We’ve all had such times… times when life spins out of control and we ricochet from one thing to another.  The last month felt at times like being trapped within such a pinball machine.  Sometimes the best we can do is to remember to breathe!

Yesterday things returned to a more humane rhythm. This morning a ten-day ache in my jaw has noticeably subsided — a reassuring indication that my stress induced tendency to clench my teeth while sleeping had begun dissipating.

With this welcome — and not too soon — return to life-as-normal comes a desire to resume more regular postings here, to get back to Kneading Bread. Toward that end, I share a poem that appeared like manna to nourish me during these frenetic weeks…

There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about.

Ask: “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?” Keep asking.

Notice what you care about.
Assume that many others share your dreams.

Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.
Talk to people you know.
Talk to people you don’t know.
Talk to people you never talk to.

Be intrigued by the differences you hear.
Expect to be surprised.
Treasure curiosity more than certainty.

Invite in everybody who cares to work on what’s possible.
Acknowledge that everyone is an expert about something.
Know that creative solutions come from new connections.

Remember, you don’t fear people whose story you know.
Real listening always brings people closer together.

Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world.

Rely on human goodness. Stay together.

This poem by Margaret J Wheatley is entitled, “Turning to One Another”.