Sometimes things come back.
Some ideas won't go away.
Arab Spring was followed by Occupy Autumn.
Now Idle No More has taken wintry Canada by storm
And a lot of other places too.
I wonder if this will be the one? There are and have been other major movements for justice and reform around the world. Somehow the idea of a fair society just won't go away. Perhaps none of them will succeed, it must be admitted we human beings have a terrible record when it comes to treating each other decently, but what's good about people gathering for a cause larger than their own self interest (or just because they happened to be passing by and joined in at a whim) is to see that those of us who thought they had little in common find a common cause. Even if the experience only lasts a little while, protest against greed and injustice goes well with singing, drumming, dancing, and laughing in the company of strangers. Moments of shared joy and mutual understanding have the potential to tear up our individual prejudices and change the way we experience reality ever after.
“The Destiny of Man is to unite, not to divide. If you keep on dividing you end up as a collection of monkeys throwing nuts at each other out of separate trees.”
― T. H. White
♡
ps: The picture is one of several dozen painted more than twenty years ago, all given away. This one came back by way of two dear friends - one of whom won't be back this way again. Life is precious.
Inspiring post, Susan! I do wish more people would be inspired and our leaders would listen and change.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear you've lost a dear friend. Your most lovely watercolour will always remind you of that friend. May these last days of this year be peaceful and good to you and your loved ones.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Marja-Leena. The path between optimism and reality is sharp as a razor's edge.
DeleteThank you for the condolences. The picture belonged to my dear friend Inger who died in October a year ago. The pain is an ache now and no longer the fresh wound it was.
We did have a nice Christmas, a quiet one.
Throwing nuts? That's not what monkeys throw. We have a north-easter blowing in here tonight, you will probably receive it by Saturday. Look hard through the white outs and you will see I sent up a Happy Hollidays wish to you and your husband.
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
I think his idea was throwing whatever we have at hand - something I know you've seen.
DeleteThe snowfall is coming down even as I write. Weather moves fast in these parts, eh? Many thanks for the good Holiday wishes. All the best of the season to you and your wife.
life is precious... your painting i saw immediately to be different than any i had seen and now i know why. still it has your whimsy and delicate touch and the color is beautiful as is the subject matter...to fly on birds' wings.
ReplyDeletei cannot see what you have offered probably because my connection is going to give soon. it's late. it's probably thinking it's time for bed or some such nonsense as that. as i watch the ludicrous show beginning again here-sigh ~ not again...but... in DC I want to run screaming to Norway or somewhere, i cannot help but wonder what any of them are thinking about other than themselves.
oh well, there is little to be done but go have my cup of cocoa and try to get some sleep. holidaze always do me in and this one really did a whammy on me. hoping all is well with you, sweet susan. xoxox
I painted that group for fun one summer when I was bored with the more complicated ones. I'm happy you noticed its difference and similarity to more current stuff.
DeleteThe song I posted was 'Anthem' by the now very elderly Leonard Cohen. It's a message that rings so true even as we witness the mindless squabbling you mentioned.
I hope you enjoyed your hot chocolate and are having a long lie-in.
xoxo
Oh, that precious man, LC....
ReplyDeleteSorry I have not been around lately (I haven't been around my own blog much, either!). This drawing was SO worth coming by for, as the color and brightness just filled me with joy, and your words soothed and inspired. I clicked the link and read about the movement...quite beautiful. I'm remembering the anti-war march in Portland when W's presidency was new...such solidarity and strength; that kind of feeling stays a lifetime. I wonder if you were there as well; it was before we met.
Hope the holidays have been warm and happy ones, including upcoming New Years Eve.
He is a treasure, isn't he?
DeleteI'm so glad you came by and must offer my own apologies in turn for not having visited much either - or just enjoying and not always commenting.
The INM movement is a very beautiful one but one that's grown out of hard necessity. I grew up in Canada and don't ever remember being taught about the awful conditions suffered by the First Nations people. The Harper Government has been passing unpopular laws that will allow far more damage to the environment and the worst affected are in an uproar. I just hope the rest of comfy Canadians will pay attention.
I send you good wishes in return for a very Happy New Year.
Without those resources, there are no more Tim Horton's and then how are people supposed to get donuts? Hippies are always so short-sighted!
ReplyDeleteHah! I've never been in a Tim Horton's so why should I care. Did you know it was sold to Wendy's in 1995 and then incorporated in Delaware in 2005? I may be short sighted but it's nothing my bifocals can't help.
DeleteI've gone to the website you link to and like what I see. This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of cool videos of 'spontaneous' flash mob dances all over the place. I liked this one from Toronto because you can see how many people just joined in the Ghost Dance for the sheer joy of the moment. I agree that it's the indigenous peoples of the world who are most likely to help us now. After all, they have experience living in harmony with the land - and get more of it all the time as they are made homeless by cruel policies.
DeleteThe T.H. White quote says it all. When we let our primate nature get the best of us, and act like clannish apes, we are usually at our worst. When we rise above that and let our angel nature, our playful side, our compassion rise to the surface, we are raised up together.
ReplyDeleteAs always, I love the sweet painting. The bird has a fabulous face.
You're right, of course, but thinking things through is much harder than jumping on bandwagons.
DeleteThe bird's face has hints of Crow.
It's a sweet painting Susan.It makes me yearn for something that you can't get to by walking
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to know you liked it. You're right.
Deletehappy new year, dear one... can you believe we are in a date like 2013??? i remember thinking how strange 2000 looked!!! oh my, could we be getting old? :) heavens, i hope so but hope my body holds up well thru the travail.
ReplyDeletei am just awake but wanted to wish you all good things and probably should have chosen an email. oh well, the tea hasn't hit my brain yet. i did see my blog and there was a kd lang post NOT supposed to be there-obviously didn't make xmas....sigh, i'm not good w/ settings OBVIOUSLY!
anyway am off for now but sending big bunches of love and cups of hot tea. xoxoxo
Surprise at the fact we're in 2013 is all too apparent. Is it the future now? Where's my private space garden habitat?
DeleteI'm glad you came by even if just for a quick visit. I'll enjoy that cup of tea with you soon and hope in the meanwhile you have a woken to a beautiful day.
much love and a hug too
xoxox
Happy New Year, Susan! May all these movements move us forward. And thank you for some Leonard.
ReplyDeleteSame to you, Lisa. Leonard is always welcome.
ReplyDelete