No Words Adequate... Clearer Vision

I haven’t known what to write these last few weeks. There are so many words to be said.

And no words feel adequate.

No words adequate to talk about the killing of George Floyd.

No words adequate to talk about the killing of Breonna Taylor.

No words adequate to talk about the too many more before them.

No words adequate to talk about systemic racism and white supremacy culture.

No words adequate to talk about the protests happening all over the world in response to these deaths, those systems, that culture.

No words adequate to describe the rage and grief erupting in the streets.

No words adequate to describe the empowered hope that somehow simultaneously is emerging.

So I’ll use the words I have as best I know how.

2020

20/20

Year of clear vision.

Even before the year began, I (and many others) described this year with those words. I didn’t have any idea what the words meant. I’m beginning to understand.

This year has brought clear vision of the wounds that have been covered up and festering under (sometimes) pretty bandages in our country and world.

This year is also bringing clear vision of the healing happening alongside the festering. The healing that is possible. The healing that is needed.

Maybe we don’t yet have fully clear vision, but at least clearer vision. I offer glimpses of my clearer vision, in no particular order. I’m sure to leave many things out.

Clearer vision of economic systems that haven’t been working for way too many people for way too long.

Clearer vision of ways we can support each other that aren’t tied to money exchange.

Clearer vision of our global interconnectedness.

Clearer vision of the domino effects of certain ways of connection.

Clearer vision of the domino effects of certain disruptions in global connections.

Clearer vision that essential workers are, in fact, essential and yet their value has been and, too often continues to be, undervalued.

Clearer vision of the connections that can be made and strengthened when we spend more time at home.

Clearer vision of the value of slowing down.

Clearer vision of what leadership looks like when driven by ego.

Clearer vision of what leadership looks like when driven by care for the Common Good.

Clearer vision of mountains and scenery obscured by the pollution in the “old normal.”

Clearer vision of the systems created that benefit me and harm, even to the point of death, my BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) brothers and sisters. Health care, education, the carceral system, to name a few.

Clearer vision of just how quickly support systems can be put in place…when there is will to do so.

Clearer vision of the power of using our individual and collective voices.

Clearer vision of what and who is important to us.

Clearer vision of the grief that lives in us.

Clearer vision of the simple ways we can practice joy.

Clearer vision of the power of connecting with Nature.

Clearer vision of Love in Action.

Love in Action.

Clearer vision.

The bandages are off.

We are beginning to tend to the festering.

To let the air in.

To apply healing balm.

Healing is not always pretty. It can be messy and painful. It can take much longer than we want it to. Much longer.

May we keep the wounds uncovered until they heal.

May we tend to the rawest members of the Body first.

May we accompany each other through the pain.

May we celebrate the times of relief and when we see tangible signs of healing.

May we have the patience to do all that is needed to create Collective Well-Being.

May we nurture Collective Resilience.

May we practice Love in Action.

May we practice it so fully that no words will be adequate to describe its beauty.