I have really resonated with this quote from Soren Kierkegaard that Terry Hershey posted on his Sabbath Moments - "Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it."
The last paragraph from Parker Palmer’s words have been tumbling around my mind/heart.
“When we catch sight of the soul… we are called back to our hidden wholeness”.
Still tumbling… feels like a gem there that I am following like a rope in a blizzard.
Even tho I don’t feel I can see the big picture- I am doing what I know to do - to connect with source, self and others.
Traveled to my ancestral roots in Wisconsin this week- and visited with the ancestors before my first of Carrie’s concerts in LaCrosse. Both filled my heart. ♥️
So grateful to Carrie - for music that has been transformative - and for this community- especially now.
Thank you Aggie, I think part of moving forward will be to hold in balance vigilance and resistance to injustice and chaos coming with this administration - with any actions that can effectively mitigate the damage, or promote policies that are democratic and in support of dignity and justice. I am careful about a call to "unity" in this moment. Because we are not unified on basic principles of leadership, human rights and democracy as a whole. The incoming administration is viewing this election as a mandate to impose terrible policies and we must resist policies that are harmful, unjust and authoritarian in nature. We can't all "just get along" now with so much under attack and particular communities immediately more vulnerable. Democracy is an ongoing experiment, but this incoming administration will undoubtedly challenge the roots of what we call governance and use of power. thanks for your encouragement... it will be a balancing process and we need to be ready, willing to do what is effective, and willing to fight what is dangerous, dehumanizing and anti-democratic.
Is that snow outside? Fog? Is the storm beginning? Where would you like to go? Perhaps we should all grasp that rope. We know its name and that it will welcome us. We won’t find our way without it and we know where the other end is attached. And it cannot be defeated.
Carrie, speaking of reading material, I wonder if you've come across the book What's Next? A Backstage Pass to The West Wing. or if you watched or liked The West Wing television series? I say this because the through line of The West Wing was government as service, all the questions that brings up, and how all that plays out day to day. The authors of the book are two of the people who worked on the series. Into the backstage stories of the creative and nuts and bolts process of the work of the series, they've woven sections on the actors talking about service, how that works in their own lives, and what organizations they support and why. It's a thoughtful approach and especially interesting to be reading just now.
Thank you Kerry! I have not read this book. It seems super relevant to these times. I love getting good book and author suggestions. I think that would be an upcoming post soon, asking folks what they are reading that is helping or heart opening or just good for the soul right now. Thanks again!
Dear Carrie, Thank you for last night’s concert at the Avon UMC. It was the 4th time this year I’ve traveled to hear you sing, tell background stories to some of your compositions and life experiences. Also THANK YOU for letting my sweetheart & me take an “ussie” with you. An all around wonderful evening of love, hope and joy - just what my heart and soul needed.
This morning the fog has rolled in to hide the Enchantments that I see each morning from my window as I eat breakfast. Yesterday they were covered with pink from the sunrise, today covered in white clouds. Both days they are beautiful, strong and a message that all is right with the world, holding beauty no matter what covers them.
My prayer is that we all know (or can learn how to) lean in toward the Light! And the Loving! Even when the Light seems obscured or dim. If we cannot seem to sense it then we can become individual creators of Light and spread it in such a way as to light the way for others. Namaste!
I heard a Rumi poem this morning that was an encouragement…even if the candles are all blown out…we carry the spark. We carry the light with us and share it in every interaction.
Hi Bob, We did a really fun show together at Dominican University a few months ago. As always it was an honor to collaborate with John.. He’s an original and a master songwriter and storyteller…and a heck of a great person!
Thank you for this poem. Every morning I open the curtains and gaze at the mountain outside the window. Sometimes it is sunlightful; sometimes it is obscured by clouds. No matter what, it is always there.
Someone recently shared the verse that “clouds are the dust of God’s feet.” That gave the person the assurance that even in storms, God is already there, preparing a path through. Trusting that the Holy One is with us even through this stormy time in our nation helps me to lean on Them and others, knowing we are not alone.
Nature always has a way of teaching us valuable life lessons. The images of pinecones behind William Stafford's poem reminds me of the power of strength and resiliency during challenging times. I once hiked in a scrub palm area of a forest that was recently part of a controlled burn. These burns are necessary to preserve delicate ecosystems and prevent uncontrollable forest fires that are often started by lightning strikes. The area was deeply blackened and burnt pinecones were everywhere. It looked as though all life was gone. However, it was full of life and richly populated with green sprouts of scrub palms everywhere. These scrub palms will eventually become life giving habitats for endangered Florida scrub jays.
