Journal # 02.22.15

Sunday. I wake up and my heart wants to sing. I want to put the past to rest, behind me, and go on with my best effort in the world.

I live in a culture of fear. I have lived all of my 42 years in the United States of America. The culture of fear is not just outside of me; it permeates me. I have to make a concerted and conscious effort, each and every day, to overcome it. In silence and meditation, I feel the fear inside of me. It will stop the breath. It will stop the life. There is a healthy fear, yes. I call it caution. An organ in the body of wisdom. But it cannot run me, anymore.

My heart wants to sing.
My body, to stretch.
My spirit, to calm.

eyes

my eyes were once innocent
now they are hard 
full of what they saw
on these city streets

my eyes were once innocent
then full of confusion

my eyes were confused
angry and young
and scared

my eyes
they were scared
now they are hard
like these city streets

my eyes
they are hard
but they soften
my eyes

my eyes
  they soften
    around truth