Essay Archive

Moments of Presence
The Search For Freedom (10 September 2021)For as long as I can remember, I have searched for freedom. As a quirky middle child, it seemed there were always rules that did not and should not apply to me. So I sought the comfort of old trees and poured out my heart of hearts to their accepting arms. My first major search for freedom was an escape from the limiting religious beliefs of a fundamental Christian family. Then I searched for freedom by studying about the cultures of the world. Without being conscious of my motivation, I sought freedom by marrying an older kind-sweet man. Freedom was not the only reason for marriage, but at 19 years old, it was certainly a factor in retrospect. I sought freedom from a job to care for my children, and then I sought a job to widen my world of childrearing. At 46, I sought complete freedom by leaving my husband and venturing out into the world on my own. What I found is that situational freedom comes with costs and karma (cause and effect) associated with each choice.
To talk about every search for freedom I have taken, would fill a book. The searches have been mostly amazing and at other times most difficult. Each search has brought me closer to knowing myself, and each experience has come with a lesson I needed in order to live without suffering (a belief that the world should be different). Which brings me to today’s advancement toward freedom.
The rocks I have collected over the years have decorated my home, been blessed and given as gifts, stacked creatively to make cairns, became rock gardens in sand, and adorned my meditation table. They have been collected from many parts of the world, which I have been fortunate to visit. Some came as gifts from others who knew how much I loved rocks. In some unspoken way, these rocks symbolized permanence in a world of impermanence. This year as I made “skillful effort” the focus of my practice of Buddhist principles, it supported me in seeing the wisdom of going through this physical existence a bit lighter. As fall approaches and my yearly cleaning-out ritual begins, it has become clear that it is time to send some of my rock collection back into nature.
Today, that process began in earnest. With one rather sizeable rock and six others of various sizes, I headed out to distribute them as thank you gifts to the Rivanna River, which has been my home away from home during the recent COVID seclusion. Removing them from the small bag I made some 50 years ago to carry my son’s matchbox cars, it seemed like a sacred process was beginning. Standing there between the wooded area and the River, I placed six rocks in a row on a dead limb and dropped the heavier one on the River bank. The sun glistened on the water and my heart felt light. As I named a loved one and asked that they be free of suffering, I threw a rock into the River. Depending on the size of the rock, the ripples danced around the spot where the rock reconnected with nature. An old fisherman stood on the bank and a young woman sat on a rock in the middle of the River. Both spoke of peace and silence. A breeze rippled the air around me. With each throw, my feelings of well-being grew. The rocks were beautiful to me as they soared through the breeze in search of freedom.
My idea of freedom has changed drastically as I continue to practice the Four Noble Truths. This practice teaches me not to believe a certain action will make me free of suffering. As the Buddha taught, “Try an action for yourself, if you suffer less follow the teaching, if not let it go.“ What I have come to know for sure is that freedom is not dependent on external factors like the ones I sought to leave earlier in Life. Freedom is a state of being based on skillful living during both pleasant and difficult experiences. Being human, the amount of freedom I experience is different on different days. Skillful effort is more complex than I imagined at the beginning of 2021. It is not about only when or where to make effort, it is about pausing to see clearly what is true in this moment and then my action is more grounded in wisdom; or as I see it, skillful effort without attachment to an outcome.
The freedom I now seek is a joyful Life lived without judgment. Being human, I know this is not possible every minute of every day, and so I am free to be compassionate for those moments when I forget that seeing clearly is the first step toward freedom in each moment. As I continue my journey, and my need for more and more stuff recedes, and I downsize yet again, my sense of freedom grows. Today as I turned from the River a dog jumped into the water. I stopped to watch. Freedom examined. As I turned to climb the steps back to the park, a chalk message was written on the steps: “Have a great day; live who U R; U R Beautiful inside….” Today I released part of a lifetime rock collection, and I carried the rocks in a treasured cloth bag I have had for many years. Perhaps someday in the future a small child will need this treasured bag to hold their beloved belongings and I will freely let it go. But not today! _______________________ Belonging At The Center (6 August 2021) The past few months have seen my aging body grow stronger, more flexible, more agile, and filled with more joy. It makes me smile as I write this down. For years, I resisted joining anything that had senior in its title, and perhaps that is why “The Center” is no longer called “The ‘Senior’ Center.” Maybe others have the same problem accepting the reality of aging. Feeling certain that The Center was not for me (it is hard to be the same age as “old people”), I went for a membership tour.
The weather has been very hot this summer and the air-conditioned classes seemed appealing. Soooo, I found their promised comfort a reason to join. Wanting to take part in the most active of classes to improve my fitness, I soon found myself one of the older people in each class. Go ahead; you may smile too? Denial is definitely a Thing. Often this undeniable circumstance causes me to laugh on my way home. Seriously!
Two months have passed and I am feeling grateful for the summer heat that drove me inside and gave me my reason to join The Center. Four or five days a week an active class starts my day. Some days a less active balance or yoga class is also part of my late morning or early afternoon. My step is lighter, my smile brighter, my core stronger, my friendships greater, and my days have returned to a higher level of activity as my fitness improves. Of course, walking is a great exercise and walking filled my early pandemic days, but what this aging body really needed was strength, stability, and agility training. A group oil painting class has also been great fun the past few weeks. Tried bridge; can’t sit that long. Socrates Café is a fun discussion group. Boot camp was a bit much. I still want to try everything you see. Walking by the River is my way to relax and enjoy a sunny day; even more now that I do it less often. River walking is how I spent this morning. In no rush, I sat by the river and wrote Haiku: Sit by the flowing River No expectations Stillness resting so deeply By Phyllis Reed (09062021)Because I have a more varied fitness routine now, walking has returned to pure pleasure as I meander down the path running into friends and chatting with strangers that quickly become potential new friends. A bird flutters here, a child laughs there, a light dances among the treetops, and a nature photo calls to be taken. Just “being here now” mostly.
Clearly my experiences at The Center have encouraged me to see being part of an active community of seniors differently. What may not be visible is how much joy comes from the sense of belonging that has been the surprise bonus of this experiment. Independence will always be very important to me, and I have rediscovered the joy of being more interdependent. It is a warm and wonderful feeling to walk in, see faces of welcome, and hear “Good morning Phyllis” each day. It is a joy to see those smiles and bodies beaming with health. It fills me with gratitude that I have made this choice, and to know that my presence brings energy and light to others. My sparkly shoes and my Mom’s hair have become class favorites.