Thank you for this really powerful image and story. Yes, and there is a species of pine trees that their pinecones do not open until a fire happens. I have a series of photos in my home that someone took in the years following a fire. In the beginning the regrowth and rebirth was small but sure, you had to look for what was emerging. What starts small grows into a place that birds make their homes. I will be meditating on this today my friend.
I remember reading that Stafford encouraged his students to write a poem each and every day. One student asked, “What if it’s not up to my standards?” Stafford replied, “Lower your standards.” I love that.
Oh my…I love that. Writing daily is a practice of mine too, but there are days when writers meet internal resistance. That can sometimes be in the form of perfectionism or expectation. Something good happened to my writing when I gave myself permission to “write the song I write today.” It didn’t have to be my masterpiece or the best song ever…it only needed to be what showed up. It might be a masterpiece, but that wasn’t the point. The point was to stay in touch, to be true and faithful to the process…to continue to practice (and practice never implies perfection, only intention). It helped me understand that I have a lot of songs in me…sometimes a song will be a song on the way to the next. What a wonderfully wise thing to tell his students. Thanks Cozad.
I have really resonated with this quote from Soren Kierkegaard that Terry Hershey posted on his Sabbath Moments - "Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it."
The last paragraph from Parker Palmer’s words have been tumbling around my mind/heart.
“When we catch sight of the soul… we are called back to our hidden wholeness”.
Still tumbling… feels like a gem there that I am following like a rope in a blizzard.
Even tho I don’t feel I can see the big picture- I am doing what I know to do - to connect with source, self and others.
Traveled to my ancestral roots in Wisconsin this week- and visited with the ancestors before my first of Carrie’s concerts in LaCrosse. Both filled my heart. ♥️
So grateful to Carrie - for music that has been transformative - and for this community- especially now.
Thank you Carrie for your reply. In my heart of hearts I agree. God bless you and your wonderful work!
Let us not build apprehension. Fear doubt anxiety mistrust
On "what ifs", or bleak projections ofa Future, grim, unjust.
For, if we review our History, from Inception to our Present,
We will find the "mountain/valleys" of other victories or insurrections
That have challenged, judged, or called Us out of "status quo", you see,
Where we get a bit too "comfy" and gorget our History.
We now stand on stalwart shoulders of Ancestors, "Freedom Mates,"
Inspired to voice much bolder that"Our Nation's Already Great!"
So let's take Great and make it better, reaching out "across the aisle".
As we lean in this Together, we'll build Foreward all the while.
In the grieving and reflecting, taking stock of what just passed,
Reaching out in mutual caring to each other on this path,
Let us sense growing within us, thanks to God in Whom We Trust,
As we forge a Visioned Future of our USA, free, Just.
Thank you Aggie, I think part of moving forward will be to hold in balance vigilance and resistance to injustice and chaos coming with this administration - with any actions that can effectively mitigate the damage, or promote policies that are democratic and in support of dignity and justice. I am careful about a call to "unity" in this moment. Because we are not unified on basic principles of leadership, human rights and democracy as a whole. The incoming administration is viewing this election as a mandate to impose terrible policies and we must resist policies that are harmful, unjust and authoritarian in nature. We can't all "just get along" now with so much under attack and particular communities immediately more vulnerable. Democracy is an ongoing experiment, but this incoming administration will undoubtedly challenge the roots of what we call governance and use of power. thanks for your encouragement... it will be a balancing process and we need to be ready, willing to do what is effective, and willing to fight what is dangerous, dehumanizing and anti-democratic.
Is that snow outside? Fog? Is the storm beginning? Where would you like to go? Perhaps we should all grasp that rope. We know its name and that it will welcome us. We won’t find our way without it and we know where the other end is attached. And it cannot be defeated.
Carrie I am completely in agrement with you!
Congratulations to Allie and Deitrick, and welcome to Flora Eloise.
Amen and hallelujah for this beautiful new perfect life!
Carrie, speaking of reading material, I wonder if you've come across the book What's Next? A Backstage Pass to The West Wing. or if you watched or liked The West Wing television series? I say this because the through line of The West Wing was government as service, all the questions that brings up, and how all that plays out day to day. The authors of the book are two of the people who worked on the series. Into the backstage stories of the creative and nuts and bolts process of the work of the series, they've woven sections on the actors talking about service, how that works in their own lives, and what organizations they support and why. It's a thoughtful approach and especially interesting to be reading just now.
