The Turning Leaf Journal

It occurs to me–because I’m guilty of it too–that most readers will sit with the pieces in any given issue only once. One read. Perhaps two if it’s especially captivating. But for most of them, we read and we move on. What happened to the ritual in reading? Of course, I’m speaking generally and honestly mostly about myself (I already confessed to being guilty of this, remember). What is the point in reading something if we don’t retain any part of the experience? My invitation for you is this: don’t race on to the next task. Sit with each piece for a minute. Set a timer if you must. Sit, and look for something to hold. It’s good advice to remember we should only choose to carry what we have room for. We’re probably not looking for big, life altering revelations. Perhaps it’s simply a search for a sentence that spoke to you. A new word. An image. An idea or a memory sparked by the reading. 

No, this doesn’t mean every piece will change you–although I do believe they can, if you let them. This invitation is not a prescription, but taken in doses this slowed down version of reading just might bring us increased vitality. Who could we become if we sat just a little longer in admiration? I can’t wait to find out.

In the meantime, I’ll be waiting (and watching) for the ice to melt.

Wishing you health, safety, and warmth.
Megan Eralie-Henriques
Founder, Editor-in-Chief