Bohemian Blood

"If we could look into each others hearts,

and understand the unique challenges

each of us faces, I think we would treat

each other much more gently,

with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.

Marvin J. Ashton

My Bohemian blood has always called out the gypsy in me.  I have wandered near and far; experienced and witnessed; and loved and loved harder.  The search for liberation and freedom to  twirl to the beat of a different drummer has always danced through  my veins.  

Over the years, I gathered endless stories, as every one has one to tell.  There was no need to discern if the truth was being shared or if I were simply hearing tales.  With integrity, I met the storyteller where they began in their perceived reality.  

If a listener cannot open to the telling of a tale without judgement, the wisdom of the story will be lost.  Stories are not about believing or agreeing.  They are about our ability to listen to testimony that has shaped the life of one other.  The words come pouring out, not for inspection, but for the release of what has been held captive inside.  

When stories are shared whether sitting around a fire pit or gathered at a women's circle, we learn the challenges of others.  We begin to understand why the person is skittish about some things, but not others.  We hear of dreams unfilled and lost inspirations.  At the same time, however, we are realizing the unique circumstances we all seem to bare.  

With tolerance, we may or may not approve, but we only need to listen.  We may not be able to identify with authentic situations, but we again, are only meant to be present.  Over the years, these stories enable us to perceive people as individuals carrying their own set of challenges.  When we observe behavior, we can wonder what life had been like to create this particular reaction.

We may be following different paths, but our individual journeys all carry us to the same home.