wrath is misplaced, as are watching metaphors
dissipate
into smoke and mirrors, telegraphing you from
afar, trees become
me
as I stare into oblivion, violence becoming, nay,
letโs stray, and instead
shelter
peace and love, along the hills we keep running
tips touching, lingering effects take shape, and
into our hearts
stars, and
galaxies
we place, with zeal and frenzy, calling you home,
nested in a heart-shaped
abode
named after you and me, loveโs alcove
Photo by Prettysleepy, Pixabay
At home this month, Iโve been continuing to stay vigilant about the pandemic, which simply means that I am home often. The paradox about this reality is that the State of Oregon recently announced that they will be lifting the mask mandate by the end of March.
The news about lifting the mask mandate fills me with excitement and anxiety, which is very normal as these two emotions are closely related to each other. I also know wearing a mask is an individual choice, and I will continue to wear my mask until I choose differently.
Exciting news came by way of my oldest son Justin this month, as I learned that he has been placed at Mercedes Benz for his second and last University internship. Justin is extremely excited, and I am as proud as a parent can be.
The team and I have also just recently produced the Spring Term schedule of classes, which is always a lot of work, and is an exciting time in the department. Lastly, Iโve been preparing to welcome our new hire to the team, which will occur in about two weeks.ย
All in all, itโs been super busy, and, yep, super fun.
As you all know, Iโve been contemplating compiling and publishing a debut poetry book for some time.
When I learned about Ingrid Wilsonโs new endeavor with Experiments in Fiction, which you can read more about here, it felt like the perfect opportunity and partnership.
Ingrid and I have signed an agreement, which means that sometime this fall/winter my debut poetry book will be available. I will keep you all updated as this moves forward.ย
I am so excited!
I was elated to find out Saturday that I was nominated for Author of the Month at Spillwords Press. If you have a moment, I would be honored if you would go here and cast your vote. Thank you!
Voting is open through Monday, February 28.
Iโve been reflecting upon and contemplating the concept of Spark the past two weeks. The concept arose organically within the team about two weeks ago.ย
In the youth developmental literature, Spark is associated with the Thriving theoretical framework. In short, developing a youthโs spark is positively correlated with thriving indicators and outcomes.ย
The above referenced article is decent, and here is a short two page theoretical framework, which includes the definition of spark listed below, developed by my graduate school advisor, Mary E. Arnold.
โA spark is a passion for a self- identified interest or skill, or a capacity that metaphorically lights a fire in a young personโs life, providing energy, joy, purpose, and directionโ โ Mary E. Arnold
Oregon State University 4-H
What does all this mean?
Pragmatically, it simply means that when a person is ignited and excited from within, they feel better, and are more engaged and empowered.
Itโs a very important practice to develop this kind of excitement on teams and within organizations. Actually itโs important for each of us as human beings on this planet to make sure our spark is always ignited, which is why I wanted to write about it this month.
If you have a spark and know what it is, amazing; if not, you can develop it at any time, and if your spark has dwindled, which happens, you can also reignite it at any time.
Spark is not a static concept, following a linear trajectory. Passion and excitement wax and wane, and they also change directions; and, that is okay. Whatโs most important is to always fuel our passion for life; and when that passion wanes, to reimagine and reignite it.
I felt impelled to write here that I stand with the citizens of Ukraine, and vehemently oppose the actions Russia is taking. Strength and power come through peace and love, not through war and violence. The latter are the products of egotism and narcissism, the former, of beauty and solidarity.
My love, blessings, and prayers for safety go out to everyone in Ukraine.
Alright, thatโs all for this month.
