Remember the poem “Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where the birdies is”? Some say it was written by Ogden Nash, others say it was e.e. cummings, but apparently no one really knows. Regardless of who actually created the little ditty, many often remember today – the first day of Spring in this part of the world.
This time in 2019, not only had spring sprung but so had the pandemic: the COVID19 virus. Big time. As years passed, increasing numbers of people were diagnosed with the virus and as the world moved beyond social-distancing into self-isolation, claustrophobia and signs of depression began to settle in on many. People living in small spaces, those who had to quarantine, those who couldn’t share a meal or give/receive a hug experienced mental disquiet. Fear about what the news would bring tomorrow, next week, next month was ever-changing and on the rise.
As vaccines were created and people began to be vaccinated and ‘numbers’ dropped, the world began to relax – until last month when a new fear about “what the news will bring tomorrow” surfaced because of war in Ukraine and the growing nuclear threat.
When … will the fear stop? Why … is there evil in the world? How … will the world become a gentle place? What … needs to happen so that people experience life as blessing than curse?
When I consider things that cause fear to rise up within me or others, be that – flying in an airplane – the pandemic and becoming seriously ill – living in a country where democracy is nonexistent -being surrounded by war – having no hope, I do what I can to refocus.
Before going to sleep, I consciously focus my thoughts on a blessing from each day: … an emotion … an experience … a relationship … an insight … something someone did for me or something I did for another and in the doing, I was blessed to be part of it … a memory … a conversation … a quotation … an image … a book … a song … a phone visit with a friend … a piece of music that stirred me.
Sometimes the blessing has come in a blog … a photo … a special email … a word spoken that touched my heart/spirit/mind … a colour with special significance … an ability that I’ve taken for granted most days … an experience of kindness expressed … a walk out in Nature … a moment of calmness in the cacophony of the the day. It can be … anything!
I write down whatever it is that brought a blessing my way that day and indicate the date. Then the note is put into a little box or jar or written in my Journal. I don’t look at it for a month at which time, in a quiet moment, I open the box/jar/Journal and read about the blessings I’ve experienced in the past month.
No matter what kind of month I think I may have had, the slips of paper are a tangible reminder that every day in that month, there was at least one thing which tugged at my heart / mind / spirit and blessed me.
Sometimes, I forget the blessings that touch me because I focus on the yuck-of-life.
Sometimes, I ignore the wonders of the world around me, the things I take for granted, and focus attention on the hurts, concerns and fears.
Sometimes, I forget the things that put a smile on my face.
The physical and emotional ramifications of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine and the threat of nuclear weapons can be serious. While there isn’t any scientific proof that simply recalling one blessing for every day for a month won’t rewire our brain from anxiety to calm, who knows – it might!
Each year when Spring arrives, the “Spring has Sprung” poem goes through my head and puts a smile on my face. Daffodils do, too. Looking at them is a wonderful breather from all the news about the pandemic, climate change and war … and a blessing.
And so I focus on blessings – be they daffodils, sunflowers, the laughter of a child, the kindness of strangers, a creative outlet/opportunity, the courage of Ukrainians, the hope.
These are difficult days. A change in focus from fear to blessing could help diminish the anxiety.
We’ve heard others say the word.
We’ve said the word in the past.
We’re saying that word now.
“Impossible.”
A world where fresh air is available is impossible
because of climate change.
An end to war is impossible
because the oppressor and his allies have a stranglehold on Ukraine and its terrified citizens.
When faced with something unbelievable happens
the phrase “It’s impossible!” emerges.
And yet, some things are impossible.
… human beings can’t fly unassisted by technology
… birds can’t speak English or French or Japanese or …
… dinosaurs don’t roam the earth today.
But then again,
some things are possible!
When I noticed daffodils protruding from a steep hill on rocks in below-zero temperature, I wondered if ceasefire in Ukraine could be possible.
“Can Ukraine survive on the rocks of war?”
Sometimes, we need remember that the word ‘impossible’ says “I’m possible!”
Personal situations may cloud the horizon.
Political decisions may cause fear.
It may seem as if what is needed
is impossible.
But if the focus on the word I M P O S S I B L E
is always on the negativity of the letters,
we don’t see possibilities in the same letters.
“I’M POSSIBLE”
Who would have thought that a bunch of daffodils growing out of a rock would reinforce a concept which is attributed to a saying by actress Audrey Hepburn?
Daffodils growing in below-freezing temperatures on rocks
… are possible.
Human beings dealing with terrifying situations
(personal illness, financial downturn, unemployment etc.)
… are possible.
Humanity’s future
… is possible.
