![Everyday Poet](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/4085/604168/6035d3bc68535/Everyday-Poet.jpeg)
There’s a saying: “Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.” These days, the battle feels especially hard. From everyday challenges to the forces dividing our nation, it’s fair to ask: How can I bring more joy to my life? More peace?
My answer: poetry.
I’m a professional poet. For a decade, I earned a living doing a project I called Poem Store. I set up my typewriter in farmers’ markets and other public places and wrote poems on the spot for anyone who asked. I also did private events. In total, I wrote more than 40,000 poems!
I now teach poetry workshops, lead creative retreats and write books. Everywhere I go, I see a hunger for the unique gift that poetry provides.
Do you remember a story I wrote a few years ago for Guideposts about how poetry can be a vital part of someone’s prayer practice? A couple of years before that, I wrote about how a Poem Store encounter led to an unlikely and life-giving friendship.
What is it about poetry that makes it such a powerful, universal language?
Poetry reveals beauty in the smallest details of creation. It finds light in the darkest shadow. It is a guide and a teacher, reminding readers that life is a miracle, something to be celebrated. Good poetry tells deep truths about joy and pain, triumph and grief. Like the Psalms, poetry explores every aspect of human experience, shying away from nothing and expressing gratitude for everything.
That’s why I believe poetry can be healing for anyone. You don’t have to be a professional poet.
Here are some suggestions for cultivating a poetic mindset, gained from a lifetime of writing, teaching and finding my place on this planet:
1. Be in awe of everything.
ãã®èšäºã¯ Guideposts ã® February 2021 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ Guideposts ã® February 2021 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
![In the Everyday](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/_tp7FwgnK1720173281975/IN-THE-EVERYDAY.jpg)
In the Everyday
Cooking, cleaning, breaking up the kidsâ fights... If only I had a few minutes for myself!
![Worst-Case Scenario?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/DmGYROi_a1720172974956/WORSTCASE-SCENARIO.jpg)
Worst-Case Scenario?
Iâd had nagging injuries before and always recovered. Why wasnât I confident that I would get better this time?
![Honor Thy Son](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/qshJPD_vd1720172660647/HONOR-THY-SON.jpg)
Honor Thy Son
I was a Marine officer, a liferâor so I thought. Then came Patrick
![Keeping It Real](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/yRx94WnO71720168421503/KEEPING-IT-REAL.jpg)
Keeping It Real
In an age of social media, we're experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. Two friends who met online tell you how to grow an authentic connection
![What You Wish For](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/2e9ixmak51720168129898/WHAT-YOU-WISH-FOR.jpg)
What You Wish For
She never wanted to see her abusive father again
![God's Pillow](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/fPGhojQQd1720167791815/GODS-PILLOW.jpg)
God's Pillow
In 2016, the Soberanes Fire in Northern California was the costliest ever in the United States. It almost cost me my life, despite the promise I made to my wife
!["I Heard You Praying"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/64-8tMcTu1720167148440/I-HEARD-YOU-PRAYING.jpg)
"I Heard You Praying"
As a hospital chaplain, I had seen hopeless cases. But never one more seemingly hopeless than this
!["I Love You, Dad!"](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/5--oYFJ_T1720166513264/I-LOVE-YOU-DAD.jpg)
"I Love You, Dad!"
Some of your favorite GUIDEPOSTS writers share what they learned from their fathers
![Harold and Me](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/Qhajb_Gug1720166039150/HAROLD-AND-ME.jpg)
Harold and Me
Theyâre nearly all gone now, the generation we call The Greatest.â This womanâs mission was to honor one of them
![The Race Before Her](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4085/1698982/cgsKBEDzw1720165438215/THE-RACE-BEFORE-HER.jpg)
The Race Before Her
For this Olympic champion, success bred her greatest fear. How five verses set her free