All Comments By Lucy Pearce

I wonder if this story speaks of appearance and disappearance more than anything, of whether what is close physically is more important simply because we see it? Once the townsman has moved away, his life will have different content. Does the context of life actually shift when what is in front of us is unfamiliar? Do our habitual familiar ways of being in life shift as our environment alters?

I look at the CONVERSATION I am about the "perpetrators" of violence and oppression and locate it it where I am. I don't mean condone what doesn't work. I am if in the face of difficulty I am so undisciplined as to resort to violence and rage, I am perpetuating this in the world. Righteousness only results in others being wrong. It seems a great practice as long as I include all the ALLEGED [by me] "wrong doers" and avoid the moral high ground.

My last partner, Rory and I created being 100% for each others fulfilment in the world. After 1.5 years, I was ready to simplify life, grow food and take care of things well here and he wanted an adventure. I supported him in going to Northern Thailand to live and work in an addictions centre. I experienced the heartbreak of his leaving; and there were some messy moments where I was given by my thoughts and feelings, not my word. It was not what I wanted! However, we were complete and I expanded mightily in this relationship. We talked until everything was said. This level of intimacy was new for me. And our love for one another is profound :] He died 3 years ago having made a difference to many, many peoples lives, married a beautiful woman, made a coffee plantation and built an incredible home. Love life! I don't think this keeping one another small for our own comfort, safety or gratification is confined to the institution of marriage. It seems to me it is a context for life and we would do well to look where we are willing to be small and unchanging ourselves - and where we are willing to stand for world as community. It is time for us humans to breakthrough what it means to be human that has the world look exactly as it looks now, to create a new collective dream for the future generations based on love, respect and trust, and creating a context that empowers life and the living of life- caring for our children and each other, together.