The Net

I can't seem to stop talking.

Every time I consider "chilling out" and decide to "just let Facebook be fun again",

my better angel whispers, "...say something..."

"Say something, even if no one listens." Deep breath. Ok.

It's been an interesting experiment to observe who doesn't listen. Or at least those who don't comment. And, perhaps more interesting to see who only comments when I say something that feels controversial (or convicting?) to them. But this isn't about those folks.

Today I'm thinking about my net.

The folks who have my back when I say something that could put me at risk.

The folks who aren't in a position to speak up so seek out like-minded thinkers to ❤️ and 👍.

The folks who say thank you publicly and privately.

The folks who slide into my DMs to acknowledge the gut-wrenching tension of having friends on "both sides".

The folks I thought didn't even know I existed and then surprise me with a pop-up of their support.

The folks who teach me because they can't stop talking either.

The folks who have done their time talking and now look to my generation to take the torch.

The folks who are much younger than me and may find their own kind of courage through mine.

The folks who far more brave and bold than I.

You are my net. A soft landing place when I feel like I am falling through this world of chaos.

You are my net. A protection wrapped around me to filter out the sharks while the waves of love wash over me.

You are my net. Binding us together for common causes of compassion and a just world.

You are my net. Wrapping yourself around me with the strength of your loving words.

You are my net. Forming the ladder for me to question and climb out of the darkness to see the sun.

You are my net.