HAPPY INAUGURATION DAY!
Welcome to a new era for the USA

Hello Friends!
Today I'm grateful to those leaders who work tirelessly on our behalf within the system, luminaries such as Stacey Abrams and AOC and many others. And I'm especially grateful to the countless unnamed people of every age and race who literally knocked on peoples' doors to get out the vote, both nationally and in the vital Georgia runoff race.
Today we had a historic swearing in to celebrate! And a deep sigh of relief to exhale after four years that were marked by the excesses of greed, by the appeal to hatred and exclusivity, four years of personal and patriarchal privilege and narcissism run amok.
We the people voted for healing, inclusion, compassion, and justice for all. May we continue to free ourselves from within, awaken to our unity, grow in kindness toward one another, and work for freedom and justice for all people and all beings, including the land, air, and water that sustain our lives.
There is so much to be done. The cultural shift-in-progress will demand that we stay or become involved. Each of us must find our own ways to be involved, every choice we make is a form of activism, where we shop, how we talk to people we disagree with, how we take care of our bodies, the animals, the plants, our local land and water.
This is a powerful time to reflect on what you are committed to, and see the ways you can support yourself in that commitment with determination and joy. It is also a powerful time to work together. None of us is in this alone, and none of us can heal, inside ourselves or out in the world, without each other. Remember the plants are healers who can help us, too!
And I would be remiss if I did not give a huge shout out to Amanda Gorman for her part in the inaugural ceremony. Brava Ms Gorman!!!
Thank you for your beautiful words, your beautiful self and the light you shine.

On Inauguration eve I watched a program that blew my socks off. If you had told me I'd watch four hours of speeches and such on You Tube, I'd have very much doubted that. But there I was, inspired and heart-warmed by so many of the offerings and stirred to rise by the music. Check it out!
Reflections on Politics, Race and Culture: Where We Are and Where We're Going
Busboys and Poets / Reflections on Politics, Race and Culture: Where We Are and Where We're Going