Every once in a while you come across words that hit you right in the gut. I was reading The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman (book review coming soon) when one of the characters quoted an Emily Dickinson poem. I have never intentionally read Emily Dickinson because poetry isn’t really my dish. However, I’m considering picking up some of her work now.
“in this short life
that only lasts an hour
how much-how little-is
within our power.”
Within the first four words, I’m reminded of how short this precious life we have is. How much control over our destiny do we have? I think a lot, yet I find myself holding back from things that scare me. I read recently that fear is here to show you what you should be doing. Of course, we all know you shouldn’t run into a lion’s cage, let’s be more realistic. For me it’s expression and creation, I have such big images of what I can accomplish yet fear and worry hold me back.
There are things that are out of my power to control yet there is so much more buzzing inside waiting to stream out. I’m reminded to keep moving, keep going, work toward the things in life that matter. I’d like to imagine I’ll be lucky enough to live a long life, well into my nineties if I have it my way. When I’m of the ripe age of ninety-nine I want to look back at these years and know I did everything I could to make it remarkable.
Melisa Peterson Lewis 
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