One morning, I was walking with a dear colleague. She is knowledgeable of the names of birds and native plants. When we are walking on other mornings, she will point out something and say its name. I don't see details at a distance, but still am grateful for her bringing its presence to my consciousness awareness.
Yesterday, as we approached it, my colleague asked if I would take a photo of the "stairs going nowhere"". It is the only remains of one of the first buildings in Crescent City. Torn down after a fire, the building housed a "night club" for a while which, as history would tell, was jumping with live music on the weekends.
As I reflect on the "stairs going nowhere", I am reminded of the similar occurrence of my life during this past year - it has been a year now. I promised myself I would make no major decisions until I have had a year or however long it takes to process the radical change in my home life.
I am also reminded that, as a result of the most recent presidential election, this nation's life radically changed. As I write of one, I am also writing of the other. The mirror remains. There is no escaping either.
Not quite ready to go ahead and make the big changes, I nevertheless have a few unavoidable decisions right here and right now. Some are in my hands to decide. Some are out of my control to manage alone. In fact, these which are out of my control, may take a whole movement of like minds to determine their direction and outcome.
Change happens and changing in response takes courage.
The big question is, "Are these steps to nowhere, or is it time to create a whole new space?"
More pragmatically, my eyesight is warped to the point where, if I am to be a responsible citizen, I must give up driving. It takes courage to be dependent on others to get around, which is the way it is if I need to be somewhere. This village is small, so I can walk anywhere I need to go. I may need to get another golf cart for those times I need groceries. I can maneuver a golf cart safely. I have not figured it out yet, but I am sure I can find a way to get to other cities, to the airport , or to a festival or other event when it is time to go.
I love my home. I do not mind living alone here as long as I can afford to have someone keep the grounds trimmed and mowed. Being alone inside my home, gives me plenty of space to write and paint and otherwise create without pressure and accompanying stressors. This environment is not much different than being on a permanent retreat in nature, given its location on a lake in Florida.
But, being a social being, like every other healthy human being on this planet, I need to be with people to interact in a give-and-take dance of creative endeavor. I and everyone else, needs to be able to feel at home where we are, in this multicultural, highly diverse world.
No one is on the "stairs to nowhere". What is needed right now might just be a whole new structure which returns purpose to the already existing stairs.
I sure am not willing to succumb to a policy where people are left alone to fend for themselves with no support when they are unable to care for themselves.
I sure am not willing to settle in a world in which some have access to all they need to thrive when the rest are dependent on them just to survive.
My visual ability may be disintegrating, but my Vision is strong and clear.
For me, the stairs will not stand alone forever. They have meaning and purpose in beckoning me to construct a renewed life. I might need to have the courage to be more dependent. The decision to let my car go and never drive again, except for a vehicle I can maneuver safely locally, must be made from a compassionate place of understanding what is really real.
There is no going back. The future is presently a vacant lot overgrown with weeds ,bushes and burned trees. I see a welcoming place which radiates the beauty of being - a contribution to a sense of belonging in a great place to be alive.
This is true for who I am and where I live, as sure as what I see changing in our nation's life today. Do we work together as a nation? I believe the decision is as relevant to us as me deciding to have the courage to depend on others to go someplace out of town.
The question gives rise to a whole new connotation for "dependent". Can't get around without a Vision.
How impaired is your vision? What is your larger Vision? Do you have the courage to change and create anew?
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