Trying To Transform

"You build from the ground up."

There is a paradox here and I love it.

Building from the ground up?

To me, the ground we are living on is 

one of the most powerful entities on Earth, if not the universe.

The soil that has absorbed centuries of harm,
the waters that have carried away what we could not bear,
the forests that have stood as quiet witnesses to our forgetting.

It matters greatly in the matter of

"people living in dignity and hope".

It matters in "transforming a brutalized society."

To contemplate that transforming our society

from the ground up means starting with

the ground we're living on, fits perfectly 

into my idea of what is necessary.

Millions of us understand that healing our earth is not separate 

from healing ourselves or our society. It is the same work.

Healing our Earth is a matter of utmost urgency for ALL of us

to be able to live in dignity and hope.

May we contiue the work of transformation—rooted, gently, determined.

May we see it in our minds eye so we can create it in physical reality.

The ground is our guide. Let it show us the way.

It matters.

We matter.

Namaste'

 

December Comes

"patiently waiting to be held before we move on"

It makes me smile that May thinks this might be the case.

Truth told, I would not have thought of that had she not mentioned it.

Nor would I have considered...

"all the selves I've been this year standing beside each other";

until now.

I might want to start paying more attention to my more pleasant selves.

The grumpy ones seem to hog the show.

"Let the tough moments teach you, not define you."

This idea bears strong and frequent consideration.

May your day be filled with goodness.

Namaste'

 

Trans As In Beyond

"Trans as in beyond, reaching for the possible."

This is what I love about words...

they can shift the meaning in a few short strokes.

This was a personal example of how hearing things

can lay down interpretations subconsciously and why

 being aware of how I'm being influenced by them invites contemplation.

I avoid using the word "God" because, for me, it does not adequately

describe the Force of Goodness alive and present in the world.

It's a trigger word that carries unnecessary divisions and misinterpretations.

It's interesting.  I just realized the word "trans" is following a similar path.

A bell sounds inside that announces conflict ahead.  

My first instinct is to take cover by skirting around it.

Today I am taking a different path and using words to navigate the discord.

It's why my attention was captured when I read; 

"trans as in beyond, as in reaching for the possible."

This post is unexpectedly providing a vivid example of the power of words...

how words can be used to:

 wreak havoc as well as assuage contention;

 invite curiosity and lead to avoiding complicated differences;

 expand understanding and increase alienation; 

 intensify conflict as well as take a step toward resolution.

As someone once said, "use your words wisely".

I would add, HEAR your words wisely.

Investigate those that cause you to turn toward them

and those that generate a turning away.

It matters.

We're in this together. I'm grateful you are here.

Namaste'

 

Same

Isn't this spot on?

"Maybe instead it needs us to reach those who feel alone

in their messy homes or difficult relationships or unresolved issues."

I resonate with all of the above.  I love my home but it does stay messy.

No matter how many times I tidy up.  

I won't let my life be about how neat my house was.

That's the rebel in me.

(Yet, I cringe in embarrassment at the thought 

of someone "dropping in". So rude.)

"To impress less and connect more."

Yes.  

Yes.  

Yes.

Let's do more of that!

Less judgment, especially of ourselves, and each other,

and more "same, same, same.

Namaste'

 

You Can Keep

Every line of this poem moves me with resoluteness.

Be. Who. You. Are. 

Be as our Earth is.

"I want skin intimate with the wind, the sun, the rain."

My most favorite line:

"Veins that flow like rivers to my ocean of a heart."

This is now embroidered unto my skin, into my heart.

I want to feel it deeply for the rest of my days and beyond.

I want it etched into my bones like the words on the stones at NewGrange.

I want my ashes to carry it on the wind to the ocean.

"I want bones trained to carry."

To carry gratitude, joy, and quiet rebellion.

To carry sorrow and heartbreak with tender devotion.

To carry each jarring incident as if a hidden treasure

 to be uncovered with curiosity and respect

To carry celebration of the seemingly insignificant,

and the majesty in the mundane.

"veins that flow like rivers to the ocean of my heart."

(I'm telling you; I love this line.)

Namaste'

 

May You Never Forget

"You kept going."

 This is one of those thoughts

that needs to be automatic,

most especially when you are in the midst

of hard, and overwhelmed, and afraid,

and alone and feeling invisible.

We need to have it at the ready...

as a loving reminder.

It matters.

You matter.

Namaste'

 

Gingko

 I've always been impressed by Gingko trees.

I was not aware of their longevity nor 

their ability to endure "drought, disease, pollution, pests."

One of the most beautiful sights I've seen

is a Gingko tree with a golden circle of light

around its base from its gorgeous fallen leaves.

"a golden fluttering, a radiant trembling on even the darkest streets."

"As if we are here to burn bright, to shine, to offer the world

every scrap of beauty we can."

Things are uncertain and distressing these days.

I am beyond grateful the natural world has

some ability to survive the lack of proper care

as it  still manages to provide us with 

a consistent offering of beauty and comfort.

 Namaste'