We are a community of successful, smart, motivated, and healthy seniors who are choosing to live our best Lives; makes me wonder why this choice of connection took me so long. Age is just an attitude and we are so much younger than we look. And wonder of wonder, we can still laugh, chat, and dance together even in the midst of a global pandemic while wearing a mask. From the outside looking in, we may appear less than we were in our youth. From the inside looking out, we know these are the years of freedom we worked hard to create. My Unlikely Niece (19 June 2021)We came to the Gardner family at about the same time; her through adoption and me through marriage. I think she came first, but it is an old half-century memory. The thing I remember most at our first meeting was the sparkle in her eye that announced the courage she would show as she grew. And grow she did, soon towering over her Mom, my sister-in-law. I thought she actually looked like me. We were brought together at first from the choice’s others made. Me, an Ohio career girl of 20, and her, a tiny baby in Michigan in need of a new family to support her growth. Oh how she was and is loved by us all. I sang, she laughed and sometimes danced. In so many ways, my feelings for her were similar to the feelings that tugged at my heart for my own children. I loved her and the connection was fun and without responsibility. I loved that she had brought so much joy to my sister- and brother-in law. Having children together with her parents over the years brought many amazing memories and a lot of terrible photographs.
As the years passed, new choices were made by others and me, and although I thought of her often, I did not contact her. I had watched her grow, watched her get married; watched her Dad, my brother-in-law, walk my Daughter down the marriage aisle. In so many ways, he was like an adopted Dad to my own adult Daughter. Over the years, my unlikely niece and I saw each other a few times, but I lived in Virginia and she lived in Ohio. Somehow our paths didn’t cross often. Now and then her sweet face would pop into my memory vision, but Life was busy.
Then came the Pandemic of 2020. My daughter suggested that we FaceTime with my unlikely niece, her beloved cousin. I was so excited to reconnect. And as our choices created Life, we began to text. Her parents are now aging and her Mom is ill; and although not ill, I too am aging. So surreal that now beyond my own children, she most feels like family. We chat (she shared that she always gets fresh water for her tea because that is how I taught her to make it so long ago; I love that), we text, we send nature photos, we support each other. We have not yet seen each other in person this year, but I feel deep renewal of our connection. Life’s choices alway take us to unexpected places with opportunities for unexpected experiences. It is my hope that as we both experience Life’s challenges and pleasures in the present and in the future, we will do it together. My unlikely niece has been my most precious gift of the Pandemic. Her strength and her courage inspire me still. _____________________Defensive Posture (14 May 2021)Authentic relationships require intimacy and trust. Through direct experience, I have observed that intimacy can only be co-created by putting down defensive postures. During the last year, my study of my own inner dialogue has demonstrated that my defensive posture is triggered by feelings of “not being safe (physically, emotionally, and/or mentally).” My childhood-years were a time of feeling unheard and unseen, of having a different vision for my Life than those who surrounded me. In order to achieve a feeling of safety, that environment seemed to require me to believe a certain way, think a certain way, act a certain way; none of which, felt authentic to me. The most prevalent emotional states in such an environment were anger and/or sadness at the world not conforming and being as many in my family felt it ‘should’ be. Of course, there were joys found in nature and family outings too as I treaded the perceived dangers of non-conformity.
It has taken courage to look inside and see where that residue of anger and sadness exists still within my unconsciousness; to bring it to consciousness and to heal. Anger and/or sadness are no longer my constant companions. Compassion, gratitude, and caring have taken their place with the support of others who are now equal partners in a loving community. It has taken some hard choices to leave behind those I feel bring toxic energy, and harder still to keep my heart open to those same relationships. They are truly on different paths, and although our paths cross from time to time, our paths do not support each other’s. Intimacy is lost through judgments and need to control; unhealthy at best, destructive at worst.
This week as “defensive posture” has become an area of focus, I have been mindful where and with whom I still carry my need for safety disguised as an unconscious defensive posture. What I found is that much has changed since childhood, validation is seldom required for me to feel okay, but my authentic need for safety remains. Safety to me means freedom to speak, act, believe, and choose where I will go and with whom, and what I will take along. Perhaps the most important element of freedom is diversity of thought and open acceptance of new and different ways of being. It is a reminder to acknowledge and nurture my need for respect, and maintain my intention to give others the same. Because others choose a different path does not make them wrong or right, just different. Whether we travel together or apart is a mutual choice of acceptance. Perhaps this wisdom will build trust that in turn will build and nuture support systems of authentic caring. Perhaps then, defensive postures will become unnecessary._________________________________________ Recognition Of Peace (30 April 2021)We are walking. We are sharing our worries, sorrows, and hopes. He stops to examine a small dragonfly injured on the path. It flutters its wings, but cannot fly. He lifts it ever so gently. We discuss its fate. It trembles resting on his hand. We take a picture over his shoulder as he places the dragonfly on a tiny green leaf. We look at our photo and ask, “what is the story here?” We both write to tell stories. I say, “the story is kindness.” He doesn’t seem sure. The dragon fly still rests on the leaf seemingly unable to fly. We watch and again discuss its fate. Without thought, I instinctively cup my hands under the small leaf where he sits; the dragonfly rises and soars away. We sigh with gratitude and continue our walk. What is the story here?
For me, the story is the recognizing of peace in “this” moment. The bliss contained in a moment of kindness followed by gratitude. As the walk continues, we talk of family, friends, art, music, trees, etc. We share flowers and photographs. We share some pain of things not being exactly as we hoped. We cry, we laugh, we support each other. We are grateful for our shared friendship. Tonight, as I dedicate my meditation practice to another, I remember the peace available in this moment, like the dragon fly as it soared toward the treetops. In these blissful moments of presents, there is no story. The stories appear in the photographs created by our thoughts of the past or the future. That wisdom lets me soar in this recognition of peace.____________________________________Earth Day Reflection (04.22.21)So tiny, the Goldfinch dips and dives in front of the large crow and drops into the middle of the road. It is wounded; it flutters and drops again unable to fly. Sometimes an experience so common in nature opens a heart to suffering and reveals a path to healing. A man in a truck stops to stand with me over the small bird. We discuss what we should do. We shoo and wave our arms and the tiny bird flutters, flutters, and flutters a bit at a time to the edge of the grass. It may be stunned or badly hurt, can’t get close enough to tell which, but it can no longer soar above the trees.
Animal Welfare volunteer says perhaps it should be left to the elements; “It is nature’s way. Happens many times a day unseen.” Thirty minutes pass, the man departs for his appointment, which leaves me there at the edge of the woods with this tiny creature. A voice, which sounds brave, tells her to “flutter a bit more to the low growing plants for protection. Rest. Heal. Stay away from harm as best you can tiny bird.” Somehow she seems to hear me, looks back, and stops just inside the tree line; a moment of shared uncertainty.
