When You Have Exhausted All Possibilities

This is balm for my soul when it feels like things are completely insane.
When it feels like half the country has lost their minds.
When it feels like things are beyond stabilizing.

Remember! We haven't "exhausted all possibilities"!

Keep believing and keep conducting soft rebellion.
We're in this together and we are mighty in our softness.
We are a vast and unstoppable army of dandelions.
We will prevail.
Namaste'

 

It is Not Soft--The Most Dangerous Form of Insurgency

"You write of the Soft Rebellion—and I tell you, it is not soft at all. It is the most dangerous form of insurgency, the kind that cannot be captured, cannot be crushed, cannot be bought or barricaded, because it does not stand in one place long enough to be targeted. 

It moves beneath, between, through.

It does not break—it bends. It does not shout—it hums, low and insistent, vibrating in the bones of the earth until the structures above it shudder.

And it does not burn itself out. That is the old way. The martyr’s way. The way of those 

who set themselves alight for a cause, only to leave behind nothing but ash.

No. This rebellion roots.

This rebellion spores.

This rebellion reclaims.

You speak of wintering, of returning to the surface only to find that the land you knew has been sold to those who see the world as a balance sheet. But listen—land is never truly owned. The title may change hands, but the mycelium remembers. The roots remain. The ghost of your footsteps lingers in the soil. And hedge funders, for all their wealth, do not know how to listen to the land. They cannot hear its grievances. But you can.

The greatest mistake they make is believing that they can own what was never theirs to claim.

So what do we do, those of us who have been turned into kindling? We do not run ourselves to embers. We do not play the game of the brittle and the blind. 

We become what cannot be removed.

Soft rebellion is not submission—it is subversion.

Soft rebellion does not seek to win the battle—it erodes the need for the battlefield itself.

Soft rebellion is not a retreat—it is a redirection. A rewilding of what was meant to be domesticated. A remembering that power is not held in the cold, inhuman towers of finance, but in the unbroken, unwritten, uncontrollable networks 

of those who refuse to be turned into machines.

Let them build their glass-and-steel fortresses. Let them erect their soulless grids. We will weave between them. We will reclaim time, space, self.

We will speak in stories that spread like seeds. We will craft beauty that interrupts the grind. We will choose rest as resistance, joy as insurrection, slowness as defiance.

And we will never again let them trick us into thinking that to be effective, 

we must be exhausted.

No empire has ever survived the ones who refuse to be coerced.

And so the question is not how do we fight?—but where do we plant the next seed? "

JEN CHANTRESS

Soft Rebellion Action Steps 7 and 8

 Red Earth Healing

"Disrupting the Spectacle

Authoritarianism is theater."

Even though I knew this,

it was striking to read the words.

It brought home the truth and horror of it.

That's why I love

"soft rebellion learns when to look away,

when to starve the beast."

It's vital to put it in its place,

aware of its dangers, while not being consumed by it.

"Turning my gaze toward the work of 

healing, building, dreaming,

is nourishing and life enhancing.

"Turning disinformation into openings."

This is the most difficult part of this nightmare.

Witnessing good people brainwashed 

with the theatrics of a dangerous fictional narrative;

getting the opportunity to "gently reroute

conversations toward truth, planting quiet

seeds of doubt in a false narrative."

I give a standing ovation to anyone who can pull this off.

My wish is for us to find simple ways to

"give people the tools to unspin their own illusions."

We're in this together and we will prevail.

Namaste'

Soft Rebellion Action Steps 5 and 6

Red Earth Healing

"Soft rebellion is fungal--it spreads,

untraceable, leaderless."

It seems there is no ego, only heart in soft rebellion.

Heart and a certain kind of cunning,

except fungus is not cunning, it's organic, it's natural. 

"It remembers that resistance is not just about destruction,

but about growing something back."

Growing something back makes me think of

Mainspring and other entities working to conserve natural resources.

Coincidentally, this is Rosemerry W. Trommer's poem

 that came through today as I was writing this.

One Persistence

March 26, 2025 by Rosemerry

these dreams of peace

fistfuls of tiny seeds

I toss every day to the wind

Isn't this the way fungal network works?  

Let's continue to plant trees and toss out seeds of peace.

Namaste'

 

Soft Rebellion Action Step 3 and 4

 Red Earth Healing

"Laugh in it's face."

Thanks to the Borowitz report, John Stewart,

Stephen Colbert, John Oliver and many other for 

giving us opportunities to do this.

"Gather in parks, sing, dance and make art that

mocks the strongman and his fragile grip on power."

I know you are doing this in your own particular way

and I appreciate you for doing so.

"Joy is not a distraction. . .we are more than the violence done to us."

It's deeply sobering to realize how much violence is being done to us.

Slowing the machine.

I fall more and more in love with this

the more I grow into adulthood.  

