what's mine is yours
living in a both/and world
(images of my art projects used today are intentionally shared from different perspectives-what can you look at differently today?)
I set my alarm for three hours earlier than my normal waking hour. It was so I could participate in a zoom writing circle based in the UK. I’m not a morning person, I rise when the dogs and cats I care for demand that I do so. I’m on their schedule. It takes a strong desire, a promise of something I could get no other way, to have me waking before the sun rises.
This writing circle came with the promise I needed. The noise, the division, the derision, even the peaceful protests had me abandoning all media earlier this week. I felt torn in two; my responsibility to the animals I care for and my responsibility as a US citizen. My photography background taught me that between black and white are varied shades of grey. Answers are never simple, we will never know the entirety of each others stories, therefore we can make no judgments on each other. We live in a both/and world. Consider the Marine sent to Los Angeles; his daughters best friend is being detained. That National Guardsman has family here at the protest, and even that ICE officer has a story too, do you know what it is? I don’t, do we offer the benefit of the doubt, compassion? Would any of them be here right now if not for one particular person? What do we offer him? All I’ve got are sympathies right now.
The early morning writing circle offered short prompts to consider, followed by just a few short minutes to write on each one. No matter the prompt, I kept coming back to the state of fear here in the US. The lies being sold and the promises of justice for all being stolen. I mentioned that this writing circle was based in the UK, people from all over the world gather for it, the readings and the prompts were all of a gentle, peaceful early summer mindset. My mind was obviously elsewhere, desiring that gentle, peaceful place, but I was with my neighbors on the streets of every city and town here in the US.
This prompt resonated the most, and this is what it sparked in me;
-what’s mine is yours
come, let me share my thoughts
and please share yours with me
I long to know where we align
I want to know where we connect
yet I won’t know you
and you won’t know me
if we don’t know our differences
if we don’t listen to where we diverge
no matter the size of the chasm
I give you my ear
I offer you my heart
I’ll meet you at the edge
of our interconnectedness
As we mourn the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and Gilbert their Golden Retriever, as well as wish for the speedy recover after the attempted assassination on Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, I offer this lovingkindness to you;
May you know there is always more to the story
May you listen deeply and wholeheartedly
May you be heard, seen and always feel worthy
May you see a neighbor not an enemy
and May you live with kindness in your heart.
curious about that writing circle check out; Soul Stack by Beth Kempton here on Substack. magic portal