Global on a Micro Scale

Sometimes I wonder how it is possible in human nature to commit all the wars, abuse, and violence. This morning went into the local cell phone store to get a new case and to ask why my phone was not working. Watched as the young man was berated, yelled at, and threatened by people angry that the towers were down. He kindly put my phone in its new case as he continued to politely deal with those so angry. I thanked him and wished him a better day. His eyes looked so doubting but grateful. I returned with a cup of coffee and two cookies. As others continued in their anger, I sat the offering down and smiled. No one but him noticed.

The Day After's Reflection

Yesterday was Yom Kippur, the Day of Forgiveness, the Day of Atonement.  All wrongdoings and harms admitted, forgiven and released.

Today is a new day. To carry forward into today, waiting not for yet another year, that the harms we've done or others towards us, are but reflections and not the person, the tree.  And to know as the sun moves, giving a different awareness and light, the reflection itself will change and move. The tree, however, remains a reflection in your eyes.

"I have brought you a mirror. Look at yourself and remember me." ~ Rumi

Forgiving Water

Getting out of the car I saw a little boy throwing rocks, as little boys are want to do. One rock went astray and hit a car. With a quick swat to his bottom, his mother angrily uttered the ultimate threat, "Wait til I tell your father." The little one's day exploring the fall woods and mountain crashed into tears. 

Pondering the scene and my shiver, I knelt beside the lake and gathered four treasured river rocks. Rocks and feathers are precious to me. But what of the rocks I have thrown that have gone astray even if in joy or simple lack of maturity or knowing and have harmed another? Not being wise nor a time traveler, I cannot take them nor the harm back. Releasing the rocks back into the lake, knowing the hearts whose names I breathed and those names I do not know, could not hear as I whispered, "forgive me."

 I bet his father threw rocks. Reaching into my pocket I pulled out the rock I carry when I walk and released it with a whisper for the little boy. The rock he threw was released, errant perhaps, but it is gone. As I watched my rock settle upon the lake bed of silt, I prayed the little one would not be left with an even larger rock to carry in his heart.

Come Morning

 Wisdom be thou my Lover. Understanding my Partner. You have called my eyes to see. In fear, they were shut and later closed. I open them now for you. Disrobe whatever fear remains so that I may stand before you naked, as I am. As I was. Wisdom be thou my Lover. Understanding my Partner.
     I shall not be arrayed in white. Long ago innocence and I parted ways. But be not deceived by what you do not see. Fear not, my Lover, that I have given away that which was yours. Uncovered and undressed, my eyes, though shut and closed have never lost sight of thee.
     Come morning, may my eyes be opened by Wisdom’s kiss. May my body be lifted by Understanding’s outstretched hands. Awakened and alive I greet the day and bathe in the ocean of Love.
     Wisdom be thou my Lover. Understanding my Partner. And Love the breath of both.

Forgiveness

My dragging leg caught her stem. I heard a crack. Kneeling down I touched her stem, which at the time had only green leaves.  Going out to feed the birds she greeted me.

forgiveness.