Category Archives: life

Space for the Heart to Soar

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The air is cool , a slight mist leaving a refreshing calmness , and summer feels a ways away . It inspires a certain sort of coziness and a desire to listen to the quiet . The quiet , of course , holds assorted delicate sounds like a few small birds chirping and a car’s tires on the wet ground .

In this calm and quietness the mind can actually breathe . And the green of the trees seem to come alive with joy . The mistaken need to fill the space with chatter and clatter eases away while peacefulness unfolds like a beautiful bloom .

Releasing the day’s busyness , bit by bit , and allowing the space for heart to soar as I listen to the rhythms of life flow .

We Can Be Changed

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It may begin innocently enough . A moment in which something catches our attention. We pause and look a little longer , we give it some thought and then more . And then we may begin seeking out more information or more of the ” something ” that we were drawn to and connected with so unexpectedly . This is the start of expanding our awareness . This is the start of welcoming something new whether an idea , a change in perspective or incorporating a new routine into our lives . One that is calming for the mind and nervous system . One that is a freedom from angst and anger .

In a moment suddenly there is a realization that we have a choice . We can , step by step , moment by moment , choose to pause before angst takes us over in any given moment . Breathe deeply , slow down your mind and soothe your nervous system gently . This lovely , challenging life goes by quickly and when we notice how differently we feel about life , about ourselves , when we are calm and compassionate in any circumstance . Kindness comes more easily . Peace begins within you as well as outside of you .

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Ready

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I am ready for a life of love and joy flowing

I am puing down he angst and walking away .

In the creative process I am transformed and this piece I feel it is especially evident . It had a bit of a roughg start and as I layered colors and in some areas removed color it came to life beautifully .

https://www.blurb.com/b/11671336

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Healing Our Hunger

Imagery and Poetry for Ending Food Insecurity

By Barbara L. Chapman

Freedom to Be with Gentle Breezes and Birdsongs

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The air is refreshingly cool this morning even though the sun is bright . I savor and relish in this mornings when I don’t have to go rushing off .

The morning quietness is a freedom all its own . Freedom from the harsh sounds of this world’s man made demands . Freedom society’s pushes and pulls . Freedom from the dictates of ego and one’s not your own .

Awakening gently into a new day of birdsongs dancing through the air and with light , cool breezes ever so subtly caressing the awakening joy of the freedom to just be .

The toils and turbulence of yesterday’s work day are nearly gone and in its place a quiet, deep peace .

What is freedom if it is not to awaken every day knowing that you can be who your are .

Gentle breezes and birdsongs and loving contemplation is my freedom today .

Does a Soul Choose …

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A new life arrives . She is given away . Is the first experience of this life one of trauma ? Aside from the one of leaving a safe womb does the separation from her beginnings of life impact her sense of comfort and trust ?

She is born with a trusting heart no matter the circumstances . She loves deeply , so deeply that it surprises even her .

Welcomed into a home , into a family , that wants to be what it is not . There is love . There is love that battles within itself and with it’s own brokenness . Her love , in innocence , rises to the surface in moments of celebration . Like when she awakens first thing every morning , before opening her eyes , then is a joyous smile across her face. Did her soul choose to know the indescribable ache while also choosing to carry a joy filled heart and an ever replenishing trust ? The brokenness of the family integrated more trauma into her original wound and in quietness she finds a healer , herself . Did her soul choose ?

And in her quietness she sometimes dreams of knowing wholeness . Enchanted by the sight of the moon and the stars she finds a sense of rootedness in them . And when she is near water and it’s powerful timelessness then she feels held by the breath of all life past , present and future .

Giving Birth to a New USA

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On the very day that we laid to rest one of our  greatest human rights leaders of our time this :

I am a mom to a compassionate ,  intelligent young woman .  Her kind and giving heart stands up for injustices against those with less privilege  . People  that suffer because of having  less privileges  and opportunities  simply because of the color of their skin .  I am of the same heart  and mind as my daughter .  Since early in my youth I have felt the call to stand up for human rights , protesting peacefully , writing  letters to legislators , volunteering  and …listening .  And today my daughter faced the ugliness of hatred  because  of her values and principles   . She has Black Lives Matter written on the  back window of her car . She has other pro human rights sentiments  on her window as well .

Today , of all days ,  someone  chose to threaten her life because of it . A man chose to follow her off of a freeway exit , he sped up along side of her and turned  his vehicle inwards towards  her car  as if to ram her and to force her off of the road .  A life threatening action that could  have been catastrophe with   irreversible results .  And all because he did not like her opinions . He violently opposed her  values . His risked her  life as well the lives of others by his actions .

Here we are America . Threatening each other  over human rights . Over what it means to be considered a human being .  Wiling to end another persons life because she or he stands up for social justice .  It’s time to give birth to a new USA .

The process is painful .  My hope is that what is taking place now with the violence against peaceful protests and individuals  is like the birthing process .  It is  a struggle . It is painful and it is violent . And at the other side of it a more just , equitable  and compassionate country .

The people fighting against the changes have caught the disease of hatred and fear . Desperation  has taken hold of them .  They are entangled within their own chains . How might we set them free from the hate ?

In the darkness of such hate we must be the light .  Carry a peaceful heart and in the words of Mr.Lewis ” make  good trouble ” .

 

 

The Man in the Tower Hiding

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A comet soaring through the sky  wishing  away worries from the earth below .

It’s only for  moment .

Fires of the quest for justice burn ….and burn .

And those few that are untouched and are  so far away from the pain just scold .

And blame .

The man in the tower hiding  the darkness behind false  whiteness   steals souls and

glows red .

And tosses raw flesh to his spectators .

Unrealized is the relentless power of the will to do right . It won’t stop .

The birth of reawakening in the heart and spirit of  warriors  in our streets come

together as one .

This battle is not done .

 

Above the Gases

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How to see through the smoke ?

Soldiers in streets uninvited ,  The people rising . Higher  than gases .

Division , is it’s fate to become unified ?

Human history as a recipe repeated .

We will take back our sovereignty .

 

Tears are Not Enough . Period .

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Born white and free

and

in ways i did not see .

Until I became a latch key child  .

As I grew I rebelled against the white cocoon

and paid a price for it .

Not as dear  though as the price paid by African Americans

to simply live .

Or rather …not to live .

What good are my tears for you ? I must use my voice and body to join with yours .

Lead me through this battle with you

and

lets make lasting change .