“A moment of both connection and of solitary reflection . Peaceful and freeing while also all encompassing .
Some playfulness among some along the shore while others contemplate quietly . A moment of release , of letting go of the trials and breathing slowly in our imaginings for a better way for all not just one . “
words and photo by
Barbara L.Chapman
It was , somewhere , within our inner knowing that this so called man trump would wreak havoc upon on us . Upon our democratic rule of law and attempt unethical deals with our adversaries but THIS ?
It made me heartsick . I am , for the first time , feeling a deep disgust and an unwillingness to forgive those that chose this .
I cheer with all of my heart , mind and soul for the new European alliance . I wish to join them . The love for humanity , the integrity and strength of character as well as actions is inspired . It is filled with possibility . And it is filled with courage . All so lacking in the american president and his coconspirators .
I stand with Europe . I stand for freedom . And I stand with the rule of law .
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 .
Freedom without knowledge , freedom without wisdom , freedom without compassion . What does it create ?
Without an anchor to your soul and distance from your fears any fool can envelope you in a blanket of their tall tales and drag you along on their crazy lies .
Freedom to create a life that you’ve dreamed …Oh but wait not if they say “No”.
So you go …somewhere and start doing something thinking that this is what must be . And the men at the top talk passionately of freedom , your freedom , as they take it all away. You hear the passion not the meaning and it’s all so exciting . The energy and the community that help you to feel oh so strong grabs you hard , so hard that you forget that it’s lies .
Remember …remember that we all have the right to be .
A wild horse stands tall and calm while shadows from the clouds above move across his frame . Uneven terrain outstretched for miles rugged and beautiful and flickering with warm tones of color . The definition of strength seen in the horse’s musculature speaks of a noble history . The beauty is elegant and somehow soothing to see .
You may run as you please dear wild one . Run and run with wind blowing through your mane . The power of your spirit echoing throughout fields and hills all around . The scents of pine and sage and the remnants of a sun filled day linger in the air as you choose your resting place for the long night ahead .
Star filled sky becoming visible and the lullaby songs of the night begin as you settle in beneath an ancient tree . Sweet rest dear wild one until the new adventure begins again ….
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 ” .
I awake to dreams of being in beautiful places . Imaginings and heart wanderings removed
from staidness . Places where healthy streams , cool and clear , sparkling in the light flow .
Leading from a mountain top where strong , blue green grasses grow and the wildness of the
flowers are free to be . Then to the meadows as the heart leads and where the mountain met
the world . It’s graceful expanse calls out with it’s charms and winds singing hymns . A few
horses run wild and free as family and all of the while holding their own . Their power is love
and fearless wisdom even more than the massive muscles carrying them on . My heart goes
along with them for as long as it can and until I’m back in a sleep meant for
navigating this world . 
‘NEW DAWN’ 11×14 chalk pastels 2012 Donation to Bailey Boushay seattle
Awake before the light begins to arise and the spirit is untouched by the world’s woes . The joyousness of innocence dances lightly within the heart and the mind protects these cherished moments . Light reflected through the window and it’s warmth a reminder of the freedom alive in the mind . The quietness and the subtlety of a moment holds within it the miracles of eternity .
As much as comfort can be found and nurtured in the reserves of inner strength carried in your mind , heart and spirit alone , on your own , the connection to each other is the infinite thread of love and compassion . That thread carries us through time . It carries us into difficulty and through it to the other side into the joy that is always there . The celebration that lives and is a single breath is our shared joy in life . We are staying apart in order to love life and to love each others life . In loving life we are asked to face to fears and challenges of what it means to be alone with our selves . In the quiet there is an opportunity to hear and to heal the parts that are slow to open up to joy , the lightness of laughter and compassion . In a place of fear we can heal fear . Inside of unconditional compassion is freedom . Expansive , weightless freedom . It is love . 
blchapman 