What if each person in the world
thought, said, prayed the phrase
I’M POSSIBLE.
I tried a new art technique recently. I didn’t “get” it. I tried again. And again. And again.
I’ve not gotten it. Yet.
But I will. 🙂
Thomas Edison’s words resonate within me: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
We’ve all experienced what some call ‘failure’ at some point in our lifetime … whether that was in school … at work … in a relationship … an activity … whatever. Hopefully, it eventually led to a *lightbulb* moment, even though it may take 10,000 tries to get past that moment.
Edison didn’t let society’s definition of failure impact him to the point that he stopped. He continued to “keep on, keeping on,” until he finally found what would work.
Just because we didn’t get an “A” in a particular course, or because we … didn’t get the promotion at work … experienced a broken relationship … weren’t able to knit or paint or sculpt or create or cook like a professional or like a friend who could … didn’t get today’s Wordle in less than six tries … ‘whatever’ when we “keep on, keeping on,” we grow and make discoveries. Maybe not Edison-Lightbulb-Moments, … but Our-Lightbulb-Moments.
Rather than focus on the failures, the I-didn’t it get (yet) moments, I like the idea of understanding that such moments are part of our journey of self-discovery.
Here’s to our “Lightbulb Moments” ... of Discovery!
When darkness seems pervasive … darkness of the future, the pandemic, the protests, the potential looming war in Europe, the climate change, the medical diagnosis, the bills that cannot be paid …
When darkness comes and fear of the unknown reigns When pain persists and fear of the unknown rules When sleepless nights are commonplace and fear of the unknown dominates
May friends and strangers pray and help us rise from the darkness for one more moment one more hour one more day.
When darkness comes When pain persists When sleepless nights are commonplace may we concentrate on the love that surrounds may we concentrate on the hope that sustains may we concentrate on the healing that is coming as friends, family, doctors, nurses do what they can with their loving thoughts, prayers, professional care, kind actions to help us rise from the darkness for one more moment one more hour one more day.
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An aside: This prayer can be used by individuals by substituting “we and us” for “I and me.”
The month of January is two weeks old today. The new year has begun and the door is open to the future.
What does the future hold for us … as individuals? family members? community members? society in general? religious organization? country? world?
Perhaps this Alphabet of Life can give guidance if each letter of the alphabet is a gentle reminder of how we can be good-to-ourselves … aka “love ourself” and in doing so, contribute in positive ways to wellness in our families, communities, society in general, religious organization, country, world?
A Accepting of self B Be-ing, not do-ing C Creating something each day D Drawing on our inner resources E Elevating our thoughts to new heights F Feeding our soul G Graciously accepting compliments H Hitting goals I Initiating contact with a friend J Joyfully receiving the gift of life K Keeping our head while the world seems out-of-whack L Loving our neighbour as ourself M Mirroring the goodness we admire in others N Nourishing our spirit O Opening our heart to receiving love in new ways P Paddling through each day in spite of the blocks Q Questioning the imponderables R Realizing our potential S Smiling when we meet a stranger T Treasuring the precious moments of each day U Understanding that we don’t have all the answers to life V Valuing our education and those who have been/ are our mentors W Weaving experiences of life through a loom of learning X Xtracting information from the Universe so we grow in wisdom Y Yielding to the holy, however we understand that term Z Zeroing in on the truly important things of life
I had fun creating this little alphabet sampler in the photograph as it gave me an opportunity to play with some new art tools and techniques and consider phrases to go with the letters of the alphabet (okay, “x” was a stretch <g>).
Little rock and stones I’ve found on local beaches have become transformed into what I’ve been calling Kindness Rocks … as in the act of kindness rocks … and also these are Kindness Rocks.
After painting the rocks, words/phrases/images/colour were added and then the rocks were hidden outdoors in the hope in the brief moment of discovery, finders will experience a gentle momentary respite from worry, fear … whatever is robbing them of smiling, enjoying the moment, celebrating life, sharing love.
Have I had fun making these? You bet! And I’ve been having fun hiding them and giving them away, too.
By the way, while there are no design “rules” for the Kindness Rocks, recently I seem to be focused on a theme: love … hearts.
The hope of the latest Kindness Rocks is that finders would share some love … hide the rock for someone else to find … do an unexpected kind deed for someone … tell someone how they are important in your life … smile at a stranger … wear a mask … get vaccinated.
I admit it, I’m a KISSer … KISS philosopher … KISS theologian … KISS human being a believer in living an approach to life reflective of “Keep It Simple, Sweetheart.”
