Sentiments with which I agree: collaboration, coexistence, neighborliness. The zero-sum mentality has been propagated widely, but we don't need to believe it. I think it exists only in our minds. You can't be taken advantage of if you don't feel taken advantage of, right?
We grow when we value sharing; neighbour means someone next to you. A neighbourhood is a place where we coexist. In other words, a community. Not only of humans, but all other animals and species.
Marisol, your piece struck a chord with me, especially the part about vitality coming from a neighbor's yard's harvest. It’s so true, isn’t it? We often think of personal growth as an individual journey, but it's so intertwined with our communities. I remember when my neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, shared her extra tomatoes a few summers ago. It wasn’t just about the tomatoes; it was about the connection, the feeling of being seen and cared for. It made me more inclined to share my garden’s bounty, and I saw that ripple effect spread through our block. Your words remind us that our small acts of kindness and sharing can have a much larger impact than we realize. It’s a beautiful metaphor for how we should approach life—not as isolated individuals, but as part of a larger, interconnected whole.
“crafting of coexistence likely calls for consciousness, conscientiousness, consistency, patience and persistence.”
It is a daily practice and requires intention. Harmony in complex systems requires energy. It is a worthy cause.
Cultivating coexistence within oneself is the cornerstone. Embracing all the parts, the foibles and imperfections, loving them as they are, as WE are, is key.
The challenge: loving ourselves and others as we/they are.
Your voice is truly exquisite, I linger on every single word you weave. I was equally moved by your inclusion of sheep with tags in their ears who are clearly farmed for their wool--a process that is often devoid of any compassion with profit in mind. Seeing these creatures framed in your compassionate lens was healing and inspiring and I thank you for it. I believe they saw you, as you saw them in all of their deserving dearness. All creatures on this earth benefit from your kind ways and words. I thank you!
". . . rejecting, renouncing, questioning the cult of the zero sum." So, so, so important. The realization that if we all come together with goodwill and care for all, we have enough - more than enough. It is the fear-mongering - the drumbeat of Fox news and similar outlets - that makes folks hold what they have tight, and view all others as threats to their existence. As a kindergarten teacher, I worked hard to help my little ones understand that, and with their open hearts, they almost always did - were models for me and other adults. Thank you Marisol, for another beautiful poem!
Beautiful Marisol! I love you format! How you dance with the titles and subtitles that break out into poem. We laugh here in Canada as we say good fences make good neighbours! In reality good neighbours don’t need a fence! Although I will say ironically, I wish we had one on our southern Canadian border right now lol. 🙏❤️
Marisol, I love how each verse and story beautifully reflects the complexities and hopes of coexistence, voicing your heartfelt yearning for unity, compassion and mutual understanding. For me, you've brought to mind the global experience of lockdown, where we all paused, pondered and spent longer moments getting to know the people who lived in our street and across the world.
I wish I had wandered into Substack all those years ago. Still, I eventually got here and discovered that I have some truly wonderful neighbours. Thank you so much for being one of them.
this reminds me of an episode with a neighbour experienced by a friend of mine. The neighbour owned a duckpond which attracted all kinds of water fowl. At some point he had the bright idea to offer 'his pond' for duck shooting.
My friend, a keen bird watcher, asked how much he was hoping to earn by hiring out the pond for shooting the birds and offered to pay the equivalent to rent the pond from him. That's how the ducks could be saved, the neighbourly disagreement was resolved, and all the birds remained as treasured neighbours.
Sentiments with which I agree: collaboration, coexistence, neighborliness. The zero-sum mentality has been propagated widely, but we don't need to believe it. I think it exists only in our minds. You can't be taken advantage of if you don't feel taken advantage of, right?
What to believe, trust?
What to do? What to not do?
Apply discernment.
We grow when we value sharing; neighbour means someone next to you. A neighbourhood is a place where we coexist. In other words, a community. Not only of humans, but all other animals and species.
All connected, linked,
like the marten and the mink.
The rest, a drunk wink. 😉
...
Wake up from the spell,
wildly connected we are.
All our relations. 😊
Marisol, your piece struck a chord with me, especially the part about vitality coming from a neighbor's yard's harvest. It’s so true, isn’t it? We often think of personal growth as an individual journey, but it's so intertwined with our communities. I remember when my neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, shared her extra tomatoes a few summers ago. It wasn’t just about the tomatoes; it was about the connection, the feeling of being seen and cared for. It made me more inclined to share my garden’s bounty, and I saw that ripple effect spread through our block. Your words remind us that our small acts of kindness and sharing can have a much larger impact than we realize. It’s a beautiful metaphor for how we should approach life—not as isolated individuals, but as part of a larger, interconnected whole.
