The more people I speak with, the more human connections I make the more I am affirmed in my sentiment that our potential as human beings lies undiscovered. Our potential is hidden behind a rhetoric which seeks to divide people thereby diluting our power and silencing our voices. Many of those with power and money perpetuate a narrative of conflict and fear which supports the repetition of behviours of voting and non-voting that sustain systems of vast inequality. Alone, we are but one; but one-by-one, we are many.
There are days when no one answers the door, or I encounter no interested parties or at least none with the time to spare. Difficult as that is, it’s okay. I cannot force conversations and there is no point in trying to argue with someone on their doorstep. Discuss, yes, argue, no. I learned, very quickly, that people either do, or do not, wish to have a conversation. The more doors I knock, the more people I DO have a conversation with. Often brief, generally positive, these snippets of human connection are intriguing, informative, and, sometimes, transformative. Among the very many doors that never open and the many people who simply have no interest are the doors I will remember for the rest of my life.
Yesterday I knocked a particularly auspicious door where I met a woman who was enthusiastic about many of the issues that I too am deeply invested in; healthcare access (women's reproductive health, specifically) and support and funding for public education. During the course of our conversation, I was offered a gift; this lovely stone heart which she told me I might need. I paused for a moment, as you might, dear reader, to appreciate the stone’s beauty.
My first sense is that the stone resembled a map, depicting a vast river system. The deep earthy red speaks in tones of ochre of fire and rich earth, imparting a message of strength. The tiny black threads winding through that meet in their own spaces give an impression of flow and connection these threads are many small streams leading to denser silver/grey aspects. The silver portions, convey both smoke and water, and using the stone as a map are headwaters, mothers of the interconnected streams.
I thanked my friend for the lovely gift, which will now accompany me on my many miles. This lovely stone will be a physical reminder of the connections I am making, the threads we are weaving together.