You said share, what was written, ok here goes. List what you love about the world. Clouds, blue sky, grey clouds with the green of spring contrast, and grey clouds with the Autumn contrast of yellow, red,orange, brown leaves and dark green, and bare branches. Flowers, wild flowers swaying in the wind in a field. Water with ripples with sunlight playing on it like children's laughter when running in a park. Wind whirling dried leaves down the street in fall in a dance of pure joy without any concern of who is watching or what anybody thinks. Puppies romping, kittens being cute, birds when they lose their tail feathers. Cranes, herons standing majestically in the edge of a lake. The rustle of the wind through the trees sounding like waves of the ocean when you close your eyes. Waves at the ocean and tidal pools with critters and driftwood.
Next part: I can't save the world but...I can enjoy the moonlight if I go outside at night, I can decide to live and enjoy life. I can take the time needed to learn something new. I can move and exercise because I want to stay mobile always and live inside my own body and enjoy being here. I can eventually say I have had enough and stop working...when? I can be kind to myself and stop putting myself last, and throw shame out the door because it is an unwelcome guest that I did not invite and have no reason to hold on to it or accept it's presence. I can look at failures as a learning experience and adjust and move forward from there.
A healing message. I am also a writing teacher and a lover of souls. I applaud you standing wrapprd in love and sharing. The greatest pilgrimage is to solace the sirrow loving soul! (Baha'i writings)
I can’t save the world, but I can wear my resiliency as a resplendent cape, and spread my joy like I’m a cross between a Superhero and Johnny Appleseed. I I will stand tall, all 5’ of me, and spread my legs and cross my arms, cape unfurling behind me, and I will beam loving gratitude and attitude upon the Lands. I will be fierce like a wild badger in my defense of Liberty for all, and I will be tender and gentle to those in need.
Love the picture. Maybe that’s your granddaughter. I love this too: “she was in love with the world, and it radiated from her.” Nirvana. Enlightenment. Peace.
A quail is walking across my garden and a hummingbird buzzed so close with his wings on high speed. Now a bird ka kow ka. Ka Kow ka. I love it even more after reading your piece. Now the mosquitos. Hahah. Time to go in. Thank you.
Oh, what I love about this world is how our blessed Earth wraps us in her gravity to hold us close. I love that the Ocean invites me to feel alive in the ways I did/do without a body. I love it, even though I get too spacey and vulnerable in her presence. I love that there are dogs, and one of them is the dearest of friends to me. I love that there is poetry, writing and words that invite me into the space where my life is bigger than I know. I love that we evolve, and become more whole (at least we can). I love that we can use our imaginations to hold the world tenderly as we are going through these hard times. I love that you made this invitation.
I love that you wrote with us, Elizabeth. ("I love that there is poetry, writing and words that invite me into the space where my life is bigger than I know".) Yes, yes, yes. Thank you.
I haven't yet done the writing assignment but so appreciate your writing, Laura. I so want to save the world but of course I can't. But, I can do my part in ways that are important to me...be good to those I love, donate to causes that help others, show up in ways that my 80 year old self feels up to, write, pray, and follow inspiration...writers like you, podcasts that help me be stronger, teachings of many from different cultures and more. Thank you.
I can’t save the world, but… these to me are so valuable and oh so beautiful ... immediately comes to mind this lovely and well known (in NZ) Māori quote "He aha te mea nui? Māku e kii atu, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. What is the most important thing in the world? Well, let me tell you, it is people, it is people, it is people." and my ain folk living and in spirit .... then follows the landscape of mountains and bush outside my windows, the wild birds, my beloved wee budgie with his huge personality, art and music .. all armour against the current hideousness and cruelty politically in this old world of ours.
Vicky, I love this quote, I need to learn how to say it. Someone also gave me a Hebrew quote I need to learn. "all armour against the current hideousness and cruelty politically in this old world of ours." YES.
I can save all my love up in big dumpy sacks and give it freely
in especially big dollops to my children and family and beloved friends, my wider world family
And I have enough to give to those who do not get enough, whoever they may be
I'm not fussy, I don't need to know you, because my dumpy sacks are huge and there's not enough room in my little cottage garden for all of them
So please
I cannot save the world but I'll arm you with love so at least we can go into this battle together
well prepared and well padded
I cannot save the world but I'll have a damn good go at saving those around me
my family, friends, my community
and
as I've said
those who need to draw from my dumpy sacks of abundant love
Get me - sounding a bit smug now aren't I?
But no-one ever told me love was rationed or in limited supply
So come on, roll up roll up
I cannot save the world but I'll give you my love
I cannot save the world, but fuck, I think it can save me
It's beauty
fragility
depth and it's resonance which keeps bouncing off my heart
I cannot save the world but I can save the sounds in my head
my children's voices
their feet pitter pattering across the floor to my bedroom door in the wee small hours
my dad's soft lilting voice
my mother's singing
Pete when he reads me those poems he's crept away to write for me
Delicious and desirous that they are
I cannot save the world but I'll have a damn fine time trying!
PS Laura this is from our 2 minute write in class on Sunday. Apologies, as I wrote it here more words spilt out so I know it is no longer just 2 minutes long!
You said share, what was written, ok here goes. List what you love about the world. Clouds, blue sky, grey clouds with the green of spring contrast, and grey clouds with the Autumn contrast of yellow, red,orange, brown leaves and dark green, and bare branches. Flowers, wild flowers swaying in the wind in a field. Water with ripples with sunlight playing on it like children's laughter when running in a park. Wind whirling dried leaves down the street in fall in a dance of pure joy without any concern of who is watching or what anybody thinks. Puppies romping, kittens being cute, birds when they lose their tail feathers. Cranes, herons standing majestically in the edge of a lake. The rustle of the wind through the trees sounding like waves of the ocean when you close your eyes. Waves at the ocean and tidal pools with critters and driftwood.
