by June | Jan 9, 2017 | Blogposts
“The Project” is ready to be launched. Finally!
“The Project” (as it’s been known) is a cookbook that began many, many years ago and was eventually published under a different title. Thanks to word of mouth, it made its way around the world, literally, and quickly sold out.
In recent years, requests, more requests, and more requests for copies of the book had me wondering “Is it time to re-publish?” A ‘test query’ over three years ago went to Soulistry followers and friends with resounding results. “Yes! And in some way connect it to the Soulistry Story.”
So three years ago, the work began. I thought that it needed a new title.
Thanks to Lilian Taylor … it arrived. A new title meant that it needed a new cover. Thanks to Alice Young … it arrived. The cookbook needed more work but it was put on the back burner because ‘life’ happened, computer glitches interfered, a new computer program needed to be learned. and it all took time. Longer than I had imagined.
But slowly, gently, it came together and today … it arrived.
Nourish Gently – The Soulistry Cookbook is now published as an ebook and available. And I am grateful and delighted and humbled by the way it unfolded. Curious? More information can be found here: www.soulistry.com/books
May “Nourish Gently – The Soulistry Cookbook” gently nourish bodies and gently nourish souls.
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by June | Dec 16, 2016 | Blogposts
I don’t want to think of evil, or believe in evil, or acknowledge the presence of evil. And yet … as the situation of Aleppo continues … as announcements of the appointments made by the POTUS and the reactions to that news unfold … as weather conditions continue to pummel the world with floods, snowstorms, tornadoes, earthquakes … as some around the world have so much, while others have nothing … as homelessness, contaminated water, unbreathable air, dangerous work situations cause lives to be compromised or lost … as freedoms are eroded … I must not be naive. Evil exists.
Where there is darkness … we must bring the light.
Where there is darkness … we must send the light.
Where there is darkness … we must *be* the light.
Let us offer good thoughts, light, prayers, healing energy. Let us focus on goodness, not evil, even in the face of evil.
© June Maffin
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by June | Dec 11, 2016 | Blogposts
Three chairs on a winter’s overcast day, waiting … waiting … waiting.
We, too, wait … wait for the birth of a child; wait in line at the supermarket; wait in traffic for the snarl to unsnarl; wait for news from medical tests and specialists; wait for winter to become spring; wait for the next episode of our favourite tv show; wait for a reply to an email; wait for news of a political announcement; wait for the Season of Advent to become the Season of Christmas. Wait.
Imagine the stories these chairs could tell about the people who have sat in them over the years. Imagine the stories that can be told about all of the waiting-times in our lives.
Many waiting-times are approached with frustration, anger, fear. But, what if we waited with anticipation, with expectancy, with hope … changing the energy … around us … within us … and beyond. Imagine!
Photo and Text © June Maffin
by June | Dec 11, 2016 | Blogposts
Two weeks before Christmas and all through the land, violence, devastation, destruction continue, reminding us of the vulnerability of life.
Hundreds of lives are lost. Bodies and souls are injured. Families are shattered by grief, anger, shock.
May we take a moment this day to pause to remember – to think of them, known and unknown. In that ‘thinking of them,’ in those prayers, may their spirit know they are not alone. May they be given courage to survive, to endure, to carry on. May they be assured that someone, somewhere, is thinking of them praying for them.
Like us.
© june maffin
www.soulistry.com/blog
Candles
by June | Dec 4, 2016 | Blogposts
The words by Richard Rogers sung in the movie ‘South Pacific’ – “You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear. You’ve got to be taught from year to year. It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear. You’ve got to be carefully taught. You’ve got to be taught to be afraid of people whose eyes are oddly made and people whose skin is a different shade. You’ve got to be carefully taught. You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late, before you are 6 or 7 or 8 to hate all the people your relatives hate. You’ve got to be carefully taught.”
and Nelson Mandela’s words – “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of their skin or background or religion. People learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can learn to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
are a reminder that it only takes a spark … a spark of compassion … a spark of kindness … a spark of understanding … a spark of patience … a spark of justice … a spark of goodness … a spark of thoughtfulness … a spark of active listening … a spark of standing-with … a spark of speaking-out … a spark of being present to another to begin to exchange love for hatred.
