About Life Story
The dancer and musician Gabrielle Roth shared some potent wisdom when she said
“In many shamanic societies, if you came to a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions: When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop being enchanted by stories? Especially the stories of your own life?”
As industry slows, nature grows more vibrant.
And as our industriousness wanes, so can our soul-sickness dissipate.
This morning I connected with an online group where we each spoke about what has changed in our lives since Covid. Many people shared the same responses.
‘I’ve had to stop and sit with myself rather than be distracted with busyness.’
‘For the first time in ages, I’ve gotten to do things I want to do rather than just fulfil obligations.’
‘It has allowed me to connect with my neighbours reminding me of what it was like 20 years ago before we all became strangers.’
People spoke of how clear the air was, how connected they felt and how peaceful life had become.
Collectively, we hoped that the gains we’ve made would stay once normality returned.
Beauty making was another theme. We were asked what creative work was rising within us and how we could help create a better world.
It reminded me of the glorious phrase Maggie Smith’s closed off with in “Good Bones”, a poem encouraging people not to be overwhelmed by the immensity of the issues we are facing:
“This place could be beautiful, right?
You could make this place beautiful.”
