Of the books I read this year, I'd like to mention "An Immense World" by Ed Yong (How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us.)
It taught me that our, human way of perceiving the world is only one of many. It exceeded my imagination in the ways living creatures can make use of broader spectra of light and sound, of electric and magnetic fields. Since having read it, I've become more humble about human "supremacy" among the species. We are only one kind of inhabitants on Earth, and our vision of it is far from comprehensive.
Introduction to Quakerism offered simple solutions to complex problems. Balancing divergent individualistic silent worship with community decision making (spiritual union) is a brilliant solution to free the individual, yet ensure full equality of all.
Quakers are the only religion to successfully reunite before the Civil War started after divisions over slavery because patient listening expedites mutual understanding. In the short-term listening takes a lot of time and patience, but in the long-run it helps us all understand each other to find mutually agreeable solutions we can agree to implement quickly.
The SPICES (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship) testimonies of Quakers represent both individual ideals and collective ideals, which would be great positive political parties for sharing executive power more widely. We need executive branches (US/state/local) where We the People (women, minorities, disabled, and youth) are far better included and represented than our outdated exclusive systems of winner-take-all, majority rules, and Robert's Rules of Order.
Would sharing power be better for our world than being excluded from power, or unilateral power to selfishly abuse? The Swiss already share executive power and are not poor. Why can't we see our neighbors as fully equal? We amended our Constitution many times to better share voting power, so why not again to better share executive power?
Thank you for posting about people not interested in politics/money are more interesting, but also more interested in finding new solutions to very old problems.
I 've been listening to this song called "Pass it Along" written by Scott Cook, and played as a Transatlantic Session by an old folksinger I've been following for over 50 years named Bob Bossin. I saw his group Stringband in person when I was an undergrad at McGill in Canada, and last year I was invited to his zoom birthday party! It's a sweet song about our relationship with the earth, and I feel optimistic every time I hear it....there are people on this planet who believe..."let's be gentle with this place; we're borrowing it from you."
Carrie...I've been wanting to share this with you forever...thank for the opportunity.
"I will never forget: the elf king's lament", is a song by "Jessica Comeau". On the album "Faerie Memories". You can find this on youtube easily. It is about Thranduil, the elf king of Mirkwood from the "Hobbit" films. A character that I never liked so much until I read why he behaved the way he did,,,does? As an elf he lives a very long, unfortunately for him in pain due to the loss of his wife, Legolas' mother. This is a beautiful song and Jessica has such a warm voice. Just another reminder " you don't know what people live down deep".
A song I have been listening to a lot recently is Step Forward by Cloud Cult. It talks about the good we can do even if we act alone. The idea of still stepping forward no matter what has appealed to me a lot recently. There is still good we can create in the world!
A book that inspired me is "East of Eden" by Steinbeck. Although it has some dark aspects, it really conveys the power of love and healing. It's one of the best novels I've ever read.
Carrie, love the poem as an old chestnut you are polishing by bringing it out of your pocket. In this time where we must remember our connecting old images, we can also see the new connections of one soul to another. An image from the movie 'My Dinner with Andre' comes to mind: in the darkness there are all over the world small fires of people coming together to celebrate the light. The embers are carried forward so we can gather, and meditate, and refresh, and find one another anew. Though this internet communication channel is a bit distant, it inspires me to get out of the house and go to where I know I can find other real live people are gathering around the fire together. Thanks for the light you offer that we all need.
Each and every time I see the musical "Pippin", I am moved and changed. Some folks may disagree with me on the importance of this particular play, but it is a timeless commentary on society and the human condition that I find so valuable for all to witness. I have been in many audiences of this one.... since the 90s...... and some of the treatements of it aren't as likeable as others, but the message remains steadfast throughout: "Gotta find my corner of the sky"........ All of the musical numbers in the show are landmark memories and influences for me..... But "Corner of the Sky" actually makes me weep each time I hear it done. My 19 year old grandson now plays it on the piano and sings it to me at will. He gets it. And, .... this gives me great hope.