Feet move, tears come, heart is heavy, the sun shines bright upon the earth. It is nature’s way. Looking back a small brilliant spot of yellow shouts its visibility. Feet keep walking toward home. Sometimes we must trust and accept in each moment. “Do all that you can, don’t worry be happy,” so the song says. The tiny bird has captured me with a moment of grace and her wellbeing will be carried within me today and perhaps beyond.
Again, the brave voice speaks, “May we survive the elements our presence upon the earth has co-created. Have we done all we can? Have I?”
Have you? _____________________________ Impermanence (04.13.2021)Often nature reminds me of impermanence, and today was no different. Most, if not all, of us have suffered when our world is not as we would like it to be. Perhaps the death of Greg was that moment for me in 2003. Today as I watched the changes of spring and walked to do my ritual of planting and/or building something to celebrate this day of his birth, my being was light, the day was glorious, and my energy was joyous.
So many thoughts came to me during my walk. It occurred to me that Greg had never been lost to me or anyone he touched. Just imagining his face made me smile. Memories of different springs came to mind. On those days, he pulled me from the kitchen sink, my hands covered with soap, to watch a sunset or feel the wind on my face. Today his memorial ritual was taking me to a Botanical Garden in the process of becoming. It felt just right. On the way, a Redbud tree jumped into my vision. It was fuchsia buds so bright in the sun, and it was tiny green leaves bursting from each bud, and it was darker leaves fully formed. All this from a trunk and branch that seemed totally dormant only a few days ago.
Reaching out I touched the branch with all its changing visions. It was waking up to tell me its story of rest and regeneration. I listened carefully. In autumn its leaves began to fall and it stood dormant and naked as winter arrived. Without that sleepy protection, it would not be here now in all its glory, bursting with its new Life in my hand. The walk continued and regeneration was happening everywhere I looked, especially inside me. The energy of gratitude for this path lifted me to a quiet peace. In the “work-in-progress” Botanical Garden was a circle of log seats and one flat bench made of limbs. A small blooming Dogwood tree stood center stage. I gathered twigs to arrange Greg’s name on the flat bench. It was not to be, because the wind kept carrying the twigs away. In the noisy silence, the plan changed to a beautiful abstract art co-created in Greg’s memory by me with the help of the wind. High in the treetop, a swallowtail butterfly fluttered during its co-creation. Birds sang. The tree branches danced. The sun glowed. DeAnna texted. We all joined in riotous celebration. A grounds keeper walked by to say, “hello and welcome.” He seemed so dedicated to the developing garden. At some deeper level, his hope and the meditation circle became part of our band as Greg beat his imaginary drums.
As I recorded this ritual for DeAnna, AKA as MonkeyFace by me, the pictures seem to take themselves. The photos were telling me, and then her, the story of Greg’s needed rest and regeneration. He is not lost to us, he lives within us. His buds are the deep concentration on Matt’s face and the sweet song in Tom’s voice, his beginning leaves are stories of his antics repeated in our minds, and each fully-formed leaf is the love that regenerates in our hearts each year about this time. Love is our collective energy that says, “Build something in my memory today.” And so we do! Our art is impermanent, the garden is a work-in-progress, and we are here now together. Nature has its way: Rest, awaken, regenerate, bloom, and repeat. Change is constant and beautiful if we take this moment to notice. May we find joy in our tiny part of this mysterious process we call Life. ____________________________________ Unfulfilled Expectations Bring Disappointment And Clarity (02.10.2021)It has been my intention for years to live each direct experience without expectations. It came as a surprise when an event which I planned was not as I thought it would be. As I reviewed the experience, an old wound of feeling “not enough” arose. My mental chatter was loud proclaiming my disappointment and my unfulfilled expectations. What was going on here?
Not to be consumed by jumbled thoughts on this beautiful day, I found a new trail and enjoyed it immensely. My thoughts were of nature and falconry and moving-breezes through the trees. Stopping by a pond, sitting in an old-fashioned swing, quiet calm watched my thoughts ebb and flow.
What became clear was an awareness of self-deception that had created an atmosphere different from the one I truly wanted. The feeling of disappointment brought clarity about shared thoughts and words said earlier to protect myself from an unwanted disappointment such as this. My current disappointment was created by my own past actions not by someone else’s perceived insensitive behavior.
Where was the courage to share my self-deception and reveal my vulnerability within this new friendship? Was it even necessary to do so? Did I need something from this friend? What did I really want here? Clarity came as a knowing that no relationship could flourish in deception, mine or anyone’s. These too were just thoughts that needed to be processed. My eyes opened to a long evening shadow accented by bright sunlight crossing the pond in front of me. This direct experience without hidden expectations was how I wanted my Life to unfold. Decision made. Now all I needed was courage to do the next right thing without expectations.________________________________Just Show Up (02.01.2021)For many years, the motivation to just show up has been within me. The blessings of creativity and a joyful outlook seem to be my nature. Often my words to others are hopeful and full of energy. Need a lift, need a hand, need a smile, and my love of adventure rises up and away we go. Living alone has taught me the benefit of sharing the beauty that crosses my path. My writing and art practices record and enrich my life every day. Sharing what lifts my spirit encourages others to share the beauty of their lives with me often. I so love that.
Today living alone in the time of a pandemic seems tiresome. The view out my window is of ice and snow and cold; beautiful but isolating. Friends are snowbound or caring for their young or aging families. The body I live in seems both restless and sluggish. The day, although sunny, feels dark within me.
On such a day, am I able to show up just for me, and if I can, what does that look like? With low energy and mental chatter of all the time I have spent alone over this past year, what is it I need today? It is easy to remember past days and it is easy to imagine that whatever is going on today will not last. Change is constant. Yet, it seems something more may be needed on this day. As I write, it occurs to me that darkness is part of each cycle of time passing. Mostly, I enjoy physical darkness when the air is crisp, the stars are bright, and the moon glows. It is true that my life has borne some dark days and weeks when finding light seemed all but impossible. Today is not like that.
Today my energy is just lower than usual, my need to move less urgent, my need to reach out to others nonexistent, and my usual motivating thoughts are drowned out by the one thought that today ‘should’ be different. Should is a word I don’t like to use, but there it is. Again, the question arises, “How do I just show up for only me?” As I prepare to close my computer and head for the luxury of my soft and inviting bed, the only thing I can do with this day of darkness or maybe just a day of less lightness is to allow it.
