Courage

12/26/2015

Not one word has flown from my fingers since the Paris attacks of November 13th ..

Not one moment has passed since that Friday when my mind hasn't swirled with thoughts of similar actions throughout the history of mankind ..

That day in Paris wasn't unique, nor new, nor any different than thousands of other days darkened by Humanity turning against itself ..

Retched black of depravity surfaced .. brilliant light of compassion, empathy, and love shone once again to illuminate and dissipate the carnage ..

Hatred briefly clutched hearts within its' filthy claw .. momentarily stripping joy from souls .. fear born from ignorance - anger born from fear - violence born from anger - further violence born from revenge and retribution ..

A circle of negativity continues to perpetuate itself .. until Love is born from courage.

The end of madness will happen .. it will happen with the most courageous act of all ..

As swords of hatred strike .. the courageous will confront fear, anger, and hatred with
Empathy, Light and Love ... never allowing rage to extinguish illumination.

This ultimate act of courage will reclaim our Humanity ..

In the blink of an eye ..
knowledge replaces fear
compassion replaces anger
love replaces violence

And

Glittering lights of Paris will brightly proclaim the Victory of Mankind over itself ..

Love will Prevail ...

from Kauai to Paris .. and all places between

Wishing you Peace, Harmony, and Love
Bill

19 Comments

Karen Cafarella

12/26/2015 11:06:32 am

In the blink of an eye the world changes. In the blink of an eye love shines through. In the blink of an eye prayers help healing. In the blink of an eye we all are one.

Bill link

12/26/2015 12:20:06 pm

Karen, Thank You for your always positive and beautiful insight. I blinked my eye after posting this, and there you were .. so I received a blessing in the blink of an eye!

Mahalo et Merci !!
Bill

Heather in Arles

12/27/2015 02:23:01 am

Namste, Bill.

I have been so grateful for your strength and optimism in the comments that you have left chez moi. They have helped keep me (mainly) on track.

With all of my Best Wishes for the New Year from Provence,
H

Bill link

12/27/2015 02:32:44 am

Heather .. it has been a pleasure and an easy exercise to comment and compliment your creativity! I happily reciprocate your good wishes .. All the Best in 2016 .. Bonne année !!

Mahalo et Merci,
Bill

Susan Sybert

12/27/2015 03:25:29 am

And I have missed your blog .... But what a beautiful way to come back to it. Thank you.

Bill link

12/27/2015 03:34:37 am

Susan .. the greatest compliment of all "I have missed your blog" .. Thank You! There have been those times over the last 5 years when I simply was not motivated to sit and put thought to paper .. I accept that as a normal part of "my process", but I always have this tumultuous feeling inside .. wondering if anyone else even gives my writing 5 seconds of thought. Your comment is invigorating and so very positive to me .. Thank You so much for saying that.

Mahalo et Merci,
Bill

Susan Sybert

12/27/2015 09:24:13 am

Yep.... The best compliment and encouragement I can give you... When you think no one is paying attention ... Is that I always read your blog.. And I feel absolutely no obligation to do so, and I have tons of emails to read, and many that I skip.... But yours hit a sweet spot of short, pithy, meaningful and amusing .... With great pix... So I always make the choice to read them!!

Sally

12/27/2015 04:55:34 am

This is beautiful Billy, just like your spirit! I love you!

Bill link

12/27/2015 06:19:57 am

And I love you, little Sister .. nobody has a more beautiful spirit than you!

Mahalo et Merci,
Your Brother

Sharon Tirabasso

12/27/2015 11:21:44 am

As always, I'm grateful for your loving insight. Here's to a New Year...let our lights shine...throughout the world...let peace and love prevail against all dark moments. See you in about 6 months!!!

Bill link

12/27/2015 11:28:50 am

Sharon .. Thank You for those kind words .. Have a wonderful New Year and we'll see you on beautiful Kauai !

Mahalo et Merci,
Bill

Patty

12/27/2015 11:02:26 pm

"In the blink of an eye ..
knowledge replaces fear
compassion replaces anger
love replaces violence."

Bill, so good to hear from you. Your beautiful, thoughtful words ring true. It is a testament, a declaration, that the greater part of humanity not only reject this senseless violence, but believes in the power of love and goodness to win out.

I was reading about Georgia O'Keefe yesterday whose work was described as focusing on "finding the essential and the abstract form, in all of the works that she would paint and create. Doing this, Georgia O'Keeffe was able to create the most intricate detail, color shadows, lighting, and distinct nuances, in every art form that she developed on a canvas."

I thought that this translates to a worthy aspiration in the new year: finding "the essential and the abstract...and distinct nuances..." This nuanced, more thoughtful thinking, instead of our simplistic black & white, carved-in-stone opinions. Nuance, such that we can open a crack in our hard opinions and certainties to allow the light of another in. We do not have to agree, to believe alike, but at some level can we not listen more and work towards peaceful coexistence. Nuance, (defined as a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound) can it be finding the subtle sameness we share.

That sameness--not so subtle, really--is our need to live in peace, to see one another as brothers and sisters and not the enemy. It is easy to despair. Your words lead us away from despair and ask us to seek great beauty. To believe in "the power of one." Each of us is that one.

"Glittering lights of Paris will brightly proclaim the Victory of Mankind over itself ..." I heartily agree.

Many thanks, Bill, for bringing light into our lives. Best to you, always; cheers to you, cheers to nuance in 2016!

Bill link

12/28/2015 04:24:28 am

Patty, what a beautifully written unveiling of your own good heart. "Cheers to nuance in 2016" indeed ! And thank you for the reference to Georgia O'Keefe .. I was raised in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and am very familiar with the area of Northern New Mexico where she lived, painted, and became inspired by the nature surrounding her. Thank You, Patty for "lighting up my morning" here on Kauai .. In the Spirit of Peace and Love I send my deep appreciation.

Mahalo et Merci,
Bill

Patty

12/28/2015 02:00:57 pm

I know I write on too much, but your words tend to make me think and most of what I said was already something I had been writing about. Also, I shared your exquisite magenta (?) orchid photo on my post today, crediting you, but I certainly should have asked oermission first!

Dad

12/28/2015 04:09:50 am

Great thoughts and we can only hope and pray that they come true.

Bill link

12/28/2015 04:26:36 am

Dad .. Thank you so much .. I am always happy to see you here. It is special for me to have you reading my words, and I am most appreciative.

Love & Admiration,
Bill

Bill link

12/28/2015 02:21:38 pm

Patty, I'm happy you like the orchid photo .. that particular flower is my favorite of the approximately 200 orchids in our yard. You should smell it .. unbelievably beautiful aroma (as you may know, very few orchids have any aroma at all). Also, that particular flower is about 8 inches across. It is truly magnificent, and I'm pleased you have shared it on your site. After all, it is only beautiful if it is seen. Aloha et Au revoir, Bill

Patty

12/29/2015 10:43:22 am

8" across!...holy cow...er, holy belle fleur!

Debbie Ambrous link

12/30/2015 01:02:41 am

Bill,
I enjoyed reading your thoughts in this one very much. My orchids are flourishing, but not as beautiful as your prize winner! We are having a dark day with heavy rain and thunderstorms, so your blog was a bright spot for me. Keep up the good work!

Courage

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