Episode 20 - FOCUS ON GOODNESS
it’s been over 6 months since the Pandemic has been acknowledged, and for many people life has become increasingly difficult. Where you focus your mind creates emotions. Emotions move you to action. now is a good time to refocus, clarify your purpose, use all your talents and find more joy. We hope this podcast helps you move along this path.
KARMA YOGA
Always do your best
the universe does the rest
whatever happens will be
don’t hang on to see
give more than you get
and your live will be set
focus on others’ needs
and water the seeds
then freedom and joy
are there for you
just like my friend
Winnie the Pooh
GOODNESS AND GOOD PEOPLE
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) has passed on
And her greatness and goodness remain
Her brilliance and humanity lit her flame
championing equal rights, willing to dissent
she never baulked at being independent
Mister Rogers legacy lives on
demonstrating values of love and respect
focusing on peoples greatness, no defect
he asked people the perfect question
giving complete one pointed attention
leaving us all with greater empathy
and seeing the neighborhood with fresh eyes
Jane Fonda at 82 still askiing:
what can I do? and now finding
her path from climate despair to action.
as she did before
against the Vietnam war.
still inspiring me to do more.
Artists using their musical talents
uplift us during this difficult time
David Holt and Blue Grass
Joshua Bell and Chopin
The theatrical and musical creativity
of Riverdance 25 and Hamilton.
James Corbin for free wheeling
Car Karaoke with inspiring people.
The Venerable Tensin Pryadarshi
wrote
“Running Toward the Mystery”.
Makes me think of my own history
and feel grateful for the winding path
that led me to this moment in time.
For all these great people:
Brilliance had to be polished with
Vision, confidence and commitment
perseverance, ambition and aspiration.
TURTLE MOVING SERVICE
One day near New Canaan
I picked up a snapping turtle
two feet wide and very heavy
ignorant to the danger
of losing a finger.
Many years later in Florida
i watched helplessly the explosion
of shell shrapnel in slow motion
blown apart by speeding traffic.
Never again I said to myself
Monday rain is drizzling down,
I pass turtle on the pond’s bank.
The one I carried here yesterday
He scoots down into the water
just as a pig frog jumps high.
Tuesday I see another one,
slowly crossing the road
its shell covered in slimy algae
I pick it up gently carrying it
onto the grass
on other side.
Sliding down towards the stream
It gracefully swims away.
There is magic holding a wild animal.
That connection of trust and caring,
on the earth together we are sharing
a peaceful, quiet moment.
We have lazy lizards
statuesque herons
Moor hens and fluffy chicks
swallows in flying formations
Dragonfly squadrons
Alligators floating by.
I prefer wild pets
they do not have to be in my will
like Max, the parrot.*
That turtle could live to be a hundred
Then I will leave before turtle.*
But I might need new batteries
for my pacemaker and the smoke alarm.
And all my other wild friends
Will be a new generation
©MARTINSTRASMORE2020
*note: parrots can live in captivity to 70. Some turtles and tortoises live up to 100 or more years. The oldest known tortoise is 177 years old.
Thanks to Public radio and TV for inspiration — PBS Passport opens the door to great programming, including Joshua Bell and David Holt sharing their musical journeys. Another is American Poets, brilliant 30 minutes exploring the deeper meaning of selected poems.