Learn the names of everything around you.
Greet everyone, even the fat possum with long white hands who lurks in the oleander at night
and steals cat food from the neighbor's back stoop.
Cook your own food.
Keep a plant alive.
Live with a cat or two, or a dog if you've the patience.
Stretch.
Pray if you're able.
Going down is hard work,
dropping suddenly or slowly slipping into the same velvet darkness.
When you hit bottom it will be wet.
Bend down and drink, but not too much, not too fast.
Let your feet sink into the mud; it's okay.
The ones who don't get called are the ones who are cheated.
The trick is to understand the gift.
---Catherine Svehla.
