“But this week, we entered yet another hard,
Krista Tippett, The Pause, March 5, 2022
shocking chapter in the life of the world.”
Yes, here we are, the global community, again trying to keep our collective hearts open in the hell that is war. These weeks in Ukraine. Before that…and before that…and before that…In a recent poll close to 70% of Canadians believe we are poised for a third world war. (Global News, March 3, 2022) With the invading leader stating that all sanctions levied by the west are akin to a declaration of war (Reuters, March 5, 2022), anxieties, already exacting their cost during the pandemic, continue to manifest in myriad ways within and among us.
“Trauma isn’t limited to the mind or body of a singular person. It has the ability to have a cumulative impact on an entire people…When an entire society is desecrated, demonized, invaded or imprisoned, it reshapes the cultural gene pool of that entire generation. What is trauma then, but a collective and cumulative phenomenon.”
Mark Gonzales, In Times of Terror, Wage Beauty, 2014
Last week I wrote in my regular Friday photo and poem feature that I had been reminded by a friend with whom I had shared Mark Gonzales’ In Times of Terror, Wage Beauty. Selecting a piece for that post, I scanned other of his entries in preparation for my virtual women’s circle, wanting to offer into the centre a “start point” inviting us to each speak to the impact of the current world events:
“In this moment, an echo is occurring across the
globe. It is the human spirit craving to be reminded
one does not need permission to grow.In this moment an echo is occurring across our
hearts. It is the realization that love has its own logic.Live. Love. Grow. Even if one cannot make life more
beautiful, at least make it more bearable. This should
be considered the base for being human.May the passion continue. May the circle expand.”
Mark Gonzales, In Times of Terror, Wage Beauty, 2014
We felt deep resonance and relevance with Mark’s words as each of us took our turn speaking, passing our virtual talking pieces through several rounds of conversation. Our time together marked easefully with several substantial pauses for silence. One by one, we shared evoked images and memories, silent tears and fears, wisdom borne of dreams, intuition and lived experience. By the end of our two hours together, soothed and more settled. Life made more bearable.
In my imagination, I see copies of Mark’s book, translated so all can read, dropped from the skies into the hands of every person on earth, much like the millions of propaganda leaflets dropped from planes during World War II. Instead I’ll end with more of his good words, medicine to heal our aching souls and make life more bearable:
“What better way is there to shift a paradign than by
speaking in ways that encourage dreams, laughter
and imagination. For those acts of creativity are not
luxury, short sighted or simplistic, they are essential.”“In this collective environment, an isolated story
transforms into a personalized submission into
an anthology of shared experiences and unique
memories. With each new telling, we cocoon to
butterfly that sees each breath we have left in this
life as an exercise in evolving our own narrative.”“This is way for you who battle with self-doubt and
hyper criticism, I remind you we are a generation
experimenting with healing in public. Be fierce. Be
forgiving. Hardcore is a façade and a trend.”“Educate the human heart. Elevate the human mind.
Grow the human soul. This will be our generation’s
idea of a multi-taking model of learning.”“Long live the children of fierce vulnerability.”
“In times of terror, wage beauty.”
Much love and kindest regards, dear friends.
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A Wabi Sabi Life 
Beautiful words Katharine, and so needed these days. I have a vision of Mark’s books floating down to earth to be welcomed by open arms. Thank you for this. Helen
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Thank you, Helen. Beautiful vision that I share!
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Dear One,
We are traveling in Arizona visiting family, keeping a close eye on the world news. Knowing that there but for fortune go any of us. Sobering to read that 70% of Canadians believe we are poised for a third world war. What I do know responding to this most thoughtful email is that our hands are joined across the world in deep concern for ordinary people everywhere.
Thank you for your ongoing wisdom and heart, Ann and Christina
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Thank you, and have a wonderful time in Arizona. Yes, there but for fortune…so wise. Much love to you both, and Vivi if she’s travelling with you!
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Katharine, this is so completely beautiful, meaningful, helpful. Thank you. May you find ways to release these words beyond the scope of your blog. And I am a grateful holder of a copy of Mark’s book, which I cannot find in print, so I hope that somehow your vision for his words may come true. We persist.
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Thank you. Yes, I am finding ways and will share with you soon. Here is the link to Mark’s book.
https://www.wagebeauty.com/getbeauty, when I tried, I could order.
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Oh Katharine, a momentary balm for these terrifying times… never did we ever think we’d see this in our lifetimes, when our ancestors said, “never again.” Grateful for all moments of grace.
xo sue
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Thank you, friend. Yes, utterly wrong. When will we learn?
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