Resistance of this feeling takes too much energy today. Time to rest in quiet darkness to prepare for another day of light that will surely appear on tomorrow’s horizon. As I make this choice, a text from my grandson appears on my computer. It says, “brrr.” I chuckle and let love fill the room. Well said, “brrr.” Resting in self-compassion and the acceptance of a bit of darkness is what it takes to show up just for me today. Might as well do my yoga on my way.
PS (02.01.2021, late afternoon): After doing yoga, receiving daughter-hugs from California, and having a hot shower, my energy has returned, and it has become a day of deep knowing that it is impossible to watch the arising of light if I refuse to accept a moment of darkness. _________________ A Dose Of Hope (01.21.2021)Inauguration of a new President and a new Vice President in our country happens often. For each of our inaugurations, my experience has been powerful. Similar in some ways and different in others. This one feels particularly unique to me, because I felt that our beloved Democracy depended on this outcome.
As I worked to elect this new administration which I believed would bring back civility and stability, it felt urgent. So yesterday, President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris stood with strength and pride and swore their allegiance to the unity of this country: my country, my children’s country, my grandsons’ country, your country, and theirs. Standing together they looked more like this country than ever has happened before in my memory. The inauguration pageantry itself looked very different. Flags took the places of live people and fences topped with barbed wire surrounded our traditional celebration of freedom.
Admittedly, traditions have never felt all that important to me, I love creativity and change. But yesterday the ritual of this country’s familiar traditions reassured me, brought me to tears, and lifted my heart and energy. As a parade of past Presidents descended the Capitol stairs, the history of our peaceful transition of power was on display. As music played, oaths were taken, prayers were said, and poems of inspiration were read, the familiar feeling of past inaugurations flooded the airways and the room where I stood. It announced a new beginning again. It felt comforting and curious.
Putting my range of feelings into words did not seem possible. It was, I knew, theatre of the moment and constructive change would require this inspiration plus long-term determination, bold actions, mutual support and understanding, the courage to listen, and the wisdom to put country first. This country is in many crises of our own making. It stands at a busy crossroad of pains in need of acknowledgement, reconciliation, and healing. Our flawed systems must not be left in their current states. Each step will build on the other and may be difficult and seemingly impossible at times. So, what is there to say about this new beginning? I could only stand in silent gratitude, knowing that change is the constant I count on.
Then today, I received my COVID vaccination with that same sense of gratitude. This vaccination has the potential to restore personal freedom. I sat down, but looked up to see a poster that covered the wall. It said, “A Dose Of Hope.” In that moment, I realized that the tradition I observed yesterday at the Inauguration was only “A Dose Of Hope” for our flawed and amazing country. The work of mending its flaws may take years, and as Amanda Gorman announced yesterday through her inspiring poem, “...The hill we climb If only we dare It's because being American is more than a pride we inherit, it's the past we step into and how we repair it...”
Her words were inspiring, and now what is mine to do and what is yours to do, if you choose, is to stand up and to speak out and to act on this inspiration. Together we can direct the changes we need to live with equity through our actions not our words. Acting on inspiration is harder than being inspired. And yet, doing the difficult thing is another United States of America tradition. I feel we have been given “A Dose Of Hope.” Let us put on our COVID masks, offer our talents, our courage, and our compassion, and begin again. Our love of freedom may allow us, if we choose, to extend our wish of personal freedom to everyone. “This land is our land.”. _______________________ What Is Mine To Do? (01.13.21)What is mine to do? What is mine to do? What is mine to do? Since 6 January 2021, as it seemed our country was without hope of civility, this question has been coming up within and around me. So, I write to explore my thoughts and feelings. Recent experiences inform my writing as always.
The latest experience came this morning. A sweet very busy friend took time to call to say he was thinking of me and that he had accepted a challenge to call those he loved and let them know. He left his message of caring and then challenged me to do the same. So, reaching out to others is something that is mine to do.
Yesterday an old friend had not seen an answer to his messages and withdrew into himself rather than explore what had actually occurred since non-response is not my usual pattern. It turned out to be a transmission error on his phone. So, being willing to seek answers before making judgments when something happens which I do not understand is mine to do.
Earlier this week I noticed that a lost glove had been placed on a stick by someone so the person who had lost it might see it more easily and retrieve it. So, small anonymous acts of kindness are mine to do.
Beautiful mittens arrived in the mail from a sweet niece. She is caring for two aging parents, one with dementia. Her daughter with a small toddler is suffering breast cancer therapy and she travels on her days off to assist with their care. She is serving on the front lines of COVID as a nurse. And yet, my mittens were homemade in colors that she knew I loved. When I said how grateful and how much I loved the mittens, she said it was therapy for her. So even in the midst of great difficulty, remembering to love and make time for those who love me is mine to do.
For months I have awakened with a view directly into my bathroom and thought perhaps I needed to move my bed to the other side of my bedroom for a view that seemed more nurturing. It would require a complete flip of the furniture and it seemed like too much effort. This week I realized how much effort it takes each morning to wish it was different, but take no action. It took most of the daylight hours but the furniture is moved. My view is now the rising light of morning. So, rearranging my thoughts and taking action in order to see a different view is mine to do.
A person of my generation stated she wished this country could return to the country in which we grew up. Although somewhat nervous about it, I reminded her that the country we remember is not the country my black friends remember. So, speaking up even when it is difficult is mine to do.
On 6 January, I felt so angry about what others were doing, especially Donald Trump. It moved me to tears as I passed judgment on those I observed. Then it happened. Donald Trump released a short clip that was so unpresidential and so lacking of concern for our Democracy it froze my anger. In that moment, I saw the suffering his mental illness and insatiable need for power and attention have caused in his Life and the Life of our country. My heart softened with compassion for all of us who are suffering from feelings of separation from each other. So, seeing a person who is the visual expression of human fear and still opening my heart with compassion is mine to do.
