I posted this on my other blog Dreaming Existence and wanted to share with you all here as well. We need to be introspective at this time in our Human history. We need to examine our own intent, accept the pain we try so hard to cast off and know that only together, through loving intent, our better future can be created.
Broken Butterflies
Every now and then I am inspired to share this song, written and sung by a talented lady from my home state. I have loved the melody, slow and melancholic, the words that wind and twist in ways only the individual listening can comprehend for themselves. It is a work of art and has meant something just a little bit different to me at various times in my life’s unfolding.
I was sifting through my endless photos this evening, determined to finally put together that pictorial book of poems that has been infecting my brain for some years now, encouraged by the kind words of my friends and followers. I filed through images of thoughtful monkeys, bright and brilliant birds, as well as so many bees, dipping their faces into stores of golden pollen. Then came the butterflies. As I chose a few treasured images, I came across this one in a series I took while at a lovely garden in Roswell, Georgia. I know a lot of people who would have just passed this one by, deleted the images, or cast it aside as defective. I am not one of those people. I often photograph the worn down, the damaged and dying within Nature’s fine tapestry of living things. I see the beauty in every stage of existence, so when I saw this image it struck me as poignantly appropriate for me-for so many-at this time.
I have felt pretty broken lately, the weight of the unknown pulling me to the ground when I long to soar with the freedom of the familiar taking me to the heights of joy. It has been heartbreaking to see the fabric of our lives slowly coming unraveled in spite of our best efforts to hold it together. It’s not about resistance to change. It’s not about adaptability or rigidity. It’s about feeling helpless in spite of putting forth my bravest face, rallying myself to count my blessings, focus on the positive and not get caught up in fear.
The simple truth is that we are faced with the total unknown at this most profound moment in modern history and the way our society is handling this challenge is the most troubling thing for me. So much anger, impatience, intolerance, insensitivity, arrogance, greed and denial has taken its toll on those who are
seeking a positive solution, taking comfort in what can still be counted on. For me, that is Nature. This is a most most frightening world where now, more than ever, people are afraid of other people. We don’t know who may be carrying a virus, who may hate us, or who is as fearful as we might be ourselves. If we are being responsible, we wear our masks in public or work places, but that leaves us almost faceless to others, unable to show expression and share smiles. The worst part for me is not being able to just give or receive a hug. I’m a hugger and value human touch. I can’t travel to other states to visit my family and old friends, fearing exposure due to those people who refuse to even try being safe.
I feel broken, often frozen emotionally by the need to not cry anymore, to not be ashamed of how my country is presenting itself to the rest of the world, and by the need to just breathe. Then I go outside, thankful that at least for now Nature is not the enemy. The air is no more toxic than usual, the water is no more contaminated, the animals are thriving and the sky hasn’t fallen. Like my tiny friend above, I feel the need for sweet rest on a soft blanket of love, waiting for healing.
More than anything else, the song speaks to the way we communicate, the words that spill from our mouths, often in careless ways, whether intentional or not. It speaks of the lies that break our spirits, our hearts and our faith in a better world.
In conclusion, I say we toss our fears into the bottomless pit of misery and stand together, heart to heart, as we help one another to heal. Our light must shine on even through the darkest of days. Our wings may be broken, but together we can reach the heights and color the skies with hope. The old tapestry may be unraveling but lets create a new work of art as we pick up the frayed ends and begin again…finally united
This post brought to you by .Linda Hill’s SoCS prompt Do visit her blog to read more great posts and meet some amazing writers.
This has been my favorite holiday song for many years. While not a traditional hymn, I feel it speaks to the Spirit of Christmas and the message of the Messiah in the most profound sense. Most people are filled with a sense of wonder, forgiveness, generosity and hope at this time of year. Why should our hearts and minds abandon such truths once the music stops, the decorations come down and the world returns to its spinning, busy, hectic routine? Elvis sang it best…
Why can’t every day be like Christmas? Peace and Love be with you today and every day in the coming year. If you can’t find such peace, then be that peace.
Visit her blog to read more posts and meet some amazing people. If you’re into beautiful sunsets, stop by Dan’s place. They are serving up cold ones at the bar.
This song was a favorite of mine in Jr High School. I still love it though it is almost never played in oldies venues.
Love and Light and happy #Free48 to everyone!
