Wendell Berry’s short and iconic poem was introduced to me by a dear friend one night when discussing the things we always do when we have drinks… Life, Work Life, Married Life, Balancing Life, and the purpose of it all.
Ian grabbed his copy of “Leavings” from his spare bedroom – where the frogs typically live – and opened up to the first page. Berry’s memorable prose is the first poem in the batch and is somehow imprinted on my memory. I cannot tell you where my keys, wallet, or phone are, but I can recite this gem from Like Snow.
You could pull this poem apart in so many ways – each word is deliberate and calculated and so deeply thoughtful. Here are just a few quick sentiments that strike me:
“Suppose” – such a gentle admonishment, encouraging us to work a different way. A very different way.
“Like snow” – there is nothing more calming than the ground collecting snow. A fresh, thick blanket over the earth. But Berry, finds just the right word for a fresh snowfall. Quiet. I have often stepped outside during an intense storm just to hear the quiet sound.
Why does he repeat “quietly, quietly”? Again – I think Mr. Berry knows we can easily brush through short poems, but in 13 words only one repeats. I think that is very intentional.
But the that phrase is what really resonates with me. Something that keeps me up at night thinking about. “Leaving nothing out”.
If I am not careful, this can cause quite an existential moment – what am I missing? what am I forgetting? what in life has God put me here to do and did I not see it? In other words, is my life “leaving anything out”?
Kobe Bryant and his young daughter died this past Sunday in a helicopter crash. A lot has been said about this and I won’t go into that here. But, since that happened, I have had several people reach out and tell me how they cared about me and didn’t want me not to know.
Very thoughtful and very interesting…
Then I heard this interview with Shaquille O’Neal, and he mentioned how in light of losing his great friend and “niece” this has given him great pause. In the midst of his very full work life, he is going to focus on being more present in his friends’ and family’s lives. To make more of an effort to check in the the people who matter most.
Here are a couple of easy ways to make sure your “leave nothing and (no one) out”:
- When you think of someone, text them – tell them you were thinking of them and how much they mean to you.
- Send letters to people you love – nothing will ever replace a thoughtful note.
- When you see something in a store and say to yourself “_______ would love this” – consider buying a small gift for them.
- Send songs to your friends- this song reminded me of you, have a great day
- Buy co-workers/ team members coffee
- Send good books to your friends –
- Send photos of good quotes/ pages you are reading to your friends
- Meet with close friends on a consistent basis
- Sit with new people at lunch – I am very bad at this – eating lunch and sitting with new people 🙂
- Give people your time when they reach out to you, even if it’s inconvenient.
Maybe you have always wanted to do something, go somewhere. Maybe you always wanted to write to your hero – do it. Maybe you always wanted to reconcile with a family member – not as easy, but try it. There is surely something you carry around within you that is dying to come out. To come to life in the world through you. This is what we and the world cannot afford to leave out.
So whether its a dream, an ambition, a friend, a family member – we all need to be reminded of Berry’s powerful charge – Suppose we did our work/ like the snow quietly, quietly/ leaving nothing out.
Let us be thorough friends, siblings, spouses, and parents. With our love, our work, our families, our marriages, our lives – Let us leave nothing out.