So, as I write, it occurs to me that what is mine to do changes with the experience of the moment. In the stillness of acceptance of what this moment brings, a voice that has been with me since childhood knows what is mine to do. Listening to that voice is perhaps the most important thing that is mine to do. That wise soft voice is not judgmental, sarcastic, vengeful, fearful, or hesitant, and if those thoughts creep in, listening a bit longer is mine to do. ______________ Fear Of Falling (12.27.20)It was summer and a glorious day, our conversations lively, and the joy of being in nature rippled through our laughter. In the moment, discussion was interesting and light, but there were two difficult river crossings in our future. Wet slippery greenstone is the norm in the Blue Ridge area and the Moormans River is no exception. The water was knee deep and moving fast as we headed home. Perhaps it would have been wiser to move down the riverbank to look for an easier crossing. But, with shoes already wet, I waded into the river. Reaching down for a small stone in the flowing water, my footing was lost. Now sitting waist deep, getting up was no easy task. My friend responded to my bellowing, returned, and helped me to my feet. We continued down the bank to find that easier crossing. The small stone was my gift to him; his gift to me was non-judgmental kindness. Since then, fear of falling has slowly gained footing within me. On several walks of late, I’ve turned back rather than cross even the smallest of streams. On Saturday as our walk began, I asked my friends, “Any water crossings?” The answer was no, but of course there were several very very small stream crossings, which others had barely noticed. One, two steps and the stream crossing would be behind me. Challenging my fear, cross I did. We joked about how small the crossings were and how exaggerated my fear of falling had become. So yesterday a spiritual partner met me for a walk at a nature preserve. We talked of our fears and our emotional responses to Life. She spoke of her anxiety, and I spoke of reacting in anger when the world was not as I wished it to be. We shared our challenges and patterns and healing practices. We meditated together and spoke of Lives’ choices. My heart grew tender as she shared her struggles, and I mentioned that anxiety had not been a big issue for me. Moving down the path, we came to an unexpected stream crossing, and my fear of falling tightened my stomach. She reassured me that it was an easy few steps. I voiced my concern of wet feet on a cold day and hesitated. She took a few steps on the stones and quietly reached out her hand to me. I accepted her hand and took the four rather easy steps across the stream. We continued our meandering back to the parking lot without discussion of my need for support. The stream was crossed and behind me; the experience quickly forgotten. Now on reflection about yesterday’s experiences, perhaps I do suffer momentary anxiety. It feels good to acknowledge that part of me as human and acceptable. It occurs to me that this beautiful friend who has difficulty dealing with her own anxiety had no problem dealing with mine. Her natural instinct was to reach out and offer exactly what I needed, support without judgment. The wisdom to deal with her anxiety is already within her, and with awareness healing is possible. Deeper healing comes with the recognition of how difficult seeing our own fears can be and how important it is to share and take refuge in Sangha. Seeing clearly how joyous it is to give and receive needed support, brings the courage to hold our own fears with the same compassion we offer the other. May we remember. ___________________________________________ I Voted For Civility, What Now?The 2020 election voting is over. For me, the vote was as much about civility as it was about policy. So the Biden/Harris ticket has won the popular vote and the electoral vote, what now? Trump is not the problem, but our fears created an atmosphere where he could thrive. There is work to do to unite our country and keep equality and equanimity as the important focus of growth needed for this country of immigrants. For me that means that demonizing of Trump supporters is not appropriate. During the last few years, the rhetoric of name calling, labeling, and angst toward others has been exhausting. It is not my job to change others or demand they think differently. It is my job to remove myself from environments that feel toxic, and then continue to work to have an inner dialogue that is inclusive; not of all points of view, but of all those who hold an opinion different from my own.
Judgment and discernment sometimes get confused. Discernment tells me that speaking out about what in my opinion is inappropriate for our country and myself seems to be my civic duty. For me, conscious and unconscious racism and mistreatment of others is never appropriate and cannot be tolerated in a thriving Democracy. Again, my hope is to find the courage to keep standing up and speaking out. Judgment goes a step further and demands that anyone holding a different view from me is a “bad person.” The next few months may be challenging for our country and each of us personally. Our collective experiences may encourage us to look at our belief systems to check their validity. It is my hope that I will have the courage to live the civility my vote expressed. The courage to live my values and to respect the values of others seems the path toward a United States of America.
As people seeking freedom and prosperity for ourselves, we have made many mistakes in judgment over the last 400 years, and it is my hope that we can seek truth and reconciliation no matter how difficult it may be; and that with new leadership, we can continue on a path toward a “more perfect union.” May we find the wisdom to create our best lives together.
Absence Of CompassionA moment of truth came to me without filter; when there is an absence of compassion for self or another, no healing is possible in that moment or at the current level of awareness. Two people were having a difficult discussion about the value of their friendship and their tendencies to be self-absorbed. As I listened and observed feeling that I knew them both, I was surprised by their interaction. First Friend, “Why would you even talk to me or want to have a friendship.” Second Friend, “Because I feel safer in the world knowing you are out there, accessible.” First Friend with emotion in the voice, “Well that does make me feel better.”
As I observed, the conversation came to an end. There was no place to go. It reminded me of two rules of improv, listen and say yes to further the scene. These two rules also seem applicable to life’s interactions. If compassion had been present and further understanding encouraged, what might have been the response to the statement, “I feel safer in the world knowing you are out there….” As silence followed and discussion ended, it occurred to me that the emotion and vulnerability behind this statement had not been heard. As a loving friend, my curiosity had been aroused. Why did this independent, self-sufficient, efficient, intelligent person ever feel unsafe? I feel I might have asked, “why, and what could I do to help?” First friend did not hear the emotion or did not feel it needed addressing. First friend also took the second friend’s expressed feelings in and stated that the expressed pain made him/her (the first friend) feel better. Since the difficult conversation began around the stated feeling of self-absorption, this response seemed to prove the point.
As is my habit, this interaction stayed with me for the purpose of understanding what I had heard. Knowing one friend better than another, was I biased? Knowing both friends have the capacity to feel deeply, why was this interaction so disconnected? Knowing that these two people seem to exhibit a different level of self-awareness, was the expectation of a compassionate response too high? Why was I invested in wanting the first friend to have a more compassionate response, was I attached to the outcome? No complicated answers came. All these questions pointed to my judging the motivation of another, which of course is impossible.
In that moment, self-compassion softened my judging mind, and my heart opened to the wounding these two friends create because each seems to be self-absorbed at times; wanting the other to be different. When one seeks to be authentic and demonstrate vulnerability, the other seems to stay in a defensive posture of self-protection. And just as in an improv scene, no further connection is possible until somehow, they can rise above their own needs and have compassion for the wounding and needs of the other. The goal here of course is to create less wounding vs control, but that goal cannot be reached with the same energy with which the original wounding took place. A deep intention to do no harm seems to be needed, but it would require more balanced awareness and a deep caring about the other. An intention to understand and an openness of heart would have to become greater than the need to self-protect. An intention to understand vs being understood. As I began this writing, the absence of compassion was uppermost in my mind, now it seems the bigger problem is the absence of trust.
