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
www.soulistry.com/blog
www.soulistry.com
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
www.soulistry.com/blog
www.soulistry.com
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
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
www.soulistry.com
www.soulistry.com/blog
Photo and Text © june maffin
© June Maffin