The Apache Blessing’ resonates with my spirit: “May the sun … bring new energy by day. May the moon … softly restore by night. May the rain … wash away worries. May the breeze … blow new strength into your being. And may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.”
The Blessing was supposedly written in 1947 by Elliott Arnold in his Western novel ‘Blood Brother’ and popularized by the 1950 adaptation of the novel in ‘Broken Arrow,’ a movie by screenwriter Albert Maltz. Whatever its original source, I love its simplicity and message.
May the simple gifts of sun, moon, rain and wind bless us in ways we cannot ask or imagine in terms of peace, hope, healing and goodness.
Mmmmmm, what new challenges will be placed before me?
What new friends will I encounter?
Where will this month lead my creative soul?
How will I respond to the “still, small Voice within”?
What learning will there be if I
… respond
… face the challenges
… listen to that Voice within
… consider possibilities
What learning will there be if I
… don’t respond
… don’t face the challenges
… don’t listen to that Voice
… don’t consider possibilities
and see only problems?
Problems.
There will always be problems
of some sort or another.
As I looked through the patio door, I saw her. Ms. Squirrel.
She was eating the seed I’d put out for the birds. I grabbed my purse and muttered “I see you! Those seeds are *not* yours! They’re for the birds. Your food is over there.”
Did she listen to me? Of course not. She was on a mission. She needed to find food to store for the winter.
So Ms. Squirrel stuffed seeds into her cheek pouches and stuffed some more and more and more quickly. Very quickly.
As I quietly inched my way closer to the patio door to take her photo she stopped looked up waited. I stopped moving.
Not sensing danger, Ms. Squirrel began to stuff her pouches with more and more and more and more quickly. Very quickly.
I inched forward a bit more, camera poised. Ms Squirrel stopped, looked up. Waited. I stopped moving.
We danced this dance for a minute or two and before she darted away I took her photo.
Today, Ms. Squirrel came for a visit. She stuffed her cheek pouches and brought a huge smile to my face.
She also brought a reminder ‘winter is coming’ and
many will be hungry.
Not just squirrels or birds. Our local Food Banks will need us.
Thank you for your visit, today, Ms. Squirrel and your gentle reminder.
The wind blows. Floods and rising waters continue their devastating invasion. Smoke from nearby fires is frighteningly strong. Lungs ache. Eyes burn. Breathing is compromised. Evacuations continue. Families fear losing their homes, livestock, pets, livelihoods, lives. Those who survived the fires now face homelessness, poverty, an uncertain future. Painful tears.
The wind howls. People frantically trying to get into an airport and on a plane to safety. People huddle together, stranded on the tarmac in the hopes that they will be able to get on a plane that will rescue them from death, rape, torture. Painful tears.
The wind resurfaces. New strains of the pandemic virus erupt, overloading hospitals, exhausting front line workers, terrifying parents of children under the age of twelve unable to be vaccinated, causing polarization in families where some decide to be vaccinated and others decide the pandemic is a hoax. Painful tears.
The wind changes direction. Young men and women brought to their new country as babies or children face deportation. Infants, toddlers, children, youth, separated from their parents continue to be incarcerated, uncared for, unprotected, terrified. Painful tears.
The wind that has blown for decades continues to blow in new ways as unmarked graves of children in residential schools are found – as memories of childhood experiences of abuse in residential schools bubble to the surface with the discovery of the graves – as the reality of murdered and missing indigenous women continues to sink in. Painful tears.
The wind still blows. People are standing up, speaking out, making their opposition known, not only in peaceful ways, but in not-so-peaceful ways. Nuclear threats beg the ‘is war on the horizon?’ question. Ordinary citizens ask why the law seems to serve and protect the most powerful, but not the vulnerable, not the land, not the environment. Painful tears.
The wind of ill-health continues to disrupt lives. Addiction, chronic illness, mental illness, overdoses, accidents, loneliness, aging, grief, and increase rents that are impossible to meet forcing businesses to close, people out of their homes and on to the streets. Lives, finances, health and relationships are compromised. Painful tears.
Painful tears continue to fall from eyes, covering faces and continue to fall from hearts, covering souls as the sacrifice of those who died, so there might be life and freedom to vote and express opinions, often seems lost in rhetoric and anger. Painful tears.
Tears. Far too many painful tears at this time of fires and floods, rape and torture, hurricanes and starvation, earthquakes and tornadoes, political lies and abuse of power.
May painful tears be diminished by naming the fears (not letting them fester, or stifle conversation) about global warming/climate change, the pandemic, bullying, abuse, political decisions … and by taking action.
Let painful tears flow and motivate to let in Light.
Photo & Text © June Maffin