“Heartbreak is a gateway to compassionate action. Such action arises when we trust our body sensations and the emotions they reveal. We can act with integrity and we do not have to second guess ourselves. It is key to know how to transform our confusion into wise action: our world depends upon it.”

Our 16 year old grandson lived with us recently. It lasted a week before he “borrowed” our car (he’s an underage driver, not allowed to drive without an adult or at night) and picked up a forbidden lover. They had their Romeo & Juliet moment in our guest bedroom and then he drove her home where they were greeted by her father in the driveway. And yes all this while a pandemic tears across the globe!

This month I share with you a piece that has inspired me by writer Eric Alan. The need for renewal is present and like this author, I continue to find solace in nature. I hope you too have beautiful places to renew yourself whether that be a city party, waterfalls, or wide open meadows.

“In times as tumultuous as these, it’s easy to feel like water over rocks: tumbling, crashing, cascading without control onto whatever hard landing waits below. Most people I know have had moments of that feeling, this year. Perspective is elusive. Plans are always made with a caveat; an overriding “if” that reflects uncertainty about what even the next hours will bring.

When are we satisfied? How do we know? How do we gently yet clearly winnow our lives down to what is essential? Not only what is essential in a material way but also, how do we traverse our difficult relationships with greater simplicity?

We humans are the only animals that can override our body signals & sensibilities. We are easily seduced when discerning what is enough because we often confuse a “want” for a “need”. Couple that with missed experiences of being heard, seen, supported, etc and it becomes even more complicated.

If I invite a person of color to bring their gentle listening hand to my white person heart, what would they hear, sense, or discover?

If I as a white person, am invited to bring a gentle, listening hand to the heart of a person of color, what will I hear, sense, discover, about them? What’s available in this wordless, kind touch?