Something Deeper (all seekers welcome)

Namaste *,

After three years on wdc, I have gone through a journey of my own. I've tried to step in the shoes
of those I work with, have tried to untangle the intricate webs of marriages that work, and relationships
that don't, and have been both hopeful and cynical about the progress of our human race.
Now, I want to get past the IS of this world as I ask the question, "What do we do now? What next?"

Emotions are like paint on a palette. There are the primary colors our three year olds understand:
Happy, Sad, Mad. Then there are the secondary colors: Anger, Disappointment, Contentment, Joy.
Finally, there are the shades of each color: jealousy, dispair, frustration, disillusionment, peacefulness,
satisfaction, pride and self-worth, ceptance, grief. But what of the blank canvas?

All colors are available to each of us who draws breath, but what do we paint on the canvas that will still
be here on earth when our bodies are no longer breathing? This canvas is our community, our family,
our country, our neighborhood, our writings, our actions, our creations, our children. It is said
in the Christian faith's New Testament, "faith without works is dead" but the process of calming
ourselves before the paint touches canvas, taking pictures in our minds before dipping brush to paint,
and the time between each stroke to appreciate the moment, these are all part of an artists life.
The space between the works is no less important than the act of working.

So it is the purpose of this folder and these writings, to appreciate this space; to examine the
motivation before the donation, the tolerance before the sharing of faith, the breath before the words.
It is also the purpose of these writings to appreciate the works themselves; the act of dialogue,
the shaking of hands from different faiths, the acceptance of mosque, temple, and church on the
same city block, the curiousity of a child to ask, "Where do you come from?", "What are you wearing?",
or "What does that word mean?", and the grace to listen to another point of view,
without fear it will taint one's own.

Perhaps, then, we will walk through life as if it is an art exhibit by different creators. We can appreciate
a painting without having to buy it, congratulate the artist without taking on his point of view. And maybe,
when we next sit at the canvas, paints at hand, we can choose better the hue or shade, the speed of our
work, the space in between, and give thought to the practices of others. A little perpective can go a long way.

Welcome to this folder and to these writings. You may critique anything you please, or simply write a poem
or note in response. I appreciate all views different from my own, for honestly-it may be surprising that we aren't
so different after all.

I also will have a forum available to encourage dialogue and discussion.
Please feel free to contribute or just browse.
But by all means, be respectful of each other as I know those on wdc can be.
I want open and honest dialogue without fear of scorn or judgment.
There's enough of that out in the world. I look forward to your participation.

Wado**,

Brandy (SWPoet)


*Namaste is a common spoken greeting or salutation originating from India and Nepal.
Accd to Wikipedia, when spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by
a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed
upwards, in front of the chest. This gesture, called Añjali Mudrā, can also
be performed wordlessly and carries the same meaning.

**Wado means "Thank you" in Tsalagi (Cherokee) language