Yesterday, I was sorely tempted to simply hit “publish” and let the title of this post speak for itself. I am glad that I didn’t.
For while I woke up today with that feeling of being lost again, my eyes aching from last nights tears of disappointment, I remembered another series of mornings, not long ago. When I was staying with my friends in Menton, I would start each day by pulling back the curtains and standing before an open window to face the sea. My gaze would soften as I tried to focus on what was beyond fixation, out to the line and beyond, into unkowing. And how strong that felt to me then, the possibility present, thumping, alive.
My Mother and my Sister are attending their local version of the Women’s March in Ann Arbor, Michigan. My American friend C is training up to Paris from this tiny village to participate. How proud I am and what hope this instills.
For while there is leisure lulling on the beaches (a constant echo back to other times, memories that seem all the richer for their distance), out on the waves, we can make our voices heard. After having lived in France for fifteen years, where the people are not afraid of contestation, I know the power that we yield, still.
There are many facets to Peace.
We can resist, we can write our future in action and response. To find and be found, again and again; awake, as a sea of possibility. With a societal shift that I am quite certain reaches beyond politics, this is our tide now.
I don’t feel at all qualified to be writing this post; I feel awkward and am not sure of what I am doing. The “Who do you think you are?”‘s are rolling through my throat, wishing to stifle thoughts, even half-formed but well-intentioned, into silence…but of course not. We are all qualified just by the nature of our being human and our innate connection with each other…so let’s wade into the waters, even if we are just learning to swim.
Are any of you joining the Women’s March? If you are curious about taking part in this international movement, you can find more information about it here and a listing of locations in the United States and around the globe, here.
So far, it is estimated that there are over two million marches that will occur, including one that is happening in the Vieux Port of Marseille as I type.
This has always been a very respectful community and I don’t wish to make anyone ill at ease but I would love to hear how you are feeling in response to yesterday’s inauguration in the comments below, no matter where you are reading from on our beautiful planet. This concerns us all, as you are already well aware.
Thank you for your blog — your words and your photographs and the Seneca quote:
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." – Seneca
Pendulums swing. And they swing again. It is my faith that our pendulum will swing again and swing higher.
The most basic human right to speak our truth and refuse to be silenced. The most recognizable marker of evil is its impetus to suppress others' voices.
Happily, speaking our truth is all we have to do to oppose evil. That's all. Ever.
I’ll comment first, then go back to read. Unusually heavy rain in L.A. on inauguration day. Our power was out all day so I was spared what I vowed I wouldn’t watch anyway. Yesterday the sun came out and I marched in L.A., proud to be a part of a community defending threats to our humanity, health and welfare, decency, kindness. Yesterday our new president spouted more hate and lies. Today it’s raining again. Yesterday my friend (of 50 years!) had great advice, “Buckle up!”
Ok, I've had enough…every 4 years someone gets elected as the U.S. President. Every 4 years some people are shocked, saddened, horrified, scared, angry and disappointed….don't continue to spread hate and fear because you are not satisfied with an outcome…we all have the Constitutional and God given right to have and express our own opinions and beliefs….i get it that some are vehemently opposed to President Trump, and again, that is your right…but the fact remains he is our new president…why is it that so many are not willing to give him a chance?….the bottom line is that he is our new Commander in Chief and he should be given the opportunity to prove himself before we all pull out the torches and pitchforks….regardless of who won or lost the election, if you live in the USA, you win…this is the greatest country the world has ever know….be grateful, be kind and love your neighbor.
Cry, the beloved country
Thanks for sharing you kind thoughts!
Yesterday, I was ashamed of my country. Today I was reminded that Trump was not elected because of the voice of the people, but because of a flaw in our system. This gives me hope. We will get past this. We will move on. And your photos, as always, bring light to my day.
I live in Canada and am not sure what will happen next…
part of me wants to panic and the other part wants to hold on tight and hope for the best.
Time will tell and I have faith that there will be checks and balances in place so that things will not go sideways.
Your pictures are very soothing and beautiful Heather.
Thank you for correcting me. Tiffany Trump was born in October of 1993 out of wedlock. Trump did not marry Marla until December 1993. Again, I am appalled he is our president.
Thank you for the beautiful photographs, Heather. There is tremendous energy in the U.S. against Trump and what he and his minions appear to want to do (and what he already has started doing). I, as part of that energy, am not sure how we will translate it into effective action, and I am filled with dread about what Trump will be able to do. Personally and politically, he is abhorrent. But today is a day to resist what he seeks to do to civil rights in the U.S., and so I am focusing on the positive act of marching in solidarity. I am carrying your courageous example with me, as always, Leslie in Oregon
I am Australian living in Beijing, but still very sad about the situation in the States. Obama was such an inspirational leader, now you have the complete opposite….