Posted on by Tenneson Woolf

Mary Oliver Instructions

Coot, Utah, Qquirrh, Kayak, Simplicity, Astonished, Mary Oliver

Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.

That’s Mary Oliver’s words — “Instructions for Living a Life.” Mary Oliver, the Ohio-born poet whose words are so often guide for me. She died in 2019. Here words, of course live on. And live on guiding many.

I love the simplicity. It’s instructions for living a life. It’s also a good game plan for what to do today. It’s also good guidance for the meeting. Or for that book that I need to read. Or for that garage that needs to be tidied. Or for the leadership team event next month.

Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.

Got to kayak yesterday. First of the season. With Dana and a couple of other loved ones. We were on Oquirrh Lake. It’s urban. The bird life is astonishing. The bird sound too. Coots that go with Yellow-Headed Blackbirds, and Barn Swallows, and Mallards, and Geese, and Sparrows.

Above is a Coot from the paddle. Near her nest. We saw all kinds of little Coots, from barely days old to a couple of weeks old.

Mamas were protective, keeping little ones close. Mama’s were teaching, diving to the bottom to pull up a bit of greenery and then feed to baby Coots.

Can’t help but feel delight. I love being still on the water in a kayak. I love doing it with people I care about. Some astonishment together.

Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.

4 Replies to “Mary Oliver Instructions”

  2. Thank you for this and many more of your musing dear Tenneson.. Will repost her “instructions” with a sunrise photo of mine today on FB

    Reply

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