Slip Stream

Yoda knows the questions

still unanswered by youngsters

of each decade swimming 

in the slip stream of time.

Wisdom, growing in strength,

as a tall evergreen pine tree

from a pine cone 

split open by wild fire

or as the spreading dandelion

from the seed fluff sailing

in a roiling wind or a child’s puff of breath.

“Everything flows and nothing abides, 

everything gives way and nothing stays fixed.”

~ Heraclitus

Yoda - legendary Jedi Master from the movie Star Wars (Star Wars Databank) who trained Jedi for over 800 years.

Wizardry

Note the peanut above the rhizomes!

Magic happens today

when I read stories, ideas and essays

that turned invisible switches

in my too scheduled habits 

thoughtfully sliding them into 

slots lain empty for years 

gathering the empty dust of longing. 

With the fresh breath of new ideas 

dust scatters as though never there 

leaving a shiny and new space, 

  a void, 

    a vacuum 

awaiting keys to new kingdoms 

of thought, adventure and ideas

for exciting exploration and growth.

Magic happens today 

when I feel the minutiae of 

my life like precious gems,

while watching tiny flowers open 

cautiously in the protected shelter of 

the twigs, pebbles and mulch of experience 

welcoming each fresh drop of moisture 

to nourish roots already established,

growing with each breath in story, song and dance.

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes 

the whole world around you because the greatest 

secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. 

Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”

~ Roald Dahl

Do I Dare?

Outside for a breath of fresh air I tiptoe into a foggy day ~

veiled sunshine hesitantly promises bright sapphire skies by day, sparkling star shine on moonlit nights.

Do I dare believe

in perfection past the veil?

                or 

Do I believe that 

each breath of fresh air is perfection?

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, 

it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.”

~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Risk

Nodding ‘hello’ to opportunity

while offering an open hand

accepts both choice and chance.

“To find yourself, think for yourself.”

~ Socrates

Soul Seasons

Opening doors 

to an unknown future ~

like green sprouts that push 

through moist wintered earth ~

beauty lent to each new season 

for growth, strength and acceptance.

“My soul, be satisfied with flowers,

With fruit, with weeds even; but gather them

in the one garden you may call your own.”

~ Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac

Honouring the Fallen

Treating each day without care, taking for granted the blue of the sky, the warmth of the sun on our faces was challenged by the plaintive lament of bagpipes. Two white tents seen from the sidewalk and a crowd gathering behind the Victoria legislature, lands of these parliament buildings and surrounding areas are located on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people. Walking with a friend who alerted me to the tents, I followed my curiosity, strolling onto the lawn towards a gathering crowd. Quickly I saw many uniformed firefighters and recognized what was possibly a memorial service. I decided to remain and take in this opportunity to witness the ceremony that was about to unfold. This ceremony was to honour the fifteen firefighters who had lost their lives in the past year. Honoured were firefighters from Trail, Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey and Trail. Tearful members of their families received flags of honour. The uniformed parade of firefighters, men and women, filled the streets around the Legislature with their strength, numbers and music. This ceremony was extremely moving to this curious bystander. 

“But aloud the praises, and give the victor-crown. 

To our noble hearted Firemen, who fear not danger’s frown.”

~ Fredric G.W.Fenn

Within ~ 1

Understanding my new relationship with life and limb has brought me to a halt. So I have delved into philosophy, a discipline I have been interested in since first I learned there was such a thing. In the context of just over fifty years as a Registered nurse in various health care systems, I had most often had written guidance. Standards of practice. Policies and procedures for nursing duties. Policies and procedures for fire safety, security, interdisciplinary communications.. and on and on. Here at home, try as I might, there are no identical binders or computer programs for the specifics of my life. (Don’t worry, I’m not devaluing my time by such a search.). There are, however, three concepts that provide context for me to move forward. Autonomy, morality, ethics ~ three qualities that have proved useful and help me to steer the little ship I call ‘me’. There is a fourth multidimensional quality to bring into this retirement mode. One that can lend a lot of sparkle to dry as dust sounding philosophical principles: Fun. Enjoyment. Curiosity. Creativity.  I’ve read and done many things that are ‘dry as dust’. As boring as watching grass grow. But if they are are injected with regular doses of F.E.C.C. life becomes fruitful and a very good place to be. 

Autonomy: *To gain autonomous practice, nurses must be competent and have the  courage to take charge in situations where they are responsible. This translates this into my personal and writing life with the last words ‘where they are responsible.’ In work life, the responsibilities are shared and often assigned according to competencies. Autonomy at home provides greater depth of meaning to being responsible for maintaining home, health and finances. Autonomy, whether with family, friends or the broader community, if bandied about selfishly just will not support an enjoyable retirement. Strengthening previously established relationships and establishing new relationships becomes an exciting and worthy goal. Most importantly, I watched and learned from my grandparents, extended family members, friends, colleagues and communities at large with which I have shared my life.

Morality :  *Looking up the definition of autonomy in an on-line dictionary, I found this phrase: “(in Kantian moral philosophy) the capacity of an agent to act in accordance with objective morality rather than under the influence of desires.” Further brief research this morning gleaned this article from *The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, where they published a treatise entitled Kant’s Moral Philosophy that outlines not only autonomy but the Duty and Respect for Moral Law. Again, I return to my family, friends, colleagues and community regarding morality having witnessed exemplary moral behaviour, and sometimes a ‘good bad example or two’ in the mix. No books, binders or dissertations necessary.

Ethics:  Back to an online *dictionary I went. I learned that ethics and morals are often used interchangeably with a fine distinction between the two.  Paraphrased and as per the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary, morals may describe one’s particular values regarding right and wrong while ethics can be broadly related to questions of correct behaviour within a relatively narrow area of activity. Once more, daily interactions with all the many others informs my beliefs, my approaches and my attitudes.

For today, the fun, the enjoyment in today has been baking a loaf of bread, researching with curiosity definitions, and writing this piece. I have a new book to read, along with a few other books. Creating breakfast  - and eating it - is a always a joy for me. There will be more after this posting. I have no specific plans except to go outside in the warm sunshine. 

“Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.”

~ Isaac Azimov, Foundation

* From The Meaning of Autonomy in Nursing Practice - 

        article in Journal of Clinical Nursing 19(15-16):2226-34 - July 2009

        Source:  PubMed

*en.oxforddictionaries.com - Definition of Autonomy

*merriam-webster.com - Definition of morality with information about the distinction between ethics and morals.

*Kant’s Moral Philosophy - First published Mon Feb 23,2004; substantive revision Thu Jul 7, 2016;   <https://plato.stanford.edu>