Sometimes, prophets jump and smile like a little girl

Between now and then - jump and smile.

Yesterday a little girl - about that age when they are thrilled with their ability to walk and especially thrilled with a flat out run - decided to start jumping. The coffee shop was full and there was quite a bit of traffic flowing from the front door to the barista's station. Well, that meant nothing to the jumper. She was going to do what she was going to do and she was going to do it with gusto. In addition, she was going to jump up and down right in front of everyone - making sure to visit this table and that table. Then, to top off the jumping, there was this smile filled with delight. Obviously the jumping was something new for her. If it wasn't, she sure was able to keep the excitement and thrill of this movement painted all over her face and making her smile shine and grow all the more.

As you might expect, I wasn't the only one who noticed her antics. Her jumping was making people at various tables jump to attention and look on. Her smile coaxed smiles and laughter from even those table that were previously caught up in serious, adult conversation. She never said a word. She just jumped and smiled. Again and again, she was greeted with words of encouragement and broad smiles. I found it sweet that her two older brothers were also caught up in her antics. There was no move to quiet or restrict her - they simply grinned. If she caught your eye, you became her next audience and without wasting a moment - a new pattern of jumps came to life. She knew how to work the crowd and bring about change.

Jump and smile.

In the face of whatever is attempting to rule the day or own the time at hand, jump and smile in one way or another. I wonder if that is a good way to take on the days ahead. There is so much conversation about how the direction of our country will go under a new administration. On many fronts there is anxiety and fear that usually breeds more anxiety and fear. When that becomes the mood of the room, people become reactive - people often stop moving - people turn and run away - people pick fights. All of these reactions to the things at hand do very little to instigate the kind of creativity that might have a good chance of bringing about the well-being of all. So, for now all I can offer is the vision of that little girl. In the face of what is, do not become another part of what is. Instead,  jump and smile. Never let go of that life - that vibrancy - that freedom - that imagination.

If things become intolerable for us - if the forces around us seem to be demonic and controlling - if name-calling and bitterness is the sport of the day - if death seems to have a bigger grip on the world than life, we do not need to go along with the flow. We can jump and smile. That is, we can live within a hopefulness and joy that will not be ruled by an unacceptable status quo. A vital part of any resistance to how the world is turning is to live within another reality - without compromise. To jump and smile in the face of brutality may interrupt its violence. When hate appears to be prevailing among us - jump and smile so that hatred is befuddled by its inability to control everything. When viciousness fills the rooms of our lives - jump and smile to show that imagination is able to fill us with loving-kindness and mercy.

I have this little girl in my mind. She may be the saving grace that carries me through whatever the days ahead may bring. So if you see or hear me jumping and smiling when it is quite inappropriate to do so within the present setting - feel free to join me. And when I am lost in the crap of the day - please, jump and smile right in my face.
TRRR