Letting Go Of Ill WillLetting go of ill will feels different than forgiveness inside my body. For me, letting go of ill will is the embodiment of compassion. Forgiveness feels like absolving harmful actions of another while releasing ill will seems to be about my actions and my actions only. The difficult part for me is that my mind tells me that I can influence the behavior of another by responding to their actions with first anger and then words of self-protection. I cannot. It is the acceptance of this knowing that enables me to let go of ill will soon enough to not cause the other or me more suffering. This is a challenge when someone has harmed me by their actions over a long period of time.
Recently a wise teacher introduced me to the concept of “letting go of ill will.” It has brought me to a different way of observing life; mine and others. It is not easy, but for me, it is necessary to live a joyful Life. Acknowledging the hurt that the anger is covering is my first step. Saying what I need to say as gently as I can is next. Then an acceptance that the other person is deeply suffering or they would not act in a way that harms me. As Joe Biden reminded me in his town meeting, “we can question someone’s judgment, but we cannot question another’s motivation. We simply don’t know enough to do that.” Years ago, another friend taught me the need to let go; it took me years to be able to do so. Forgiveness did not seem possible, but over time I did let go of my ill will with the acceptance that what is done is done. Joy returned to my Life and has never left.
Recently I shared with a wise friend that another friend stated, “your actions bring me down.” This wise friend reminded me that I bring a bright light everywhere I go and that if someone perceives their suffering of “down” while standing near me, they were already in shadow.” They went on to say that a shadow seems darker when surrounded by light and seeing it so vividly can be scary for the one who is suffering. It can threaten their perceived comfort. Of course, this felt true and I felt better. However, the ill will I carried was the shadow now surrounding my own light. I blamed the critical friend. Now I accept that I am responsible for my suffering; no one else. It is difficult for me when someone I love doesn’t find me good company. My thoughts tell me they do not know me, but in fact the experience illuminates the part of me I don’t quite know yet. As gratitude rises into wisdom, I let go of the need for perfection in them and me. I process my busy thoughts by writing and clarity slowly returns. Sometimes I share with them and sometimes I do not. Ill will toward others and myself is a burden I choose not to carry. When I choose wisely, joy and light return in this moment, and what the other person does or does not do effects my well-being less.
For a while my ill will is replaced by sadness for misunderstandings and unskilled interactions that cannot be changed. Eventually I come to accept this moment as it is and look to see the learning for me in each of my experiences. Compassion arises for the suffering our unskilled views and actions created. That wise teacher introduced me to the following poem just yesterday, which I embrace now:Give me energy for my heart to turn to the spiritual.Give me energy for the spiritual to become a way.Give me energy for this way to dispel confusion.Give me energy for confusion to arise as wisdom.McLeod notes: "The Tibetan master Gampopa composed this prayer in the 12th century. It has withstood the test of time, which is always a good sign."
My day awaits; may I find joy within the light that surrounds me.
DiscoveryMy new goal for this Fall season is to visit all the parks in my small town. Yesterday I discovered a path that flows from behind the High School to a beautiful park. This park was my intended destination as it contains a monument to the Vietnam War Veterans. The Vietnam War was a non-war that I had actively opposed; as did many. It still seems like an incredible loss of Life for little purpose, if any. So, it came as no surprise when deep feelings of sorry for the loss flared within me. It came and faded as I realized there was no possible way to change what had occurred. Suddenly I just felt the deep compassion for so much suffering and loss.
As I roamed the park, I got a bit confused about how best to find my way home. I wasn’t lost. I knew where I was and I knew where I eventually wanted to be. Since I love this feeling of adventure, I became curious about what was nearby. I found a beautiful art piece created from a fallen tree, I found a skate park filled with children, I found a teenager as confused as me, and we compared notes. I found beautiful old trees, evidence of someone’s hard work to create a trail, a young Mom who radiated or perhaps reflected my joy in the sunshine. We spoke of the freedom of being unafraid to wander. We laughed. I found a YMCA that was unknown to me, but I didn’t find the road to home I was expecting. Being a bit tired, I looked at my phone to see exactly where I was in relationship to home. It seemed I needed to go back because I was at a dead-end. It also seemed that between the dead-end and home was a wooded area. My curiosity got the best of me, and I began to walk in at least the right direction toward home. I discovered a path in the woods. It was heading downhill and around a curve so visibility of where it went was unclear. Into the woods went my feet without protest from negative thoughts. It would be a fun adventure no matter where I ended up. My heart felt free and light. My mind focused on the beauty at hand. In a very short time, the backside of the neighborhood high school appeared. I had discovered a new way home.
As I rounded the end of the school, I met a young couple and asked them if they knew that the path behind the school led to the park. They said they did and that they had gone the long way around many times before they found it. We laughed and continued in opposite directions; each heading toward home. My cobwebby mind from the morning had settled, and I recognized my deep presence within this experience. Soothing. Later as I sat at home, tired and happy, sipping my smoothie, it occurred to me that my Path to Awareness is found in moments of discovery. Remembering the past can inform the present and having an idea about where home is gives comfort, but awareness rests in this moment’s experience. Perhaps being a bit confused leads me to discover what is truly there as each moment becomes the next, and the next, and the next. In this moment, my Path To Awareness is not about where I’ve been, what I’ve done, or even what I will do; my Path To Awareness is here; now!