I'm learning to redirect energy into resistance,

into community, into slowness.

I catch myself rushing and it feels

so good when I remember to slow down.

It is changing my life in positive ways.

We're in this together and we will prevail.

Namaste'

Soft Rebellion In Action 1 of 4 Who Can Be Counted On?

Red Earth Healing

 "Instead it whispers: We are vast. We are unruly.

We are not so easily governed."

Meditate on how vast we are.

Not just in numbers but in potential and possibility.

We are not helpless and subdued.

Far, far, far from powerless.

Our sanctuary networks are strong

and getting stronger.

We are looking out for each other as best we can. 

We are "weaving safety where the state

seeks to unravel it."

Fear is always near

but we overcome it

and keep going with care and concern.

Together, we are mighty.

Namaste'

Soft Rebellion Four--Builds Toward

Red Earth Healing

 "the mycelial antidote"

This brings to mind the book

Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake.

Reading about the mycelial network was fascinating.

I was unaware of the power and creativity contained in fungi.

How to apply those two elements in this situation intrigues me.

"It moves beneath, between, beyond.

It resists not with brute force, but with the cunning of ecosystems.

the resilience of roots breaking through concrete."

This image and action is what I'm fixating on

as we endure this current state of things.

I'm keeping my focus on what we're "building towards". 

Instead of outrage, I'm going for quiet, thoughtful,

cunning ways to create and maintain ecosystems.

There's a lot to learn in the days ahead.

Namaste'

Soft Rebellion Three --A Walking Away

Red Earth Healing

"To rebel softly is to refuse to be reduced.

It is to remain tender in a world that would harden you,

to insist on connection where division is sown."

This is where we are--in the midst of division

that has grown strong; fertilized by untruths

and slanted perspectives...casting innocent "others" as enemies.

Where fists are taking the place of welcoming arms.

"Soft rebellion doesn't look like a war cry.

It looks like a walking away."

This line echoes in every cell within me.

I'm "choosing to move at a different rhythm than the one demanded."

For me, this is a radical slowing down.

This means conscious breathing.

It means turning away from the tyranny of the clock.

Reminding myself I have the time I need to do what's necessary.

I'm "choosing to be present" to the now moment 

where I'm living in my skin and bones rather

than in the imagined consequences of cruelty and greed.

I'm giving witness without becoming a victim.

The river of goodness flows through the ruins...

carrying much of the debris along the way.

We are in this together and we will prevail.

Namaste'

 

Soft Rebellion Two

Red Earth Healing

 "It listens before it moves, feeling into the hidden weaknesses

of the oppressive systems, understanding that no empire. . .

is without its fractures."

So where are the fractures?  It's requires listening

beyond and below the headlines, the sound bites,

the party lines, the talking points.  

"It knows that control is a brittle thing,

and that softness--fluid, adaptable,

decentralized--is far harder to extinguish than steel."

This makes me wonder if Gavin Newsome isn't on to something

despite all the vitriol against him? 

I haven't listened to any of the videos because I am repulsed

 by the idea of him having "them" on as guests. But what if that is the soft way?

"Soft rebellion moves through stories, 

through the slow embroidery of alternative worlds

into the fabric of the present."

What alternative worlds can we embroider into the fabric of our present? 

What if there is a way for all of us, "them" included,

to live together in dignity and peace?

Haven't we been doing this for almost two centuries?

Not without flaws and injustices, of course...the work is ongoing.

I'm now asking myself how I can

"weave small sanctuaries of aliveness

that offer refuge and reimagine what is possible."

Together, I know we can

"shift the ground beneath their feet."

NOT by responding in kind,

but showing them (and ourselves) 

a different way...a better way.

Namaste'

PS:  This is a conversation I'm having with myself.  Thank you for listening.

Soft Rebellion One

Red Earth Healing

You know how it feels when you hear or read words

that express something you've been feeling 

that you can't articulate properly?

These are those words for me.

They pierce me to the core of my being.

I've been thinking how we need a different strategy

in the quest for true equality and justice,

especially now when both are under extreme threat.

This is the first of a series I am going to share

in the upcoming days.

If you want to read them yourself

without waiting for excerpts...

Here is the link. 

Bravo to Shannon Willis for writing them

and to Tina Newberry for 'introducing them to me.

My gratitude runs as deep as a river.

Namaste'

 

If Were The Supreme Being

Namaste'

 

It's Ok That You Don't Know

This brought me back to a favorite author, Victoria Erickson.

"The momentum is in place."

In small ways from countless people paying attention

and discerning what they can do to resist what is happening.

In large ways like Bernie Sanders, AOC, numerous judges, etc.

"The river is moving."

Oh marvelous, mighty, mystical river of goodness...

you continue to renew my spirit.

When despair shows up, 

it is gently washed away

by some unexpected, often tiny, delight.

