My word for 2016 is ATTEND.

Although I don’t think attending is a superpower, some days I wish it was. On those days, I think if one more person promises that he or she has the superpower to right all wrongs and save US from THEM, I daydream about sticking a pencil in my (or someone else’s) eye. On my better days, however, I choose to acknowledge that while I have no superpowers and am responsible TO the World – I’m not responsible FOR it. I’m responsible FOR my life and how I choose to live it.

To that end, I will attend to what and whom I can. And I’ll remember that I don’t have to attend every argument, drama or political whack-o-doodleness to which I’m invited. Each weekend ,I’ll share something here – an image, a poem, a song or maybe even a story that’s helped me attend to what I can that week.

Along with many others, this has been The Week of Matthew for me.  As a life long coastal Carolina resident, I respect hurricanes.  And I prepare for them.  One of my  regular preps is The Keeper Box, in case an evacuation is required.

It’s nothing fancy, just a waterproof box.  Some of its contents have remained the same – legal papers, meds, my dad’s 1928 prayer book and and few simple treasures from others I love.  Other contents have changed – dramatically.  In fact, I bought a box this year, to accomodate the change in contents.  My new box is half the size of my older one.  

I’m not sure if the change is because I care about less stuff or I care about stuff less.  No matter, I like my new, lighter load.

What’s in your box? What does its contents teach you?