Path To AwarenessAs a child, I sought solitude in the company of trees. I still do. My first deep connection began there. It was under a giant tree near my home, that I began to question the teachings of my parents. My home was not peaceful and I escaped the limiting beliefs, anger, judgments, and rules by sitting in the quietness of nature where I could hear myself think. At 12 years old, I spoke with my Dad and left the Southern Baptist Church. He required me to attend ‘some’ church so I went to a Methodist church with my Aunt Kate. It was not the church, but my relationship with Aunt Kate that inspired me to continue to examine my own thoughts and feelings about where I came from, who I am, and what Path I wanted to be on. In short, she respected my right to know myself deeply and trusted my ability to live from that self-awareness. During my child bearing years, we attended church. We baptized our children and I did my best to offer my children the freedom of choice when it came to their own decisions. At one point I taught Sunday school where I used the lessons to teach what I called socialization skills. As the time past, church going became less and less a priority. I returned to my readings about Eastern Philosophy and became a member of the Unitarian Universalist church. I called myself a seeker vs a believer. It was comforting. Life began to happen. My son was deep into alcoholism, I was divorced, my daughter was having my second grandchild. All was not right with my world. Walking through a bookstore, I saw Gary Zukav’s book, “Seat Of The Soul.” I didn’t do self-help books! I moved on. The book seemed to keep calling me back. I stood in line to buy a different book, but somehow, I could not leave the store without just looking at the Zukav book. It contained a language for so much of what I already knew. Living in fear of judgments (mine and other’s) was not the Path I wanted for my Life. I bought, read, and reread the book, which eventually lead to me joining the Authentic Power Program given by Gary Zukav and Linda Francis. I was in deep pain and my son died and my long-term partnership after my divorce ended in chaos. For eight years, I continued to study. I knew myself better, but often seemed to argue with processes, ideas, etc. I knew about emotional awareness, the need for self-compassion. Sometimes I was at peace, but often felt inadequate and fearful while helping others discover and confront their own fears. Gary and Linda asked me to leave the program because they felt they had brought me to intellectual knowledge, but felt it was my job to discover how to bring that knowledge to action in my own Life. It was a painful lonely time as I tried to understand what I had done wrong and why I was being abandoned. I was very attached to my role as “spiritual person.” Now the image was a “failed spiritual person.” I had reached a place of no return and the fear of powerlessness was overwhelming, and I chose in that moment to let it get as big as it needed to get. I would stay with it. I asked myself if I had no pre-conceived image of myself, no need for admiration from others, no role I had to play, what would I be and/or do today? No image was present within me and no answers came. The pain in my chest, solar plexus, and lower abdomen was immense. I felt no need to be courageous, or strong, or wise or thoughtful, or tearful or anything; I just sat in the pain. After a while, my pain lessened and breathing became easier. I realized that all of my images had been created to protect myself from rejection of myself as well as from the rejection of others. In that moment of lesser pain, I chose to love the emptiness I was feeling. No bells rang, no birds chirped, no one cheered, no message called to me, no judgmental thoughts invaded my mind; there was nothing to be and nothing to do. There was no image to maintain. I was just a soul in the deep process of knowing it and of exploring deep intimacy within myself. I began again an inward investigation that I had started when I was twelve. The questions I ask myself are different and if no answer comes, I accept that fact and continue to love nature, to seeks solitude, and to accept what I don’t understand in this moment. I returned to the study of the Four Noble Truths about 8 years ago. Their teachings have supported my deeper need of awareness in this moment. I do not call it spiritual, but I do understand that continuing to be present and be compassionate with myself and others is my Path to Awareness. As my journey continues, I know I am both perfect and imperfect, I am spiritual and human, I am fearful and courageous. I also know that I want to be present with all my experiences as they occur. This is my current Path to Awareness. More than anything I am grateful to be here to continue my learning. The Path To Awareness has no final destination. I am ok with that.
Courage To Begin CS Lewis wrote: "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at its testing point."Finally, I left my neighborhood. Many things have occurred since I went road biking in traffic: Knee surgery, move from the country, new volunteer opportunities, quarantine; you get the drift. Today I could find no excuse. It was not too early, too late, too rainy, too cold, too hot. I literally had to push myself down the steps. Was I ready to be alert to cars, squirrels, deer, unknown bumps and hills? My head said no; my heart said, "Seriously." Off I went. I only had to push up one hill even though each time my mind said too steep. I went 2.5 miles so what's the big deal? I was exhausted as the tension left my body when I stopped in my driveway. Seriously! So I gave myself the treat of one quick mile around my apartment. The wind blew my hair and cooled my face. I so love biking. The next road adventure will be easier because I found my courage to begin. I noticed my vision board hanging in the garage. C S Lewis was wise, yes? What will you begin today?
Aging, Gift or Burden?Perhaps it is the middle child syndrome that supports me in seeing many sides of a question. Perhaps it is curiosity about how the world and the living beings in it are organizing their lives. This past few weeks have been an interesting time of exploration as more and more I am spending time with one person at a time due to COVID-19. My world is diverse because I choose to nurture friends of all ages, many backgrounds, and energy levels. The different perspectives add color to my life and new thoughts and feelings to my days.
This is a tale of four friends. Their ages are 91, 81, 76, and mid 60’s. I am tempted to add a fifth who is 30, but these thoughts are about aging and 30 seems very young from my vantage point.
First, she is 91 and resides with her husband, who is quite ill and also 91, in assisted living. She has no real need for assisted living. She is youthful and filled with energy as she drives up to meet me for coffee. Her eyes are bright, there is pep in her step, and she is full of funny stories about her experiences both difficult and pleasant within her new community of the ill and aging. We rock and laugh and drink coffee and share the joy we have brought to each other. As we part, we talk of our plans for future outings, perhaps a walk in her new park to see the ducks. I chuckle as I find myself inspired by this ageless being. She is who I want to be when I grow up.
Second, he is 81 and we meet for an outside distancing lunch together. As I sit reading, I hear his voice call to me across the stretch of lawn. It has a musical lilt. His steps are filled with energy and he carries his usual folder filled with ideas he wants to share. He has traveled from another state and is visiting with neighbors from when he lived nearby. Both of us are instantly filled with the merriment of seeing each other. We jump from subject to subject and circle back to finish as the afternoon passes. He has developed a historical art piece, which he is presenting to other independent living facilities in his new neighborhood. He is planning a different kind of ski trip since he is not flying yet. Instead he will drive to Vermont three times this winter to live out his passion for skiing. He is so excited that it is contagious. We talk of my vision board, our grandchildren, what we are doing to stay healthy and active. It is late afternoon before we think to inquire about the time and I am already late. I text to say I am running late. As we part, we share how grateful we are for good health and a long life. I find myself smiling for no reason.
Third, he is 76 and we meet on Zoom for his birthday dinner. He has just had a small neighborhood birthday celebration, but he seems grumpy. As I listen, he complains about being pushed forward on the golf course and how angry he was and how rude they were. He calls Trump names and voices his dissatisfaction. I comment that civility without name calling is what I want for our country and why I am working for change in every way I feel appropriate. His sentences are peppered with swear words. He opens his birthday gift from me, which I felt would remind him of our shared time together earlier. It didn’t and he lays it aside saying he didn’t have one in his kitchen, which of course was why I chose it. He didn’t connect it to any previously shared experience. His energy becomes defensive so I tread lightly. As my energy takes on his, the conversation is stilted and superficial. As I left the call, my heart feels heavy and my energy level much lower. Days pass and we do not communicate. Then he texts to say how old he is feeling and being with young people for his birthday has left him seeing his age as a burden. His mood and activity have been low and so he has been distant. I text back offering support, which he thanks me for and says he is on the mend. I care about him, but find his lack of joy draining. I send him loving thoughts and head off into the sunshine to restore my own energy. The joy of nature sings in the trees and feels like a true gift at any age.