A carpet of bluets, the smallest of buds,

or a significant conversation with someone dear.

"The charge is alive."

At times, it requires a pause

and a steady focus to feel it.

Sometimes it's arrives by surprise.

For me, its a subtle chill

rising up my spine 

 prickling the back of my neck.

There is certainly a "constant unfolding" happening.

When I consider unfolding, I think about

opening up and stretching out, 

spaciously and generously.

Parts that were covered up, are revealed;

now visible and transformable.

An offering of different perspectives.

It is most uncomfortable.

It requires recalibration.

It needs strong, meaningful responses.

"Stay with it. Stay in it."

We're not alone.  We're in this together.

Namaste'

 

There Will Be Days

"Self doubt will roar and leave a heart wobbling."

Who isn't familiar with this roaring?

I never thought of it in quite these words, but yes.

It's a frequent companion.

The nice thing about being at this stage of my growth

is that I have gratefully gotten to a place

where I can meet expectations from others

with the hard no of my own knowing.

I no longer feel the need to be

anyone other than who I am

with all the flaws and foibles included.

What a gift to "pull back, reevaluate and

turn the knob of life to a very soft quiet."

There's comfort in being

"my own best ally."

Namaste'

 

How Can We Begin?

I'm confident this "unknown" writer is out there.

I tried every avenue I could think of to find her/him.

We have been well programmed for excess, haven't we?

Self protection and fear of having to go without fuel this impulse, it seems.

I can remember when delivering thanksgiving meals; 

someone asked the woman heading up the effort, 

"have you ever run out of food"? Her response was:

"we always have just enough."

We live in the richest country in the world, as far as monetary wealth goes.

(This is not the best measure of what's valuable, in my view.

There are too many treasures which cannot be counted

with coins, or bills, or stocks or crypto.)

Yet, we have citizens who live in extreme poverty, 

elders who are not cared for properly,

children who go without adequate supervision and care,

inadequate health care,

inequality in education and the legal system,

disregard and disrespect for the needy among us.

Privatized prison systems which undermine justice.

The list goes on and on.

How is it possible with all this wealth

that human beings and our earth

are abandoned, neglected and abused

out of greed by some?

This quote points to a better way.

Indigenous people lived by these tenets

long before they were disrupted by 

the ignorant and cruel quest for MORE, no matter the cost.  

May we correct the wrongdoings with the power

that comes from all of us joining forces for decency and dignity.

FOR ALL.

Namaste'

 

Drinking Light

"Please let me stuff myself full with beauty,

drink light for breakfast, lunch and dinner - 

never again take a Tuesday for granted."

This is easy to do at this time of year as the sleeping

trees and bulbs and bushes awaken and display their splendor. 

It's easy to do in the company of friends and loved ones.

It's easy to do in the throes of a marvelous story.

It's easy to do when you contemplate the majesty of your inner workings.

It's easy to do when you're intent on your particular artistic workings.

"May the brutal never erase the beauty."

Namaste'

 

Self Control Is Strength

This is potentially good advice.

However, the key word is insignificant.

I can assure you, my mood shifts significantly

when cruel, greedy, vengeful, soulless actions are being taken

by people who have power they don't deserve.

That being said...self control, calm, centered, grounded, etc.

are all worthy states of being.

May we find the intelligent way to prevent 

"others from controlling the direction of our lives."

This is significant.

Namaste'

 

Poetry Is

 

Not Everyone [Who] Comes To The Table Sits

Isn't this delightful?

Right now, my "table" is filled with birds of many names.

With a number of greedy squirrels in the mix.  

Their manners are not what you'd expect at a state dinner.

They think nothing of barging in, 

without proof of invitation or knocking, 

jostling a neighbor,

scarfing in a mouth full and 

flying away without saying farewell.  

They may pick at each other but

not a one of them is out for revenge.

And not a one of them says thank you.

However, I am thanking them for their visitation.

They continue the air of holiness

from yesterday's post.  

I bow my head in thanksgiving.

Namaste'

 

Forgive Me

Where are you "feeling this holiness"?

The daffodils coming in to bloom invoke a bow from me.

As do the buds swelling and bluets quietly appearing.

I found 5 beautiful orange lichens in the middle of the gravel path yesterday!

They "halted my feet and made my eyes flare."

I've not seen this before.

Then, there's the sweet, sweet music of frogs,

the flocks of robins feeding in the grass.

Spring is when we are treated to a feast

of ordinary majesty...easy to take for granted,

easy also to notice and bow.

We wait in joyful anticipation for blooms to explode

across the landscape. 

"If I were a perfect person, I'd be bowing continuously."

Namaste'

 

Water Is Fluid

This one is difficult for me at this time.

You see, I feel the need to be hard...a bullet proof barricade of NO.

Soft and yielding does not seem appropriate in the face of cruelty;

although perhaps flexible and resilient do?

