August 1, 2023
After last week's writing, Be Not Afraid (even though it's really hard), I decided to Google What to do when you're afraid of the world, something like that.
Suggestions included:
• learn more about your fears • breathe • keep a gratitude journal • assess the situation • talk to a trusted family member or friend • walk
Nowhere was it mentioned to keep your eyes open for smiling dogs.
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When I look at this photo of the 2 dogs, taken in a coffee shop by my daughter, I see 2 me's. The dog holding back, not smiling, is my freaked out, wary, fearful self. The one who watched the news last week and got educated (again) about hate. On the anniversary of what would've been Emmet Till's eighty-second birthday, I learned that dumb f*cking people have used their precious life on this earth, to riddle the sign marking where young fourteen-year old Emmet's body was found, with bullets. The spot where his murdered body was left on the river bank. They shot the sign. The not smiling me needs to walk miles and miles to loosen my fear around that kind of hate. It's incomprehensible. I can't loosen it.
The other dog, the smiling one, is hopeful, open-hearted, seeing the good.
That riverbank has been turned into the Emmet Till and Mamie-Till Mobley National Monument. This doesn't change a thing about the history and story of Emmet's short life. It feels a feeble gesture in the push back against hate. But still, the smiling me is hopeful. Hopeful, in spite of the fact that Emmet's sign has been replaced multiple times due to being bullet-riddled. The new sign is ultra-bullet proof.
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How do we turn our faces to the light with such terrible darkness? How do we be not afraid?
We open our eyes. We do not hide. We speak up. We help whenever + wherever we can to heal the broken parts of this sweet world. Of ourselves. Of others. One day at a time. We take very long walks, talk to trusted family or friends, practice gratitude, learn from our fears, be braver.
We write, paint, plant seeds, jump in the ocean.
be the smiling dog.
love,
XO
B
Outstanding
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by to read and say hello. Means the world. XO
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant. As a new reader of your blog, I am heartened with hope that there are people like you in the world—keep spreading the joy. Bill
ReplyDeleteHello Bill, Thank you for stopping by to read and say hello. You too, are a joy spreader. Namaste. 🙏
DeleteLove love love you, Betsy. Thank you. 💕
ReplyDeleteLove love love you, Kat. XO
DeleteAppreciate you writing about this. Much much needed reminders that so much hate still exists in the world, but we can choose to step gently towards the good, to understand the fear, to smile :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by to read and say hello. Yes, we can choose to step gently towards the good. Besos XX
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