Rachel Fox, author of the blog Slow Lane Shuffle, has launched another interesting new blog, All Our Hopes and Dreams. The new blog invites people of any background (not just writers) to make a contribution on the subject of our hopes and dreams. Rachel has prompted the discussion by asking contributors to think about four questions:
2. Did any of them come true in any sense?
3. What are your hopes and dreams now?
4. Do you really think any of them are possible?
Contributions to this project can be made in any form — poem, prose, song, photos, story, notes, or any structure that suits the contributor's imagination — and it is not necessary to provide direct responses to the questions that were used by Rachel as mere prompts. The only requirement, according to my understanding, is that the contributions relate to the general theme of hopes and dreams.
Inspired by my friend, Dominic, who reported that he had found the "hopes and dreams" project to be a more thought-provoking experience than he had originally expected, I decided to give it a shot myself. My contribution is a bit of spontaneous verse that summarizes my own thoughts on this subject. Thanks to Rachel, my contribution was published today and can be seen by clicking here.
Personally, I find it compelling to read what people choose when, in short form, they volunteer to summarize their individual experiences with "hopes and dreams," a subject which most would agree is a very expansive, if not elusive. If you are interested in making your own contribution, please check out Rachel's new site, All Our Hopes and Dreams. Perhaps you will find, as many of us have discovered, that addressing one or more of these four questions, in whatever form one chooses, can reveal as much to ourselves as it reveals to others.
Thanks for this, George, and for your excellent contribution. Just to be clear... people don't have to use the 4 questions... they are a kind of prompt if needed. Other contributions that fit the theme of hopes and dreams are welcome too (though in some way, the chances are, they will be connected to at least one of the 4 questions somehow!).
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Thanks, Rachel. I corrected the text of this post to make it clear that the four questions are merely prompts, and that you welcome any contribution, whatever its form, that addresses the general theme of hopes and dreams.
DeleteTo live without hopes and dreams,
ReplyDeleteto dance without illusions,
to be continually present with what is,
to see what blinded hearts never see,
to hear music in silent places,
to walk on faithfully, if not hopefully,
until the unfolding becomes the enfolded.
I loved this verse George, especially the line 'hearing music in silent places' and the last line too. The verse's sentiments seem to echo the Buddhist way of life, would I be right?
Thank you for your advice and recommendations re. Buddhism, I shall also pass on to my son.
Thanks so much for your comments, CAIT. Yes, although I was not consciously trying to set forth a set of Buddhist values in this verse, I think that presence, mindfulness, and finding beauty in the ordinary are all reflective of Buddhist and Zen traditions. Again, I hope your son is doing better.
DeleteOh this very cool, gonna click on over there right now and check it! Your blog is great, lots of positive energy here George:)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment, Lilli. Hope you enjoy my little poem over at "All Our Hopes and Dreams."
ReplyDeleteI've taken a quick look at your website and like what I see. I'll be stopping by from time to time.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the plug!
ReplyDeleteI'll be fascinated to see how Rachel's project develops. At first I thought it was going to be "just another blog meme" (but a good one) but it has hidden depths to it, I think.
I think you're right, Dominic. It's quite interesting to see what people come up with when they are allowed to choose any form to summarize their thoughts on the role that hopes and dreams have played in their individual lives.
DeleteInteresting, George. Since I usually head the direction you point me, I'll have a look.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barb. When you go to the "All Our Hopes and Dreams" site, you will then need to go to the archives posting of "To Dance Without Illusions," published February 5.
DeletePS what a photo!
ReplyDelete