Today I recalled a song from an unexpected place -- a TV series episode presented as a musical -- unique and a bit fun. This song seems to end with the singer choosing not to change behaviour despite acknowledging that change might have a positive impact. I've experienced this feeling often. The work necessary to change and move forward can be more than one has energy to do. The goal can be to rest in the doldrums before climbing up or slogging through the swampy liminal space. Pausing does not mean we are mired in the muck, though that, too, can be a choice.
The songs today are from two very different genres -- just my eclectic listening choices. The first song shared today is the one from the TV episode. The second song deals with the choice to dig into the low-lying areas for a longer stay. Keep safe. Enjoy!
How would that feel? -- Christine Chong, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, S2, Ep. 9 "Subspace Rhapsody"
This past week, we lost an amazing woman-- Jane Goodall, primatologist, ethologist, conservationist. She led with kindness, compassion, gentleness, humaneness. She was a wonderful role model for women in science, having dealt with the patriarchy of academia at the time, though Louis Leakey had chosen her as a 'boots on the ground' primate researcher (as he did for Dian Fossey and mountain gorillas and Berute Galdikas and orangutans). Dr. Goodall documented the use of tools as well as the making of tools by chimpanzees. She gave us a glimpse into the social world of these apes.
I met her briefly at a presentation in Saskatoon on October 28, 1997. After her talk, she signed books. I had my copy of Through a Window, My thirty years with the chimpanzees of Gombe (1990). She took time to speak to each person in the very long line -- a view of her generosity. I have another signed book that arrived by mail years later, after I notified the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada that I had included them in my will. The book, Jane Goodall 50 years at Gombe: A tribute to five decades of wildlife research, education and conservation (2010), is filled with amazing photographs of Dr. Goodall and the many chimpanzees studied over the decades.
Dr. Goodall had been traveling for speaking tours and discussions with policy makers 300 days a year. She died in her sleep while doing what she chose to do -- advocating for animals, people and conservation -- at 91 years of age. She left this world in a quiet, gentle way, just as she lived her life.
The dedication of the 50th anniversary at Gombe book clearly shows her view of the world. I include it here --
To the memory of my amazing mother, Vanne, without whose wise guidance this research might never have happened;
To Louis Leakey, for his belief in a young, untrained woman;
To Rashidi Kikwale, who first introduced me to the forests of Gombe;
To David Greybeard and Flo, who introduced me to the world of the wild chimpanzees;
and to Rusty, who taught me that animals have personalities, minds, and feelings long before I met a chimpanzee. (Jane Goodall with the Jane Goodall Institute, 2010. pp. 5)
She is with David Greybeard now.
The song title and lyrics of the song for today was where my mind went when I heard the news. We still have questions and conversations to finish. Keep safe. Enjoy!
