FootprintsintheWind.com

I know why people keep others at a distance (fear); the question is how to help them break through. The key may be: get them wanting intimacy. Perhaps find the original impulse. Ask “Why?” more. (Why did you move to Dallas? Why do you want to do that sort of project in your church? Why do you read? Why do you write? What do you write when you write just for yourself? What is underneath your public role as whatever your job is? Original impulse.) Go deeper than this surface pressing on, which is memory being active, to the original, the heart pulse, the new with this person. Slow down so we can uncover.

:- Doug.

I see you, I see you, I see you, kin
My truth comes forth unbidden but welcomed,
the way prepared,
are arms outstretched an invitation?
then yes, invited too
my hands have to busy themselves
here, have some
if you like or ignore, or reject
still my hands have to busy themselves
and my mouth must offer, offer
I see you, I see you, I see you, kin

:- Doug.

We transform the earth by hearing.

:- Doug.

Conversation is not about doing or experiencing (which is a form of getting or grabbing) but about meeting—about being present and opposite, being real so you too are met.

:- Doug.

Listening is something we do to another, while hearing is participatory. Listening is done serially and singly; being heard is often done synchronously and in groups.

:- Doug.

What would life be if we didn’t constantly try new things?

:- Doug.

The old questions get in our way. Find new questions.

:- Doug.

The process of writing allows me
slowness and searching
so I can be stalked by sinuous
mysterious truths

:- Doug.

I finally saw why women of the Old Testament felt themselves less than whole if they had no children: if you cannot produce offspring for the world, you are profoundly incomplete. Opening and bearing are the quintessential way to be human and real.

:- Doug.

Stroke, shape and nurture so long
yet finally you must
set your poetry free
to mate
So it may produce its offspring

:- Doug.

Set loose the power of your poetry
show it on earth
invite the people to participate

:- Doug.

Look for the poetry in the dilemma
the dilemma in the poetry

:- Doug.

Listen for the music in what people say:
“There is something poetic in that.”

:- Doug.

The dilemma of life is
knowing you have poetry in you
and being convinced it is not as worthy
as the boring stuff

:- Doug.

Life is simple:
get out and do something for us.

:- Doug.

The only thing I know is that
we need each other
playful kindness is a good way
that leads us out to
need each other
more

:- Doug.

The universe is there for your
amusement
and drawing out
come join the fun

:- Doug.

Let’s get to the meet of the question.

:- Doug.

What is the greatest need in our community? The greatest need is community. We do not live until our voice is heard. Community is where we make the effort to hear one another. Hearing goes beyond listening: it takes exertion (here, hear, is the greater effort, not with the speaker); it takes investment of the hearer’s essence. Hearing draws life outward. To the extent we do not hear one another, our community is dying; to the extent we work to hear one another, and precisely to that extent, we live.

:- Doug.

Spirit needs to be touched.

:- Doug.

People need to be heard.

:- Doug.

Some day people may look back and call us the ancients. What wisdom are we leaving to help them?

:- Doug.

One epiphany this morning wasthattheancientswrotewithoutpunctuationorevenwordspaces- whichmeanstherearemorewaystoreadwhattheywrotemaybethey- thoughttheywereconservingpaperormaybetheysawthatwaythered- bemanywaystoreaditormaybenoonehadeverinventedspacesyetin- anyeventwecouldhavemoretoreadfromitifwedidntaddourjotsand- tittlesmuchlikepoetrytellsusmorebytellingusless

Add no jot or tittle was a reminder that, for ourselves and those we teach, there is danger in trying to direct the wind—and life in freeing it.

:- Doug.