“Move, but don’t move the way fear makes you move.” Rumi

Fear whispers, “Don’t write this post. Don’t pen your voice, your opinion. Stay silent. Who knows what harm may befall you.”

Love whispers, “Write this post. Be you. Call upon: courage, bravery, goodness, kindness, light. Let us envelop you.”

“Love is worth all the hullabaloo.” Cheryl Strayed, Brave Enough.

This year of 53.  Wife, mother of three, soulstroller, spiritual travel advisor, writer, author, poet, friend, immigrant. I did not begin here, resident of Lake Forest Park, WA, citizen of the United States. My birth home is Vancouver, British Columbia. From ‘Oh Canada,’ to ‘sorry and eh.’ From blossoming cherry trees on Adera Street, to the halls of Maple Grove Elementary School. From the hustle and bustle of high school at Magee Secondary, to the Thunderbirds of The University of British Columbia.

From Jim and Helen: Heaney, Campbell, Jones and Johnson clans. From Ireland, to Scotland, England to Canada: rolling hills of heather, celebration of Robbie Burns, yorkshire pudding, pound cake, chocolate chippers and a growing fondness for Scotch and Guinness.

I remember well the day I pledged allegiance to the country and flag of this United States. I stood with hundreds, many fleeing war torn lands – seeking refuge, hope, new life. Tears flowing down my cheeks as my eyes scanned the room. Honored to stand with so many. Stories I didn’t know yet longed to hear. We gathered as one: all colors, races, genders, nationalities, religions, faith traditions, to pledge allegiance to this country. The United States of America.

That was then…this is now. This is how I see it. I stand with humanity. I strongly disagree with the policies that this current President seeks to put into practice. I will raise my voice, pen my voice, march in peaceful protest, speak and share my opinions, read, reach my heart in love. In self-reflection: “What is this swelling, building wave inside my soul? A momentum of motion, of feeling. A rising up in proclamation of justice, goodness, equality.”

Standing alongside others on Sunday evening Jan. 29, 2017 in Westlake Park, Seattle, WA. “No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here.” Tears welling from within as I witnessed women, men, children, families, young and old raise our collective voice. “This is how democracy works.”

John O’Donahue from To Bless the Space Between Us, For Citizenship:

“That we may have courage … and come to kneel down before the poor, to discover what we must do, how to turn anxiety back into anger, how to find our way home.”