Voices

“Study the past if you would define the future.” ~ Confucius

 

Making the time to listen to voices of the past is increasingly establishing itself as a day-to-day pattern in my life.  The past has a great deal to teach us.  It can teach us about passageways and perceptions that led to more expansive places, and it can teach us about corridors that narrowed into dead ends.  I particularly appreciate listening to first-hand accounts, rather than second-hand interpretations.  

The voices of history can speak to us in other ways as well - through poetry, through music, through art.  

If we want to navigate productively and expansively through this current perilous era, we don't need to do it alone.  Others have seen things.  Others have chosen.  Others have spoken.  They have much to tell us.   

 

Reflection photo by Susan Larison Danz. 

Unveiling Clarity

"I can see clearly now . . ." ~ Johnny Nash

I dwell in the 1970's quite a bit, and there's a reason for that.  Though every era has its complications, technology has changed us.  Not all technology is bad, obviously - I'm using it right now - but let's leave that aside for the moment - because, you see, we didn't know back then what we would view as lacking now.

I have been reading poetry and fragments of essays lately.  In an actual hardcover book that I obtained from the second hand store.  Not to say that really should be all that unusual, but lately, yes.  I used to read A LOT in the 70's, pretty much all the time when I could (and in most of my spare moments in the 80's as well).  When the television only has a handful of channels (at most), there are no computers, there are no video tapes, DVDs, DVRs or "video on demand", you either occupy yourself outside in some way or you read books.  Or maybe you bring a book outside and read it in a hammock hanging from a tree (which was one of my favorite things to do in the summer in the 70's). 

We've lost something.

And it is vitally important.  

We need to be "entertained".  Some of that entertainment may require us to think, but most of us are just not reading like we used to.  I aim to take it up a notch, truthfully, as not everything I read independently (i.e., apart from school) in the 70's and 80's was particularly demanding.

We have forgotten simplicity, and what it feels like.  We are over-stimulated much of the time.  Perhaps the Covid era has provided glimpses of simplicity - but probably not enough.

We need more clarity.  And it isn't going to arrive by continually being distracted from it. I am thankful to be unveiling it, ever more deeply.

 

 

Blue Skies photo by Susan Larison Danz.