Is it Idealism? Or just what it should be?

Is it no longer normal to have conversations with people who serve your food or ring up your groceries? Is being considerate, kind and hopeful now labeled as "hopeless idealism?" Are general manners now considered "compassion"? Have we treaded so far from the simple idea that all people are human beings who we should treat with love and respect? Is actually taking the time to connect with another person we do not know a new phenomena? 

To me, it's pretty basic. I'm a person, you're a person. If you cut me, I bleed. If I cut you, you bleed. We both cough, sneeze, can catch a flu, have a family, cry, have experienced loss, have life and will someday die. Are we that different?

We walk around in our own little worlds with no intention of interacting with other people. If someone doesn't validate us, we don't talk to them. If someone is different than us, we don't bother. If someone doesn't agree with us, they must be wrong. It makes me very sad. 

I have a long way to go in terms of truly loving people and I fall short everyday. However, I do grow indignant when it seems like the world just assumes that there are no more people out there who do try. I try every single day. Even on my bad days. I try to acknowledge every person I come in contact with-from the coffee shop worker to the gardener outside to the cafeteria ladies. I try. And I don't think I am the only one in the world who does. 

I will never have a deep connection with everyone. It wasn't meant to be that way and it shouldn't be that way cause then the idea of real relationships wouldn't exist. However, no person is an object to me and I acknowledge their humanity, soul, spirit and heart in whatever way I can. That's not great. That's not admirable. That's just how it should be. 

And shame on you if it's not!

Good Shots from Travis' Prom

Nature Will Heal The Soul

When exhaustion hangs on such heavy eyes

and the whole self, all of it, 

is swallowed up in one weary sigh,

Nature will heal the soul.

When there is another job or demand

and all the voices wanting make it seem that

sanity is dripping away like hour glass sand,

Nature will heal the soul.

When there is noise, so much noise

and ears are shriveling up;

aching for silence and growing annoyed,

Nature will heal the soul. 

When melancholy runs its course,

no great sorrow existing

yet strange discontent and remorse,

Nature will heal the soul.

May I escape these four walls?

May I tread away from all man made?

May I just feel the rain fall?

Nature will heal the soul. 

Soaring onward, like an eagle in flight-

feeling winds, trees, oceans, storms,

for a moment flying free out of sight.

Nature will heal the soul. 

Snapshots of Spring

Today was 74 degrees and sunny. It was the warmest day of 2009, so I had to photograph it. It was a beautiful day, and my soul been waiting for the warmth for a long time!

The Old Soul

My soul has traveled far to yonder ocean,

it has walked the sands and stood beneath the rains.

My soul has danced to the victory songs,

it has grazed the desert grounds.

My soul has shook the hands of stragglers, 

it has tasted wine with the royality. 

My soul has been far and wide. 

My soul has journeyed through the fire,

it has stood in danger's presence.

My soul has known the short comings,

it has flown to places of high and low.

My soul has cried for what never was,

it has traveled, traveled long, into what is.

My soul has been far and wide. 

My soul is trapped in this humble frame,

it is caged by rib bones, muscles, skin.

My soul defies the physical age,

it has lived much longer than this mortal time.

My soul is calling out, longing to be heard,

it is the essence; the psyche, my whole.

My soul has been far and wide. 

Birthday's That Don't Come

Today was Dave French's 47th birthday. Dave French was my godmother's husband of twelve years, and he passed away on July 5, 2005. Today would have been his birthday. I kept thinking about it today. I even found myself somewhat distracted. 

I wrote in my journal: Dear Dave, thank you for loving me. I miss you. 

That's really all I could come up with. I ended the note with the first worship song I ever played with him (me on my flute, him on his piano.) What a friend I've found, more faithful than a mother. It would break my heart, if we were to lose each other. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, friend forever. 

I just wanted to do a tribute to him. I am trusting that there is somewhere deep in the eye of God that understands why people die young, why women are made widows and why people experience loss. I know Dave's soul continues to exist, and it thrives even more now then it ever did here.