Well, I think my post yesterday caused just a wee bit of angst (that's why I apologized in advance!). So, today I will stick with something benign . . .
I am sitting at a computer in the lobby of our hotel in Seattle, and I am looking out the massive windows at the most beautiful trees and foliage. The skies are gray (hey - it's March AND it's Seattle), and it has a really cozy kind of feeling to it. Our drive over the mountains was without event - - unless you count the absolutely GORGEOUS mountains - - which, duh, I must. So I will rephrase. Our drive over the mountains was breathtaking and awe inspiring.
And as I sit here I am overcome with the beauty surrounding us. And it saddens me to acknowledge that there is ugliness in the world, too, some of which we cannot overlook and pretend isn't there. And some ugliness demands that we stand up and be counted and try to effect change. We all have the power to make change. To change lives. To change someone's life for the positive. It is overwhelming to look around and see all that needs to be done and easy then methaphorically to crawl back into our beds, pull the covers over our heads, and ignore it. Because we don't think anything we can do will matter. And we would be wrong. I am reminded of the movie "Pay It Forward." Only precious few, by virtue of their position in life, have the opportunity to reach thousands and millions. All of us have the opportunity (obligation) to reach the one. In our own way, quietly and without fanfare, to do something good for someone. And we each need to decide what that "something good" will be for us. No one else can decide that for us, and no one can tell us that our "something good" isn't good enough. Because, trust me, it will be.
So, that's what the beauty of the trees whispered to me just now. Do. Act. Love.
Random thoughts of a girl who used to try to fit in the box. Then I realized that boxes are stupid. Except this box, the one above. It's really pretty.
Welcome to Seattle! Sorry we have our typical March weather today. Such gorgeous sunshine yesterday...
ReplyDeleteShe's an inspiring city, no? I need only to glance up at the mountains or the trees to remember that there is good to be grasped and spread. Thank you for this post. Powerful and important.
We love Seattle and try to come often :). We stayed downtown the last time. Just stepping outside of our hotel onto the streets was fun! It was the weekend of the rock and roll marathon and the gay and lesbian parade, so things were crazy! Yes, we love your city!
DeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteLoved it.
ReplyDeleteThe mountains and trees are wonderfully inspiring, thank Heavens for them.
The mountains have always been my refuge, where peace settled into my soul and I miss them.. Now I have the Great Lakes and they too bring peace.. I find their waves washing over my soul and I am born anew..
ReplyDeleteI think we must love and change ourselves most def. before we can love another or be prepared to make changes in the lives of others.. I can help no one if I myself have a broken leg and a hopeless soul..
Love this post.
Beautiful in it's simplicity and truth.
ReplyDeleteLove. Love Love this post!! xo!
ReplyDeleteSo true. Most of us don't even realize the effect we have on others, just by what we do or say. We think it doesn't matter. But, it does.
ReplyDeleteSeattle is beautiful. I've driven through it several times but only once had the opportunity to stop and stay for a few days. It was clean, clear, and stunningly blue. Gotta say, we took the kids up to lunch at the top of the Space Needle - stunning splurge and worth it!
ReplyDeleteagree wholeheartedly ! every little bit makes a difference
ReplyDeleteenjoy your weekend
anni
Judy, March is generally frigid and snowy, which is why I am baffled as to why, yesterday, when I spent the day protesting the Observer, here in town, It was crystal clear, breeze-free, and 68 degrees. Balmy.
ReplyDeleteAs regards ugly worlds, we have our own version of that going on right here in Laytonville, but I am attempting to inject a rose hue into the mix.
I just want to fill you in on what is going on. Temporarily, I am being a tad overwhelmed with my entry back in the world I occupied for so many years teaching. I accomplished this through FaceBook. My reception has been very rewarding. In the past ten days, my world has expanded outward, as former students are discovering that the guy who used to try and teach them how to write, actually does OK in that regard. My page-views, something that heretofore, I have paid any attention to, have been escalating alarmingly. I topped 400, yesterday, giving my four digits in three days. To this old hippie, it doesn't matter.
But I am going to use this interest to begin hammering away at Kaiden's college fund. I figure half-a-million ought to do it, and we have 18 years. I have proposed to the community, that if people are interested, (and my "stats" indicate they are) I will start putting my essays out for purchase at a buck apiece, with proceeds going to Kaiden's college fund.
Big 'tings qwine on here. Great success.
Though I have become drunk with power, I will never forget the little people, who helped me to the top.
Mark, if anyone can do this, it is you. As far as being drunk with power, I seriously doubt that. Let me know how us little people can help. Peace, dude.
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