Episode 27 - MUSINGS ON COURAGE
Courage has been on my mind as during the last week or so this country has seen integrity and moral courage on the part of those state officials responsible for certifying the election results, under political pressure; and with the surging wave of Covid infections across much of the country, health professionals have served selflessly and with courage. Over 20,000 have died from Covid, worldwide.
MUSE 1
Sometimes courage borders on stupidity
like the time I jumped off Kilimanjaro
as the sun rose over the glacier
wearing a pair of plastic wings.
Just joking.
Sometimes I don’t know
whether to laugh or cry
when people don’t have the moral courage
to speak the truth
that is obvious,
to even a deaf chimpanzee.
we all have courage
when we follow our deepest wisdom
the wisdom of the Heart.
Sometimes we have to overcome fear.
Our active imagination
conjuring up something bad that will happen
before it has.
As if predicting an outcome
that our ego does not want.
Fear of failure,
Fear of death,
Fear of the unplanned,
Fear of the unexpected.
MOMENTS OF COURAGE
Moments of courage,
following my heart,
came when faced with life changing decisions.
They felt impulsive, because that is the language
an engineer uses,
when it defies logic.
Leaving England to study in Boston,
not knowing I would, never, go back
to live in London again.
Going to live and study in an Ashram in India,
not knowing,
I would stay there for 2 years.
Learning how to live
with purpose and meaning, discipline and joy
beyond what I had imagined existed,
in a human body.
Getting married to my loving wife,
in a lightening flash of knowingness
that we would grow together forever,
sharing our hearts on our path of love.
ADVENTURES
Adventures aren’t exciting
without risk.
Seen by others
they might seem courageous,
In the moment
they are simply
another opportunity to feel
more alive,
more connected,
more grateful.
Would I risk my life
to save another?
Would I have the courage,
to run into burning building,
to jump into a freezing lake.
For a stranger, I don’t know?
Caring for Covid patients,
courage is not theoretical
it is being demonstrated now.
Thank you for showing courage.
TAKE A STEP
The Caravan theatre,
Cambridge Massachusetts.
Stan and Bobbi
changed my understanding
of life and love,
in ways that flowed
smoothly and subtly.
pushing boundaries
social and cultural
showing courage
in their work.
Giving us audacious experiences,
new ways to see the world.
Take a step
into relationship
take a step
into commitment
take a step
into respect and love
take a step
through fear
take a step
away from jealousy
take a step
into the unforeseen
take a step
in the present moment
take a step
open your eyes
take a step
into your feelings
take a step
into your heart
take a step
into the one great heart
Take a step
into gratitude
Take a step
into empathy and caring
Take a big step
into generosity and courage.
Stan just passed away
taking the final step
after 94 years.
I only now
know I missed
your presence, Stan.
Knowing now
you found a special place
in my life,
at the perfect time.
LA COEUR
Feel the heart beat
The heart that is alive
in many, many ways;
is the source of courage,
Our courage, the world’s courage
to never give up in difficult times,
to act; moving through unknowns
to over come fears imagined and unimagined.
Now listen to my heart,
leaving my mind to rest,
letting thoughts be leaves
floating away down the river (down stream).
Hear my true longing,
to courageously support change.
This is the decade change must happen
to save the planet for our children
and their children.