We psychologists
shall outgrow view of who/what
it takes for our growth.
...
Strong ripple effects
are made by sharing goods, grace.
Spirited spirals. :)
“crafting of coexistence likely calls for consciousness, conscientiousness, consistency, patience and persistence.”
It is a daily practice and requires intention. Harmony in complex systems requires energy. It is a worthy cause.
Cultivating coexistence within oneself is the cornerstone. Embracing all the parts, the foibles and imperfections, loving them as they are, as WE are, is key.
The challenge: loving ourselves and others as we/they are.
Indeed. Thanks, Susan.
Attention with intention.
Energy, effort.
...
Accepting what is
as is, with love, compassion.
Starting with ourselves.
A country's leaders may not represent the best of the majority of it's people. We can speak to/with each other.
When love, learning lead,
we listen to each other.
Win-win in we-world.
Your voice is truly exquisite, I linger on every single word you weave. I was equally moved by your inclusion of sheep with tags in their ears who are clearly farmed for their wool--a process that is often devoid of any compassion with profit in mind. Seeing these creatures framed in your compassionate lens was healing and inspiring and I thank you for it. I believe they saw you, as you saw them in all of their deserving dearness. All creatures on this earth benefit from your kind ways and words. I thank you!
Thanks bow for your praise,
deeper bow yet for your care
for our fauna ‘fam.’
...
Sheep, dog neighbors/kin
help keep this ‘hood ‘fire-safe.’
Hope they feel thanked, loved.
Beautiful, Marisol. Reading your words and a deep breath to start the day...thank you.
Glad it did you good.
Namaste, new neighbor Sue~
Welcome to this ‘hood!
". . . rejecting, renouncing, questioning the cult of the zero sum." So, so, so important. The realization that if we all come together with goodwill and care for all, we have enough - more than enough. It is the fear-mongering - the drumbeat of Fox news and similar outlets - that makes folks hold what they have tight, and view all others as threats to their existence. As a kindergarten teacher, I worked hard to help my little ones understand that, and with their open hearts, they almost always did - were models for me and other adults. Thank you Marisol, for another beautiful poem!
Yes, yes, this is how
children of all ages grow
kind, generous, wise.
...
There’s more than enough!
Enough to feel, to tear up.
Enough to act up.
Beautiful Marisol! I love you format! How you dance with the titles and subtitles that break out into poem. We laugh here in Canada as we say good fences make good neighbours! In reality good neighbours don’t need a fence! Although I will say ironically, I wish we had one on our southern Canadian border right now lol. 🙏❤️
Dear neighbor Jamie,
next post may be on fences!
Regrets from us US ☹
Whoopsie! I never knew you were from the states. Sorry I dumped my moral agenda. It was not necessary. Keep writing -we need you!
Most of us here grieve,
fear, fight the cruel mad messes
some were duped to choose. :(
Marisol, I love how each verse and story beautifully reflects the complexities and hopes of coexistence, voicing your heartfelt yearning for unity, compassion and mutual understanding. For me, you've brought to mind the global experience of lockdown, where we all paused, pondered and spent longer moments getting to know the people who lived in our street and across the world.
I wish I had wandered into Substack all those years ago. Still, I eventually got here and discovered that I have some truly wonderful neighbours. Thank you so much for being one of them.
Dear neighbor sister,
‘the hopes of coexistence’!
Yes, yearnings indeed.
Precious thoughts about neighbouring 💕🙏 ✨
"To lift our neighbors
with the flapping of our wings.
Will we heed the call?"
this reminds me of an episode with a neighbour experienced by a friend of mine. The neighbour owned a duckpond which attracted all kinds of water fowl. At some point he had the bright idea to offer 'his pond' for duck shooting.
My friend, a keen bird watcher, asked how much he was hoping to earn by hiring out the pond for shooting the birds and offered to pay the equivalent to rent the pond from him. That's how the ducks could be saved, the neighbourly disagreement was resolved, and all the birds remained as treasured neighbours.
Care, creativity.
Your duck story, what we need.
Thanks, Veronika!!!