A true story: He was about eight. She was about seven. They were talking about another child, a classmate who stuttered. When their mother said “She can’t help it. Be kind,” the two children laughed. “Why?” the boy asked. “You make fun of Mrs. Baker. You’re not kind to her.”
I didn’t stay around to hear the rest of the conversation. I’d heard enough. The mocking, belittling, bullying language the two children used was language they’d heard – and learned – at home.
The mocking, bullying, belittling language children hear at home … the lies from leaders … the vitriol expressed on social media … the lack of kindness on the road, in stores, in families, in volunteer organizations, at work, etc., is teaching our children, youth, grandchildren, us … and what it’s teaching isn’t good.
The ‘wand of negativity’ seems to be on the increase in so many sectors of society. It takes so much energy! It drains – physically, emotionally, spiritually. And it’s not helped by the polarization of people taking ‘sides’.
On the other hand, the ‘wand of kindness’ doesn’t take anywhere nearly as much effort. Kindness can uplift – physically, emotionally, spiritually. Mother Theresa said “Kind words can be brief, but their echo goes on forever.”
May we pick up the ‘wand of kindness’ a bit more tomorrow, than we did, today.
May we wave the ‘wand of kindness’ a bit wider than we did this week.
May we *be* the Wand that brings kindness to those around us, those we encounter, those we think about, those with whom we interact in person, on the phone, on social media.
May we extend that ‘wand of kindness’ to ourselves in these difficult times.
Why do we focus on that which separates? Why do we dwell on differences?
Surely, regardless of ,.. religion … ethnicity … gender … geographical location … sexual identity … financial status … language … birthing order … education … ability … sexual preference … colour of skin, eyes, hair … etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., we are more similar than different?
When we bleed … our blood is red. When we feel pain … it hurts. When we smile … it’s the same language.
There is more that brings us together … than keeps us apart.
While we recognize and acknowledge our differences which make us unique, instead, may we celebrate our similarities which bring us together.
Thanks to Asger Lethfor of Denmark for the “Three Beautiful Human Minutes” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcwjkalm718
When I saw these images, I was reminded of words in the Old Testament: (we are) “fearfully and wonderfully made.” <Psalm 139 verse 14>.
In the context of Biblical times, the word ‘fearfully’ was not based on today’s understanding of ‘fear,’ but based on the-then understanding of the word which was ‘awe’.
The word ‘wonderful,’ meant ‘filled with wonder’.
‘Awe’ and ‘wonder’ summarize my response to the physical part of ourselves (our bodies) and to this planet, its inhabitants, flora fauna, animal kingdom.
When I consider the fibonacci sequence, fractals (branching in trees, arranging of leaves on a stem, fruitlets of a pineapple, flowering of artichoke, arrangement of a pine cone, etc., I am even more in awe. If that’s even possible!
Have a look at these images:
Co-incidence?
Creative imagining?
Divine creation?
The universe … the plant world … the animal kingdom … human beings … the environment) …. each – “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
“Gift”.
As the receiver of these gifts, may we be responsible as their caregivers … care for the plant world, care for the rivers and lakes and oceans and the worlds contained within them, care for the atmosphere, care for the animals, care for the environment, care for one another – and care for ourselves.
Life, in all of its manifestations, is precious and has been “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Last week, there were no daffodils beginning to grow and no cyclamen flower blooming. I knew they were there … but they had been covered with snow. A lot of snow!
The snow was on the streets, in driveways, in gardens, in parking lots. Over a foot of the white stuff covered the flower beds and I anticipated that the snow had severely injured the plants growing underneath.
But then because of the constant rain, much of the snow has melted and underneath … a little miracle if you will! The plants under the snow had all faced the adversity of a winter storm and yet had survived … the winter cyclamen had blossomed and the daffodils to the left of the cyclamen have begun their journey through the dirt to become a flower.
It is said that “Tenacity is strength in adversity.” When we “hold on” in adversity, whatever the situation, be that Nature’s fury, personal health issues, politics or whatever, we are being tenacious. And tenacity is strength! I like that thought.
Consider these people: Greta Thunberg … Joan of Arc … Rosa Parks … Martin Luther King Jr. … to name just a few.
