Sundays is plant watering day at our house. This month, I’ve read enough posts to know that I’m not the only one who has added more plants to our home during the pandemic. So, every Sunday, I fill up our watering can and move from room to room, watering our plants. Except this very dramatic peace plant. It requires a mid week pick-me-up.
I’ll admit, that as the March Slice of Challenge approached this year, I was feeling a lot like my peace plant. Tuesday slicing had become a stretch. I felt dried up. The ideas were not flowing and I didn’t feel like I had anything to write, nevermind put out into the world to share with others.
But, just like my prayer plant, I just needed a little boost of energy. I got that energy from all of you, this space, and from the reminder that stories live all around us. On day 31, I’m feeling energized and full of gratitude. This month, I’ve reconnected with friends from our district that I haven’t had the chance to see or talk to much lately. I feel close to them again because I read their stories and shared comments back and forth. Even those of you that I see and talk to every day, I feel like I know you better, even after years of slicing together. I’ve also had my eyes open to so many different parts of the world. I’ve thought about how life is both the same and different in various countries. I’ve wanted to reach out and hug so many of you, sharing pain and trauma that the last years have brought. I’ve laughed and learned and I’ve been amazed by your writing. There are so many phenomenal people in this community that I’d never know like I do now, because you shared your stories.
I also believe that this challenge reminds me of what I learned way back in year one, when I was looking for joy. It’s always there, we just have to see it. This year has been hard and I felt weighed down by it all. Writing every day has helped me to see the good that does exist, even if on some days it’s only tiny slices.
So today, six challenges later and having never missed a Tuesday, I’m feeling like my peace plant after that mid week drink of water. Refreshed. Thank you to all of the Two Writing Teacher Co-Authors for creating this space year after year. How lucky are we?
Where There Is Joy 
Yes to the plants. Yes to the community. Congrats to you on another year.
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A beautifully crafted slice – I share your sentiments
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Your commitment to slicing is amazing! Love the plant as an illustration…and glad you are feeling recharched.
I’ve appreciated the different type of interaction that happens here! There’s a camaraderie that is contagious.
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Love this line – “There are so many phenomenal people in this community that I’d never know like I do now, because you shared your stories.” Love that I’ve known you through the years. A bit envious that you have real life friends who slice. I’ve never been able to convince anyone to join me here. See you Tuesday!
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I’m so glad we tackled this challenge together again. I do feel like I know you even better than I knew you before March 1 due to our sharing of story. I’m so glad that you feel nourished and refreshed!
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Well done on finding the right image to fit the moment. I’m looking straight at the thirsty peace plant in our living room, and I will see it differently thanks to this. I’m slightly less energized than you, but also grateful to have had this month of community.
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I’m glad you were able to reconnect and feel more energized! Your plant is beautiful!
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What great perspective to end the challenge. I also like your comparison of your lack of writing energy to your parched plant. It now looks beautiful and you made it!
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Yes! We had a peace lily for many years and it was the most reliably communicative – always let us know when it was ready for a drink, if only our writing capacity were so transparent. I was so not ready to write when March came along but now that we’re here I’m grateful to have slogged my way through. Appreciate all your insight, see you around here again soon! 😉
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I am lucky to have a writing companion like you.
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Ditto!
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Connecting with you again through this is one of the best parts! I’ll see if I can handle Tuesdays!
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Agreed! ❤️
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Great comparison to the peace plant. So glad you started me on this challenge all those years ago.
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I agree. This is an energizing community! Your comparison to the peace plant is perfect. I am always amazed when water brings mine back to life. Thanks for your comments and for sharing your stories. I’ll look for you now on Tuesdays!
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I cannot believe you’ve never missed a Tuesday. That is incredible! I made it about two years and now sometimes miss. I like the analogy to the peace plant that just needs a little extra water. March is pretty much like that – a little extra water for when I’m droopy. Glad you were here this month – see you on Tuesday.
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