Lessons in progress in the neighborhood..
When I read "The Wisdom of Stability" recently, the key concept that stuck with me was "Stay put. Pay attention. Learn from where you ARE." I paired that thought with the native American writer, Terry Tempest-Williams who wrote, "stay in one place long enough to know the sound of the bird in the morning, the call of the coyote near your window, the arc of the tree, bending near your door..." (from, "The Radical Act of Staying at Home.") I've been thinking about this for quite a while--and these writings have been helping me to crystallize my thoughts--of my home, my neighborhood, why I live here, why I stay here. Yes, I can go elsewhere-I have opportunity and the means, and the relationships to move to another place: Savannah, Charleston, Georgetown, New Orleans, Dallas, Memphis, Providence, back to LA, SF or OC--or, if I were to dream with my wallet, Monterey, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs.
I choose Fresno, I choose Lowell, I choose 1440 E. Divisadero, my little lot next to the law office and the Galvan's, near Miguel, Teresa and the kids. Behind Marjoree Mason, across from YFC and the day care.
I stay here because I need to learn more about the world from here. I need to explore my own world here- interior, exterior. This place makes me think about race, class, communication, giving and mercy every day. My neighbors and I talk about trees--our trees. We are excited about our meager crops of eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, plums, figs, pomegranates and onions. None of us have much, but some have more than others--and we learn to share with those who have less. Each day adds to our accounts of trust and trustworthiness. We look at each other with eyes of care and trust. We turn over our keys, our work, our lives to each other.
We celebrate good fortune, good deals, good fireworks, good food.
We have "stayed put" long enough to know the comings and goings of our kids and their friends. We know the names of the dogs and cars. Sally, Fred, Snowball, Muffin, Boots, Taffy.
We speak English and Spanish and 'hood.
There is an interconnectedness that is inexplicable. In the most practical of ways, we depend on one another, and I am the primary recipient.
I learn to ask for help, to receive, to give, to share, to open, to extend my open hand.
This place has changed the way I view my life, and I don't think it would have happened had I not been here, home.
"Learn to love the people around you, see them with the eyes of God, and accept them as God does." -Sr. Aquinata Bockmann
"In whatever place you find yourself, do not easily leave it." Abba Antony
"stability helps us to do the necessary foundation work so that we can pay close attention to what is going on around us, and adapt to changing conditions without losing our sense of place....It does not limit us but encloses us within God's love, so that with the psalmist we can say: "the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage." Ps. 16:6 Kathleen Norris
I choose Fresno, I choose Lowell, I choose 1440 E. Divisadero, my little lot next to the law office and the Galvan's, near Miguel, Teresa and the kids. Behind Marjoree Mason, across from YFC and the day care.
I stay here because I need to learn more about the world from here. I need to explore my own world here- interior, exterior. This place makes me think about race, class, communication, giving and mercy every day. My neighbors and I talk about trees--our trees. We are excited about our meager crops of eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, plums, figs, pomegranates and onions. None of us have much, but some have more than others--and we learn to share with those who have less. Each day adds to our accounts of trust and trustworthiness. We look at each other with eyes of care and trust. We turn over our keys, our work, our lives to each other.
We celebrate good fortune, good deals, good fireworks, good food.
We have "stayed put" long enough to know the comings and goings of our kids and their friends. We know the names of the dogs and cars. Sally, Fred, Snowball, Muffin, Boots, Taffy.
We speak English and Spanish and 'hood.
There is an interconnectedness that is inexplicable. In the most practical of ways, we depend on one another, and I am the primary recipient.
I learn to ask for help, to receive, to give, to share, to open, to extend my open hand.
This place has changed the way I view my life, and I don't think it would have happened had I not been here, home.
"Learn to love the people around you, see them with the eyes of God, and accept them as God does." -Sr. Aquinata Bockmann
"In whatever place you find yourself, do not easily leave it." Abba Antony
"stability helps us to do the necessary foundation work so that we can pay close attention to what is going on around us, and adapt to changing conditions without losing our sense of place....It does not limit us but encloses us within God's love, so that with the psalmist we can say: "the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage." Ps. 16:6 Kathleen Norris
posted by Downtown Don Simmons at
1:31 PM
|
0 Comments
