Planted, not Buried - episode 41
Sometimes I can’t believe I get to have these incredible conversations. Truly, I can’t NOT do this. And as much as I am driven to make this happen, it is rooted in a deep desire to share, and hear from, what other people think. How they feel. How they see, and show up in the world. What they value. Today’s conversation with Lisey checked all those boxes and more. Listen as she affirms what she has learned that has brought her to a better, richer place as a woman, as a wife, as a mother, and as a professional.
Often it’s the hard things that bring us to a better version of ourselves. We wouldn’t volunteer for them, yet if we are open to how they can shape us we will end up having more depth, being more compassionate, being more open to connect with others, to see them. Even if those others hold different values than we do. Lisey has opened my eyes further to the richness of coming out the other end of painful times. The other end holds fullness, empathy and wisdom. Thanks, Lisey for being exactly who you are.
Autonomous.
Responsible. Compassionate.
— Lisey
Yes and No
Thoughts from Planted, not Buried
I had a different blog planned to go with this episode but the events of this past week (January 6, 2021, specifically the taking of the capitol building) left me in need of weighing in. I believe in the phrase, Silence is Endorsement. So I won’t be silent but I promise to be respectful and responsible in sharing my thoughts.
YES - We are guaranteed the freedom of speech. It is one of the things that makes our country great.
YES - We are free to protest the things we don’t agree with.
YES - We have the privilege of voting for whomever we like even if our loved ones disagree with our choice.
NO - We are not above the law in carrying out our opinions, thoughts or values. (The only exception I would make for this would be if the law was contrary to basic humanity.)
NO - We are not free to harm another. This was not self-defense. It is cowardice when you hide in a crowd and do reckless things most especially resulting in injury, and loss of life.
NO - We are not free to destroy property or take things that do not belong to us.
YES - If you do not like the way things are being run find a positive, constructive way to change them. (Write letters, participate in a protest that is actually a protest, run for office, start a petition, converse with people, exchange ideas, stay open.)
YES - You can have completely opposing views from others and STILL BE KIND. It is not only possible it is absolutely, currently necessary. I have never seen a greater need for human decency, common courtesy, and consideration for others, than I do right now.
Remember kindergarten? What you learned there still applies. Especially now.
All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup:
The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even
the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die.
So do we.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.
Take any of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or your government or
your world and it holds true and clear and firm.
Think what a better world it would be if all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had a basic policy to always put thing back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.
And it is still true, no matter how old you are - when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.
© Robert Fulghum, 1990
The kindergarten children are confident in spirit, infinite in resources, and eager to learn.
Everything is still possible.
— Robert Fulghum