Consider the people you know: family and friends who have weathered personal storms, Nature’s storms, stormy consequences of political decisions …
Each of us, at one time or another, has “weathered a storm” and demonstrated ‘tenacity in adversity.’ If you doubt that, take a moment and think of a time when you were faced with a situation that was contentious, frightening, anxiety-producing … aka “adversity.”
Then take a moment to reflect on how you got through that time/that moment/that experience – how you’re getting through it now.
Each of those moments was an example of your resilience … your tenacity. You “got through,” in some way. Strength!
My late husband, shortly before dying, whispered “You are stronger than you think you are.” At that moment, and in the moments, days and weeks and months which followed, I didn’t “feel” strong. But he was right. I “got through”: tenacity. Tenacity is strength.
May we each remember and not lose sight of that when adversity enters our lives again. We are stronger than we think we are.
It never ceases to amaze me how similar, rather than how different, people are. And each year at this time, I’m reminded of that truism because different cultures and religions welcome a similar image – a candle – as a meaningful symbol in their rituals, celebrations, worship, traditions.
In that symbolic image … we share a powerful similarity … those who follow the ancient Celtic tradition of Winter Solstice place a candle in their window as a symbol of light overcoming darkness … the eight day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah is marked by the lighting of an eight-candled Menorah on each day of Hanukkah, often referred to as the Festival of the Lights … the four week Season of Advent before Christmas Day is marked by the lighting of a different candle each Sunday anticipating the hope, peace, love and joy of the Season of Christmas as candles/lights on Christmas trees and wreaths continue the theme of light and focus on the man, Jesus, believed by Christians to be the Light of the World.
Today, December 26th, African culture and history is celebrated in the United States by the seven day festival of Kwanzaa. That’s today! During Kwanzaa (a Swahili word for ‘first’ meaning ‘first fruits’), a special candle holder (a Kinara) holds seven candles: three red ones on the left, three green ones on the right with a black candle in the centre.
The seven Kinara candles represent the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Unity, Self-Determination, Collective work and responsibility, Cooperative economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith). Each night during Kwanzaa a candle is lit … the centre (black) candle is lit first and on each of the subsequent nights of Kwanzaa, the black candle alternates between the red and green candles (stating with the ones on the outside and moving inwards) – which is similar to the lighting of the Shamash candle in the centre of the Menorah which then lights the other lights in the stand for Jewish people in their celebration of Hanukkah.
And before the month of December, there is Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, symbolizing the spiritual ‘victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance’ where, in northern India, they celebrate the defeat of their enemy by lighting rows of clay lamps. There are likely others but suffice to say, light is an important symbol for many people, cultures, religions.
To those who put a light in their window each night throughout the ancient tradition of Winter Solstice … to those who light the Menorah on each of the eight days of Hanukkah … to those who light the candles on each of the four weeks of the Season Advent … to those who place lights in wreaths and trees throughout the twelve days of the Season of Christmas, in Solstice, Hanukkah and tonight, a Happy Kwanzaa as they begin their seven nights of lighting the Kinara, thank you for keeping the light going.
May the light shine from within each of us – through each of us – and beyond each of us – so that when we watch the news and become disenchanted, distressed, concerned or fearful by the growing spread of the pandemic, we focus more on what ‘unites’ us than what ‘divides us’ … as President John F. Kennedy reminded us “remember that what unites us is greater than what separates us.”
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There they were … perched on a rock, surrounded by twigs and grasses. Seashells. A variety of seashells.
What were they doing there? There was no ocean nearby. No sandy shore. And yet, there they were. Seashells and a little wooden star nestled on a path in the woods.
I almost didn’t see them. It was raining, And I was walking quickly to avoid the puddles and mud.
And then a question deep within surfaced. “What other treasures do I miss because I’m in a hurry … because my thoughts are focused elsewhere?”
And I wondered “what treasured-moments do we all miss because our thoughts are elsewhere … our eyes are elsewhere?”
Whoever placed those little treasures in that place on that rainy morning … thank you.
It’s October. Here in the western hemisphere, we are in the Season of Fall/Autumn – a beautiful time of the year where I live.