For the long weekend we took the opportunity to go back home for a visit with family and friends. There never is enough time to see everyone and do all the things I imagine possible. We did get to spend some quality time with family and a few close friends and get some awesome seafood. Next time will be round 2!
Imagine my delight when hubby exclaimed, “Hey, there are the doors for your blog post this week!” as we drove away from my sister’s house. Of course we turned around so I could get some good shots. In the moment we made the turn around we zipped through a nice neighborhood with some pretty cool doors as well!
But these were the icing on the cake!
What a wonderful display of love, acceptance and right thinking. These lovely doors were on display out in front of St John’s United Methodist Church. in Baton Rouge, LA. Check out their website for more info on their progressive ministry and outreach programs.
The last doors in our weekend showed up when we took a detour on our way home via Biloxi, Mississippi, I just had to put my toes into some sand. This little ‘relief station” says it all. We were there in BR at the time and felt the impact of this storm, of many storms over the years that, for many, were just reports on tv. For the residents of these Southern states, it was more than. real.
You’ll have to zoom in to see the placards marking the water levels for the various storms that affected Biloxi and the other Southern states. WP has informed me I have no more room for photos so I am having to adjust my image sizes in order to import new images. I can’t afford the ‘upgrade’.
Anyway, I hope you all have a great weekend and do check out the other great doors over at Norm’s place.
Salvation: preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin or loss.
When we think of salvation our minds often turn to religious connotation and the idea that something outside of ourselves is the only means of such a gift. If we remember that Spirit gifted us with salvation from the the very beginning of existence, we can more move through the most difficult times in life. Salvation then becomes a treasured memory, a dear friend that we can rely on and find comfort in. It is not something we must work or beg for, but is always there. We only need to accept that it is for each of us, in every moment that we live. How do you find your salvation? I see it in every beautiful moment that brings me peace.
In a moment of appreciationIn a moment of celebrationIn a moment of receptionIn a moment of magnificenceIn a moment of connection
Try not to miss your opportunities. Every one is so precious.
One of the many perfect gifts I recieved this year was books. This one took my breath away. How I miss John.
The treasure. Imagine, published in October of this yearJohn and Yoko made magicI miss this wisdomOne of my favorite songs and the inspiration for my ‘signature’
This post brought to you (late) for #1LinerWednesday
It is with my apologies to Linda Hill and her #SoCS prompt that today’s post is not as fun filled as I normally try to create.. I try to always post things that lift others up or give them a smile.
Sadly, at this particular time, when I hear the word reservation my heart and head are heavy. Since hearing the news about Anthony Bourdain, the word only conjures up memories of watching his great food show Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations with my husband and dreaming of visitng all those wonderful places and having similar experiences as Anthony. He will be missed by so many. That also reminds me of the recent suicide of Kate Spade and not so recently of Robin Williams. All will be missed. So many people lose hope and in a single moment of deepest despair make that decision to abandon the life they were born to live. It breaks my heart for them and for those who love them.
The word reservation also conjures images of the atrocities suffered by the indigenous peoples of this and other countries for decades, a fact that many people still are unaware of or simply don’t care to look at. The issue of our government separating parents from infants has not been confined to illegals over the course of its history. There are still Native Americans seeking their natural families after being taken from them as small children and forced to live in foster homes. These are not myths or justifiable procedures. They are heartbreaking stories of growing up with a sense of lost identity and disconnection.
I have no reservation in speaking from my heart about these things. Life is beautiful in so many ways. I try to always glean the best from every situation and share the perfect moments that I find; however, we must also look at those things which are tragically present in this world and that we can affect with our prayers, with our voices and our votes, and above all else-with our love.
May Peace reign over the dis-ease that is insidiously infecting God’s perfect creation.
1 Peter 3:9-11
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
I rarely quote scripture these days; but since many use it as a weapon, I feel it is necessary to bring to light the words of the Christ who is being used to commit many atrocoties against his message. I also do not equate ‘evil’ to the traditional interpretation. In my heart evil is fear. When man fears he wishes to destroy. My mother and father taught me as a child that “There is no fear in perfect love.” It makes perfect sense to me, yet it can be a mighty mountain to climb in this life.
Every living thing has a purposeNature cares not for pride or possessionWe have a responsibilty to care for the planet
Even our thoughts have power, so we must use these thoughts and our words wisely, lovingly and without reservation.
Dreaming Reality 
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