Sending you all love, and wishing you a beautifully blessed March.
feelings
running so deep,
itโs as if the being
calling me forth,
is interested
in fractured ways
of living,
splitting me
in two,
as I continue
to learn more
about the entry
to heavensโ door
located
on this earth,
in this moment
present
to the love within
every being, and
living thing
on this
beautiful planet
pulling me towards
them
with a fervor,
impossible
to ignore
we listen,
hear the heartache,
and,
hold the pieces
of being together
with theirs,
in a dance
of past mistakes,
future worries,
and steps one may take
while
we
call them
present
to the gift
in the stillness
of this
moment
a gift, which
requires quietness,
and listening
with all your might
drawing
upon your intention,
and an inner-knowing
that all of life
is already
alight
Numb to the pain
of a very long
day,
I ponder
the way of it,
and also consider
the play a bit.
Two warring factions, looking
for attention,
and peace of mind,
regardless
of our time,
so please be kind.
Think about the paradox
youโve created
to talk about;
knowing all the while,
each faction
is only a distraction
of mind.
And, when we get clear
on all that we find, we realize,
the truth about this clever
semantical lever,
and make the
two, One
forever.
Image Credit
Photo by bantersnaps on Unsplash
If youโve not yet checked out Asthaโs Anthology, Utmost Feelings, please check it out when you have a chance, and share as you are able. Thank you!
Sometimes we borrow
From tomorrow
To forget our sorrow
Covered up
And forgotten,
Unlike something
Begotten
Yet, what we miss, and
Let us not be remiss
Is the joy that comes
When we stop borrowing
From the morrow
To cover up our sorrow
Facing it instead
Is the only real way
To live
A life filled with peace and love
Instead of dread
Let the tears come,
I say
As we face things
We once ran from
In the end,
Running
Never really gets you far,
As the sorrow buried deep inside
Of you, is, yes,
A part of you,
And is also looking for
Release
From the cage
Full of bars, which
We created
under different stars
Itโs now time to play, so
Release the sorrow friend,
And welcome
The dawn of a new day
Filled with peace and love
Awaiting your caress,
Yet first
We must face our sorrow,
By always paying back what we borrow
Twas childhood days,
Once betrayed, and
As a part of our current dismay
Of times gone by
As we try to recreate, a time
And place of forgotten space, and
Distant landscape
A notion of a potion,
Weโve pulled forward
In an effort to alleviate our emotion
Of a common commotion
Of a mind restless and eager
To anticipate a thread, of the
Bed weโve made bare
Though we do not dare
To tread alone into the emptiness
And stare
Out at the majesty which is there
We need not compare this day
With times gone by,
Instead
Practice the release
Of the surcease, during
This winters masterpiece
Of a life once known to be at peace
For peace is always there,
A comfort for your care, so, please
Always remember you
Are a child of the Lordโs Prayer.
How often do you run from here to there, and back, checking the clock on the wall, in the kitchen, on your wrist, or on your phone? Yep, normal, we all do it, or, rather, have done it.
Time is such an important part of our life. We construct our whole lives, in fact, around it. Yep. Time. When we get up, when we eat, when we work, how we work, when we sleep. All of it.
Yet, time also provides people with tons of stress and anxiety. Really. How often have you said, or heard, or both, thereโs just not enough time in the day? Yep. Weโve all said it, say it, and have heard many, or, rather, most people say it.
Phew. Itโs tiring. Really.
I remember a time in my life where I was more concerned about what time it was, then about what I was doing with my time. Maybe you can relate?
Time is actually socially constructed. Meaning, it doesnโt even really exist, except for that we create it, agree upon it, and as has been aforementioned, organize our lives around it.
A social construction, you ask? Sure. Here you go.
A concept or perception of something based on the collective views developed and maintained within a society or social group; a social phenomenon or convention originating within and cultivated by society or a particular social group, as opposed to existing inherently or naturally.
Lexico
There we go.
Now, time, you ask? Well, I think we can all agree upon the definition of time, yet, letโs go ahead and define it anyway. Here you go.