After taking this photo, I couldn’t help myself.
I took a break.
I ran down the path, playing with the fallen leaves. If only for a few moments, returning to life-as-a-child, when life was simple, uncomplicated, safe, and secure.
May we all take a break.
May we let our mind drift … far, far away from the political yuck, pandemic, global issues … from the nasty social media, personal stresses and crises … from the anger and fear and bewilderment. And for a few moments, may we let our imagination take us to a place where we scamper down a lane covered with leaves, joyfully toss the leaves up in the air, inhale the smells of this now-upon-us Season, listen to the sounds under our feet and over our head as we play, as birds fly south, as we laugh and breathe … breathe in – the Breath of Life – Ruach – fresh air – holy living.
Signs abound in Nature and within us as we move into and through the Autumn Season of our lives.
There are times when we feel alive and vibrant in body, mind and spirit. There are times when we realize that the withering of skin,
the creaking of bones, the aching of muscles, the forgetfulness that can come with the aging process are simply part of the Autumn Season of life.
Is it wisdom to ignore these signs? Is it wisdom to focus solely on these signs? How can we maintain balance and acknowledge the the cycle of life?
Perhaps trees and leaves can be our teacher. When leaves change colour … the tree is still there. When our face, legs, arms, neck, hands begin to wither … we are still there. When leaves fall … not all fall at the same time. When we rise from a chair or sofa … stiffness doesn’t always remain with us.
Fall/Autumn is here. Winter is coming. And in the meantime, if leaves and trees could talk, perhaps they would remind us to spread our branches, to acknowledge our natural beauty in each season, and to welcome life.
There is something about ‘learning’ that not only touches the soul, but activates it — opening our heart to new experiences, new feelings, new thoughts.
I don’t know how long I looked at this plant on the walk before I took its photo, or how long I looked at its photo in my camera, but there was something quite magical about it all.
The plant took me on a journey of learning about the ‘name’ of the plant and what other indigenous plants in our provincial parks have been used by the First Nation peoples to heal bodies, flavour food, and add colour to fabric.
As I walked in our local Provincial Park, it “called” to me. I’d never seen one before. It was tall and gorgeous … a very large leaf with a tiny flower in the centre. “What are you?” I wondered. After some research, I learned that it is ‘Miner’s Lettuce’ … an indigenous plant common on Vancouver Island.
Its magnificent leaves form a rosette. Inside that rosette, there are tiny pink or white flowers with five petals in the centre, and the outer leaves turn a deep red colour when they dry out as the days get hotter and drier.
Thank you, little plant, for a new opportunity to experience spirituality in yet another way of opening my heart to the blessings around me.
I remember the day that the wind changed direction and the smoke from the fire was so frighteningly strong that it woke me and my lungs ached.
Over the years, as I watched the news about the fires in the Amazon, Uruguay, Brazil and now the fires in Canada with smoke from those fires being carried by the wind to the United States and even Norway, global concerns about life-destroying fires in general and the impact on climate change and on peoples’ lives was, and is, being stoked.
And not just physical fires.
There is a lot of soul-destroying fire happening in today’s world … leaders and wanna-be leaders whose focus is self-adoration, self-promotion rather than the people … supporters of such leaders who mindlessly follow and don’t stand up to the immorality, lies, dangerous rhetoric and don’t speak up for democracy, justice, compassion … tropical storms and other dangerous weather concerns becoming more and more frequent and stronger … the seemingly never-ending war in Ukraine. The life-destroying and soul-destroying list goes on.
What is the response to these destructive fires? Many no longer read or watch the news because they find it too stressful and their sense of helplessness is reinforced. But, does ignoring the news help reduce the soul-destruction?
If putting a lid on a physical garbage can, filled with festering garbage, only hides the putrid smell, can a similar response happen in putting a lid on an emotional garbage can filled with festering garbage of anger and hatred and fear and resentment and racism and me-me-me-ism?
Tears fall from my eyes and tears cover my heart and my soul as I realize that soul-destroying fires really exist and that lately, they seem to be moving even more quickly. What can I, or others, do?
