Sitting here in the quiet of the August evening with only the song of the cicadas surrounding me, I wonder WHO are we?
The cicada nymphs who have lived underground for seventeen years are maturing and sending out their love call–their tymbal muscles specifically honed to bring home their mate. Early this morning, the birds were flocking and whistling their message to one another, announcing that there would be an early Fall. The birds flock together for safety and protection. The ocean tide responds to the gravitational pull of the moon. All of nature is present to their surroundings, while signaling to us to do the same.
We humans are calling out to each other for justice and dignity. We humans need each other, just like the flock of birds need one another for safety and protection. Just like the ocean responds to the pulls of the moon, so are we pulled from the conflicts, injustice and battles around us.
“to BE…for this Yahweh created all…” Wisdom 1:14…
When I read these words, I think of the message James Foley was trying to send to us. He died trying to expose the barbaric results of war and to elicit compassion from the human race…from all of us…that war must stop. Everywhere people are dying and suffering. We each have a right to BE. I am also thinking of the racial tension in Ferguson, and the fact that it is 2014 and we are still so racist as a nation. I think of the many horrible racist statements made against President Obama. I read them on Facebook and I think how can we, as a nation, survive when we have so little respect for the person chosen to lead our country?
When are we going to realize that we all have the same color of blood? We are all human beings who want to belong, to be productive, to offer life and receive life to and from each other.
——————————————————–
Additional information can be found about the cicada using the following links:
http://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/question733.htm
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/noisy-cicadas-come-back-to-life-after-years-underground
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/tides-wordd/
This photo is dedicated to James Foley, the American Journalist who died to alleviate the suffering of others.
“The Beauty of an Iris.”
Photo credit; Jane H. Johann, c. June 2014
My heart goes out to the parents and family of James Foley.
* I realize it is now September, and the cicadas have stopped singing. However, I hope we continue to sing and live in hope and not give up! The need for LOVE in this world is needed even more today!
Footprints of Thoughts 
I continue to sing…. 🙂
LikeLike
YES, you do! And you have a beautiful blog and postings and I thank you for the JOY you bring into my life each day, Rebecca!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful written, and well thought out Jane. Love the iris and nice dedication . It is sad about what is happening to wonderful people in this world today , and all the racism against good people . Yes you are so right when you say , We all have Red Blood .
LikeLike
thank you, Jean…Yes, we just have to keep reminding ourselves we are all interconnected…we all breathe the same air…we all are human beings struggling for the same…LOVE
LikeLike
You have so well summarized many of our survival needs and the issues tearing apart humanity. Tying them to nature makes for thoughtful imagery. Well done Jane.
LikeLike
thank you, Mary Jane. I hope that in the end of my writing, that I do give the message that we CAN SING!
LikeLike
What a loving, heart touching post. I couldn’t agree with you more on how desperately this world needs LOVE. How can we even begin to think we can heal this earth when we as humans refuse to accept one another for who the other is? I shall not stop my walk, Jane, and I know you shall not either. Together, hand in hand, we Walk strong and boldly, LOVING all as we go along. May Peace be yours now and forevermore. Love, Amy
LikeLike
dear Amy, I appreciate your reply so much! I thought perhaps I sounded “preachy” or negative or depressed….OMG…I tell you, I have so little confidence as a writer. After I posted it I thought to myself, “The friends I have on WordPress already KNOW this…they LIVE it! I am ‘preaching to the choir” as the saying goes. I just have to express my opinions because I get like Mt. Vesuvius, ready to explode! Thank YOU so much for commenting and assuring me that I am not crazy! Love you too and peace to you! and YES, we will walk together!
LikeLike
You keep in listening to your Heart, Jane, and keep writing as you are. You know not how many times I question myself about my work, seemingly as though I am a broken record at times saying over and over the same thing. You are the furthest thing from crazy. This world needs you and what you say so you just keep doing it. In time, that doubt will fade and your confidence will rise. I am 100% behind you!!! No, rather, I am walking side by side with you. (((HUGS))) Amy
LikeLike
thank you, Amy, for such a sweet and caring reply! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely!
LikeLike
dear Cindy, thank YOU so much for your comment and taking the time to comment! I love your postings of your travels…I fell I am there with you!
LikeLike
Faith, love and hope are the tools of the soul. We must use them unceasingly.
LikeLike
Eliza, you are so right! Always…we have to go forward with HOPE! Thank you for your encouragement and lending your voice to this concern! Blessings to you! YOU are an amazing person and I love the QUIET of your blog that I feel when visiting you there!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
I also wonder when will people realize that we all have the same color of blood
>
LikeLike
Yes, Yoshiko, it should be obvious, right? Blessings to you!
LikeLike
That is the point, Jane. It is very obvious. Blessings to you too
LikeLike
Perfect setting and perfect moment for contemplation of the essential and profound. Thank you, Jane, for sharing and for making me think.
A big hug
john
LikeLike
my dear John, thank YOU…you give me confidence!
Hugs returned!
Jane
LikeLike
❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLike
thank you, Tess! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLike
~(*_~)~~ ❤
LikeLike
An excellent way of getting the message across. It’s not just your country that still has a massive racist problem, here in the UK, we still have people attacking others because of the colour of their skin, or trying to control other people because of the colour of our skin. As you say, red blood runs through the veins of everybody. Everybody has a heart, a brain, lungs, we are all the same. The only thing different is the outside. It’s the difference between a blue mustang and a yellow mustang. Same car, same engine, just the outer shell.
LikeLike
Thank you, Al. Yes, It is crazy! Well, we just have to keep reminding each other to be kind to all, regardless of skin color or spiritual beliefs. I think the discord all returns to one basic element in the live of people: Fear. From fear develops so much hatred and hostile action. If we each thought better of ourselves, we would not have to exert power or control over others. Well, onward and forward!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this beautiful tribute. Humans get killed for their humanity… How twisted are the minds of his executors?… My heart hurts.
LikeLike
Thank you for your return visit! Our country is in such turmoil. Racism is so strong and it is so extremely horrible! We must continue to put the light out there and call it what it is…I think until we admit our problem, it will continue.
LikeLiked by 1 person