words that matter

Now in the, what is it? 24th day of an unnecessary and ego driven partial government shutdown, which is costing us as a people a small fortune each day, I need some words that matter.

Ann Overton, head of the Mastery Foundation, which has been a part of my life for nearly 30 years, sent each of the Board members a plastic container full of quotes--more than a year's worth, so I read a few each day.

This one, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, a Ph.D. of native American and Latin American roots who has written several books about women in history, spoke to me in what she calls 'shadowy times', which is an excellent way to describe life in this strange and frightening presidential administration.

Hope these words speak to you as well.

"One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of your soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like there--to be fierce and to show mercy toward others, both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity. Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do."
                                                                     Ckarussa Pinkola Estes

Take heart my friends, and show your soul.