The past year was a whirlwind of change for me. I suppose some, more stationary, people might say my life has been like a whirlwind. We have moved more than a dozen times in 30 years and to different cities, states and even out of country! Before my sons were grown, these moves affected their lives as well. We have become known as “the gypsies”.
I am a water sign, a Cancer, which influences me to be a nester by nature with an adventurous spirit. It has been tested many times. I have laughed, cried, screamed at the walls and picked myself up by the proverbial bootstraps to carry on. When I was younger I bemoaned the people I left behind and envied those friends who stayed in the same house, the same town, the same city and state so that they were one with their surroundings, family and friends. I longed to hang onto what I had, like a photo in album that you keep forever. Yet we all know that nothing in this tangible world lasts forever. So I keep the images in my heart and memory and work to maintain those connections that mean the most to me.
Now that I am older and, as the natural order of things dictates, my feelings and introspections have evolved. Perhaps it is but another aspect of my nature to morph into my ‘now’ reality. Either way, I have begun to understand how blessed and fortunate I have been to experience so many lives in different places. My family has friends across the country that we remain connected to, and I have good friends who live in other countries. Too often those ensconced in their small protective bubble view life outside of it as foreign and strange, somehow something to be feared or misunderstood. We all must realize that the view of us from any of those places is the same for those living there. People are very different, but there doesn’t need to be a right and wrong side with regard to our geographical location. People are people within all races. There are times, in my experience, that people from different counties, parishes, cities and states within this United States can seem foreign to one another.
Let’s consider the name of this country. The United States of America. It is because the original colonists who settled here were from vastly different backgrounds, belief systems. countries and social histories that we had to come to a meeting of minds and accept that to succeed as a nation we must learn to integrate those unique aspects of all citizens in order to have order and community. It cannot be about one person or group speaking so loudly as to drown out another voice, another cry, another thought. That is why the Constitution was written-because we are all human, born with human frailties, opinions, prejudices and influences throughout our lives.
When I think of United States now, not only do I think of ‘states’ in terms of the designated geographical segments of land we confiscated, swindled and cajoled from the indigenous peoples of this country so long ago. I also think of the vast collection of states of mind, social states, emotional states, political states, financial and spiritual states that make up our country. These, too, must be United for our country to be great in any true sense of the word.
We do need order or else we are faced with chaos; but forced order based on a single mindset or influence is not true order and will incite chaos by its very nature.
I am not a world traveler and am still apprehensive when faced with great change. I like the familiar and expected with regards to a comfortable, safe life. I am also happy to say that I now honor my adventurous spirit and keep those fears tucked where they belong and defer to the joy of growth and continued learning. I meet new people every day. Some I would prefer to not be with again, but so many others I wish I had more time to visit with and get to know better.
Sadly, our young society as a whole is withdrawing from human interaction in favor of social media. On the plus side, it does provide a sense of security for those who might shy away from conversation and extroversion. Yet that same sense of anonymity affords the comfort of an invisible/invincible sense for too many. They speak without caution, let their most wild and intimate thoughts take center stage without caution, and use their cloak of perceived invisibility to wreak havoc, lash out and are not held accountable for the harm done.
I am not a religious person but am spiritual in every way. I believe in miracles and a higher power that existed long before we came into being. I trust that force to guide my life but am aware that the ultimate power to make change is in my hands. This life was a gift and I intend to take good care with it as with all gifts I receive-to honor it with appreciation and humility.
I promised you photos and poetry and I will keep that promise, for to me this dream is a poem-a story-waiting to be written. We are the authors, the creators of our living world. The question that remains is, “Who is the hero of your story, and how will it end?”
I vow to write a beautiful chapter this year and I hope you will do the same!
The image at the top of the page is of a recent rocket launch. My husband and I love to watch them. I miss the space program we had and remember watching all the big events as a school child on our black and white tv monitor at the front of the class. It was about a 12” boxed tv. It was magnificent. Without color or HD or retina display. It was just real adventure. 😊
I gazed upon the open sea,
my mind consumed with only me
My heart was broken,
with not one token
of gratitude or humility
as I viewed a bleak horizon.
Then I turned and saw the faces
of the masses in their places.
Their blank, expectant looks
implied that I forsook
my vow to be be
in every moment
conscious, grateful
and accepting,
not expecting.
The wind caressed
with salty sting
and thus my soul
began to sing
its Victory song.
We all belong
and weep
sleep,
know
and grow-
or cease.
CKP copyright words and photo
We miss you, John..
This post brought to you by Linda Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt
Visit her page for more great posts and meet some new people.
If you’re thirsty head over to Dan’s Place for a cold one and some stimulating conversation. You might even recognize the bartender! 😉
