Okay, CoSo.
This week's #newsletter is a reflection from Wednesday's walkabout, when I took my grief and anger for six hours through the city, and reminded myself (if of nothing else) of all the ways in which human beings can live in service to their rich and diverse surroundings.
Even if it's too much to ask that any one life or livelihood will ever alleviate all the wounds in our hurting world, it is enough that we are here.
(CW: Genocide and suicide do come up!)
https://open.substack.com/pub/mlclark/p/walkabout-or-when-the-world-is-too
@MLClark Beautiful. Thank you for letting us take that walk with you and for sharing your inner world as you moved through your outer experiences.❤️🙏❤️
Thank you for walking with me, JGSchaeffer. 🫂💛 The journey is ever so much easier when shared.
@MLClark @JGSchaeffer The most difficult roads become passable and possible when traveled with a friend.
Just ask Mr. Frodo ^_^
Agreed! How was your journey this week, Rebecca? Where does your heart find you today? 🍃🤗
@MLClark It is a joyful day. The week has been challenging. There's been lots of unusual stress, coming in waves, but weeks do that. Life has this funny habit of wanting to keep me up on my paws.
I've a dear friend, who is much more a sister visiting for the next couple weeks and it's a joy to see her, and get to connect a while.
She always says her visits here are like coming home. I think she couldn't be more right.
I am making progress though, in most areas. ^_^ How are you?
@MLClark Patience and I wrestle. It's one of the places I can always grow a little bit. Especially when it comes to schedules and routines.
Moments of joyfull community and connection are a boon for the spirit. I'm glad you were able to get out to see your people today. I imagine the coffee in Colombia is particularly awesome on top of all the other blessings of being there.
You will get there!
Oddly enough, most Colombians drink a very cheap coffee in the morning - the good stuff tends to be for export!
(And they drink only a little at a time! They boggle at North American cup sizes. 😄)
But the company, and leaning into gratitude with them over a wee cup, is always a treat.
May you be kind with the soft animal of your body, that moved through such stress this week and is now opening itself to a day of joy. 🤗 May it be a healing and restorative time for you and yours.
@MLClark That reminds me of Washington! We export all the good apples. I find the same companies when I wander about but they always seem a little nicer.
I think Americans as a rule have a cultural thing about excess. There is an ambient background lesson to never be satisfied.
Maybe that's why so many people are on the struggle bus here? It's hard to think of enough, when all your taught is to seek more
So far today I've had my favorite cereal treat, and a wonderful (large) coffee. ^_^
@MLClark I hope you too, go gently into this day of the ongoing schedule reset. The Gods have been teaching me about serenity and rest lately. When I finally let go of the more needless striving, and started listening to day to day needs I began making more progress.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and the lessons of the heart. You always bring such joy.
You are a gift!
@NiveusLepus
Oh, what joy when family comes to call!
I'm glad you're at a good moment. Being up on one's paws all the time is taxing.
I was just out greeting the folks who gather for coffee at a vendor nearby. They're on their way to work, and I work at home, but I find it a useful routine to make sure I'm up and ready for the day.
Ideally I'll return to my *preferred* routine, of being out before dawn and catching them after a run, but the body is not quite there yet. 🙃 One step at a time!