Compassion as We Take Action

Dear friends, as the song says - I can't keep quiet - anymore!  I've got some good news to share.

But first...

what a historic week this has been.  So much confusion.  So much 'What the F* is Going On?'  So much  'How can this be happening,' etc., etc.

How can we make sense of any of this?

Frequently I'm not sure what I think until I see what I've written, or drawn.

This has been particularly true this last week.

I've felt a bit like a drone, witnessing an approaching tsunami.   Every now and then there's been a feeling  of being violently swept off my feet with the mind's voice continually yelling -  I've lost my bearing... I don’t know what to do.  Help!

Major Bewilderment. Moments of deep  disbelief.  Majorly off course.  Fear.

Then when I've not been observing this tsunami  drama, I'm like trying to find the door handle  in a public toilet when the overhead light's gone out.

So yesterday, I seriously asked the Universe/God /Goddess/All That Is/ Buddha/Jesus/Allah/ Yahweh for help. 

And fairly instantly it arrived.  My inner light has been switched on again, by Jack Kornfield.

I’m  deciding to believe that what is happening in the US  will be seen historically as a huge gift to all of us, globally. I really believe it is a wakeup call, as cancer is. 

Cancer and other life threatening illnesses drive us to make choices and changes, and lead us to look at and experience life  in a completely new way.
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Since the first day Mr Trump sat down behind his desk in the White House, the US became to its  worldwide friends and spectators,  the Un-United States of America. 

But the prognosis of this presidency is not set in stone.

Oh no !  No senor!

Jack Kornfield’s talk, Compassion as We Take Action, is an oasis of sanity.  I really urge you to watch it.

On the theme of the new president being a 'gift,' in his talk Thank you Mr Trump,  young Richard Williams  - an American  poet, rapper and filmmaker - says, his country is sick.

What he says is uncomfortable, and  strangely compelling.  Now more than ever he says, we must make choices out of love,  not out of hate or fear.  Jack Kornfield says the same, with different words, and a different tone.   I share with you a young and an older voice of America.

I've been wading through the Internet searching for some nuggets of wisdom since this all started.

How do we cope, how do we not get overwhelmed?

I can't keep quite any more. I'm feeling excited.  Jack Kornfield's wisdom and wonderful gift of storytelling has reset my inner compass. When more dark episodes come via Mr Trump, I will again listen to Jack.

My faith is truly in the wise ones of this wonderful country, and in the bigger picture. And I accept it will probably be extremely scary (globally) before we move into the next 'phase.'

 Just as with cancer, each ‘phase of it’ leads us to a new place of being and doing.

Personally, I believe as long as we can keep believing in goodness and justice (thank you Holland) we can, despite everything, continue to have our lives enriched  by moments of awe, joy and  love, every day.

Good things are already happening.  The Netherlands are giving us  a great example of caring about others.

And after a week of angst, I'm  reminded by a wise friend in Australia that a lot of good people voted for Trump, that this is what democracy is about.  People have chocies.  Byron Katie is truly inspiring on this theme.

And finally, I’m reminded that all we have to deal with is today.

 

I made these  drawings  at Belalcazar monastery in 2015.  They’re on the theme of the Convivencia when in 1492  the Jews were  expelled from Spain.  Yes, expelled.

They were given  just 2 months to leave the country they called  home. 

This period of transition from the known to the unknown was what fascinated me.  In the most difficult times  the human spirit  will always be  extraordinary.

We are now in another time of transition. 

My firm intention is  to be curious rather than frightened.  And I intend to focus on the good, the inspiring and the compassionate, and to keep drawing, and writing, and sharing good news.

I'm 100% for Compassion as We Take Action .

What stand what action will you take dear friend?

Jack Kornfiled's talk : Compassion as We Take Action: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhBHX3tSXu4&t=603s

Milck song : I can't keep quiet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZD05-ZvQFs

and lastly, Byron Katie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulOFJB0AfLo