and shopped
until I dropped.

Soon it became evident
that my small accomplishments
were requiring all my energy
leaving me in a fog of exhaustion
for the remainder of the day.

Anticipation

by Cheryl Merrick

Anticipating a relaxing hour
sitting in the sun writing,
I quickly complete a few housekeeping details,
snuggling into my rocker,
I pick up my purple pen to write —Phone!
Enjoying a good talk with a friend,
I now realize that the time for writing is over
and try to console myself with a promise
to study after school is over.

Anchoring

by Cheryl Merrick

Before I get far into my day,
I sit and ponder
Who I am and why I’m here.

I consider what is important
for me to do that day,
and gather my thoughts together
straightening them out in a poem.

Seeking Heavenly Father’s
guidance through
scripture study and prayer,
I am now firmly anchored
and ready to begin a new day

A New World

by Cheryl Merrick

Blessed to have my forward momentum
stopped,
I’m shown a new way,
where my energies will no longer be scattered
in mere responding to others.
With a new sense of purposeful leadership,
I enter a new world.
In this place filled with thoughts,
my keen mind roams solving problems
and my spirit soars to inspire.
Here I can effectively help others progress,
At last,  I’ve found a world
where I feel welcome.

Waiting for Golden Tickets

by Cheryl Merrick

I will be Happy when:

I have good health;
free to eat, and go and do whatever I want
All my family and friends are happy;
well, spiritually strong, and financially secure
My life is exciting;
filled with travel, challenge, and meaningful activity
My home is beautiful;
repaired, finished, and painted
All the temple work is done for my ancestors;
research, sealings, and stories
I look as I used to look:
trim, no double chin, or wrinkles
I have plenty of relaxing time;
for meditation, writing, and study
I feel totally loved by all;
accepted, understood, and supported
I and my family are sanctified;
complete, whole and pure

I will be Happy when I stop waiting
for Golden Tickets

Harvest

by Cheryl Merrick

Though I can’t choose
the end of my path,
I can choose the beginning.

Though I can’t decide
my  harvest,
I can select the seeds.

For my harvest is determined
by the planting,
and my reaping
      gathers the consequences
of the choices I sowed.

You Can't Take It With You

by Cheryl Merrick

Nobly, wearing their suffering
like a metal pinned on their shirt,
They rush here and there,
stressed, tired, and cheerless,
Doing the things that “need” to be done.

With no time for thought or planning,
They scurry around finding
No time to build relationships,
not even with the Lord,
No time to nurture themselves or others,
No time to notice the many gifts
they have been given,
or even any time to enjoy life at all.
Obsessed with “shoulds”
They dash and run, muttering,
like the poor white rabbit
from Alice in Wonderland,
“I’m late! I’m late!”

As day after day is consumed in
amassing and caring for things,
and constant but purposeless movement,
They completely forget that
You Can’t Take It With You.

Setting Bounds

by Cheryl Merrick

Contentedly, I settle quietly within my my own field,
Knowing that I will no longer find myself lost
as I follow friendly herds to goals that are not mine

Secure in the protection my new fences provide
I, at last, find the time to be myself
and replenish lost energies

No longer trying to help everyone– Now!
I’ve chosen only a few to nurture