I find that the tears, the sense of helplessness is diminished by being aware of what is happening, not by ignoring the news … by naming the fears and not letting them fester … by not closing my eyes to the realities … by not stifling conversation about what is happening … by being open to letting Light in, so that healing can begin for this world we inhabit and love.
May every tear shed, every prayer said, every thought expressed, every peaceful protest, every vote count.
May all do what we can to become informed about issues and work to becoming a world of people who listen to the pain beneath the words, who recognize fascism and work for democracy, and who focus on the corporate ‘needs’ of society rather than their individual ‘wants’. It is time to put out the fires that bring body, mind and soul-destruction to people and this planet.
Okay, I admit it. I’m a Broadway musical fan and a Tony Awards fan and the Tony Awards are almost here! Sunday night the popcorn maker will come out, the phone won’t get answered and I’ll be glued to the tv, waiting for snippets of Broadway musicals as the Tony Awards salute excellence in Broadway theatre and the gift of music!
Why title this Soulistry reflection “A Poohian ‘Theology’ of Music”? It’s because music speaks to my soul – nourishes my soul – delights my soul … connects me to the Divine.
Without a doubt, if I were ever able to make a return visit to New York City or London, I would love, love, love to get tickets for some musicals. But as that’s unlikely to happen, Sunday night will do – a night in front of the tv watching the musical performances on the Tony Awards show.
What’s with the “Poohian” in the title? It’s because Winnie the Pooh once said: “Poetry and Hums aren’t things which you get. They’re things which get you. All you have to do is go where they can find you.” (A.A.Milne author of “Winnie the Pooh”) The “poetry and hums” get to us! And when they do, the body expresses emotions being experienced in the soul when fingers rap out a rhythm, toes tap a beat, heads nod, larynx hums a tune or sings out loud.
When the “poetry and hums” get to us, healing can happen. Feelings of sorrow, anger, frustration, fear, rage, passion, grief and even boredom can be relieved. Courage can be awakened. Love, passion, happiness and devotion can be nurtured. Our physical body can become stimulated with increasing blood flow, speed of circulation, muscular energy, and metabolism. And we can be connected with the Source of All Life in a unique way.
Music is gift. Music gifts us with the ability to reflect, remember, and become re-created. Maybe it’s the combined right/left brain activity that takes place when we sing, play instruments or listen to music on the radio, tv, CD’s, stereo or at a concert. Maybe it’s the soul-soaring as hymns are sung, psalms are chanted, sung prayers are offered. Maybe it’s the unique embodiment of art, wisdom, theology and emotional release in word and song that captures our heart and mind. Whatever it is, music appeals to our soul and senses.
Society reminds us that music is a wonderful part of our existence: music awakens astronauts (and many of us) first thing in the morning … music entertains at concerts … music enriches movie experiences … music is often played in stores, elevators, airplanes and even restaurants … and music has an endurance that is retained in the deepest recesses of memory.
Those who have worked with stroke victims and neurological disorders know that people who have forgotten so much (even the names of their partner, children) have been known to play music on the piano, hum the melody of beloved hymns, toe-tap to remembered songs, and respond to meditative choruses.
One of the greatest conductors of all time, Leopold Stokowski, once said that “there are regions so elusive in our life of feeling that only music can express such intangible and sublime visions of beauty.”
There is no doubt that music awakens the soul and that an inner part of ourselves connects directly to the Holy Other whether that music be Rock, Country, Classical, Reggae, Chamber Music, Jazz, Latin, Folk, Celtic, Gospel, Spa Music, Country, Blues, John Philip Sousa marches, Gregorian chant, Chuck Berry, Celine Dion, Paul Anka, Barbra Streisand … whether it be penny whistle, French horn, bass, bagpipe, flute, bassoon, cello, comb and tissue paper or even one’s own whistling!
Music can make us dance and skip, move us to tears, and encourage us to be as happy as Winnie the Pooh on a fine summer’s morn! It’s true, Pooh, music can be a wonderful bridge between the body and soul. “All you have to do is go where they can find you.”
May we make time to go where music can find us. And may we remember that “music gives life to everything” and give voice to the “poetry and hums” that nurture and touch our soul beyond cognitive understanding.
