Katie Norris compiled and edited an anthology of poems, Voice of the Moon. I was glad to have one of mine selected, and to read poems from others also selected.
I wrote this poem after a walk where I live in Utah. The moon was big, having just crested over the Wasatch Mountains. I was appreciating and celebrating the invitation to stillness.
I rely on simple narratives, simple things to guide my way in ever-present complexities. I can’t seem to not rely on simple stories with a few reminder values.
Dynamic — it moves, it changes. The topic changes. We as humans change as we adapt to changes. Not stagnant. Not narrowed. What happens when we name and welcome things that are changing among us?
Heartfelt — honest. Honest with self. With knowns. With unknowns. What happens when we encourage the heartfelt? Just a little more than before.
Safe — there is “okness.” And belonging. What happens when we encourage and celebrate and name our belonging together, our OKness as humans together.
Humans seek these things. They live behind the named structure of meetings. We humans, we want these things. Dynamic. Heartfelt. Safe.
Today, working on these simple things feels like good guide.
My friend Bob Stilger reminds me that “our capacity to come into relationship is essential.” Yes. What I love about Bob is that over the 25 years he and I have known each other, he has pointed so often to what is underneath. He has a way of being able to point to both the bigger, long-arc complexities, yet at the same time, to the what’s-now simplicities. I’m glad.
Come, come into relationship. For the things known. For the things not known. For the things challenging and difficult. For the things joyful and easy. Dare to share. Dare to practice curiosity together. And blessing.
It’s is election day in the United States. Many positions and offices will be voted for. The US is a democracy trying to grow into more of itself. Yet with great and grand polarized views. Particularly around the next president. This day will reveal a tally of votes. It is also likely to reveal disputes and mistrusts. It is also likely to reveal manipulations of things real and conjured.
What to do?
So many of my friends, colleagues, and teachers have guided — stay awake. That’s a form of relationship. To the heart ache. To the heart afraid. To the heart that knows and expects to fly. We sing for and march in revolution. Yet we also sing for and march in beauty. We dream — sometimes it’s a respite cup of tea. We create beauty — sometimes it’s moving a few stones around with ceremonial intent. We seek out spots of comfort — like our cat Marmalade above, whilst awaiting company.
Come, come into relationship.
It has always mattered. It will always matter. I stand for a particular kind of entangledness. That brings us to wonder together, which has way of evolving and improving who we are together.
Relationship — some knowing of each others stories, aches, and celebrations — it gives us capacity and hope to face the next. The habit and addiction to ridicule and blame — that just entrains toxic adolescence.
Come, come.
We can find ways together to grow dignity, wisdom, capacity for hard things, kindness for the many moving nuances that we are, and flow with and among the bigger stories that we are now called to remember and to tell.
My friend Cory and I got back to a podcast conversation. Cory is one of the most insightful people I know. He’s crafting a path of deep understanding. And guiding others too.
Great to revisit a few themes with him. Some on healing. Some on wonder. Some on what connects work with groups to these guided depths.
Cory is also a partner. We are scheming how we bring our buffets of offerings together for some new offerings.
asd Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."
Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.
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In My Nature
asd
In My Nature is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."
This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes) quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.
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Most Mornings + Note Cards
asd Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."
This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes) quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.
