A New Year 2021

 by Cheryl Merrick

Many are rejoicing today

hoping that the New Year

will bring an end 

to their pandemic woes,

and that the mere turning

of a calendar page

can bring a return 

to our old "normal" life.

During this past year 

some have lost family members,

and we have all felt the longing

to be with those we love

and just give them a hug.

A Frog's Advice on the Danger of the Slow Boil

by Cheryl Merrick

At first the cool water feels invigorating.
I swim and splash thoroughly enjoying it.
I enjoy the sense of freedom
to be able to do things 
that I've wanted to for so long.

Though it's a little warmer now,
I feel even better.
With my muscles relaxed, 

I get so much done!

Life is great!

Reformation

by Cheryl Merrick

I. Accepting reality
Doomed to endlessly repeat my actions, 
like in the movie, Groundhog Day, 
until I "get it right,"
I reluctantly acknowledge that 
I must accept reality.

What must I accept?

What Have I Chosen?

by Cheryl Merrick

Rushing through the day, 
I exclaim, 
"There is so much to do--
Meals to prepare,
Kids to take places,
Errands to run, and
House to clean!"

At the day's end,
I collapse into bed,
tired and discouraged,
waking only to face,
another day of the same.

Wearily, as I plead through prayer
for the strength to do all my tasks,
the words, "But one thing is needful:
and Mary hath chosen that good part",
come to my mind,
leaving me to consider,
"What part have I chosen?"

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?

Another Chance

by Cheryl Merrick

“I’ll see you when I get this done,”
we shout at each other
as we rush to get one more thing in a day.

Pressure builds til,
in our frantic pace,
purpose blurs.
We no longer know who we are,
nor question why so much must be done.

Too Busy

by Cheryl Merrick

If I’m too busy
to ponder the scriptures,
to learn new things,
to meditate on goals,
and think through thoughts,
then soon,
I have nothing left to give.

The Deserving Few

by Cheryl Merrick

Instead of asking where to keep it,
     I ask why keep it?

Instead of how to care for it,
     I question should it be cared for at all.

Some possessions are given away,
      and others stored in the attic.
Remaining are only a few things giving daily ease,
     but requiring little care in return,
     the deserving few.

Summer Mornings

by Cheryl Merrick

Still, cool, and fresh,
filled with the happy
chattering of birds,
the day stands poised to begin.

A moment,
quiet and un-rushed,
to pause and reflect
before activity
come bounding in.

Stillness

by Cheryl Merrick

Focusing on the beauty around me
my racing heart
stills,
and my anxious mind
calms.

Gazing upward
into the canopy of branches,
peace fills my soul.

Settling Down

by Cheryl Merrick

Finally our life is settling down
Our business seems to be solidly  on its way
and my husband is enjoying doing
maintenance work for companies
We have time to be together,
visit with others,
and do things around our home
My strength and energy is increasing
as the stress is lessening
Our home is simple and
the plastics are mainly gone or in the den
I am learning to set limits in my life
Particularly limiting details--
LDS.org feedback, family history, emails, etc.
to just two hours a day
And reserving time and energy
for study, meditation, writing, and thinking
The days of constantly pushing ourselves
Are Over
Things are finally
Settling Down

Rocks and Sand

by Cheryl Merrick

Like placing rocks in a jar,
     I begin to prioritize
 my daily commitments;
     Writing and study,
      Mentoring children,
      and Supporting friends.

To this seemingly full jar,
     I slowly pour in my “sand”;
     Housework and cooking,
     Finances and filing.

Filling the spaces
     between my rocks,
The sand completes
     my day.

Peaceful Day

by Cheryl Merrick

Begun with morning meditation,
strengthened by prayer
     and scripture pondering,
guided by the words of prophets,
the day begins,
firm and true.

With priorities in order,
     and goals clear,
obscuring clutter
simply falls away,
leaving peace
glowing purely
in the steady light
of inspiration.

Peace, Be Still

by Cheryl Merrick

We rush around,
     blown by countless cares
     and commitments.
Pushing ourselves,
     our tumult of activity
     keeps us ever in danger of capsizing.

Finally above the roar
     of daily errands and cares,
we hear the words of the Master,
     “Peace, be still.”
And his words which calmed the stormy waters
     begin to bring peace to our restless souls.

Solid Ground

by Cheryl Merrick

We were trying,
but peace was gone and stress was increasing.
Why were we feeling so stressed
with our business, our home, my health,
working at the post office, volunteering at the school,
family relationships, and serving in the Church?

Obvious

by Cheryl Merrick

As  I choose ONE
most important project
and work on it early
when I have the time and energy,
I’m finally getting
the things I want done.

Now there is no need to push,
because I’m not behind.
I’m astounded at how much
time and energy
I’ve  wasted
by not being focused.

As I pray for help
I’m being blessed
with ideas on how to change.

With His help
It all seems so simple
and obvious,
now.

My Element

by Cheryl Merrick

My goals clear,
I simply begin.
Thoughts come,
the next step appearing
as I move ahead.

Gazing into inquisitive eyes,
I adjust my path.
Empathizing, relating,
Principles, and goals,
I move in my element
agile and swift.

Moderate Life

by Cheryl Merrick

What is a moderate life?
It is not going too long between meals,
or staying up too late.

It is not eating too much,
or foods I’m allergic to.
It is keeping warm,
but not too hot or too cold.

Living in Balance

by Cheryl Merrick

With the priority
of building eternal relationships,
I’m focusing my energies on just a few things--
scripture study, family nurturing,
and missionary work.

I’m setting more realistic goals--
eliminating those details and commitments
which don’t directly relate to my goals
and which drain my limited energies--
teaching writing and visiting teaching callings.

How Questions

by Cheryl Merrick

How can you relate to a person
     if  he is in a group?

How can you feel the Spirit
     with noise and movement all around?

How can you communicate
     when all one knows is clouds
     and the other the earth?

How can you feel peace
     in crowded, overfull days?

How can you relax
     in a cluttered, disorderly home?

How can a person thrive
     without quiet time alone to ponder?