Without Rules or Regulation(s)...

photo by grassrootsmsw
Seattle, WA

"The outside world pressures you into a mold,
and if you don't accept that - you gamble with life.

Call it gambling...

You know when I decided to become professional -
that means to expose yourself naked to the world
with other creative minds...

I said, "I'm going into areas I don't know.
I might just fall right down to hell and kill myself."

Then I said, "Well, who cares?
I'd rather do it and see what it's all about."

I don't want the safe way...

The safe way limits you."


Louise Nevelson

Maybe we should all see and color outside and beyond the lines...

Maybe it is the only way to learn and create;

opening the beautiful and authentic spaces...

-grassrootsmsw-

Celebrating April 27th

photo by grassrootsmsw
July 2007

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart."

Elizabeth Foley

Happy Birthday dearest Trishie!

The dutch girls' and the menagerie miss you and send love, hugs, and wet canine licks!!!

OPEN....

photo by grassrootsmsw
Amsterdam, NL

“One change,

always leaves the door open

for the establishment of others…”

-Niccolo Machiavelli-

Unfurling...

photo by grassrootsmsw

“The greatest stories are those that resonate our beginnings and intuit our endings, our mysterious origins and our numinous destinies, and dissolve them both into one.”

Ben Okri

Allow for the unfurling...
no planning or mapping.
Just, pure, organic,
blending...
of all that is, was and
may be...

-grassrootsmsw-

Story Keepers

painting by S.G.
4-16-08

“Their story, yours and mine –

it’s what we all carry with us on this trip we take,

and we owe it to each other to respect our stories

and learn from them.”

William Carlos Williams

I have been a professional social worker for 17 years. Sometimes I have received praise and at other times I have been given constructive criticism. While I remain open to feedback and insight, my goal and purpose in this work has been to try the best I can to make a positive difference...a difference for others'...completely removed from self need or interest. I do this work because I was raised to see and believe that this is just the right thing to do...to give back, for no other reason than to give back.

The greatest compliment I have ever received over all these years came yesterday, from a respected colleague, at a staff retreat..."You are the keeper of stories. Thank you."

If I never did another day of social work, I would hold this comment as the highest compliment and feel that I had accomplished the deepest truth of what social work is. The greatest honor in the world is when someone offers to even share a glimpse of their narrative. With gratitude I try to hold each and every story, attempting and yearning to see the beauty, integrity and value behind the story tellers' STORY.

May I always be granted the privilege of hearing, learning, and holding the stories...

-grassrootsmsw-

A City Unto Itself...

photo by grassrootsmsw
NYC, 76th Street Deli
"Eddie and Madison"
1993

“You come to New York to find the ambiance that will evoke your best. You do not necessarily know precisely what that might be, but you come to New York to discover it.”

Dr. James Hillman

The corner delis/bodegas in NYC are their own institutions with dynamics I have never seen or experienced before. Mohammed, Eddie, Manu, and Jimmie were my corner deli men. Not only did they know my morning coffee needs' (light, no sugar), every morning, they also remembered to include bacon or a bagel for my faithful dog Madison...each and every day.

The above photo is Halloween in 1993. All the dog owners' in the neighborhood "dressed" their dogs in costume. Being originally from California, Madison was dressed as a hippy/'Dead head.' The back of his t-shirt said: "Peace, Love and Hemp."

Madison's reward for best costume...extra bacon from his beloved deli man, Eddie.
My reward: Discovering the fortune and fate that brought me to NYC and leaving with me, forever, appreciation for this city of paradox and truth...all in one...

-grassrootsmsw-

Every day...

photo by grassrootsmsw
Thailand

“I don’t believe in greatness, I believe in everyday decency,

in humility and gratitude.”

Shmuley Boteach