A Perceptible Abstract

The pages of The Secret Speech begin with the imminent destruction of a church in Moscow. I don't yet know the context behind this. The first characters are apprehensive, conflicted, and have no way out of participating and witnessing the event. The crowds in the area have a different notion.

As I do when reading - I interrupted myself with thought.

I pictured scenes from the Ireland, Middle East, Africa, and Selma, Alabama. Destroying areas of worship has a far more profound reach than neighborhoods and business districts - not in the loss of life, but rather a deep loss of self. As for the human population goes - we can create more, and we can rebuild. But, sacred areas can never be restored. Sacred spaces are one of a kind. Original. They are like Tibetan Sand Mandalas, the minutes ticking by - all of which will never exist and be experienced again. No other human, nor sunrise or sunset will ever grace the walls - trees- sands and earth. It's a far more significant loss to the individual than it is to the whole of the group.

Well, that's enough ramblings for now. I return to page 5 and finish chapter one.

-- (c)deyanira.

Jesus on a Greyhound, Shelby Lynne

I was on my way to somewhere to the Mexicali sand
A man sat down beside me, he had scars upon his hands
He told me some stories - I told him some lies
Light shone through my darkness, cast shadows from my mind

His eyes they looked right through me
Oh I knew he carried weight
Something real was going down that day
Oh I told him I'm a sinner

He said that's o.k.
I'm not here to change you anyway
He was gone when I turned around
Was it Jesus - Jesus on a Greyhound

Oh we talked about the world gone bad
The troubles we had seen
We talked about the dirt
Brown shoes he wore on his feet

He said I'm tired and weary
I've been riding a long way
Let me rest my eyes now
Let me drift away

He acted Like he knew me
Then he fell asleep
I had no More secrets
I could keep

Oh I told him I'm a sinner
He said that's o.k.
I'm not here to change you anyway

He was gone when I turned around

Was it Jesus - Jesus on a Greyhound
And I'll rise again
Ain't no power on earth can keep me down

And I'll rise, I'll rise again
Oh ain't no death can keep me in the ground
Was that Jesus

Songwriters: Glen Ballard / Shelby Lynne

Jesus on a Greyhound lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., The Bicycle Music Company

Dark Lights

A large truck with double headlights followed me home tonight.

Two or three years ago my Ex, replaced my headlights with brighter ones. No complaint on my part as I could see more road and appreciated the gesture. However, driving after sundown is a hit or miss situation of which drivers my bright lights will offend. The flickering of their headlights as they approach and pass me is a clear indication.

"There is nothing I can do," I say to them with my mind. I'm sure all consider me a rude driver, and this embarrasses me. Tonight is the first time a driver turned around and followed me with high beams deliberately. For several residential blocks along Broadway, we traveled the same direction. At last the driver turned off the road just before the capital building. But, I saw the hesitation at the stop sign.

Headlights in the Dark

Thinking to myself, "Well, I guess they finally decided I've learned my lesson, they've gone their merry way." I did look back to get a better look - it appeared white or gray in color. This was when I began thinking of all the ways human interactions go wrong. Of all the encounters I've had with strangers that could have ended badly.  Typical fears crossed my mind: rape, murder, injury... I was reminded of the dangers of the world. I'm a woman, and all sorts of things go along with that. I shrug it off and continue towards my neighborhood. 

Turning on the main road towards home, guess who is driving up the way. *sigh* At the sight of my beautiful bright lights, the large truck with double headlights slows down and almost comes to a complete stop. Then hastily makes a turn - onto my street. Great.

I suppose I could have (should have) driven to the gas station and create distance, but instead turned and was now following it. The truck slowed down, then picked up speed, and slowed down again and quickly parked in an open space along my block just a few houses away from mine.

Safety protocols indicate NOT to drive home. Safety protocols also suggest making eye contact with your potential threat. So I did. I drove past and parked at home (I have a healing kitten to look after). I got out of my truck and made sure the large truck with the double high beam headlights saw me seeing it.

It's not the first time I've had to do that. Strangely the first time it happened, while walking Mick, on a snowy night - it too, was a white or gray truck. I'll admit to hiding behind a tree until I gathered my courage to cross the street, make eye contact and quickly walk back to my apartment.  

Not everything is dangerous to all. 

Yet, some dangers are unique to some.

Stay safe my friends. 

