"Let ours be the time remembered

for the awakening of a new reverence for life,

The firm resolve to achieve sustainability,

the quickening of the struggle for justice."

(Diarmuid O'Murchu)

Possibillity in progress...

I went looking for more pictures of Butterfly and wound up choosing Caterpillar instead! I have not always appreciated these small long many legged creatures. The more I was thinking about them I began to realize that they reflect a stage of possibility in life. If it were not for caterpillar, there would be no Butterfly.. and each is uniquely themselves. How often we say..I'm entering into another stage of my life...and it is caterpillar and butterfly who concretely manifest that process. Who would believe that this worm like creature had the possibility of wings within her? I wonder if caterpillar believed in his/her possibility for wings? And what of ourselves? Moving through the stages of our own lives we say...who am I? Where is all this change leading? Am I, are we, willing to trust in our own possibility? Who knows, maybe we too will find our own wings, in our own way? Thank you caterpillar for helping me to appreciate the stages of my life and the wonder of possibility. Together lets inch our way step by step into the newness of who we are!!

Why not me??

Some of my deepest insights come when I least expect and in of all places.. the bathroom!!

I am not a person who is comfortable with change and the unexpected.. I too often focus on the negative when fear shows its face. With the devastating and on going ramifications of the oil spill, the grieving families who lost loved ones, and those whose jobs are no more..the threat of tornado's in areas not used to having them.. along with the hurt and pain of friends and loved ones... !!! Fear had its hold on me!! This was too much! Why me.. I'm not strong enough.. What if!!

Very gently what came to my mind were the many peoples who have endured fear on a daily basis for a good part of their lives... Those living in war torn areas; the people of Haiti and Chile who are still trying to recover from major storms and earthquakes; those who have lived through Tsunamis; All families trying to live on $2 a day; the Amish people who witnessed horror and offered forgiveness and compassion; and so many more...

All of these folks are still walking the journey of life..one step at a time. Thank you for your witness..!! Thank you for helping me to see.. not why me.. but why not me..we are all a part of the sacred journey of life with all of its twists and turns..dark and light..pains and joys. Let us draw strength from one another...let us give each other hope...and a reason to keep walking..

Lastly..thank you Mother Earth and all beings for your witness as well! You have blessed us abundantly even as we in our lack of understanding and in our conscious choice for MORE, have chosen to close our eyes to your presence, goodness and gifts! You too continue to give..when you have every reason to not!!

I will honor your witness..and take strength from all that you have endured. Like you, may I walk in Faith..and learn to sing in the darkness!!

More...

Otter has something for us to think about..

"Fundamental changes are needed

in our values, institutions

and ways of living.

We must realize

that when basic needs

have been met,

human development

is primarily about

BEING MORE

not

having more."

Millennium Campaign

Be different .. Be Yourself...!

Hello Lop eared rabbits, I love you. I was introduced to these precious rabbits when I read stories about them to the young daughters of a long time high school friend! The stories were part of a series and we all looked forward to the next adventure of the Lop family. The life of the Lop's became a window for exploring the gift of being different, especially after the Lop's were told they weren't real rabbits because real rabbits had ears that stood up! As one of the Lops, struggled with ways to make his ears stand up, the author and illustrator did a fantastic job of exploring and explaining the importance of being who you were, rather than trying to become like those around you. Over time each of the Lops begin to see that difference is a gift and nothing to be ashamed of. Thank you dear "Lops" for reminding all of us that our unique presence, just as we are, is a treasure beyond measure.

I am family...

We can see that Pelican is one incredible being thanks to A-Z animals! With an enormous wingspan and keen eye sight Pelicans are able to swoop down to the ocean surface to catch fish from incredible heights! Not all Pelicans are as big and many are land based.

Pelican's main predators are on land; namely the human, cats and coyotes. They are hunted for their meat and their feathers.

With the oil spill, Pelican's search for food, will now jeopardize his/her life. Now, when they dive they risk not only being immersed in oil, but swooping up oil contaminated food sources for themselves and their young.

If we listened with our hearts, I think Pelican would urgently remind us, I am family!! We breathe the same breath..Creator made us so that we could help each other become the best of who we are by sharing the gifts we have with each other. I would love to share with you if you would be willing to get to know me! I am family.

Will you help me?

This Associated Press photo by Charlie Riedel has haunted me all week as it speaks loudly and clearly to the impact of the oil spill. Why is it that in difficult situations it is always the most vulnerable who pay the dearest price!

Am I, as a caring human being, willing to change my life style in a manner that will enable me to live in harmony with all life? Will I as a caring human being and part of the web of life, think more carefully about the consequences of my actions for the long term, rather than act for immediate gratification of "my needs" alone?

"When do we have enough food?

Enough water?

Enough clothes?

Enough books?

Enough sense of self?

Do we even know

what enough is?"

Forgive me dear bird for the pain I have caused you by not being willing to say ENOUGH!

Forgive me dear bird for the pain I have caused you by not being willing to speak up on YOUR

behalf! The road is long..yet the longest journey begins with a single step.. I choose to take that step and to journey until All needs of all beings are recognized and respected!

Will you help me?