Our world is very challenging, so itβs tempting to retreat, either physically or by distraction, denial or blame. Then there is always anger or fear so the list could go on as to how we react to life events.
I experienced all of those emotions and temptations in the last week. A much anticipated day retreat, that disappointed and pressed lots of my buttons. A film called Rare Beasts which hollowed me out by reminders of my inadequate Mothering for my daughter. A friends funeral, although we werenβt close, still unsettling. Accusations from my Partner , who was also facing some of his demons and getting them mixed up with mine.
I was a βmodelβ in a fashion show in support of a friend and some local shops. There were elements of fun, but the pressure put my nervous system into a sleepless jangle.
Life is bombarding me , you, everyone, demanding we heal, so we can dust ourselves down and get back in the ring.
I have not even mentioned world events that are impacting us in a myriad of ways. This bombardment is not new, but it is accelerating.
In a 1974 article in Foreign Affairs Journal ,economist and Trilateral Commission MemberΒ Richard Gardner wrote :-
βA gradual globalist coup would thrive on episodes of disorder, exploiting a βbooming, buzzing confusionβ.
That is why I have chosen this poem by David Whyte called Sweet Darkness from his book, House of Belonging to give you solace at this time.
Sweet Darkness
When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.
When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.
Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognise its own.
There you can be sure
you are not beyond love.
The dark will be your womb
tonight.
The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.
You must learn one thing.
The world was made to be free in
Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.
Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn
anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
is too small for you.
βSweet Darknessβ byΒ David Whyte, I love this poem and need to revisit it frequently .Its a reminder that we need to give up all worlds except the one to which we belong.
We are being continually challenged and asked which worldΒ we belong in, every thought, choice and action confirms or denies our ability be co creators of our reality and future.
Accepting the realities of these dark times , but not belonging , being owned or manipulated by them into unhealthy reactions is the key to our evolution.
I do not belong to a world of destruction, violence and hate my world chooses life, beauty and connection.
An Invitation and Recommendation
For those of you in this courageous community who write, I highly recommend you look at this offering by Beth Kempton. It would be great if you joined me in her Soulspace.
is one of the most beautiful writers you will meet. Everything she does is well prepared and exquisitely presented.Β Beth has just started a writing community as part of her annual Substack subscription (Β£55.30 )If you would like some extra beauty, connection, inspiration and poetry I encourage you to join BethβsΒ Soulspace writing community. Find out more about it hereβ¦With Love for life ,
Susan x
I'm escaping into food! Not good!
I've heard myself mention, several times already this week, that I get dessert fever, and refuse to leave.... I know why... I LOVE the huge sound of silence that we can so easily tune into there... I have never heard silence sound so loud as it is in the dessert. It really supports the journey home [inward, of course.]
The world is being calibrated to intentionally overstimulate us to the enth degree... this is being done to an urgent excess these days... not least, due to the political clown show... Lord give me strength! I'm talking of the US, of course...
Starmer is a different kettle of eels... he makes my blood run a few degrees colder...
Ed Dowd is being interesting these days.
The sky is being dismal, although that cheatin', lyin', two-facing Met Office is promising some kind of sun towards the end of the week... I will go all Guy Fawkes if it dupes me again! So, it's days are likely very numbered!
It behoves us to remember that an idea is only dangerous if we take it seriously... and politics and money are faith based systems that will diminish to a vanishing point if we put all of the faith we can muster, into Love, instead.
The fact that we cared for money once, and we coveted fast cars and roomy stacks, really don't make no never mind. All that matters is now.
Much love. x x x
We all have these weeks. Beautiful poetry, thanks for sharing! Hope your week is looking up.