May a spark of love be lit by each of us, every day, in some way.
Photo and Text © june maffin
www.soulistry.com/blog
www.soulistry.com
<Photo taken at Lake Cowichan, B.C.>
by June | Nov 27, 2016 | Blogposts
The “thinking of you” expression may seem to be trite or inconsequential,
but saying / writing “thinking of you” is a thought.
A thought can be a prayer.
A prayer can be a gift.
A gift can be an expression of love, timeless, endless, unconditional.
When I read or hear the words “I’m thinking of you, “I am grateful, humbled, and receive them – welcome them – as meaningful ‘thought,’ gentle ‘prayer,’ loving ‘gift.’
Text and Photo © june maffin
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by June | Nov 12, 2016 | Blogposts
“The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things” wrote Lewis Carroll.
For some, the time for talk has come. Talking helps with the processing.
For others, it’s time to breathe and not engage in social media discussions
so that *response* and not *reaction* can emerge and space in our soul for a tiny, oh so tiny, glimmer of hope can, too.
The time has come.
Photo & Text © June Maffin
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by June | Nov 11, 2016 | Blogposts
The Remembrance Day poppy I have been wearing
on my outer clothing close to my heart
was a reminder of the men and women
who stood on guard
so that freedom might be ours.
In the morning, a common safety pin will take its place.
It will be worn as a sign to all who think that they are alone
because of hatred, racism, sexism, religious bigotry or … that they are not alone.
It will be worn as a sign to all who are feeling threatened, fearful, unsafe, that others are “with them.”
The safety pin is on guard so that freedom for all might reign
and let those who are reeling from it all, know that those who wear the safety pin are there to listen. stand up for you, do what we can to let you know you are loved.
The safety pin is on guard and you can rely on us.
We have your back.
© June Maffin
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by June | Nov 9, 2016 | Blogposts
This is a day like no other. The waves of grief overwhelm me. My soul aches. My heart is broken.
Fear begins to rise as questions and concerns about family, friends, minorities, the elderly, children, health care, the economy, personal and global security, the world, me and so much more, surface.
I want it to be just a bad dream. But it is not. It is reality.
In time, a new day will appear. But today is a day like no other and I will not ignore my thoughts or my feelings or my questions. I will not listen to platitudes of those who tell me how I should feel, what I should believe,
Today I am not strong. Today I feel helpless. And yet in the midst of it all,
I make a conscious choice to … strive for justice and peace among all people
… remain steadfast in my respect for the dignity of every human being
… safeguard the integrity of God’s creation … stand for justice and equality in all arenas of life in peaceful ways, in compassionate ways, in loving ways.
These are what I can do. These are what I will do. These are what I must do.
I may feel helpless, but I am not, even on this day … This-Day-Like-No-Other.
Photo & Text © june maffin
www.soulistry.com/blog
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by June | Nov 5, 2016 | Blogposts
He took the first step, and the next, and the next, believing in taking the first step “even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” One of those first steps, cost the author of those words, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his life.
Not everyone is called to such sacrifice but each is called to take a “first step” … a first step towards forgiveness of self, of another … a first step towards healing of body, mind, spirit … a first step towards freedom exercising the right and privilege of voting.
People have stood in lines for hours on end in rain, in snow, in blazing sun and heat to vote/ People have died – literally – so that others could vote. People have left their desperate personal situations and busy schedules to vote.
But, some don’t believe their vote will make a difference and they don’t vote. Some don’t like the thought of a woman for their leader or someone who is gay and living with a partner or someone who is physically challenged or …
Some can’t “see the whole staircase” and they don’t vote. Perhaps they need encouragement to register to vote. Perhaps they need someone to transport them to the voting station. Perhaps they need courage to stand apart from family and friends who are voting for someone who could lead their country and world to destruction.
Let courage flow so people can vote with wisdom.
Let kindness flow so people can be transported to a voting station.
Let encouragement flow so people recognize the importance of their vote.
May all “take the first step, even when they can’t see the whole staircase.”
Photos and Text © june maffin
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Photo and Text © june maffin
© June Maffin
