Experiments

 Wouldn't it be something to stop correcting life?

To live in awe and wonder at the experiment

of each and every living creature?

To recognize the universe within 

every one of us? 

It makes my brain feel small.

kastilwell

Half Reality

 "Addicted to upbeat niceness?"

"A sanitized half-reality?"

These thoughts caused a jolt.

First a jolt of denial

followed by the rueful recognition

of the possibility it holds an element of truth.

The unknown is scary.

I believe we are all learning to live

our best selves amidst the

clamor of uncertainty and chaos.

Using "upbeat niceness"

is a coping mechanism.

(It's preferable to tantrums and bullying.)

Perhaps it is a graceful awkwardness

we are developing?  

A "leaning in" to courage?

kastilwell

 

What Is Good For The World

What is good for the world?

A potent question worthy of consideration.

The outlook looks grim

but the seemingly impossible

has happened before.

May we learn our lessons

and find our way.

kastilwell

.

 

Clear Your Path

 May your storms be brief.

May the path they clear bring joy and peace.

May you find refuge in your storms.

And amazement along your path.

May all of life turn us toward 

justice, decency and fairness.

kastilwell

We Are A Symphony

 Each time I catch myself

unconsciously needing 

to DO something;

to PRODUCE something,

to ACCOMPLISH something,

I want to pause and remember

there are other dimensions

to a human life.

I want to explore them

even when they're awkward

and strange feeling.

Ruts are so boring!

kastilwell

Growing

What an encouraging sentiment.

I'd much rather grow than get old.

Growing is preferable to aging

although aging is a fine exercise

if done with humble grace

and good humor.

Since it's unavoidable,

we may as well accept and enjoy.

kastilwell

 

Your Body Holds Truth

 After I encountered this thought,

I was treated to a helpful experience.

I was walking in the darkness of predawn.

When I was "in" my body, 

I was aware and in tune with where and who I was.

When I diverted to look at my iPhone screen,

I quickly found myself seriously

"off course", on the verge of falling into the ditch.

I now carry this with me as a reminder. 

kastilwell

De'sir

 This is worthy of robust consideration.

Each phrase a meditation.

A contemplation,

Perspective provides insight. 

Thoughts matter.

kastilwell

Nebulous Ideas

 The key is believing in yourself.

Let's keep practicing this one!

kastilwell

Imagination Helps Us Consider

 What might lie beyond the boundaries?

That is a giant question 

both intriguing and terrifying

at the same time.

I would prefer if creativity

came with a little less discomfort.

Then I think of the chrysalis...

the caterpillar melted into soup...

to emerge a magnificent butterfly.

It gives me a bit of courage.

kastilwell

Creativity Time

 While fantasy and daydreams 

are not my usual forte',

I certainly have time that is 

slow, careless and unstructured.

The only trouble is

I keep speeding it up

trying to be careful

and applying structure!

This thought is

tattoo material!

kastilwell

Imagine Another World

by Arundhati Roy

There is such hope in these words.  Hope and truth.

I want to "walk through lightly, packing light, 

ready to imagine a more just world.  

kastilwell

 

Peace In The Midst

 Looking for the good in all things,

 grasping tiny moments of joy...

These are such vital pieces of sanity in today's world.

To be aware of the wrongs and injustices

yet working for what is good and right for all,

is a balancing act that can feel like a 

tightrope walk across heart-stopping chasms.

May we find our way even as the rope shakes.

kastilwell

Turning Chaos Into Light

"Balancing and transmuting tensions

from the chaos. . .into light."

May this be our way forward,

personally and collectively.

kastilwell

 

Be A Curator

Part of me wonders if 

it's even necessary to pass this thought along.

I witness many of my friends

doing this without discussing it

and doing it with a style and grace 

uniquely their own.

I, however, can use the reminder 

and the recognition of how

this curation is taking shape

in my own life.  

kastilwell

Second Guess Yourself

Holy Revelation!  

That's what I felt 

when I read these words.

"Of course!"

How many times am I scanning

the face and behavior of the other

when I voice my choice or opinion

to gauge their reaction,

so I can adjust myself

to stay "acceptable" to them

if need be?

Why do I do that?  

Why do I do that?

(Cause that's 

what I've learned. . .

from inception.) 

Sigh.

Now I see.

Thanks be,

kastilwell

 

Nothing Matters Everything Matters

This is an excerpt. The entire poem is located at Gina Puorro's website, earth and sky

 

I'm noticing black and white thinking these days.

In myself and others.

I'm also noticing psychological manipulation, 

more so than usual.

(If you're interested in more details, let me know.)

Suffice it to say, I'm doing my best to be

attentive to my own triggers and outrages.

I guess that means 

"bringing more courage and kindness

into my listening?"

One can hope so.  

kastilwell

Courage

Like my dad used to say, 

"Many a truth is said in jest."

kastilwell

PS:  A proverbial truth known for centuries, this notion was apparently first recorded by Chaucer with the line, 

'A man may seye full sooth (truth) in game and pley,' from 'Canterbury Tales' (c. 1387).
 

Two Meanings For Fear

There was a time in my youth when

Zig Ziglar was a major voice of inspiration.

It's nice to run across this after all this time.

I confess to using the first definition often

as I view the world through

the lens of the media and news headlines.

Then I go out to walk with friends,

or converse with loved ones,

or move in solitude

throughout my day;

doing the very best I can

to be a decent human.

I hope that qualifies

as "Facing Everything and Rising."

kastilwell

 

Being Alive?

 Being one of those whose tendency 

is to "rush around...to achieve something";

this gives me a strong pause.

I have to give myself some time

to consider what being alive 

actually feels like;

not what it means.

What it feels like 

focuses in on my body, 

my reality in the moment;

What it means, 

usually becomes a mental exercise...

a distancing from the here and now

into the past or future.

Being alive becomes more abstract.

My question is:

where does imagination come in?

How can my mental activity

contribute to my being fully alive?

I'm all for plain and simple and obvious, but

could it be a bit more complex

than this quote indicates?

kastilwell

Best Way To Love Someone

 I believe this is especially true

when that someone is yourself.

May you find the way

to reveal the best version of yourself;

based on YOUR criteria for what "best" means.  

kastilwell