What Do I Long For?

by Cheryl Merrick
I long for time to rest, 
time to think and ponder,
and time to enjoy nature.

I long for time
 to build relationships,
 with God, my family,
 and with friends.

I long for time to grow,
time to study, write,  
and care for myself.

I long for time to serve,
time to tend grandchildren,
time to send encouraging notes,
and time do family history.

Most of all,
I long to be still
and have the time 
to live a simple life. 

A Writer's Life

by Cheryl Merrick

I thought I'd write in my spare time,
perhaps late at night
when everyone is in bed
and all my "work" is done.

So dutifully I pushed though the day,
doing all the little things which "must be done",
until I found myself too exhausted to write
when evening finally came.

Life Fulfilled

by Cheryl Merrick

Simple food

Simple home

Few things, much time

Few commitments, much love

Quiet and peace

Sunshine and beauty

My spirit nourished

A thought shared

A person inspired

My daily work done

I rest calm and still

My life Fulfilled

My Own World

by Cheryl Merrick

In creating my own world
I find myself.
In this place
Where there is
Time to listen and inspire,
Time to study and ponder,
I find peace.
In this world of simplicity,
and principles
I find ideas.
Here as I nurture others
I find joy.

Dancing

by Cheryl Merrick

I really tried to march,
     Though some claim
     I should have tried harder,
but my feet,
quickly boring of the monotonous cadence,
kept adding skips and hops,
and I kept leaping out of ranks
     to see an ant hill with a child,
     study some book,
     or comfort a friend.

Finally, as a flunked recruit,
I decided to get rid of all
the “required” guides and paraphernalia.
At last, in a world of simplicity,
I found room to dance.

Advantages of Limiting Details

by Cheryl Merrick

Better Companion, Mother, & Friend
Happier All Day
More Loving and Receptive to Spirit
Manage Home Better
Think, Understand, & Remember  better
Handle few details better; more efficient
Plan Better
Feel Better - more energy

Still Moments

by Cheryl Merrick

Breakfast on the patio
early on a cool summer morning

Pink mountains
on a snowy winter evening

Sitting in the late afternoon
glow of fall

Light filtering through a
forest of green leaves

Sparkling snow in
an intense blue world

Simple Pleasures

by Cheryl Merrick

Sharing with a friend
Nurturing a child

Studying intensely
Wandering through a fantasy world

Learning something new
Improving something old

Catching ideas
Polishing a thought