I love Tony Hiagland’s book of poems, “Turn Up the Ocean.” I read a poem and say to my self about his verbal sleight of hand (Slight of pen), how the hell did he do that? Here’s a sample. The final stanzas of “Gorgon”:
The world is a Gorgon.
It holds up its thousand ugly heads with their thousand writhing visages
I read this wonderful book called "The Butterfly's Daughter" by Mary Alice Moore. It sparked my interest because of raising Monarch butterflies. Here is the quote that sticks with me: "A caterpillar must shed its skin five times before it forms the chrysalis. The caterpillar doesn’t just change. It completely transforms. The old form dies and the new is reborn. That’s the miracle that gives us hope.” This quote makes me hopeful and reminds me we are always changing and we must take the time for ourselves to transform and be reborn.
Amen!
I saw this today. It was in a homily by a Catholic priest to a group of Franciscan sisters. Just wanted to share with this group.
The FRANCISCAN VERSION of the SERENITY PRAYER FOR OUR TIMES
God, grant me the patience
to work with the unjust systems I cannot change today,
the courage to strategically enact progress when I know I can,
and the wisdom to know that, despite structural oppression,
I still can make a difference. Amen.
Bright Star is a musical written by Steve Martin. I went not expecting to feel so much. It was luminous.
Of the books I read this year, I'd like to mention "An Immense World" by Ed Yong (How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us.)
It taught me that our, human way of perceiving the world is only one of many. It exceeded my imagination in the ways living creatures can make use of broader spectra of light and sound, of electric and magnetic fields. Since having read it, I've become more humble about human "supremacy" among the species. We are only one kind of inhabitants on Earth, and our vision of it is far from comprehensive.
Introduction to Quakerism offered simple solutions to complex problems. Balancing divergent individualistic silent worship with community decision making (spiritual union) is a brilliant solution to free the individual, yet ensure full equality of all.
Quakers are the only religion to successfully reunite before the Civil War started after divisions over slavery because patient listening expedites mutual understanding. In the short-term listening takes a lot of time and patience, but in the long-run it helps us all understand each other to find mutually agreeable solutions we can agree to implement quickly.
The SPICES (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship) testimonies of Quakers represent both individual ideals and collective ideals, which would be great positive political parties for sharing executive power more widely. We need executive branches (US/state/local) where We the People (women, minorities, disabled, and youth) are far better included and represented than our outdated exclusive systems of winner-take-all, majority rules, and Robert's Rules of Order.
Would sharing power be better for our world than being excluded from power, or unilateral power to selfishly abuse? The Swiss already share executive power and are not poor. Why can't we see our neighbors as fully equal? We amended our Constitution many times to better share voting power, so why not again to better share executive power?
Thank you for posting about people not interested in politics/money are more interesting, but also more interested in finding new solutions to very old problems.
Thank you Carrie, your words lift and challenge me out of myself ♥️. I am captivated by Taos artist Ed Sandoval, he is currently doing a series on 12 churches in Northern New Mexico. They are so peaceful and luminous. Here is a link to his latest newsletter. https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Collectors-Corner--Ed-Sandoval-s-Newsletter--Taos--NM-.html?soid=1128036063720&aid=N0JB-rILLZo
I 've been listening to this song called "Pass it Along" written by Scott Cook, and played as a Transatlantic Session by an old folksinger I've been following for over 50 years named Bob Bossin. I saw his group Stringband in person when I was an undergrad at McGill in Canada, and last year I was invited to his zoom birthday party! It's a sweet song about our relationship with the earth, and I feel optimistic every time I hear it....there are people on this planet who believe..."let's be gentle with this place; we're borrowing it from you."
Carrie...I've been wanting to share this with you forever...thank for the opportunity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNj7LyHqwFE
Thank you for sharing this song, I love it!!