Fourth, he is in his mid-60’s. He is quiet and introspective. I want to listen. His words often inspire me to think deeply. We tease each other. We meet for an in-the-park breakfast with a mutual friend. Our conversations are serious and authentic about our different views of the world as we brainstorm about how to make a difference. Our conversations turn to books, memories, and the pain of physical separation. We share what we are doing to stay healthy and active in this most difficult time. There is a quiet feeling of comfort as seems the norm for me when the three of us meet. Although we speak of difficulty, our eyes are bright and our sharing hopeful. We take a short walk to nowhere in particular and laugh together in this unlikely group. When it is time to get on with our day, two of us head to see the river. The other heads off on errands to continue the building of his small grandchildren’s backyard cottage, which he has designed and built on his own during the last year. I stay on a bit with a feeling of gratitude for these friendships. As I drive away, I am grateful for our upcoming boating trip next week. The day glows with possibilities.
Now I will mention briefly my young friend. I do that in order to share how much we have grown since we met on an airplane some 6 or 7 years ago. At first our relationship from my perspective was of grandmother/grandchild and now this relationship has evolved to a friendship of equals. He is intelligent and curious about the world. If he thinks of me as old, he keeps that to himself. We explore, we laugh, we share our learnings and curiosities about life, and there is so much unspoken gratitude that we have each other’s friendship. We met at very different times of Life, but our love of learning does not waiver, and that is our bond. I rejoice at his youthful antics, and he seems enriched by our sharing.
One thing all of these people have in common is me. We are black and white, young and not as young. We are blessed with enough resources to live comfortably; we share good health. As I have met with so many different friends during this difficult time, some have talked of aging as a burden, while others view it as a gift and aging seldom comes up. It is one of the mysteries of this physical life that keeps me interested. Each of us have had our share of difficulty. Some have mourned and returned to joy; some have built shrines to the loss and continue to suffer. It seems the secret of living joyfully at any age is found in one basic choice; to see aging as a heavy burden or a miraculous gift. As I age and plan my future, I recognize that joy comes in this moment only. ‘Now’ is here always. What a gift.
Imagine That This week has been filled with thoughts, thinking about thoughts, analyses of thoughts, discussions about thoughts and the reality of physical thoughts. Thoughts about the past, thoughts of present activities, thoughts of future plans and outcomes. Then yesterday I began to read a book by Rodney Blake, “Stepping Out of Self-Deception.” The book told the following joke: “…Once a young child asked his mother to imagine she was completely surrounded by tigers, with no weapon available, and nowhere to hide. What would she do? The mother hesitates, ponders the question, and replies that she has no idea what she would do. The mother then asks the child what he would do, and he replies, ‘I would stop imagining’.”
Immediately I began to laugh and was quickly brought into my present moment filled with reading, thinking, learning, and analyzing all of these areas of thought. Then there was little reason to ponder what to do next. I chose to stop thinking. The room became still. There was nothing to do, nothing to learn, nothing needed at all. There was just peace. Who could have imagined that? Perhaps a child enjoying life now.
Imagination and thinking are wonderful tools, but sometimes it is just great to rest in awareness and appreciation of Now.
Morning WisdomRecently in response to a question about collective responsibility, I stated that I thought it was prudent that if I was to live my best life then I should support others in living their best lives. There were a lot of things going on within me at the time and so it took me a few days to remember what I had said. Today I heard the words and the energy behind what I had said. My heart hurt as I realized the arrogance of my statement.
Now with this morning’s wisdom, I am looking at the part of me that believes I know how someone else’s best life should look. Practicing the principles of Buddhism and mindfulness meditation, even though I am not sure I consider myself Buddhist, has enriched my life in many ways. Understanding the nature of reality in physical form to contain suffering and the cessation of suffering has liberated my joy in living. This sense of knowing how to live my best life and the conversations around practicing doing that have triggered many questions and continuing growth through self-inquiry. One of the questions that comes up for me during conversations with others who are practicing this same kind of path is an expressed belief that our awareness is greater than someone’s who is not following The Path. How do we not identify with a feeling of superiority or an implied sense of greater wisdom that belongs only to us? Often, I hear it said that if someone has a different level of awareness, we should not engage in a futile conversation. Is there not some arrogance in that? Of course, I have a strong feeling I am on the path of living my best life, but how do I create the humility that allows me to see that others may very well be doing the same?
I am wondering if anyone else has had these feelings and whether it would be a good idea to have a discussion along these lines
Appeal - August 2020Close by is a neighborhood of mostly white urban family homes. My daily walking gives me an opportunity to observe this neighborhood daily. At times a shrub changes, a driveway is repaired, a wreath changes with the season. Lately it has been the growing number of “Black Lives Matter” signs. Signs that call my attention and gladden my heart. Yesterday as I strolled along a familiar street, the most beautiful of yards called to me. It is manicured to perfection; all the shrubs are symmetrical in size and shape and patterns of planting. It is not the first time it has caught my eye. From a distance it is beautiful. Each time though, as I get closer, it feels off putting. Prominently displayed among the green plants of many shades are a few signs that speak to me and trigger a feeling of unfriendliness.
The most problematic in this sweet neighborhood, is their sign that says, “We Believe In The Second Amendment.” It is in all caps and has a pistol displayed with a graphic that seems to indicate the gun is being fired. Alongside this sign, in this tiny yard, in this quiet neighborhood are multiple signs warning dog walkers and others that this is “our yard, keep off.” Is this what our founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the Second Amendment of our Constitution? I think not.
Please don’t misunderstand me. This family has every right to put whatever signs they want in their yard. We live in a democracy supported by many socialist systems that support and protect us: social security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment, public education, etc. But today as I walk by, my mind wonders who the target of these signs really is. Then today, a new sign was added. Filling a front window was a huge photo of Donald Trump smiling from ear to ear with only his mouth, and the sign-caption read, “Black Voices For Trump.” Since I am familiar with this family from many walks past their house, I know this is a white family. One house over and displayed by three other white families on three corners are Black Lives Matter cardboard signs. It feels like I am walking through two countries.
On the manicured, perfect lawn a professionally made metal sign with stick figures drawn in multiple colors says “All Lives Matter.” Each of these families is expressing publicly it’s views, and I feel gratitude that we live in a country that affords us this freedom. As I turn toward home, and trip over a toy on the sidewalk, it is clear deep within me which view appeals most to me. No one is truly free until we support rather than threaten each other. There can be no equality until those of us with white privilege acknowledge it and find the courage to heal our relationships with those our systems have harmed. Black Lives Matter. My vote this November will be cast for civility, integrity, diverse communities, understanding, and authentic sharing. Our collective views are so ingrained and to look inward with an intention to change what does not work will require a great deal of courage. Let us begin.