FootprintsintheWind.com

We have no effect without someone or something to have an effect with. We are neither noun nor verb, rather dynamics, swirling, a dust devil. But when two dust devils knock into each other, then something happens. With only our own counsel we go crazy. With only our own thought we accomplish nothing. But give us a problem to work on, people to help, and watch us stride! We are relationship. Without someone to relate with, we fade to nothing. The laser needs the glass; the glass needs the laser: together the hologram. We are the hologram.

:- Doug.

G*d is the one in whom we live and move and have our being
We are somehow with this One
Within and a part
Children of the wind
Born not crafted
Of something else
But sharing substance

:- Doug.

Many are related but few are met.

Relation is bigger than meeting,
—we are related to all—
few do we meet.

To watch a swimmer crest the wave
To see his kick, to mimic her stroke
To know how to swim
All is thrown aside when I dive in

Meet the water
Knowing the water means me.

Many are invited but few choose to meet.

:- Doug.

What leaves you breathless? What, after all these years, O jaded one?

:- Doug.

To our good friends–

Things happen by themselves. Things are invited. Both are true. We can be affected; we can affect. Both are meeting. For which is this time? We have a once per life point of view which we owe to the world. Offering it is sometimes served by accepting from the flow. Even when we’d rather give. We must exercise the courage to inject our piece, even when we have to stand against the raging sea. We must exercise the courage to sit and wait. Stand up, speak up: even if you have to sit down and shut up to do it. Action and inaction have one origin. That is why the poet changes the world without muscle, accomplishes without effort.

:- Doug.

To our good friends–

The idea of celebrating our imperfection is not to say there is no bad in us nor to say the bad is good. Rather it is to take a clear eye to it to see if it is A. “poor me” or B. “wretched me” or C. “evil me” or D. “me.” If it is just “me” then there is something we can do with that, yes? We can grow from there, do? We can meet and meet G*d? With the others our choices are limited: moan, belittle, beg, imprison, kill. Choose clear-eyed. Choose life.

:- Doug.

Spirit meeting relation swirl
—they are of one substance—
In here we are touched touch are

:- Doug.

In these meetings people may be organizing in unexpected even unwanted ways, choosing to do upsetting, novel, and creative things. But please note: they are organizing. They are doing. They own the action. They carry through. They have got something and it has got them. Something they have perhaps not done before.

:- Doug.

The world needs conversation.

:- Doug.

The world means you. Therefore, to change the world is a very personal thing. It changes you, it changes me.

:- Doug.

I come, and I come to bring you out.

:- Doug.

Mystery: What is the role of creativity in meeting?

:- Doug.

A conversation is a party—a working party—of change makers.

:- Doug.

We are working out practical peace and justice. We are finding our work in the world. We are putting to work human nature—high and low.

:- Doug.

At change makers work parties we plot and plan and strategize radical change—everything is on the table except the overthrow of the government.

:- Doug.

The work is getting to work.

:- Doug.

People don’t need leaders
to direct organize plan
—these people can do for themselves
—if it even needs doing—
people need leaders
among them
who catch and share a new large vision
who get to work
who invite others to join with.

:- Doug.

I am a community disorganizer
I invite people to change-makers’ parties
—work parties—
That’s what I like about you folks—
for I see you are change makers
you are changing your little corner of the world
—and beyond

:- Doug.

Where do body and spirit touch?
How do they move each other?
By what mechanics?

:- Doug.

Explaining how kills the joke
Hold up the inviting image
Music, festive foods, action-seeking folks
Engage and people stay to play

A “What can we do about this” party
Fun work pizza tacos pop people
Action change a better home town
A change-makers party

:- Doug.

From G*d all things flow and are nourished
To G*d all things seek to return
Yet G*d is not a ruler as humans rule.

:- Doug.

I must ask for the conversation I seek. Ask who has interest in conversation or immigration or community action. More direct less oblique.

:- Doug.

Sometimes the Tao likes to play hide and seek.

Shall we seek or shall we wait?
Which is more fun?
Which gets us into life?

:- Doug.