I took this picture in the summer of 2012. I sometimes keep blurry phots to remind me to try bring and keep things in focus. They remind me life is not always in sharp focus and there are times to step back, pause, and reflect. I think this is essential amidst multiple crises we are experiening: health, economic, and social justice. The health crisis accentuated and made more visible the social and economic fault lines in the world, including in so-called advanced countries. These inequities include the wars, hunger, Amazonian deforestation, accelerating climate change, etc.
It is essential to keep our eye not on the outcome to correct the injustices, inequities, and lack of democracy in the world, but on the processes that will overcome those phenomena. John Lewis in Across that Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America stated
“You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light. Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates. […] Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don’t be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself.”
The title could read any country in the world and the world itself. In focusing each of our light, we can gradually transform the world, making it better, more just, more equitable, and more democratic; a beloved community.
One’s spirit wearies;
One’s travails weighing heavy–
From within,
A voice calling.
Seeking peace;
Turning inward–
Posing prayerfully,
Listening for wisdom.
Paying homage;
Celebrating–
Carving paths through wilderness,
Cherishing one another.
Appreciating difference in unity;
Opening hearts to one another–
Reaching outstretched hands,
Grateful for common humanity.
I leave you with the video of the reading of the poem Invictus by Tybre Faw. What gives me hope is there are young people like this who are the light.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
THE WORLD DOESN’T UNDERSTAND. IVON. HOW CAN THEY WHEN GOOD HAS BECOME BAD AND BAD GOOD. NOBODY…CAN DO IT ALONE. I WATCHED THE JOHN LEWIS MEMORIAL SERVICE UNTIL I REALIZED HOW MANY LYING, CHEATING HYPOCRITES WERE SPEAKING…COULDN’T GET PAST CLINTON…SO SHUT OFF THE TV AND WROTE POETRY. SAFER!
I think the challenge is we have set certain false gods up to worship. The Trappist monk Thomas Merton suggested Nietzsche quote about God being dead had to do with how we understood God. I tend towards that thinking. A full reading indicates Nietzsche was suggesting we have replaced God, much like in the parts of the Old Testament, with false gods.
I can certainly agree with that!
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
NICE WORDS/ NICE PRAYER, HOPE IS THERE!
Thank you Johanthan. It is.
Inspiring, thank you!
Thank you Pujakins
Hey! I love reading your blog and I have nominated you for the Liebster Award, here is the link to the same: https://shrubaboti.wordpress.com/2020/08/02/the-liebster-award/
Hope you’ll enjoy participating in this and congratulations! Keep writing 🙂
Thank you Shruba. This is much appreciated. Although it is not on my blog, I am not an award accepter any longer. It has been some time since one was sent my way, so it is nice to be recognized, but time presses in on me.
Oh that’s okay! I understand. No pressure ☺
This: The health crisis accentuated and made more visible the social and economic fault lines in the world, including in so-called advanced countries.
Love the Lewis quote. A great reminder. I am just now returned to wp, so forgive the absence. I’m just beginning to catch up, here in the wild mountain world we now inhabit! 😀 Be well, Ivon.
Life intrudes on our writing. We spent the weekend emptying out a storage locker, moving contents to the new house, and began to sort out. That was after spending the last 2 months finishing the garage.
Sounds like our lives! Gosh. Good luck!
There’s a wonderful fire within each Human Heart that first we need to discover, then nurture it, to see it blaze a light, that will be able to guide our path, and help others to find their own.
Thank you for a wonderful comment Brijido. It reminds me of the quote attributed to Plutarch: “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”
Inspiring! Thanks for sharing, Ivon.
Thank you Bette and you are welcome.
My pleasure. Have a great day!