Happy International Women's Day!

"For those of us

who were imprinted with fear

like a faint line in the center of our foreheads

learning to be afraid with our mother’s milk

for by this weapon

this illusion of some safety to be found

the heavy-footed hoped to silence us

For all of us

this instant and this triumph

We were never meant to survive.

And when the sun rises we are afraid

it might not remain

when the sun sets we are afraid

it might not rise in the morning

when our stomachs are full we are afraid

of indigestion

when our stomachs are empty we are afraid

we may never eat again

when we are loved we are afraid

love will vanish

when we are alone we are afraid

love will never return

and when we speak we are afraid

our words will not be heard

nor welcomed

but when we are silent

we are still afraid

So it is better to speak

remembering

we were never meant to survive."

(excerpt from A Woman Speaks, by Audre Lorde).

So speak! Speak for the parts of you that have not spoken yet. Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Use your wisdom and experience to speak truthfully and with compassion, knowing that we are all misguided to some degree, we are all hurting, and we all want to be seen.

What does it mean when Lorde says that "We were never meant to survive"? For me, it means freedom. What exactly are we guarding? What are we afraid of?

Personally, I can say that physics, farming - and the resulting intimacy with the natural world -  and meditation, have taught me not to be afraid of death. The only thing I can see being afraid of is not using my time here wisely, not contributing that which I have to contribute.

Happy International Women's Day!

Peace