Thank you Kerry! I have not read this book. It seems super relevant to these times. I love getting good book and author suggestions. I think that would be an upcoming post soon, asking folks what they are reading that is helping or heart opening or just good for the soul right now. Thanks again!
Dear Carrie, Thank you for last night’s concert at the Avon UMC. It was the 4th time this year I’ve traveled to hear you sing, tell background stories to some of your compositions and life experiences. Also THANK YOU for letting my sweetheart & me take an “ussie” with you. An all around wonderful evening of love, hope and joy - just what my heart and soul needed.
Thank you Christopher, it was an evening of big spirit - I’m so grateful it was helpful. It was good for my heart too :-)
Be safe in your travels,and thanks for all the uplifting comments.
Congratulations to the new life brought in by your friends also
☮️🐧
:-)
This morning the fog has rolled in to hide the Enchantments that I see each morning from my window as I eat breakfast. Yesterday they were covered with pink from the sunrise, today covered in white clouds. Both days they are beautiful, strong and a message that all is right with the world, holding beauty no matter what covers them.
I love this beautiful image. Thank you Denise.
My prayer is that we all know (or can learn how to) lean in toward the Light! And the Loving! Even when the Light seems obscured or dim. If we cannot seem to sense it then we can become individual creators of Light and spread it in such a way as to light the way for others. Namaste!
I heard a Rumi poem this morning that was an encouragement…even if the candles are all blown out…we carry the spark. We carry the light with us and share it in every interaction.
This is my favorite song from your new album. For me, it’s the monks of St. John’s Abbey and the Monastery of St. Benedict whom I see praying.
I think you and John should do some concerts together, especially here in the Twin Cities where you both have many fans.
Hi Bob, We did a really fun show together at Dominican University a few months ago. As always it was an honor to collaborate with John.. He’s an original and a master songwriter and storyteller…and a heck of a great person!
Maybe you could come together to St. John’s Abbey and University, where he got his start. I agree about what a great human he is.
Good morning Carrie-
Thank you for this poem. Every morning I open the curtains and gaze at the mountain outside the window. Sometimes it is sunlightful; sometimes it is obscured by clouds. No matter what, it is always there.
Someone recently shared the verse that “clouds are the dust of God’s feet.” That gave the person the assurance that even in storms, God is already there, preparing a path through. Trusting that the Holy One is with us even through this stormy time in our nation helps me to lean on Them and others, knowing we are not alone.
Together, we can do this hard thing. Peace.
Nature always has a way of teaching us valuable life lessons. The images of pinecones behind William Stafford's poem reminds me of the power of strength and resiliency during challenging times. I once hiked in a scrub palm area of a forest that was recently part of a controlled burn. These burns are necessary to preserve delicate ecosystems and prevent uncontrollable forest fires that are often started by lightning strikes. The area was deeply blackened and burnt pinecones were everywhere. It looked as though all life was gone. However, it was full of life and richly populated with green sprouts of scrub palms everywhere. These scrub palms will eventually become life giving habitats for endangered Florida scrub jays.
Thank you for this really powerful image and story. Yes, and there is a species of pine trees that their pinecones do not open until a fire happens. I have a series of photos in my home that someone took in the years following a fire. In the beginning the regrowth and rebirth was small but sure, you had to look for what was emerging. What starts small grows into a place that birds make their homes. I will be meditating on this today my friend.
I remember reading that Stafford encouraged his students to write a poem each and every day. One student asked, “What if it’s not up to my standards?” Stafford replied, “Lower your standards.” I love that.
Wow! Thank you for sharing that.
Oh my…I love that. Writing daily is a practice of mine too, but there are days when writers meet internal resistance. That can sometimes be in the form of perfectionism or expectation. Something good happened to my writing when I gave myself permission to “write the song I write today.” It didn’t have to be my masterpiece or the best song ever…it only needed to be what showed up. It might be a masterpiece, but that wasn’t the point. The point was to stay in touch, to be true and faithful to the process…to continue to practice (and practice never implies perfection, only intention). It helped me understand that I have a lot of songs in me…sometimes a song will be a song on the way to the next. What a wonderfully wise thing to tell his students. Thanks Cozad.