January 10, 2005
Hmmm...it's hard to know what to say about the passing year, 2004. Since the administration of the Unites States chose to embark on an invasion of a sovereign nation in 2003, certainly a precedent setting event of global Pandora's box proportions, we here have been weathering a deeply divisive era in politics and culture from which I hope we will emerge wiser and more accepting as soon as possible. It is clear to me that such an emergence and awakening will happen only as individuals accept the responsibility (the ability to respond) of our bounty and freedoms, and speak up about what matters. There is no sense expecting our current leadership to take that role, as they continue to demonstrate. This is a good thing...we ARE the people, after all, and we are being presented with a perfect opportunity for growth and active expression of that ideal on a personal level. The good news is that all around me I see everyday people taking the reins of life with passionate intelligence, participating in the creative directing of our collective present and future.
My love goes out to everyone from all nations, and all persuasions, involved in the tragic situation in Iraq, and in my heart I imagine an enlightened solution because it would be a waste of time imagining anything else. Just as deeply I feel for the people caught in the natural disaster in Asia ~ once again it is possible to feel connected to the people of the world as a whole through pain or joy. I guess that is really what strikes me most powerfully these days: that we are all/each connected, interdependent and needful of the understanding, love and support of our fellow humans on our small spinning planet. There is no going forward solo, only together, and perhaps this is an aim rather than a destination, and life is the experience of that commitment.
I am thankful to all of you who have given us creative support and encouragement, how very cool to hear from people we've never met in person but with whom we feel we have much in common. And you are EVERYWHERE around the world ~ an exciting notion!!!
Musically, George and I are working on a few new items which we'll tell you about as they unfold, and we're learning and figuring out what avenues are open to us, exploring and exploiting the available terrain with optimism.
In the next week or so either George or I will add a few more tidbits about our recordings of Reel Life, New Dream, The Wonderground, and our first CD as well, so stay tuned.
Thank you for visiting us here.
Practice peace and over the top love ~ it's bound to astonish!
Shannon and George