Translateย timeย into Spanish
The indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.โtravel through space and timeโ
1.1 The progress of time as affecting people and things.โthings were getting better as time passedโ
1.2 Time or an amount of time as reckoned by a conventional standard.โitโs eight oโclock Eastern Standard Timeโ
1.3 The personification of time, typically as an old man with a scythe and hourglass.โPower began to flow out from Father Timeโs scythe.โ
Lexico
Thatโs fun.
Alright, so hereโs what we have so far.
A social construction is something that is constructed and agreed upon by a group of people, of which time, as in the continued progress of existence and events as in the past, present, and future, is one. Phew.
You may now ask, well, there is a past, present, and future, therefore time exists. Yet, I would invite you to really think about that. Does the past really exist, or the future for that matter?
Think about what you are doing right now. Does the past exist in the present moment? Does the future? Nope. They donโt.
The only thing that ever really exists is the present moment. Right now; and, then right now, and now. Thatโs it.
Therefore time is in many ways irrelevant, an illusion actually. Yet, we continue to create our whole lives around it. Pretty powerful.
You may now be saying. Okay. Fine. Yet, why is understanding time as a social construction important? Very well.
Letโs take a look at
When we hold time as a social construct, we are more flexible because we understand that there is an infinite amount of time to do all that weโd like to do. Really.
We become more flexible as we continue to consider time as something that we can choose to release ourselves from. We know at a different level that, yes, we need to move our work and lives forward, however, we also know that there is plenty of time to do so.
As we become more flexible, holding the awareness that time is socially constructed, which takes practice, we then realize that we can release the stress that we create about time-bound situations and events. Yep.
We can release that stress, and replace it with a renewed interest in being present. Present to everything in our lives, in each and every moment. Precious.
Holding time within ourselves differently, which creates less stress, also reduces our overall anxiety levels. There are so many people on this planet that have high levels of anxiety.
Yes, about lots of things, yet, considering time as one of the most important aspects of our lives causes a ton of that stress and, yep, related anxiety.
Yet, releasing that time-bound stress, releases the anxiety. Very helpful.
We also learn more about ourselves, and then have a greater understanding of, yes, ourselves, and about all people. We can connect with people on another level entirely. Why?
Because, we have connected to ourselves on an entirely different level. It works that way. We become more aware of our time-bound habits, and then can see them more clearly in ourselves and in others. Helpful.
As we are more aware of our own behaviors related to time, and practice releasing the stress and anxiety that develops as a product of time-bound thinking, we can give ourselves more grace. And?
We can also extend that grace to others. If there is one thing on this planet we can all us more of, itโs grace. Given to ourselves and to each other. Important.
Along with granting ourselves more grace, we also develop a deeper level of compassion for the human condition. Most all of us are socialized to place importance on time.
With that knowledge, we can release ourselves from any blame or shame for the stress weโve caused ourselves and others at the expense of time-bound thinking and acting.
And, as we deepen the compassion we have for ourselves, we also deepen the compassion we can extend toward others. Lovely.
With our practice of holding time differently in our awareness, we also have more peace. More peace about all aspects of our lives that we once associated with time-bound situations and events, and the associated outcomes, or results.
And, when we have more peace, we can also extend that peace out to everyone. Phew. That is important.
Alright, there are 7 Reasons Why Considering Time as a Social Construction is Important to Your Life. Fun.
Remember, time is only important, when we create that importance. Iโm not saying that we donโt take our commitments and agreements that are time-bound seriously.
Those time-bound commitments and agreements are very important. My days are full of them; and, I mean full. All day, every day.
Yet, we donโt have to associate time-bound commitments and agreements with a stressful conception of time. Itโs a paradox, like most things in life.
You can both hold time as a socially constructed illusion and as an important aspect of your life in regard to meeting our commitments and agreements.
It is really in between the two, considering ourselves as bound in time and not, where you have the power to live, laugh, and love with less stress and anxiety, and way more flexibility, understanding, grace, compassion, and peace.
Be well. Consider well.
Develop. Inspire. Transform. 