Thank you Sylvia, for reminding us that we still have friends and community. I've opposed the useless wars --and they were all useless--that occurred during my lifetime much as I respected my father's service in the South Pacific in WWII. I fear the future in many ways yet I find daily joy watching the birds at my feeder and playing with my cat. If I live one day at a time there are many positives in my life. Then I can focus on loving-kindness towards everyone, an impossible focus if anger has taken over.
I tried to reply using my phone, but that didn't seem to work. I agree with you -- finding the positive things one day at a time is a great way forward. Thank you for the reminder!
Thank you for this. Retirement has nudged me to reach out to my people...people who would have been part of my daily/weekly life. At our age I have to wonder if we will ever see or experience world peace before we pass. I sincerely hope so. Participating in local peaceful protests and reaching out to local and national representatives has become a routine part of my life and given me hope, something that is hard to muster these days. Finally, thank you for sharing that beautiful prayer. Indigenous wisdom.
Sadly, I wonder the same thing. Like you, I have come to find great solace in community. We need to find hope wherever we can, because hope will sustain us. Thanks, Barbara.
Thank you so much, Maryli. IOur world has become so crazy I sometimes struggle to know what words to put forward, and I am so glad when something I have written has helped somebody. Thanks so much!
On a December Sunday in 1941 I remember neighbors gathering around my parents' radio. They were terribly upset, weeping, and told me to "go play" in another room. What I remembered was the word pearl. I knew a pearl was a type of bead. Maybe somebody had stolen a very important bead? Perhaps as big as my house? My understanding of war still longs for that innocence. Sylvia, you have expressed your heartbreak while helping me to direct my fury (yes, I must admit to that emotion) into more positive resistance activities. I am deeply grateful.
Thank you, Grace. I actually remember your father telling me about that day and about the headlines in the newspaper afterward. (And, isn't it amazing to think of people gathering around a radio to hear disastrous news together? Instead of getting alerts on our individual screens of various kinds, which can make us feel so isolated and alone?)
Thank you for this, Sylvia. I am beyond heart sick about this. On top of an unspeakably tragic death in the Santa Paula congregation yesterday, I am beyond words. Glad for your words. Much love and looking forward to seeing you in August. Maddie
I am so sorry to hear you are processing an unspeakably tragic death on top of the news of war. My heart is with you, Maddie! I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks. In the meantime I send my love.
Thank you, Sylvia. I awoke this morning feeling such distress and heaviness. It is hard to believe we are in this place. Thank you for your comforting words and the prayer.💕Irene
Thank you Sylvia, for reminding us that we still have friends and community. I've opposed the useless wars --and they were all useless--that occurred during my lifetime much as I respected my father's service in the South Pacific in WWII. I fear the future in many ways yet I find daily joy watching the birds at my feeder and playing with my cat. If I live one day at a time there are many positives in my life. Then I can focus on loving-kindness towards everyone, an impossible focus if anger has taken over.
I tried to reply using my phone, but that didn't seem to work. I agree with you -- finding the positive things one day at a time is a great way forward. Thank you for the reminder!
Thank you for this. Retirement has nudged me to reach out to my people...people who would have been part of my daily/weekly life. At our age I have to wonder if we will ever see or experience world peace before we pass. I sincerely hope so. Participating in local peaceful protests and reaching out to local and national representatives has become a routine part of my life and given me hope, something that is hard to muster these days. Finally, thank you for sharing that beautiful prayer. Indigenous wisdom.
Sadly, I wonder the same thing. Like you, I have come to find great solace in community. We need to find hope wherever we can, because hope will sustain us. Thanks, Barbara.
Been so gobbled up that I am just catching up, ya know?
I knew your OGT would help me take a breath. In fact you’ve shared Two:
Others are with us. We are not alone.
AND
“Others” includes ALL of us, without exception.
With no division.
This Ojibwa prayer, complex in its simplicity, includes “honor” - inspiring further reflection.
Bless you.
Thanks, Sylvie and please know: your writings ripple…
Thank you so much, Maryli. IOur world has become so crazy I sometimes struggle to know what words to put forward, and I am so glad when something I have written has helped somebody. Thanks so much!
On a December Sunday in 1941 I remember neighbors gathering around my parents' radio. They were terribly upset, weeping, and told me to "go play" in another room. What I remembered was the word pearl. I knew a pearl was a type of bead. Maybe somebody had stolen a very important bead? Perhaps as big as my house? My understanding of war still longs for that innocence. Sylvia, you have expressed your heartbreak while helping me to direct my fury (yes, I must admit to that emotion) into more positive resistance activities. I am deeply grateful.
Thank you, Grace. I actually remember your father telling me about that day and about the headlines in the newspaper afterward. (And, isn't it amazing to think of people gathering around a radio to hear disastrous news together? Instead of getting alerts on our individual screens of various kinds, which can make us feel so isolated and alone?)
I'm furious, too, by the way!
Thank you for this, Sylvia. I am beyond heart sick about this. On top of an unspeakably tragic death in the Santa Paula congregation yesterday, I am beyond words. Glad for your words. Much love and looking forward to seeing you in August. Maddie
I am so sorry to hear you are processing an unspeakably tragic death on top of the news of war. My heart is with you, Maddie! I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks. In the meantime I send my love.
Thank you, Sylvia. I awoke this morning feeling such distress and heaviness. It is hard to believe we are in this place. Thank you for your comforting words and the prayer.💕Irene
Me, too. In fact, I woke up several times during the night feeling that way. My heart is so heavy. Thank you.