Category: Uncategorized

Nature seems to show you love when you appreciate her, even when you’re not looking for it. Sometimes it’ll pop out of no where when least expecting it.

While on my nature walk with my husband this past weekend this little lone leaf appeared to me on the ground. It captured my attention and I knew it was a sign of nature showing her love. I was looking up at the time listening to the birds sing and watching them fly by up in the bright blue sky. I noticed a cardinal, in which he was trying to photograph. I was standing still, very quiet, trying to get his attention. By the time he realized what I was doing the bird flew off. I stood there, listening, for a few more moments, emersed in the sounds of nature and that’s when I looked down and noticed the leaf. I wasn’t just listening with my ears, but with my heart, as well. Connecting with Nature this way, she’ll connect back with you in mysterious ways.

I love playing with words and I know a picture/meme has been done with the words “hear” and “heart” before. I’ve seen it floating around and I may have even shared it in the past. It has a quote saying something about the two words, the letters of the word hear are also in heart, and about “listening with your heart.” While on my nature walk it came to me to add the word “ear” to this mix, as it made sense.

We all have the ability to hear with our ears and with our hearts. When we only listen with our ears we only hear sounds and words. Yes, that can be just as important, as it’s how we communicate and comprehend things. We also listen with our ears for the sounds in nature and music, etc…

We listen to music with our ears for the words. When we listen to it with our heart, we connect, empathize, we dance, we move, we thrive, and feel alive. Sometimes we feel down and want to cry, depending on the music. There’s also a lot of neuroscience on how music effects our brain. It helps with learning and there’s music therapy, as well.

When we hear with our ears, we listen to words. When we hear with our heart, we listen with our soul. We’re more empathetic to others. It shows compassion. It let’s them know we’re connecting with them and wanting to better understand them, including children. Connecting with each other is important, it is the key, it is the heart of everything.

So, how are you listening to others? How are you listening to children?

When we can look past our differences and hate

We can find some common ground to relate.

We all have different opinions and beliefs

And that’s what makes us all unique.  

Our children are observing and watching us more than you know.

Is this how we really want them to grow?

To live in hate, violence, and fear.

Is this what we really want them to hear?

In the world there will always be drama.

But do our children really need this type of trauma?

It’s time to honor our children

And truly listen to them.

Listen to what they have to say.

Involve them, they may know a better way.

Children are our teachers, you know.

Enter their world and it will show.

And what do the words have in common up above?

When the last four letters are switched around they spell LOVE.

This where we need to begin.

Showing more empathy, understanding, and compassion.

When I was a child and I heard the word race, “I’ll race you” it was seeing who was the fastest, or who could get something done quicker. I didn’t know it had anything to do with the color of skin. Maybe it was the time I was born, how I was raised, the teachers I had, or maybe it was just how I perceived everything as a child. I did feel like I was different than others.

Taneka was the very first friend I made. We went to school together and she lived right down the street in the neighborhood we lived in. When I think back, the neighborhood was diverse. Yes, her skin color was different than mine, but that didn’t change our friendship.

It’s just a color.

I grew up having many friends of different colors. We learned about each other and from each other. I also had many great teachers in school of different skin colors.

I didn’t have any special privileges different from any of my friends. We all had the same or similar opportunities growing up. I didn’t see any others having any other special treatment. I’ve also seen growing up and even more today many successful people of different skin colors, from police, doctors, lawyers, business owners, to athletes, entrepreneurs, etc. So, where does this whole “white privilege” come from?

When you look up the word “race” the first definition is what I previously just wrote. A competition to see who is faster, quicker, or better at something than the other. You can see right here:

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/race

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/race

Here is the origin, as well:

Late Old English, from Old Norse rás ‘current’. It was originally a northern English word with the sense ‘rapid forward movement’, which gave rise to the senses ‘contest of speed’ (early 16th century) and ‘channel, path’ (i.e. the space traversed). The verb dates from the late 15th century.

So, what are we racing for?

Then here is an insert from Britanica on race:

Race, the idea that the human species is divided into distinct groups on the basis of inherited physical and behavioral differences. Genetic studies in the late 20th century refuted the existence of biogenetically distinct races, and scholars now argue that “races” are cultural interventions reflecting specific attitudes and beliefs that were imposed on different populations in the wake of western European conquests beginning in the 15th century.

Going back to when I mentioned that my friends and I learned about each other and from each other. When we’re exposed to different ethnicities and cultures we become more open-minded and accepting of each other. We didn’t always agree on everything, but we still remained friends. We accepted each other’s differences.

The word race in the human world isn’t that old, but not that new either. You can read the history here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_(human_categorization)

So, going back to skin colors, none of us are technically white nor black. Black is the absence of color, a void. Whereas white is the prism where all colors combine.

Together they make gray.

We’re all shades in between from the darkest of browns to the palest shade of cream. I see many beautiful colors, colors of cultures, colors of nationalities, colors of ethnicities, colors of the world. I believe in the human race. I believe in humanity.

Who else is with me?

There was a few nice rainstorms in my area over our 3 day weekend. So, when the toddlers and I were ready to go on the playground they had much to discover and explore.

I only had 2, so it was a very nice and relaxing day. It was also loads of fun for them! While most early childhood educators I’ve known, past & present would start dumping water out of things, picking up sticks, etc. I wouldn’t do such a thing. I love watching the curiosity & exploring. It’s all a part of their learning.

They first discovered that there was water in the back of a toy riding car. What toddler wouldn’t? It’s water! Only having the 2, they actually played cooperatively and took turns splashing in the water, soaking the front of their shirts. I just sat back immersed in their delightful play.

They took a break and went exploring the playground. We saw that the patch of dirt we play in was still slightly damp & that some of our sand toys were filled with some water, as well. They immediately dumped the water and started patting at the mud. I made a few castles and they crushed and squished them with their shoes and their hands. I was able to get a quick, but blurry picture before they started squishing it with their hands, feeling the dampness of the dirt between their fingers. One of them squealed with joy as they squeezed the wet dirt against the ground.

What did they find next? Some long, intertwined, full length sticks. They held them up high and proud, as if they were knights with swords. They laughed and giggled as they tapped them against each other, against the poles, and the ground. Observing their play this morning was such a joy! How could anyone not let children play this way?

I started writing my poetry at age 13 many, years ago. I very rarely shared it, not thinking or feeling it wasn’t good enough. I still wrote it in a journal that I’ve always kept close by. This poem I’m about to share is one of the very first poems I wrote. I still feel it is relevant today, especially with all that’s going on with the politics, crime, etc….

Why?

Why is the world the way it is?

We need more peace, love, and kindness,

But the more the world grows,

The more crime and hate.

Isn’t anyone going to do something?

Why do we all have to act this way?

Why is there so much hate and anger?

Why does it seem like there’s no more caring?

Why does everybody have to fight?

Why does everybody have to hate?

Why can’t we all find peace?

Why can’t we all just find a way to get along?

Why…..?