by June | Jan 12, 2017 | Blogposts
“Whatever the future holds … we’ll be each other’s strength.” Those words spoken by a very special man on our wedding day and often repeated to one another throughout the years were true. True then … for the two of us. True now … even though he has died. True … for us all. In this world of uncertainty, we can be … we must be … “each other’s strength.”
Before closing the blinds last night, the wondrous silver beam of light
shone brightly in the sky and brought a reminder of those words and a hope that in spite of troubling news and times, there will be a tomorrow.
When clouds began to form and the moon became hidden; when its light diminished and seemed lost as sometimes happens to us when clouds
of fear, isolation, loneliness, sadness, grief, self-doubt begin to form and cover us and it feels as if our light has gone out; like the moon we are still here, simply covered up, waiting for the time, when the cloud passes, and the light shines through … hope.
The words written and spoken by one man to one woman and back to him,
can be the words written and spoken by us all … to one another.
“Whatever the future holds we’ll be each other’s strength.”
(Hans van der Werff) Rest in peace, my beloved. Rest in peace.
Photo & Text © june maffin
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by June | Jan 11, 2017 | Blogposts
“There’s something about this photo that speaks to me. It speaks to me of life and death … darkness and shadow … light and hope. Hope?
The hope is in the clear sky. The hope is in the bright yellow colour in the flowers in the foreground. The hope is in the healthy green leaves beside the flowers.
At this time, the United States is in crisis. A much-feared (by many) President-Elect will soon deliver his First Address to the Nation. A much-loved by many President has delivered his Final Address.
The first personifies the fear many are feeling. The second named the fear many are feeling and reminded people to “be vigilant, but not be afraid.”
He set forth a plan. Clear, simple, direct. Using the three words he used
at the beginning of his Presidency he used the same three words
at the ending of his Presidency: “Yes, we can!”
As a sign I read on a wall in Dachau “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in the stars, even when I see them not. I believe in God, even when God is silent” noted … the Presence of Hope is always present.
We just need to be open for it. We just need to look for it. We just need to see it. We just need to believe in it.
At the time I took this photo, I didn’t know why I took it. Tonight, I know.
“Be vigilant, but not afraid.” (President Barack Obama, January 10, 2017)
Photo & Text © june maffin
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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
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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
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<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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Photo and Text © june maffin
© June Maffin