Next part: I can't save the world but...I can enjoy the moonlight if I go outside at night, I can decide to live and enjoy life. I can take the time needed to learn something new. I can move and exercise because I want to stay mobile always and live inside my own body and enjoy being here. I can eventually say I have had enough and stop working...when? I can be kind to myself and stop putting myself last, and throw shame out the door because it is an unwelcome guest that I did not invite and have no reason to hold on to it or accept it's presence. I can look at failures as a learning experience and adjust and move forward from there.
Thanks for this exercise!
the unwelcome guest of shame! The cranes, the herons, the wind, the driftwood. Thank you!!!
Thank you Laura! Your kids always stir a response in my mind's eye, glad mine did for you also!
A healing message. I am also a writing teacher and a lover of souls. I applaud you standing wrapprd in love and sharing. The greatest pilgrimage is to solace the sirrow loving soul! (Baha'i writings)
sorrow loving soul; forgive the typo
thanks Laura
\
I can’t save the world, but I can wear my resiliency as a resplendent cape, and spread my joy like I’m a cross between a Superhero and Johnny Appleseed. I I will stand tall, all 5’ of me, and spread my legs and cross my arms, cape unfurling behind me, and I will beam loving gratitude and attitude upon the Lands. I will be fierce like a wild badger in my defense of Liberty for all, and I will be tender and gentle to those in need.
Talie, I see the warrior in you beside the nurturer. Both are so needed right now. Thank you.
Love the picture. Maybe that’s your granddaughter. I love this too: “she was in love with the world, and it radiated from her.” Nirvana. Enlightenment. Peace.
A quail is walking across my garden and a hummingbird buzzed so close with his wings on high speed. Now a bird ka kow ka. Ka Kow ka. I love it even more after reading your piece. Now the mosquitos. Hahah. Time to go in. Thank you.
That's my granddaughter a few months ago in Oregon, she stopped to smell every blooming tree on our walk through the blooming neighborhood!
She must be so delightful and amazing. What a gift you are for each other.
I always look forward to your essays. Heartfelt and so filled with love.
Thank you, Mimi.
I love this ♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️
Oh, what I love about this world is how our blessed Earth wraps us in her gravity to hold us close. I love that the Ocean invites me to feel alive in the ways I did/do without a body. I love it, even though I get too spacey and vulnerable in her presence. I love that there are dogs, and one of them is the dearest of friends to me. I love that there is poetry, writing and words that invite me into the space where my life is bigger than I know. I love that we evolve, and become more whole (at least we can). I love that we can use our imaginations to hold the world tenderly as we are going through these hard times. I love that you made this invitation.
I love that you wrote with us, Elizabeth. ("I love that there is poetry, writing and words that invite me into the space where my life is bigger than I know".) Yes, yes, yes. Thank you.
So beautiful! Thank you Laura!
I haven't yet done the writing assignment but so appreciate your writing, Laura. I so want to save the world but of course I can't. But, I can do my part in ways that are important to me...be good to those I love, donate to causes that help others, show up in ways that my 80 year old self feels up to, write, pray, and follow inspiration...writers like you, podcasts that help me be stronger, teachings of many from different cultures and more. Thank you.
Gorgeous.
I can’t save the world, but… these to me are so valuable and oh so beautiful ... immediately comes to mind this lovely and well known (in NZ) Māori quote "He aha te mea nui? Māku e kii atu, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. What is the most important thing in the world? Well, let me tell you, it is people, it is people, it is people." and my ain folk living and in spirit .... then follows the landscape of mountains and bush outside my windows, the wild birds, my beloved wee budgie with his huge personality, art and music .. all armour against the current hideousness and cruelty politically in this old world of ours.
Vicky, I love this quote, I need to learn how to say it. Someone also gave me a Hebrew quote I need to learn. "all armour against the current hideousness and cruelty politically in this old world of ours." YES.
Here you go Laura :) - this is the best one I could find on a quick search .... https://www.tiktok.com/@mana.mareikura/video/7362014144188386577
Thank you, Vicky!
Laura your name is gsmiliar hsve we crossed psths before?
I cannot save the world but ....
I can save all my love up in big dumpy sacks and give it freely
in especially big dollops to my children and family and beloved friends, my wider world family
And I have enough to give to those who do not get enough, whoever they may be
I'm not fussy, I don't need to know you, because my dumpy sacks are huge and there's not enough room in my little cottage garden for all of them
So please
I cannot save the world but I'll arm you with love so at least we can go into this battle together
well prepared and well padded
I cannot save the world but I'll have a damn good go at saving those around me
my family, friends, my community
and
as I've said
those who need to draw from my dumpy sacks of abundant love
Get me - sounding a bit smug now aren't I?
But no-one ever told me love was rationed or in limited supply
So come on, roll up roll up
I cannot save the world but I'll give you my love
I cannot save the world, but fuck, I think it can save me
It's beauty
fragility
depth and it's resonance which keeps bouncing off my heart
I cannot save the world but I can save the sounds in my head
my children's voices
their feet pitter pattering across the floor to my bedroom door in the wee small hours
my dad's soft lilting voice
my mother's singing
Pete when he reads me those poems he's crept away to write for me
Delicious and desirous that they are
I cannot save the world but I'll have a damn fine time trying!
PS Laura this is from our 2 minute write in class on Sunday. Apologies, as I wrote it here more words spilt out so I know it is no longer just 2 minutes long!