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'