You

Let's think long and hard on this beautiful reality.

Whenever we feel "less than" or "off" in any way,

keep this at our fingertips as a reminder.

Let it sink down deep into our bones and sinew.

Every cell in our body needs to carry this molecule.

I cherish the idea of "that star-bright web of you".

I carry you with me.

We're in this together.

Namaste'

 

No One Owns The Water

I always wonder how humans managed to cause so much

pain and destruction in our world. 

I wanted to ask, what would our world be like if the indigenous 

way of life would have become the dominant one across society?

I realized that required some investigation.  Here is the result:

"Indigenous peoples were not universally nonviolent —  but many had highly advanced systems of peacemaking, conflict resolution, and ethical restraints on violence that often exceeded those of colonial societies."  

The problem, as I see it, stems back to the fact that:

"Large-scale, destructive war became far more common only after: the introduction of European weapons,

massive population disruptions, resource displacement, forced removals, and colonial pressure that destabilized traditional systems."

So I come back to my original question. Which has long haunted me.

And my question is this:  Is there any way we can 

heal the vast mistakes of the past and return our societies

to ones with "highly advanced systems of peacemaking,

conflict resolution, and ethical restraints on violence?"

Isn't that worth looking into?

Isn't that the ultimate intention of democracy? 

Isn't that what true equality is all about?

Cooperation rather than domination?

I'd say we're working on it.  Yes, we still have a long, long way to go,

but many, many of us are working on it.

We're in this together and we can make it happen.

Namaste'

A Butterfly

"Come hell or high water, I am flying today."

We all have this tenacity whether we recognize it or not.

It's helpful to pay attention to when we're feeling it 

and what we're feeling it about.

What is it that gives us this strength?

In some cases, its simply survival, isn't it?

Although survival is seldom simple, if you ask me.

"Strength does not grow from easy living."

Our strength is certaingly growing stronger these days as we bear witness

to what is happening to our brothers and sisters across the globe,

and responding in the best way we each know how to stop the needless suffering.

"...it's not the absence of fragility,

but rather the ability to prepare yourself for the journey."

Can anyone adequately prepare themself for the journey?

Perhaps that means coaching ourself to take whatever comes, 

relying on the grace and resilience of the universe to see us through?

And, to find every shred of joy, happiness and love we can along the way?

May it be so.

Namaste'

 

 

They Say The Heart Is

Of course, we all know this. 

We are using it now.

Loving ourselves more.

Loving each other more.

Loving our country and our universe more.

It's why we must keep on...

no matter the cost, no matter the heartache.

We must continue to open our hearts ever wider.

It's "the most powerful thing we will ever do."

Namaste'

 

All Yours

"What if it is enough, this voice that is all yours."

I want to say, what if we are enough?

"no add ons needed, nothing to take away."

Exactly as we are?

I've spent pretty much my entire life

trying to be better...more...improved.

I'm asking myself why and

how would things be different if

I focused on simply being myself

without any judgment, criticism or apology?

Well, I can think of some instances

where people living out of that mindset

are doing grave harm to humans and our planet.

Decency, dignity and equality 

do not come automatically, do they?

Or do they?

Don't they say that when you learn to 

honor and respect yourself,

you will do the same for others?

What would our world be like then?

What a dream.  

We're in this together...

may we be ourselves in kindness

and may it infect the world causing

a pandemic of goodness 

for which there is no cure.

Namaste'

 

Lick Your Wounds

"I know you feel like sunsets are your story, 

but you still have your heart like morning."

We are gifted with mornings and chances

to begin anew...today is one.

"Leave the dead thing to rot in the dirt."

This does not pertain to loved ones...

they are carried with us forever,

but what is no longer useful for casting love

into the world, needs to be left.

"You still have your heart like water."

Water is our heart.

It pulses and flows and carries.

It stills and disappears underground 

and casts out debris.

"your heart, like a seed, 

split and growing green in the sun."

I love the vision of my heart like a seed...

filled with potential for bountiful goodness

growing forward, now and into the future.

I raise a glass to your heart.

Namaste'

 

You Can Walk Around Pretending

Love, love, love this ode to poetry and the definition

of what it means to be alive, unique and amazing.

Isn't it so true we are all

"holding both a storm and a calm sea inside..."?

and

"thinking of ourselves as more mess than miracle"?

Let's always remember

"we are a living, breathing piece of poetry written to defy all cosmic odds."

Most particularly when everything around us seems

to be determined to drown that out."

Namaste'