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
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
www.soulistry.com
Photo and Text © june maffin
© June Maffin
