Compassionately Converging
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” ~ Maya Angelou
♥ ♥ ♥
In my dreams
Humanity doesn’t just bustle by one another
We initiate inspiriting impressions
Sans preoccupation or fear of repudiation
Greeting one another joyfully
Sharing a smile
A funny tale
Or maybe even swapping life stories
Commonalities dissolving differences
Respectful minds OPEN
Listening
Broadening
Approachable hearts expanding
Celebrating varying viewpoints and insightful interpretations
No matter how contrasting
Laughter and tears uniting
Difficult situations drawing us closer
Providing opportunity to stand in each other’s shoes
Appreciating the pain
While boldly rebuffing the destructive “us versus them” mentality
Bridging every gap in our power
Mindful we’re in this together
Spreading kindness rather than antagonism
Compassionately converging
♥ ♥ ♥
(Photo from my latest travels: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland)
LUGGAGE Lady 
Great post! So full of truth! Hugs, N ❤
So happy and grateful to see you here, Natalie! Love & Hugs coming your way…
Beautiful! Both the words and the photo! 🙂
Stargazer
My Dearest Stargazer, thank you very much! This was inspired in part by your “Universal Self” concept, which I absolutely LOVE! xo
You express a wonderful sentiment in this poem! And I agree that travel can promote understanding, tolerance and compassion toward one another. A beautiful photo too!
Travel indeed expands one’s mindset — turning off one’s television and interacting with the real world does wonders too! 😉 Thank you for you ever gracious & supportive commentary, Dear Tiny!
Why “In my dreams”? Or is this a rhetorical thought/wish? Because as we know and are privileged to experience, this *is* us. 🙂
I’m not getting anything past you, am I Dear Eric? And I love it!! I added this line after I’d written my entire piece because — with the heartbreaking unrest taking place all over our country right now — I feel helpless. TRUE, I can control my own actions, but I dream of a time when we all yank the plugs on our negative 24-hour news channels and incendiary social media banter long enough to remember: The power to better the world resides within each of our hearts, and we can start making a positive difference right this very minute!
United we flourish — divided we flounder…
I so appreciate your visit!!! 😍
You are one of a handful of bloggers who I value because of your omni-optimistic foci. I know “being on” day in and day out in your profession can be (and is!) draining. To your ‘dream’ I yanked the plug 14 years ago this month. I don’t own a TV or flat screen or watch mainstream news on any device. Nor have I read or subscribed to magazines or newpapers for the same duration. Yes, some of my friends roll their eyes and affectionately call me “cave man.” It’s a badge I wear proudly because I refuse to let external forces beat me down. The world *is* a good place. We simply need to view and be actively engaged with it through more optimistic lenses.
Sorry, I just kicked myself off the soap box. 🙂
What breathtakingly inspiring images you conjure with your words, my eloquent friend, mirrored by that stunning photo! Thank you for starting my day on these resounding notes of hope and love. I also want to say how much I adore the movement you evoke in this vibrant poem: opening and broadening and expansiveness swirling with connecting and drawing closer and uniting. Bravo! And thank you. love, love, love….
Oh how I adore your unique perspective, My Lovely Dancing Queen! See how your graceful gifts subconsciously rub off on me? I hadn’t even thought about movement when I wrote this, and now I see how perfect the dancing analogy is!. Whether we twirl with friends or complete strangers, there are magnificent opportunities to join hands and hearts and lose ourselves in the music and magic of life — time and again… Thank YOU!! ♥💃
Beautiful Shauna. I’m with you! 🙂 Let’s unite in love and compassion. I bet you have many opportunities in your work to touch people with your compassion. I too am tired of the divisive voices and both hope and work to create more peace, unity and compassion. Blessings my dear…
Thank you so so much, My Treasured Friend! Yes, my job affords plenty of opportunity to infuse positivity into challenging circumstances. Some days I nail it. On others, I come away knowing I could’ve done better. I think awareness is half the battle. When we realize the limitless abilities we ALL possess to improve our world with every single encounter — we’re energized and empowered. But for some strange (and incredibly sad reason), the media outlets and our leaders tend to fan the division flame, again and again. It breaks my heart. The great news is: the rest of us have the option to choose respect, kindness, compassion, and love. Thankfully, most of us do just that!! Peace-filled Blessings coming right back to you! 💞
Well said. I admire that you practice and live your ideals. Mostly I write about them. 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration and blessings,
It feels at work lately…this has NOT been happening. So very sad. People do not know how to be kind and compassionate. I don’t get it…especially I’m in a help profession??
As a flight attendant, I can very much relate…But the one thing I know for certain is that, regardless of the response, when I do something kind for another it makes me feel good ALL day long. Sometimes, when I’m getting burnt out, someone will come onto my plane in a wheelchair with the greatest attitude in the world, and I feed on that positive disposition during the moments of feeling unappreciated. Don’t give up, Sweet Friend. Just focus on ALL your blessings and know you may well represent a small morsel of joy for those struggling to find happiness in this amazingly short life journey… 💝
This is the world as it should be. Beautiful quote by Maya Angelou!
LOVE seeing your beautiful face here!! I could not agree with you more — I honestly want to delete the first line but realize not everyone resides in my fantasy world. That won’t stop me from trying to make it a reality though. I always return to Don Miguel Ruiz’s brilliant book “The Four Agreements.” This is the ideal user’s guide for “being human” and should be mandatory reading before anyone ventures into the world 😉 — as I wrote, “in my dreams…” Hugs & Blessings to you, Dear Shery.
And all the best to you! 🙂
simply formidable, LLL = lovely luggage lady… ❤ We do miss Maya(RIP) and we should follow her suggestion: 🙂
http://myvirtualplayground.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/try-to-be-a-rainbow-in-someones-cloud/
I so agree, Dear Mélanie. Maya was an incredible treasure, and her magnificent words are gifts the world will always be able to savor. Thank you for visiting & for sharing your beautiful post!! Hugs and Holiday Blessings to you. 💝
That’s fantastic! I love when people succeed against odds, romantically! You’re awesome. My wife and I have been together for nearly 19 years.
Congrats to YOU and your wife, and thank you for your incredible kind remarks & visit!!! 😘
🙂
What a beautiful dream 🙂 May we make it a reality…
Thank you for sharing this with Artists4Peace, will post tomorrow morning 🙂
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