“IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK”

“IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK”

by | 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.

watermarked-aspark-2Photo and Text © june maffin
www.soulistry.com/blog
www.soulistry.com

<Photo taken at Lake Cowichan, B.C.>

“A THOUGHT IS …”

“A THOUGHT IS …”

by | 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.’

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Text and Photo © june maffin
www.soulistry.com/blog
www.soulistry.com

“THE TIME HAS COME”

“THE TIME HAS COME”

by | 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.

WatermarkedFloralArrangement

Photo & Text © June Maffin
www.soulistry.com/blog
www.soulistry.com

“THE SAFETY PIN IS ON GUARD”

“THE SAFETY PIN IS ON GUARD”

by | 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.

search© June Maffin
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
www.soulistry.com
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“A DAY LIKE NO OTHER”

“A DAY LIKE NO OTHER”

by | 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,
why I should be strong/
 
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. 
 

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Photo & Text © june maffin

www.soulistry.com/blog
www.soulistry.com

“TAKE THE FIRST STEP”

“TAKE THE FIRST STEP”

by | 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.”

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Photos and Text © june maffin  https://soulistry.com/blog