2019’s blog is going to be all about sparks flying, why they might need to fly, what will cause them to ignite and how they will take to the skies. It may well be a year of meandering into some dark corners that will benefit from light. It may well be a year where the sparks will be transmitting energy from anger and turning that energy into something powerful to transformed by the experience. Let’s wait and see what happens 2019 is a year for sparks to fly and sparks will fly. Here is a little poem to kick us off.
Flight from the friction
Burns from the rub;
Sounds of affliction
No longer scrubbed.
Pain, anguish and despair
Triumph’s smoking in the air.
Debate if you’re able
Else silence or a stare.
Watch committee is assembled
The sting is in the tail.
Photo by ajay bhargav GUDURU on Pexels.com
Where do you find the spark to keep the light going, the fire burning in your heart? When darkness descends how do you nurture and covet the light and keep it safe from a gust of unwelcome wond or even a gentle breeze? It is the hands who corral the flame from the elements. They gather around to protect keeping just enough oxygen around the flame to keep it alight and enough of a barrier to allow the flickering to continue. The hands connected to the heart creating a mini hearth of potential.
The hearth so well known and respected as a place for sparks to be domiciled but not always tamed. Plenty of sparks fly when a combustible comment is thrown into the embers. That is what is happening in “the land of the free”. The new fresh faces and voices who have stormed into Congress this week aren’t waiting for their turn – they arrived to work, dance and disrupt. There is a heady mix of youth and age – all kinds of wisdom. From Pelosi in her late 70s to OC not yet 30 – these women are role models for every age … and yes sparks will fly.
Congress a symbol of democracy for the so called free world is a gerrymandered house of representatives from communities where the popular vote doesn’t always work itself into the highest office (just ask Al Gore or Hilary Clinton). But this Congress is more representative than ever before and every time the camera pans the Dems side of the House you cannot look away.
Diversity is the theory and inclusion is the practice. Clearing space not just making space. And spaces will be cleared on hearts and heads and hearths and homes.
Making a home for a place for sparks to fly may mean some acts of kindess from hands to hold the space for the flame to flicker and stay alight when darkness threatens as it inevitably will. Our hands may need to be ready to leave the sanctity of pockets and become agents of solidarity. The winds of change are blowing and as Cohen has prophetically sung Democracy is coming to the USA. And as we head into our own season of elections in Australia I am looking forward to a more diverse and younger parliament to form.
Rattle your pots and pans. Keep the flame lit. Rise.
Letters to 