| In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair. |
| — Howard Thurman |
“Fasten your spiritual seat belt” – Stephanie Austin, Port Townsend, WA astrologer, often writes. https://www.ecoastrology.com/
The last two mornings, unexpected snow! Flowering plum, daffodils, crocus, and early Spring flowers are already blooming. A few deer in the yard eating birdseed out of the bird feeder and off the ground along with the Varied Thrush, song birds, squirrels and rabbits.
Each day of this global crisis I return to my perennial reminders to myself and others — now is a time for each one of us to access our spiritual and wellness practices, creative and gratitude practices, mindfulness and meditation practices. From these centering practices we bend to offer extra compassion, lovingkindness and care to ourselves (in every aspect of our lives) and to those around us. To remember our North Star, our compass, our guiding light.
Many are reaching out to offer support and care in the midst of this pandemic. Grateful to be in conversation with poets, writers and activists at AWP, with on-going conversations about how we care for ourselves and others: https://stories.auntbertha.com/2020/03/17/finding-emotional-connection-during-social-distancing/
There are many new on-line resources for poets, writers and community activists as well as those seeking connections. Look for invitations from YES! magazine to join in online conversations about solutions arising in your community and family, and to share ideas with others http://yesmagazine.org. The Greater Good website http://Greater Good and others resources for wellness during this challenging time. Moreover dear colleagues Francis Weller, Wisdom Bridge http://www.wisdombridge.net/ and John Fox, Institute of Poetic Medicine https://www.poeticmedicine.org/ share much wisdom.
May we take extra time to be in the natural world, to listen to the deer, the Spring migration of wild birds, the animals who gather in our yard. In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear…
The deer arrived and the birds start singing before first light… may we keep them singing in our hearts.