Inspirational, mindfulness, Poetry, Self-love

A Move to Substack and A Smoothie of Lessons and Love (A Poem)

Inspirational, mindfulness, Poetry, Self-love

Since joining substack, I am even more inspired and am writing more… 4 poems last week – 2 shared. I’d love for you to join me there.. I will ALWAYS have a FREE membership offering.. and will be diving into offering more for paid members with my new book release in a few months. Hope to see you there!! It’s such a creative and inspiring platform. No hate – just love and creativity – my kinda place. https://lnkd.in/gtTYq7vX

A Smoothie of Lessons and Love by Jenny Garufi 6/3/2025

I am looking at all the ingredients
As I lay them out on the cutting board
Some I don’t enjoy alone

Some need to be cut up or scored.
Much like the past experiences in my life

alone they come with a preconceived taste
but when I look at them together

I know none of them is a waste.
The sadness before felt to me

Like the much wilted kale
But it deepens my awareness of joy

Adds flavor to each past detail.

 

We judge experiences so harshly
But we know we learn from the worst
It makes the happy moments more poignant
We needed the other moments first.
I love the taste of the pears
I get excited by the apples to core
But I know having the other ingredients

Makes me appreciate them even more.

The grief, the loneliness, the lack and the fear
They are necessary ingredients to living
But of course I prefer joy, love, laughter
And the feeling of receiving and giving. 

As I slice through the pineapple
Into smaller pieces to fit in the blender
I think of the sharp things in life
That time has softened and made tender.

The sting of betrayal, the ache of goodbye
Once hard to chew or digest
But now, with a little perspective
They add depth and balance to the rest.

In go the berries—so vibrant and sweet
Like laughter that bubbles and stays
But they stain if you’re not careful
Much like memories that never quite fade.

I toss in some ginger, a little zing —
A reminder that spice makes it whole
Like the times that challenge my comfort
But awaken the depths of my soul.

A dash of cinnamon, a whisper of nutmeg
Those small joys I sometimes ignore
Like a warm shower, or sunlight through clouds
Or a smile from a stranger at the store.

I pour in some almond milk — smooth and silky I
t calms the mixture within
Like breathwork on a heavy day
or cool sheets on hot skin.

And finally, the honey — sweetest truth
Harvested from life’s sting and bloom
It binds all the flavors with love
And chases away any gloom.

I blend it all — this messy mix
Of pleasure, pain, and grace
Then take a sip, and smile inside
At the wholeness I now taste.

I pour it into my favorite glass
The one with a chip on the side
Perfectly imperfect — like me
No longer something to hide.

I carry it with me into the day
This smoothie of lessons and love
A sacred blend of all I’ve lived
Blessed from below and above.

I sip with perspective and a smile
For all that brought me here
Each flavor a note in my song
Each drop a truth made clear.

If you enjoy my writing – and want to discover easy tools to embrace your inner power, please join me on substack.

If you would like to explore working with me – you can check out my services here.

0 Comments