Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” It’s hard to hear our hearts when we are yelling, insulting, firing, defunding, deporting, defying court orders, defiling democracy, and denigrating our neighbors. Sylvia Boorstein, a Jewish Buddhist teacher, repeatedly says to herself and to others, “Sweetheart, you are in pain. Relax. Take a breath. Let’s pay attention to what is happening. Then we’ll figure out what to do.” It’s good advice for all of us, regardless of our political views. We have at least one thing in common. We are in pain.
I stepped outside for a break from my mental mayhem and marveled at the greenness of the grass, the spring-green trees, the squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, fox, dandelions, daffodils, violets, trout lilies, spring beauties, mating birds, bees, butterflies, marsh marigolds, mice, and yes, the mosquitoes, black flies, ants, and spiders. The coltsfoot is going to seed. Mother Nature is delighted in her May mayhem.
We can learn a lot from Mother Nature. She flourishes in interdependent biodiversity.
Friends tell me about the respectful, peaceful protests they are attending. Apparently, protest puppies are popular. One purposeful pooch sported a jacket that said, “DOGS NOT DOGE!” It’s important to listen, laugh, and linger together.
I am grateful for friends who visit, drop a line, call, or connect on Zoom. This can be a challenging time of year for me. I lost my dear doggy, Spencer, 20 years ago on April 26. April 30 was the 35th Anniversary of the loss of my child. Grace Gaia feels very present, as she nudges me into Graceful Mischief for The Common Good. Mother’s Day reminds me to celebrate all “my” children. One of my adopted daughters recently reached out to tell me she thinks of me as her Fairy Godmother. Amira works for The New Humanitarian.
I talk on the phone with my husband, Bill, every day. I called him early on his 89th birthday, which fell on Easter this year. He was on antibiotics in preparation for a root canal. I asked him what he thinks about resurrection. He told me he thinks it’s a good idea. We met 40 years ago when we were both Vermont delegates to the White House Conference on Small Business. It may be true that opposites attract. Our backgrounds and interests are different, but our values are mostly the same. After 37 years of marriage, we both value the other’s kindness. We talk often about how we have helped each other as well as others.
I think of Bill every time I see someone wearing a “Make America Kind Again” button.
Trish Passmore Alley holds an MBA in Organizational Development and Behavior. A published author and poet, her career has included teaching at the collegiate level, owning several small businesses in manufacturing, engineering, and retail, and founding and operating three social profits in Greensboro, A published author and poet, she posts brief, monthly blogs at gracefulmischief.com/.When her column refers to Grace, it is a presence in her life, and it is capitalized. She now lives in Shelburne.
