Snippets – A Little of This and Some of That
A Little Bit of Everything
Let’s begin with something different. A poem by Nitin Das set to video. Nitin Das is a filmmaker and founder of Healing Forest Project currently working on an international project called Healing Forest. For his work he was selected as an Asia Society fellow, being one amongst 21 people chosen across Asia each year. Many thanks to Emma Rooney for introducing me to Nitin Das.
This lovely little video is less than two minutes and definitely looks best on a computer.
Arriving back in Ottawa Friday night we were feted with a second Lunar New Year with family and friends, followed two days later, by Valentine’s dinner and crazy as it seems, two birthdays, immediately on the horizon. I realize that leaving Vancouver and returning to Ottawa had a common thread – LOVE! In fact, this quote caught my attention: “In the midst of uncertainty, love is certain.” Susan Moon Daily Dharma, Tricycle.
“In the midst of uncertainty, love is certain.”
This is not the Hallmark love. This is the stand by me; come back anytime; welcome; what can we do to help kind of love. The love that sees us through, warts and all. Love that makes sacrifices for the one who is in need. Love that heals us. We may not believe this to be true when we have been personally betrayed by a particular loved one. Yet, when we look at the grand scheme of our lives we can find example after example of loving hands and hearts rising to the occasions when we need them most. Love is certain. However, to realize this we need to pay close attention and put on our wide-angle lens.
Circuit Breaker
A brief note to say this: there are times when we, or those we love, are deeply suffering. We may feel helpless that there is nothing to be done. It is worth considering the unusual, the extravagant, (this doesn’t necessarily mean financial) the generous impulse, the dare to be different, and the out-of-character moment or event. Sometimes, we need to take the reins in our own hands and gallop off to do or to see something different from our ordinary daily living. Sometimes we need to stop doing what we always do and go have an adventure. Safety is important, yet, sometimes saying YES to that impulse can give us breathing space and restore our spirit. Sometimes that requires a calculated risk.
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” 2006, The Yale Book of Quotations by Fred R. Shapiro, Section: John A. Shedd, Page 705, Yale University Press, New Haven.
Leonard Cohen
Many of you know that I use this anthem as my email signature. I have posted a link to the song from Leonards’ 2008 Live in London Tour. He was 74 and took up a demanding tour, with no rancour, having lost almost all his fortune to an unscrupulous financial manager. “I have several people who count on me,” he explained, “so I need to make up these losses.” I love this entire performance and want to share this one song with you, once again. Click on the highlighted anthem to watch and listen.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
there is a crack, a crack in everything
that’s how the light gets in
And a concluding poem I could not resist
This Moment by Howard Olivier (thanks to Gratefulness.org)
I’m smiling because
a million possible alternatives
which would have precluded
this moment we’re sharing
didn’t happen.
Safe passage through countless intersections
this week;
the absence of calamity
since breakfast;
a thousand breaths received in the last hour,
delivered right on time.
The tapestry of the present moment is
complete and continuously refreshed,
courageous, wholehearted, raw & alive.
Look – here it is, again!
Notes
1:) A deep bow of gratitude to all the helping hands and loving hearts in my life from day one. I would not be here without you. And to all of you who come to visit each week. How lucky am I to have such good company.
2:) I am thinking of several people I know, and those I don’t know, who are newly diagnosed with a serious illness. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch anytime. Strength and courage to you all. You can do it!
3:) Sending all my best wishes to each of you. May you have a week with many wonderful moments and may you sing while there’s voice left. Warmly, Trudy
Tonight I am thinking about Circuit Breaker Trudy. It has been almost two years of a change in living that we could never have dreamed would happen. Two years of isolation, masks, hand washing, limited contact with families and friends, a loss of hugs and closeness with other beings we love. It is time. Time to break that circuit. To venture out of our boxes, with safety and common sense, but to step out into the world – walk in forests, by oceans, streams, rivers. Time to meet with friends in safe environments and enjoy the laughter of children playing in a park. Time to shed the fear and uncertainty; time to know we have done what we can. We have been vaccinated, we have followed the rules, and tried our best to be respectful and responsible. We can still do that with grace but it is time for change. Time to breathe and be. Time to shed the fear and uncertainty. Because yes, that box is waiting and living each day with joy is so important. With love.
Hi Pat: Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I’m glad this post sparked some plans and wanting to live while you can. And with grace and thoughtfulness, as you so beautifully expressed. Warmly, Trudy
Thank you Trudy. So enjoying spending time by myself. Zoom connects me to loving communities of supporting people on the path.
The more I work on me, the more light gets in.
How kind of you, Kathryn, to check in. Always a pleasure. Best wishes, Trudy
Love is certain and you are so reliable in that arena dearest Trudy. Glad to know you are back in town – time for a visit! xoxoxo
Hi Janice: Thanks for your kind note. It seems important to remember that life is still a place of marvel and that we can count on love. Big hugs, Trudy
Have thought so much of Canada and its turmoil these weeks. So unlike your country. So sadly like mine, now. May there soon be peace–in Ottawa, in all of Canada, in our world, and in our hearts. Love to you, dear Trudy.
Hi dear Carol: Thank you for stopping by here. I hope we can thoughtfully renew our relationships with civility, kindness, and responsibility. We need it more than ever. There are so many reasons to be hopeful as we make our way in this ever-changing life. All is not lost. Big hugs across the continent. Warmly, Trudy