🥹… wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
A very inspiring poem for me is this by Aurora Levins Morales. Our music group Lasotras, here in Albuquerque, put it to music and we're working on recording it for her: https://www.patreon.com/posts/sweet-year-of-41712882?l=de
"I will never forget: the elf king's lament", is a song by "Jessica Comeau". On the album "Faerie Memories". You can find this on youtube easily. It is about Thranduil, the elf king of Mirkwood from the "Hobbit" films. A character that I never liked so much until I read why he behaved the way he did,,,does? As an elf he lives a very long, unfortunately for him in pain due to the loss of his wife, Legolas' mother. This is a beautiful song and Jessica has such a warm voice. Just another reminder " you don't know what people live down deep".
Beautiful!!
A song I have been listening to a lot recently is Step Forward by Cloud Cult. It talks about the good we can do even if we act alone. The idea of still stepping forward no matter what has appealed to me a lot recently. There is still good we can create in the world!
I like it!! Just another opportunity to step forward!!
A book that inspired me is "East of Eden" by Steinbeck. Although it has some dark aspects, it really conveys the power of love and healing. It's one of the best novels I've ever read.
Carrie, love the poem as an old chestnut you are polishing by bringing it out of your pocket. In this time where we must remember our connecting old images, we can also see the new connections of one soul to another. An image from the movie 'My Dinner with Andre' comes to mind: in the darkness there are all over the world small fires of people coming together to celebrate the light. The embers are carried forward so we can gather, and meditate, and refresh, and find one another anew. Though this internet communication channel is a bit distant, it inspires me to get out of the house and go to where I know I can find other real live people are gathering around the fire together. Thanks for the light you offer that we all need.
Each and every time I see the musical "Pippin", I am moved and changed. Some folks may disagree with me on the importance of this particular play, but it is a timeless commentary on society and the human condition that I find so valuable for all to witness. I have been in many audiences of this one.... since the 90s...... and some of the treatements of it aren't as likeable as others, but the message remains steadfast throughout: "Gotta find my corner of the sky"........ All of the musical numbers in the show are landmark memories and influences for me..... But "Corner of the Sky" actually makes me weep each time I hear it done. My 19 year old grandson now plays it on the piano and sings it to me at will. He gets it. And, .... this gives me great hope.
Oh my goodness, how lovely to find a fellow Pippin fan!
Pippin fans UNITE!
A poem I love and carry with me.
A Portable Paradise
by Roger Robinson
And if I speak of Paradise,
then I’m speaking of my grandmother
who told me to carry it always
on my person, concealed, so
no one else would know but me.
That way they can’t steal it, she’d say.
And if life puts you under pressure,
trace its ridges in your pocket,
smell its piney scent on your handkerchief,
hum its anthem under your breath.
And if your stresses are sustained and daily,
get yourself to an empty room – be it hotel,
hostel or hovel – find a lamp
and empty your paradise onto a desk:
your white sands, green hills and fresh fish.
Shine the lamp on it like the fresh hope
of morning, and keep staring at it till you sleep.
“A Portable Paradise” by Roger Robinson from A PORTABLE PARADISE
Beautiful!
I love Tony Hiagland’s book of poems, “Turn Up the Ocean.” I read a poem and say to my self about his verbal sleight of hand (Slight of pen), how the hell did he do that? Here’s a sample. The final stanzas of “Gorgon”:
The world is a Gorgon.
It holds up its thousand ugly heads with their thousand writhing visages
Death or madness to look at too long
but your job is not to conquer it;
not to provide entertaining repartee,
not to revile yourself in shame.
Your job is to stay calm
Your job is to watch and take notes
To go on looking
Your job is to not be turned into stone.
I love this! Your job is to stay calm, to watch and take notes, to go on looking and not to be turned into stone. Wow
I read this wonderful book called "The Butterfly's Daughter" by Mary Alice Moore. It sparked my interest because of raising Monarch butterflies. Here is the quote that sticks with me: "A caterpillar must shed its skin five times before it forms the chrysalis. The caterpillar doesn’t just change. It completely transforms. The old form dies and the new is reborn. That’s the miracle that gives us hope.” This quote makes me hopeful and reminds me we are always changing and we must take the time for ourselves to transform and be reborn.