[The word balance] seems to speak as much to being stuck and immovable, as much as to harmony. There is also the sense of unbalancing that must take place in order to push a person into a new and larger set of circumstances.
— English poet and philosopher David Whyte
It’s been a hell of a year. I haven’t been able to look at any stories of shelter pets being hurt or killed this week so I have nothing to write for the blog. But I didn’t want to just go dark so I looked in my drafts folder to see if anything was swirling around and I found this. I saved it one year ago. I believe my intention at the time was to examine the quote in terms of its relevance to shelter reform. Today, when I find myself lacking, I am glad to come across this quote and to observe its relevance in a different way. I thought some of you might enjoy it too.
I realize this is not the type of post most of you come here to read. In consideration of that, I won’t prattle on. Suffice to say, I am lost and afraid and deeply saddened. But I am not alone. We are not alone. The only thing I feel certain of right now, is the importance of remaining connected to one another. This I know. Stay together, no matter what.
YesBiscuit
GWEN SMITH
/ November 11, 2016Thank you for this Shirley. I needed it today.
Sent from my iPhone
LR
/ November 11, 2016Perfect timing. TY
Geraldine Clarke
/ November 11, 2016Thank you for posting this and reminding us that we are not alone. I have never been so scared in all my long life but your post definitely helps. Thank you again so much.
Jack R.
/ November 11, 2016Our four-legged friends don’t care for Politics, they just want what we all want: love.
venturacomics
/ November 11, 2016Our four-legged friends don’t care about Politics. They want what we want: love. Keep up the good work, what you do is far more valuable than any Political Narrative.
Brenda Bahorik
/ November 11, 2016Perfect.
elaine
/ November 11, 2016I have not read Nevil Shute’s ON THE BEACH since I was a teenager (a very long time ago) but I feel it’s time I did. I have reserved a copy to be sent to my local branch library.
randomdiva
/ November 11, 2016Right there with you Shirley. Cried myself to sleep for an hour Tuesday night. Lost all faith in humanity. The one shred of hope I had came yesterday from Douglas Anthony Cooper’s Huff Post blog. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-anthony-cooper/the-electoral-college-was_b_12897066.html Because once again it seems the Electoral college screws us. Atleast it helps to know I am not alone because right now. It sure feels that way.
Karen F
/ November 11, 2016Thank you, Shirley.
mary frances
/ November 11, 2016Thank you Shirley – you are a comfort – We need a Love – alution (I heard the term on Public Radio while I was driving around in the fog literally and mentally last night) Also Leonard Cohen passed – my sincere gratitude for him and sympathy to his family, friends and fans. His last offering I believe entitled “do you want it darker” is simply beautiful.
Thank you to all who comment here – it helps.
elaine
/ November 13, 2016For all who are mourning the loss and celebrating the life and gifts of Leonard Cohen, if you have not gotten to today’s installment of Brain Pickings yet you may want to make it your next stop.
There Is a Crack in Everything, That’s How the Light Gets In:
Leonard Cohen on Democracy and Its Redemptions
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=13eb080d8a315477042e0d5b1&id=42ade5ff7d&e=4b39d8d74f
http://tinyurl.com/z7njmoa
A couple days ago I spent some hours listening to many artists’ renditions of Hallelujah. My favorite is by the Pentatonix:
mary frances
/ November 11, 2016One last comment from me today, I came across a rolled up speech I had purchased at the Pike Street Market in Seattle quite a few years ago entitled “Chief Seattle’s Unanswered Challenge”
On the rolled up poster it reads, “This speech was given in January of 1855 by Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe. It was addressed to Issac Stevens, Governor of Washington Territory and Superintendant of Indian Affairs, in response to the Indians being forced to sign treaties and move to reservations.”
I would write the entire speech (it’s 16 paragraphs if I count correctly)
It starts out
“Yonder sky has wept tears of compassion on my people for centuries untold….[and it ends]…The white man will never be alone! Let the white man be just and deal kindly with my people, for the dead are not powerless! Dead, did I say? There is no death – only a change of worlds!”
The in between of his speech is powerful, beautiful and hopeful.
YesBiscuit
/ November 11, 2016I just turned this up on Google:
http://www.historylink.org/File/1427
Judy A
/ November 11, 2016Thank you, Shirley and all responders. It’s good to know there are still rational people out there.
db
/ November 11, 2016You speak for many of us, Shirley. It’s a dark time for our country and for humanity. But we are not alone and together we will forge through the darkness. God bless
Lou Ann
/ November 12, 2016I echo everyone’s comments. It is a scary time, indeed. I’m still saddened by the turn of events. Difficult to be hopeful now – when I was SO hopeful before Tuesday. So grateful for my pups who bring me great joy and comfort
vida
/ November 12, 2016Despair brings no answers, I am trying very hard to hold onto hope. And my pack, they warm my heart.
Anne Thomas
/ November 14, 2016Thank you. We can make things better if we work hard, support one another, and don’t give up.