I long to be the water that wears away the rock...

I do not want to be the rigid rock.

I would settle for being water as powerful as Helene.

That kind of "soft and yielding" is appealing.

Fluidity is another word that holds possibility.

If its true that "soft is strong",

I have some softening to attend to.

Namaste'

 

What I Weigh

Oh how I love the way this poet thinks and writes.

"we are infinite within the skin we are in"

This line brings tears to my eyes.

How often do I confine myself to finite?

Truth is, I cannot fathom infinite...

there's no end to it...

infinite is limitless...

and glorious in its possibilities.

I choose never ending goodness...

I choose power far beyond the dollar...

"I have more galaxies inside me than tragedies."

Namaste'

 

When I Miss the Sea

"When I missed the sea, I could lean my face into another person--

with worry or dangerous joy or grieving--and feel their tide."

I was immediately mesmerized when I heard this sentence.

It has been a dream of mine to live near the sea.

To realize that "leaning my face" into another person

links my internal sea, my tide, with theirs.  

A different kind of coastline.

We are all mostly water.

We carry a sea within us.

Namaste'

After Everything

There will always be room...

that's the marvel about inner space.

It has no limits and no boundaries other than those we create.

It's spaciousness is infinite.

Even returning to the soil returns us 

into a never ending cycle of life.

I'm more than ok with becoming lichen.

So much mystery.

So much majesty.

So much magnificence.

So go ahead and branch out!

You're due a beautiful new beginning.

Namaste'

The Life You Have

"but this is the one you have."

This is the country we have, painful as that is to say.

It's heart wrenching to accept at this moment.

But here's what I want to say to that...

this moment is not permanent.

This moment has enormous possibility.

We are Americans, after all.  

And we are a mighty group.

We may be knocked off track

but we are not out of the race.

Where we are is hard. 

Each of us  is doing what we can and we will prevail.

"We are at war with a dictator backed by a traitor."

Claude Malhuret

We have an opportunity to...

"Wrap our hands around the warm mug of it;

Pull the wool sweater of it closer and relish

whatever protects you from every gust of cold rushing in."

We can do this...together.

Namaste'

 

Generational Patterns Are Woven

"Fabric can be unraveled, tears mended, knots untangled.

I love this thought in the context of healing the harm being done

to the earth and to each other across the ages.

Is it possible, the unraveling going on right now

is giving us an opportunity to reweave the patterns

that have been hurting our earth and the creatures living here?

How do we reweave this bitter story into one of transformation?

 That is the question accompaning me...entwined with the outrage and fear.

It feels like we are moving in the wrong direction.

Is it possible, the tension and stress between the mistakes of the past

and the potential for beneficial change in the future

is where evolution is happening?

How can we activate our invisible looms...

our unseen needles and commence the repairs necessary

to save our home, our dignity and true justice for all?

No one can do everything,

but every person can do something.

We're in this together. 

You are not alone.

It matters. 

Namaste'

The Idea of No Regrets

This resonates with me because I once heard someone I respect

remark that she's living so she doesn't have regrets.

It gave me pause as I have many...not critical but significant.

So it was refreshing to hear this from Brene'.

One regret that is making itself felt these days

is the impulse to hurry through everything.

I wonder if mom having so many children

is why this pattern is written into my "software".

Hmmmm, perhaps blaming mom for everything

is something else I might want to reflect upon?

Nonetheless, I now have a tiny voice that activates

when I find myself rushing, suggesting I slow down; 

no small feat when there's a deadline and I'm upon it and 

I'm not ready, yet, there it is staring at me with expectation.

I trust you're making friends with your regrets

and letting them open you to a

more spacious way of living.

Namaste'

 

Feeling Good Is Not The Only State

"Sometimes the divine is draped in darkness."

This line brings the underworld to my mind for some reason.

It connects somehow to the scary unknown 

harbored in my roots from childhood.

I'm slowly growing to be open to the darkness

and the treasures hidden in its shadows.

"Expansion and contraction make creation bloom.

Sometimes the deepest gifts arrive in a box of suffering."

I struggled with this concept from a young age.

Being steeped in things like the stations of the cross...

and the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary...

(if you're not familiar, I recommend you stay that way.)

my young, tender heart translated these to a belief 

that the ONLY way to become good was to suffer.

Some might call this a martyr complex? 

I was well into my thirties before I realized

suffering would find me, I did not have to go looking for it.

Now I'm learning joy and appreciation and love 

are present simultaneously and that's where to focus my attention.

"Love is far more deep and mysterious.

All her seasons are holy."

Suffering has found us, hasn't it?

Either directly or vicariously, we are in the deep.

May we find joy as we link elbows and traverse this wretched landscape.

May this current contraction lead swiftly to a 

whole hearted expansion of goodness and reverence for all creation.

Namaste'