Every morning, the deer, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, and a menagerie of wild birds greet us. The deer enjoy eating birdseed out of the “squirrel-proof” feeder. The Evening Grosbeak, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch and a variety of songbirds also do. If you look closely at this photo you will see the doe as well as raccoon, chickaree, and rabbit among the greenery. As we look into our backyard this Summer, we are thankful for their healing presence in our lives each day.
This past year, I have asked other writers, musicians and artists: How is your writing, music and art transforming your life? For me and many of us it is a healing process – we focus our energy toward both healing ourselves, healing the world, caring for ourselves, caring for the world. And in this jagged time on our planet, it is important that we offer our gifts, humbly and graciously. It is important we offer offer compassion to one another as we offer our spoken word. It is important that we listen to the birds, trees, animals, and all the creatures that visit us each day.
How can we envision a way of peace and justice, compassion and equity for all sentient beings? It seems important to tap into deep wellsprings for the sake of our own transformation. Yet it is also time to send these creative energies out into the world because we are in desperate need for resistance, for saying no to hate, death and destruction, for offering the gift of compassion and respect, the witness of lovingkindness and grace.* How are you sharing your gifts in the world?