
Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be using manicules (those pointing finger symbols) to direct your attention to something I’m pondering that delights or interests me. Each entry is somehow related to an unusual, obscure, or simply charming to me word.
R is for…
revivify – to restore to life; give new vigor to. First known use 1675.
This isn’t a particularly obscure word, but I like it for several reasons, including how sparkly it feels as it rolls around my tongue. It’s like I have a tongue-sense of what the word means, and I find that amusing. Additionally, it feels like a perfect word for right now. This clearly is a time in our collective history when we’re all in need of renewal, restoration, renovation, repair; and I think we’re all scrambling to institute new ways of being that are supportive and nurturing rather than just bare maintenance. This applies not just to the moment, but I imagine most of us are thinking about long-term implications of how our world is changing, and what we pro-actively wish to support as we vision the opportunities ahead.
I’m also relishing the fact that Spring is such a perfect example of the art of revivification..
It never fails – every Spring I think about what I wish to plant, what I wish to see bloom, what things I want to water and nuture with devotion, and how I want to be anew in the world.
I like the pragmatic attitude of David W. Orr who says; “The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacekeepers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we define it.”
I’ve never been particularly interested in visioning where I want to be in 5 or 10 years. But a while ago I was invited to envision what I’d like to see in 100 years. I was surprised to discover that in knowing what my vision is, how much that made room for me to find ways to uphold those things in my current life. I should have known that, and I suppose I did – that’s really what the work of discovering and living your values is all about isn’t it? So many of us do that on a much shorter-term level when we choose (or are chosen by) a guiding word for the new year. We invoke our energetic address and then see how it unfolds as we hold that energy.
As I’ve been thinking about my vision, I find myself amazed that a global pandemic could provide a foundatiol for committing to unity consciousness we need to harness if we’re going to make all the essential changes that so clearly need to be made. Admittedly, I don’t think we’ve done a particularly good job of maxismizing the opportunity given us, but I hope we’re shifting enough to make a difference. I’ve also realized that in the past I’ve always been a bit protective of my vision, wanting to defend it from disparaging remarks (or simply thoughts) that it is unrealistic and utopian, but I’m giving that up. This is my vision; this is what my heart wants; this is what I want my presence here to be a contribution towards
I envision a world where: All beings are operating with conscious connection to Source and embodying their Divinity, Unity consciousness and celebration of diversity are the foundational principles that are expressed fully as harmony, peace, love, and joy. There is equitable sharing of resources and unified commitment to caring for the Earth and all its inhabitants. Gratitude, beauty, grace, kindness, and inspired action are everyday currencies and all beings know they are greatly loved and infinitely supported.
This is the world I want; this is the world I fervently wish to be part of; this is the world I have a responsibility to create. And I believe it’s important to acknowledge that personally and publicly on a regular basis.
I believe we need to hold ideals to lean into and ground through our living. I think it’s helpful to have a 100-year vision, knowing we won’t be around to see it (at least not in this particular incarnation). I think that invites us to be more expansive and release some of the self-centeredness that seems to be such a prevalent influence on our collective these days. I think we all need not only to envision a better world, but devote our energies t to creating it.
And while I know this has perhaps been more of a rant than might be expected for a series dedicated to showing you the delights of my world, my vision is, in fact, something that delights me, and it is most definitely a seed I want nurtured in the garden of this world through which I am briefly traveling.
Let me end by sharing this wisdom from Rumi, which always helps restore my hope:
“Humankind is being led along an evolving course, Through this migration of intelligences, And though we seem to be sleeping, There is an inner wakefulness That directs the dream, And that will eventually startle us back To the truth of who we are.”
So let me ask you – what is it you want to establish? What expanded vision do you wish to hold? What practices do you find that help you feel renewed? Please share – you know I love to hear.
Vision plus passion equals action. I love that word too; it’s one of the only ones you’ve posted that I’ve actually heard of. 🙂
Your formula for action is perfect Margaret. If we only held this for everything, imagine how different the world would be!
That is a very nice word to say! I actually hadn’t heard of it before, even if I can see it’s relation to revive and revitalize.
Oh, your questions are too deep for today! I hate to admit to not having an expanded vision for myself.
I’m pretty sure having a beautiful garden you enjoy is the answer to everything Lisa. All questions, all visions move into the background when you contemplate the magic of plants.
I agree with Orr’s sentiment: the world needs people who live well in their places.
^Currently, too few do.^
(And of course, “living well” is subjective. I understand what he means though, in the greater context of that passage.)
I also really like the idea of a 100-year vision. And with life spans expanding, it’s not impossible that we would see changes over the course of nearly 100 years. I think of my great-grandmother, born in the 1890s, and of all the change that she witnessed over the course of her lifetime. For myself, I already see such stark contrasts between the time I was born in and “modern times” that it is daunting to consider. What might the next 50 years bring?
You go, girl! Stick with that vision – dream it with pride and passion! =)
R is for Regeneration
I will. 🙂
Thank you for picking ‘revivify’ to write this post that seems to be talking to me on a very personal level. Like it’s a message I should pay attention to.
Gratitude.
Wishing you all manner of revivifying opportunities Arti!
I know revive but revivify was new …. successful is overrated in my opinion …. especially from a corporate world sense… i envision or try to imagine what further technical advancements the world will see in the next century or if ever there will be a time of live-and-let-live peace in every single corner of the world… if there will be, thats revivifying our planet, maybe ??
The idea of peace in every corner of the world fills my heart. And I have absolutely no doubt that it would make such a huge different for our beautiful planet. May it be so!