For The Love ...

Greetings dear reader, I have returned from my summer hiatus from blogging just in time for Down Syndrome Awareness Month that starts tomorrow: October 1. I have been on a summer journey of turning inward, listening, experiencing and growing. We have just survived our transitions into the new season of fall and this time of the year is a beautiful time to embrace change, take life inventory and clean house; both physical and spiritual, internal and external.

A gorgeous friend of mine shared this and it resonated with me so naturally I felt compelled to digitally pay it forward. Thank You Yogi Angela.

For the love of a tree,

she went out on a limb.

For the love of the sea, 

she rocked the boat.

For the love of the earth,

she dug deeper.

For the love of community,

she mended fences.

For the love of the stars,

she let her light shine.

For the love of spirit,

she nurtured her soul.

For the love of a good time,

she sowed seeds of happiness.

For the love of the Goddess,

she drew down the moon.

For the love of nature,

she made compost.

For the love of a good meal,

she gave thanks.

For the love of family,

she reconciled differences.

For the love of creativity,

she entertained new possibilities.

For the love of her enemies,

she suspended judgment.

For the love of herself,

she acknowledged her worth.

And the world was richer for her

~Charlotte Tall Mountain

www.GrowTreeSisters.com

(image - Catrin Welz-Stein)

It is time to acknowledge all that you are, your immeasurable worth and contributions to the world. I will spend the next month doing the same for people with Down Syndrome. 

Every life has value.

Equality: A Human Issue

After another ridiculous constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in the state of North Carolina I feared that the United States, once again was going to take a big step backward with respect to equality. I was disgusted and reminded of the days where the schools were segregated and different races were not even permitted to share the same water fountain let alone the same bed or life. I questioned the amount our society has really evolved since then.  The injustice that prejudice has caused in this country is still being felt from the days of segregation. History is still repeating itself, just focused on another group.

My common sense has always told me NO ONE, much less the government should have the right to dictate who you should or can spend your life with. The government should not be able to distribute rights to one group and not another at their own discretion or deny rights's because they feel like it. Don't even get me started on the judgemental, hurtful and hypocritical institution of the church with respect to these issues.

I was pleased that President Obama FINALLY spoke up and declared to the world the way I somehow knew he felt. He has now publicly stated that he is indeed in FAVOR of same sex marriage. Imagine letting two people lawfully make a commitment, love each other and have the same rights as all other human beings. What a concept.

I hope to soon see equality across the board for everyone. LOVE, RESPECT and EQUALITY are 3 items our world could use a lot more of. It is not an issue for Government or Church, it is a human issue. We therefore should all be part of the dialogue on our road to positive change.

Well Said:

"Gay people are born into and belong to every society in the world. They are all ages, all races, all faiths, they are doctors and teachers, farmers and bankers, soldiers and athletes and whether we know it, or whether we acknowledge it, they are our family, our friends, and our neighbours.  Being gay is not a western invention. It is a human reality."  ~ Hillary Clinton