#pocketpoem -- Poem in Your Pocket Day

April is fantastic -- filled with special days. And today is one of them! We're celebrating Poem in Your Pocket Day with the American Academy of Poets.

What? Did I hear you say you don't have a poem in your pocket? People, people, people. Have I taught you nothing? Click here, scroll, find a poem, print it, pocket it. Or, just print this gorgeousness from Edward Hirsch. Enjoy!

Creativity Tips: Be Delighted

One of the most creative forces in the universe turns 97 today. We celebrated Mom's birthday Saturday, and she sang songs, laughed, ate pizza and cupcakes, and said the flavored LaCroix was "the best water I ever had -- it really has some pip!"

Mom really has some pip.

Today, in honor of her birthday, I'm sharing a couple of the "secrets" that keep her young and creative:

1. Mom is always willing to be delighted. Think about that. She approaches everything from a meal to a bingo game expecting good things. It's not optimism. It's faith. Mom has a rock-solid faith that everything happens for the best.

2. Mom is observant. When she was younger and we'd go out together, Mom was always encouraging us to, "Look up!" There were clouds in the sky, gargoyles on buildings, a never-ending source of wonder -- all you had to do was look up and see it.

3. Mom is grateful. There are some incredibly grumpy people in her nursing home. She's not one of them. She still thanks the people who help her, and asks them questions -- she's still engaged in their lives and grateful for their assistance.

I could go on, but three is magical and so is my Mom. Help me celebrate her today -- be delighted, look up, and find something and someone to be grateful for this week!

Creativity Tip: Write a note. Right now.

Oh sure, it's National Poetry Month and we all know how I feel about that. Poetry is life in lovely lines. BUT, did you know that April is also National Card and Letter Writing Month? It's true -- I wouldn't kid you about something as important as putting pen to paper.

What kind of card or letter should you write? Love letters come in many forms -- they don't have to be romantic; they just need to convey your heart. Thank you letters are always a delight. If you haven't received a gift lately, write a note about a gift from years ago that you still enjoy. How about an empathy card to a friend who's struggling?

There are millions of cards out there; my personal favorites tend to come from Emily McDowell:

While I love stationery of all kind, I'll tell you a secret: Plain old paper works too. And if you really, really, really can't think of anything to write, here's an idea: Copy a poem -- you'll have National Poetry Month covered too.

Don't forget: SWALCAKWS*.

*Newsflash: LOL and BRB came long after SWAK (sealed with a kiss) and SWALCAKWS (sealed with a lick, 'cause a kiss won't stick).

National Poetry Month: The Journey by Mary Oliver

Hi you! I haven't posted in ever so long. But, it's National Poetry Month, and I just read a gorgeous article from 2011: Maria Shriver interviewing Mary Oliver, one of my all-time favorite poets.

So, this is for you -- in honor of National Poetry Month, and April birthdays, and Mary Oliver, and Maria Shriver, and all of us trying to save lives that are not ours to save.

(Hmmm. Can you read the poem? I can't, but the image is pretty so I'm keeping it here. Use this link if the words are too teeny to read.)