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Posts from the ‘Freedom’ Category

Jun 7

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Putting Down to Pick Up

“Forgiveness doesn’t sit there like a pretty boy in a bar. Forgiveness is the old fat guy you have to haul up a hill.”― Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things

“You will learn a lot about yourself if you stretch in the direction of goodness, of bigness, of kindness, of forgiveness, of emotional bravery. Be a warrior for love.”― Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things

In the mountains and the valleys
And everything in between
May you follow the path of goodness, bigness, kindness
In the letting go, in the freedom of forgiveness, moving on
To the fullness of the present
Looking forward, not behind
To not miss one more day
A warrior for love
A hunter of joy
A soldier of peace.

“You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt with. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding and my dear one, you and I have been granted a mighty generous one.”― Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things

Jan 13

If You Knew All

“To understand is to forgive.”― Pascal

“Forgetfulness is a form of freedom.”― Kahlil Gibran

Release the old.
The conversations.
Had and the ones you wish you had.
The hurts.
Received and given.
The disappointments.
Received and given.
The harsh words.
Received and given.
The judgment, assumptions, opinions.
Received and given.
The resentments that linger, bind, blind.
Forgive. Forget. Move on transformed.
A gift to other, mostly self.
An act of love.

“Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.” – Thomas a Kempis

Feb 27

To Not Look Away

“A blessing for Ukraine
God, the unthinkable has happened.
Swiftly, relentlessly,
by stealth and through open destruction,
the peace and beauty of the ordinary,
has been shattered in a day.
O God of justice and might,
We call to you to come and bring this suffering to an end.
Comfort these trembling hearts.
Shield the vulnerable.
Strengthen those with the resources and the resolve
to protect what they love
in the face of such overwhelming force.
Grant wisdom to the nations of our world, to our leaders, and to us,
to grasp the unfathomable,
to see evil in its true light,
and come against it unflinchingly.
Dear Ukraine,
though we shudder to watch what is happening
We will not look away.”- Kate Bowler

Russia invaded Ukraine this week.
It’s hard to watch the news.
We’re on year three of a pandemic.
We have our own problems.
It all feels too much.
And yet. And yet.
We must not look away.
This pulls us out of ourselves into other.
Into justice.
Into peace, not appeasement.
Into compassion.
Into fighting the good fight that demands sacrifice, resolve and courage.
In our own exhaustion, may we never grow tired of fighting for what is right.
Emboldened and resolved.
Praying for peace.
For ourselves and others.
Peace. Justice. Freedom. Light.

“We Ukrainians are a peaceful nation. But if we remain silent today, we will be gone tomorrow!” – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.” – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Nov 11

Be of Service

“America’s Veterans have served their country with the belief that democracy and freedom are ideals to be upheld around the world.” – John Doolittle

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” – Arthur Ashe

Thank You to all Veterans and military for your service and commitment to freedom and democracy.

Five years ago, I was in Washington DC with friend, cousin and partner in fun Jeanne. It was her first time there. I’ve been there several times through the years and I always find something new and inspiring at our nation’s Capital, despite the small politics and big egos that reside there. It’s also fun going with someone who hasn’t been there before to see it through their eyes. I’ve never been there on Veteran’s Day.

One of my most special memories of many was a veteran who walked slowly past the Korean monument. He stopped every five feet to salute and then do the sign of the cross. People walked by him, didn’t notice and kept going. We watched in reverence for a few minutes with quiet tears streaming down. Reverence, respect and gratitude deepened.

Today is a good day to be grateful for others service and to think about how we serve the world, not just ourselves. To be inspired and compelled to care and act on principles and truths that transcend time and circumstances. May each of our lives be marked by service that protects, raises and lifts others so we can truly change the world. Be of service, cast light.

“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.” – Alexander Hamilton

Jul 4

Open Waters

“A quiet mind cureth all.” – Robert Burton

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.” – Charlotte Bronte

In the stillness of time
No place to be but in the middle of now
Weave pockets of quiet to uncover gratitude and joy
Allow unfolding without boundaries to witness the expanse in reach
Detached from obligation and noise
Awake and aware
Open waters to explore and discover
Free and unbound

“Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.” – Voltaire