stopthinklistenandlearn

forgive me if this sounds silly, but there is a lesson to be learned from every situation. i know, i know...this is a no-brainer, but it just occurred to me last night. i've been attempting to allow myself to have structured thought, maybe you can call it meditation? but i don't just sit there and think, i need to be moving...walking, cleaning, drawing and focusing on my thoughts. by just allowing myself time to think, not just about anything, but about situations i'm faced with or issues plaguing my mind, i'm learning so much about myself...and the world around me. it's amazing what you can tune into just by slowing down, by listening, by forcing yourself to think and learn. perhaps i've been so thoughtful lately because i've only been working 15-20 hours a week and have no other responsibilities to speak of. i do however hope this is a skill i can carry with me as my life becomes more hectic.

probed

my nights are quiet.

my dreams at rest.

my imaginings gone?

my problems solved?

my mind numb?

i feel content in so many ways.
i'm not sure i know how to grow without being probed by pain.

read this book

"Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of his world."

"Like the resource it seeks to protect, wildlife conservation must be dynamic, changing as conditions change, seeking always to become more effective."


the above is quoted from Rachel Carson, a writer, scientist, ecologist, environmentalist, and marine biologist, whom many deem responsible for the environmental movement as we know it.

in her last book before her death, Silent Spring, Carson calls to our attention the dangers of DDT and all the other pesticides and chemicals that are being used on our crops and in other ways within our world. this book was met with great resistance, as many were and still are profiting from the use of these chemicals. this book is ranked among one of the rare books that have transformed our society.

not only did Rachel Carson call attention to the use of chemicals and their dangers, she helped us to understand the interconnectedness between humans and the earth.

read this book. stand up for what is right. love the earth.

Blog Action Day 2007

blog action day 2007

squirm with the reality

i saw a show last night. a young girl. a singer-songwriter. her voice was beautiful and strong, but her lyrics were more so. she threw things in our faces and called us to action. her pleasant voice made me squirm with the reality of our situation. our situation as a country, as a world, as a city, as a human. it's been quite some time since i've been so moved by music or lyrics. i'm feeling inspired today to step out my door and live my life a little differently.

off ce n t e r

i feel off center today...not bad, no, i don't feel bad. i'm just a little off from where i want to be. and i'm not going to beat myself up over this, and i'm not going to dwell on what i've done to bring these feelings about...and i'm not going to not tell you that i feel this way. i'm just going to feel it...and i'm going to get a good night's sleep, and tomorrow i'm going to drink a lot of water and i'm going to reign myself back in. i'm understanding that right now, in my life, i need balance and simplicity. that is my mantra for this week: balance and simplicity.

the rest is illusory

everything seems to be in sync. i feel connected. i feel alive. i think i might for once actually have some things figured out. or at least i've figured out that it's okay to not have things figured out. i'm finally experiencing what it feels like to be content day after day. i understand the importance of living in the moment. i understand the gravity of dwelling on the past or looking to the future. they are equally dangerous. there is no time but now...the rest is illusory. i want to be more conscious about it all: what i say, what i do, what i eat, what i buy, how i vote, who i love, how i feel, who i am. all of it. i wish i could bottle this hopefulness that i have inside of me. this positivity. i want to pull it out and wallow in it when ever i'm faced with struggle. my face is flushed with joy, like i just drank a bunch of red wine. well let me tell you this...i did just drink a bunch of red wine, and i ate duck, and it was all wonderful. i have good people in my life. some would call my life mundane, and in a lot of ways it is. things are pretty laid back around these parts. but it's these days of quiet that i hear so much.

pencil and paper

this is all you get today, because i'm going to release my thoughts the old fashioned way.