Thursday, September 30, 2021

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

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

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


 


Tuesday, September 28, 2021

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

Friday, September 24, 2021

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

Thursday, September 23, 2021

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
 

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

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

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

De'sir


 This is worthy of robust consideration.
Each phrase a meditation.
A contemplation,
Perspective provides insight. 
Thoughts matter.
kastilwell

Monday, September 20, 2021

Nebulous Ideas


 The key is believing in yourself.
Let's keep practicing this one!
kastilwell

Friday, September 17, 2021

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

Thursday, September 16, 2021

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

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

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

 

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

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

Monday, September 13, 2021

Turning Chaos Into Light

"Balancing and transmuting tensions
from the chaos. . .into light."
May this be our way forward,
personally and collectively.
kastilwell

 

Friday, September 10, 2021

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

Thursday, September 9, 2021

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


 

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

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


Tuesday, September 7, 2021

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).
 

Monday, September 6, 2021

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



 

Thursday, September 2, 2021

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



Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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