May Roundup

Contemplating the healed Earth, a place without borders and wars. Such a dreamer am I at times.

I have a vision of Earth, healed ...

All of my life it seems I have heard the phrase "Attitude of Gratitude". I will admit I looked at it as a hackneyed, superficial catch-all phrase many times. It was one of those phrases like "Bless Your Heart" or "I will put you on my prayer list" that on some level I saw as an easy verbal out when people didn't want to be bothered, or had no clue as to what to do to really help someone.

I now see it differently. Each day is a collection of moments, all of which affect us on two levels - environmentally, and internally. For me, appreciating does not mean liking, or approving. It is just as important to appreciate the uncomfortable and painful for the lessons learned. We speak often of "random acts of kindness" and "paying it forward". Take it from one who has been on both sides of the aisle on this one, it is as much an opportunity for gratitude and appreciation to be the giver and it is the recipient, to be in need as to be provided for.

I have a vision of Earth, healed, where we as graceful with one another in our want as we are in our surplus.

I have a vision of Earth, healed ...

... I believe it to be important for each of us to surround ourselves with like minded kind and supportive people...

This is a snippet I just read from a comment on a friend's Timeline. I found myself reading these words again, and contemplating how simple and profound they are.

Often, we do not have a lot of influence over the casual interactions in our day to day life. We do have control in the way we react and interact with others. We can choose to be kind. Kind is not weak, nor malleable. Kind is a sure and deep strength. Kind counts, kind matters, kind costs nothing and is priceless.

I have a vision of Earth, healed.

I have a vision of Earth, healed ...
In the 60's The Fifth Dimension sang of the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.
In the 70's John Lennon sang of the world being one
I grew up with the echoes of these ideals reverberating through my mind, and a belief was born that we can heal the Earth
Each of us can be that one voice, joining into a chorus of brotherhood
Each of us can accept a kindness with grace, and pay it forward
Each of us can smile at a stranger, and make a friend
I have a vision of Earth, healed ...

I have a vision of Earth, healed.

My intent is to be kind, in my interactions and actions.
To be careful, in my word choices.
To smile, more.
To laugh, often.
To want less things.
To like more people.
To watch less television.
To read more books.
To listen, not just hear.
To show the people I love that I love them, and say it as well.
To apologize even when I do not want to.
My intent is to be better at being me.

I just do not understand.

I do not understand the xenophobia.
I do not understand the prejudice.
I do not understand the hate.
I do not understand the bigotry.
I do not understand the intolerance.
I do not understand the elitism.

I just do not understand why we are at this juncture, at this time, in our society.

I just do not understand.

I have a vision of Earth healed.
A world where people matter more than things. and love rather than power is the energy we harness.

A little light verse I wrote - A Monday afternoon lagniappe :

Flickering light
Just out of sight
Dim in the mist
Like will'o'the'wisp
Lost on the mountain
Adrift in the sea
Flow like a fountain
Return love to me

~ Ellen Apple 5/16/2016

I have a vision of Earth, healed.
We - I - can begin my part today by claiming my spark, and acknowledging yours.

I was feeding the cats earlier, and was remembering a time about 4 years ago when we were so strapped for money and Shari Stacy bought us a big bag of cat food. It just showed up, delivered by UPS. That was a kindness and generosity I will never forget. She, along with Deborah, Deborah,Rachel, Georgenne, Grat, SteveandKathy, Brett, Jonathan, Shauna,Michael, Wendy, Dove, Patricia, Leigh, Aimee, my mother and my sister (and I know I am more than likely forgetting someone) exhibited care, love, concern, support and assistance - they showed us grace. I have a vision of Earth healed, and we work on that healing daily, one kind act, one act of love, one helping hand at a time.

I am sharing this because I have bi friends
I am sharing this because I have lesbian friends
I am sharing this because I have gay friends
I am sharing this because I have asexual friends
I am sharing this because I believe in and support my friends, because they believe in and support me
I have a vision of Earth, healed,  and believe that acceptance is part of the healing

I have a vision of Earth, healed, I mentioned that yesterday. This is the path. This is the answer. I am Ellen. a female human being. That is enough.

Please, please ... if you have ever played a video on Facebook, play this one. Listen. Watch. Listen again.

Impacting in so many ways.

From June 1986 through July 1989, I had a job at Falcon Oil Company in Fort Pierce, FL. We were located on a stretch of Okeechobee Road (SR 70) that was between I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. We were a truckstop, and an Amoco gas stop. I worked the gas pumps, running a cash register from 6 AM until 3 PM, four days on and four days off. Best shift, schedule I ever worked.

There was an Econo Lodge, a Days Inn, a Holiday Inn, a Waffle House, and a McDonalds on the same side (south side) of Okeechobee Road as Falcon Oil. Our clientele ranged from truckers to vacationers to bikers to locals.

There was a man named Sam who was a regular customer. He rented a room by the month at the Econo Lodge, and was in Falcon Oil for hours every day. He was a bit of an odd duck, and decided I was his kind of people when I allowed him to examine the gap on every pair of nail clippers in a plastic tub on the counter, and listened to his rationale for what he was looking for in the clippers he would end up purchasing.

Something happened today that reminded me of Sam today, and I wish I knew how his life went after I left Falcon Oil, and Florida. He was a veteran, and went to VA appointments in Fort Lauderdale frequently. As far as I know, he had no close friends or family. I learned a lot from him, listening to his stories from the military, and his viewpoints on politics and national security. I bet he would have an earful for me this election cycle.

I have a vision of Earth, healed ...

This Day

This day may you live just in this day - not in the regret of yesterday, or the fear of tomorrow.

This day may you take respite for you - a minute here, a relaxing beverage there, a connection with a friend or hobby that will bring you calm.

This day may you see not the mountain to climb but the steps as they come.

This day may you remember that all that brought you to this point was so you could make it to the next.

This day may you heed the words and actions of those who stand with you, and rebuke those who assail you. If not in deed, in word. If not in word, in attitude. If not in attitude, in intent.

This day look at your space, and see the beauty and joy you have fought so hard to gain. Do not let any person or circumstance take from you anything you do not give in trust.

This day, remember - you matter.

Then do the same tomorrow.

I have a vision of Earth, healed ...

One kind word, one whispered plea, one small gesture at a time. There was a movie several years ago with Ashton Kutcher, "The Butterfly Effect". The premise of the movie being that a small action (or non-action) while seemingly insignificant to you, can have life altering effects on another.
Having a vision of Earth healed sounds perhaps trite or hokey - and maybe it is. But here is the thing. We bring healing or harm to ourselves, other people, and our world every day. In large and small ways. I can make a difference by listening, with my heart as well as my head, to the things you are saying to me when you never speak a word. I can think good, and positive, and healing thoughts for and of you and that energy - and I truly believe this - goes directly to you wherever you may be..

The opposite is true as well. Small, greedy, malevolent thoughts and actions have wide ranging consequences.

We are given a gift, the present - and with that gift we can atone for the past where needed, and make course corrections when we have drifted from our path. I know that not a single one of us is always nice and good and right. Actually, that would be rather scary, all that holiness. But when we carry one another in the bad times, and invite one another to share the good times, we are better at being us.

We have different experiences, different challenges, different strengths. But we share one world, one chance, to get things right. That is the impetus that drives my vision of Earth, healed.

Tanka Tuesday

May ends with hot tears
Summer's unofficial start
Mercury soars high
Building to afternoon storms
Heat broken - no - still humid

(hot tears being the afternoon showers on a hot humid day)