It all counts.

(in times like these) the revolution starts at the heart.

Prayers count, tears count,
Time spent wondering how to help counts.
Phone calls and letters count whether they listen or not,
Your vision for peace counts more than you can believe.
Rage counts, so does the grief beneath,
Time spent listening and learning counts immensely.
Taking time to rejuvenate counts,
Turning off your phone to spend time in contemplation counts,
Nourishing yourself and your passions counts,
Immersing yourself in pleasure and joy also counts for a lot.

The back and forth, the willingness to change, consider, create,
The keeping of your heart open no matter how much it hurts counts,
Just as much as feeling numb and afraid.

I think what counts the most is not letting any single feeling or moment be it,
Remembering that nothing exists in solitude,
Returning to this interdependent present moment with the whole of you,
Not just the parts they say to value.

Not giving into the hate, not closing your heart to yourself or the world around,
Feeling all these feelings or lack thereof is not a sign of letting hate win,
It’s a sign of a part of you trying to find a better way.

So I will continue, not for nothing, but for everything,

It all counts towards the revolution, for true justice and liberation of all beings,

from the heart to end to start.

I pray for a better way. I pray for a change. I pray for tomorrow to surrender to today.

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this is not an invitation into complacency - this is a reminder that you are enough - keep going.

by Rachael Amber of Cyclical Roots