R & R : A Quest for Life

🐾 | Rescue. | Rehabilitate. |  🐾

Get up and go. When it comes to saving lives, there is only one way to do it. Not sure how to begin to describe the events of today. A call came in. A call we’d been waiting weeks for. There was no time to prepare for the swell of scared little bodies we were about to encounter. In no time did the group rally to gather the necessary supplies. Trucks heading down the street in the direction of hope. 

Hope for the small lives that are about to change. Significantly. The group unloaded their gear and began to embrace those in need. One by one they were secured into their lifesaving vessels. Hot. Dehydrated. Matted. Hungry. In pain. Freighted. Each one of them experiencing their moment of rescue in their unique way. Some welcomed the new gentle touch. Others were not able to accept it yet. 

We see so many in need. We packed up the trucks and looked around. It seems the fight is to change a never-ending tidal wave of recklessness and despair. People are lonely. People are frightened. People lack a connection with each other. 

A gap exists where it shouldn’t, and we can only think of a handful of ways to fill it and make us feel whole again. Sometimes, the presence of another is just enough to tip the balance back to level. Sometimes, all we need is just one or two to keep us engaged. Sometimes, some of us can’t get enough and are unable to stop that we insist on filling the already filled gap with more and more.

Paw + Hand Cut Out www.mountainmetalarts.com

Twenty-one dogs were rescued today. Twenty-one dogs will eat a full meal, drink clean water, curl up on a soft blanket. Twenty-one dogs are in the care of a group of people dedicated to their wellbeing. Twenty-one dogs don’t know what tomorrow awaits them. What they will grow to learn, every minute that passes is to trust and experience a pain-free life.

It’s easy when you know what you are doing. It’s easy to interact with so many lives in a day and leave them in much better shape than when you met them. It’s also easy to mess up. To become inundated with the enormous responsibility of keeping and maintaining a healthy and fruitful life. 

We depend so much on each other. Dog. Human. Human. Dog. We’ve evolved to walk the same path, experience the same losses, and enjoy companionship. There is no denying it. Don’t even try it.

*~*

If you'd like to help, please visit Lewis & Clark Humane Society's donate page 

Right for You

“When the time is right you’ll know,” they say.

Right for what?

For whom?

As we look to our futures through the windows of our cars, corner offices, and living rooms. We are alone. No two experiences are alike. In a place full of people, all looking through the same pane of glass at the world outside, the experience is not the same. Perceptions are unique. Feelings over the observed landscape are unique. It’s the feeling that changes us. It’s the feeling that pulls us apart and divides us. It’s the feeling that brings us together.

Look around you. Are you with friends? Family? Maybe strangers at a coffee shop or library? The number of people you are surrounded by at any given time is the number of similarities and differences you’ll engage (should you choose to).

We all face challenges, course correcting moments and life-altering decisions. Our reasons* may be the same as the person next to us, but it is the motivation* behind what we do (or don’t do) that is unique.

When is the right time to follow your gut? Instinct? When is the right time to pay attention to your “spider senses?” The answer is every time it surfaces. Every time your body tells you the persons you are surrounded by is deceiving you, is dangerous, is unfaithful, and untrustworthy. Agreement or compliance from others is not a sign they will protect you, have your best interest, or even come to your aide.

It’s an overwhelming thought to consider we are alone walking alongside a loved one, a friend, or a confidant. Each choice we make is for our very own reasons. Even when others make the same decision you do, the motivation is different. There are pressures to comply, conform, and make others happy. There is pressure not to disappoint or appear insensitive or inconsiderate.

Image Source: TED How to Make Choices

Sometimes, going against the grain, moving against the current, is taking care of yourself for yourself and no one else. It’s best not to wait. It’s best not to put it off. It’s best to consider your feelings before others. It’s a form of selfishness that keeps you from self-destructing by losing yourself to the demands of others.


// *Do you agree with WikiDiff's comparison and contrast of reason and motivation?

You + Me = Us

Sometimes, inspiration takes us down a different path than the one we set out on.

I recently wrote an article on the topic of volunteerism. I am not sure, yet, if I delivered the piece that was expected; I wrote the only way I know how. I expressed our human need to take part in something more significant and outside of ourselves. 

Sometimes, we don't know where it comes from.

We are so far removed from our historical reference points. We just know - some of us are driven from a seemingly outside force. But, it's not from the outside. Our internal sensors are calibrated to look for others that are like us. To take care of other beings. To cultivate, generate, and protect. 

Sometimes, we deny ourselves.

Love, respect, and decency. We are deserving of them, our very existence mandates it. Yes, we deny ourselves the basic of needs by our very own hands. We harm ourselves by setting us apart from everyone else. 

Photo Credit: NailedUPSC