As we go out with the old and in with the New Year….. let us take a moment to offer our compassion and loving-kindness to all those that are struggling with grief or illness. Sadly as of today, there will be no New Year’s celebration for 350,000 Hearts & Souls that have been lost to this horrific pandemic here in America.

In 2021, as we try to get beyond this pandemic, let’s envision Healing and Hope for future New Years to come with, Patience, Loving-Kindness and Compassion.

These are my Word Hearts for 2021….Healing, Hope, Love, Kindness, Peace, Joy, Etc.

What are your words of hope for the future of our country?

During this Holiday Season consider a gift to honor lives lost, with a living breathing gift of nature that will live on for many years to come in their memory. Leaving this legacy for their families is a beautiful way to honor those who have suffered and passed away during this pandemic.

One Dollar = One Tree = One Life Honored

Tragically, as of today December 14, 2020, more than 300,000 Hearts & Souls have been lost in the USA to Covid-19. My heart breaks for the grief all these families are enduring.  The loss of so many hearts and souls is staggering to comprehend.

Hope Springs Eternal, as we are now seeing some light at the end of this darkness, miraculously the first vaccines are being administered today! 

“He that plants trees loves others besides himself.” ~ Thomas Fuller

“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” ~ Dalai Lama 

I wrote “MY VISION FOR OUR AMERICA” essay on 12/23/2017, and the first addendum on 9/30/2018 before our last election and appalling Supreme Court nomination. Here we are again less than 3 weeks from the next election, going through another appallingly partisan Supreme Court nomination, and another Women’s March taking place today in Washington, D.C. I have included the original essay and first addendum, and now a new addendum for this crucial time in American history.

10/17/2020 Addendum: “MY VISION FOR OUR AMERICA” by Marlene Rose Besso

There are 17 days until election day. The past 3 years and 9 months have been an excruciatingly long time to wait to make our voices heard with our right to vote for President in America. My fervet hope is that we make the right choice this time around. If we fail, our democracy fails, it’s as basic as that. I want to be proud once again to be an American. The destruction of our reputation hopefully has not been irreparably damaged by this current administration, or more aptly referred to as this “regime”. I am not going to express in words all the inhumane policies enacted, disrespect for the rule of law and loss of moral authority of our executive branch, Etc. We have 2 1/2 months to go before Inauguration Day on January 20, 2021 when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in. They will have to repair all the damage done by the bully and dysfunctional child that was at the helm for 4 years. Unfortunately we will still be enduring a pandemic, but I trust that the Scientists will be tasked to give the American people the truth and information needed on a regular basis, so we can actually turn the corner on this horrid virus and ruined economy. Thankfully adults will be in charge, and we will need all their leadership, expertise and empathy to keep moving forward. I believe there will be light at the end of this very dark tunnel, and America will survive and thrive into the future. Our children and their children deserve a future that includes, clean air, clean water, roads and bridges that won’t fall down, equality in all human aspects and justice for all. I have faith in the younger generation, they will make their voices heard, and those that are old enough to vote in this election, they will be there to begin the change for their future and ours. VOTE as if your life depends on it, then we can once again create the Vision for Our America that we can be proud of. The last 4 years will go down in history as our worst exercise in democracy, but hopefully we will never make such a mistake again. Yesterday I utilized my constitutional right to vote, making my voice heard by casting my early ballot here in Sedona, Arizona.

9/30/18 ADDENDUM: “MY VISION FOR OUR AMERICA” by Marlene Rose Besso

In 37 days we MUST ALL get out to VOTE on November 6, 2018, it is our only chance of making changes in OUR America that will affect everyone. I am hopeful that the outcome will allow us to begin healing and get on track to become once again Proud to be Americans. It is astonishing what has continued to unfold in these past 9 months since I wrote my essay last year. What we have given BIRTH to in Our America is absolutely appalling, but at the same time I am very encouraged by the courageous and brave women who have come forward to speak their truth. We are slowly but surely beginning to be understood and listened to. We will not be ignored any longer. In these past several months we have all watched as brave and courageous women have spoken their truth causing powerful men to be deservingly taken down from their thrones for their horrendous disrespect of women. We are finally watching respect and equality slowly being restored for women in this country, it is happening in our workplaces and hometowns every day, thanks to the Freedom of Our Press these wrongs have been exposed and now the momentum of change is occurring daily. This past week watching the bravery and honesty exemplified by Dr. Ford as she spoke her truth at the Senate hearing caused me to feel sadness and gratitude at the same time. It was heart wrenching that she had to share the details of what happened to her in public, when this should have been handled confidentially and fairly by the so-called leadership in Congress, but nevertheless, she did her civic duty and now more than ever we all know how credible and honorable that was for her to share and endure. Thank you Dr. Ford. There was a moment when someone misspoke and referred to her as Senator Ford…that made me smile, since she seemed more CAPABLE of that title than some of the so-called Senators on that committee. I watched in total astonishment when the SCOTUS Nominee shared his so-called truth. At times I had to turn off the volume, it was excruciating to watch. I kept thinking how in the world would it be possible for someone with that kind of temperament and partisanship get confirmed to sit on the Supreme Court for a lifetime position? There must be more honorable women and men to choose from as compared to what we witnessed and learned about in this candidate this past week. It’s ironic that the choice was made by a president that we did not choose! The confirmation is being bulldozed through by the GOP elected officials that have obviously lost all respect for their country. Thankfully this confirmation is on hold for an FBI investigation, something that our level-headed and honorable elected officials (on the other side) have asked for all along. I am confident that the truth always comes out. In the meantime, the only way to resolve this imbalance and deterioration of Our America is to VOTE these people out of their positions of disrespect for our country. There are many honorable candidates deserving of our VOTES, so we can once and for all begin to reverse this historic downfall in our government. We must bring back the crucial concept of caring about OUR AMERICA over their party. Our democracy will be strong once again when we all make our voices heard and VOTE on November 6, 2018.

12/23/17
“MY VISION FOR OUR AMERICA” by Marlene Rose Besso
There are 8 days left in this fabulous year 2017! I say that this year has been fabulous very sarcastically as you might have guessed! January 20, 2017 began a new chapter in America that the majority of us are still in horror and shock over on a daily basis. The Women’s March on the next day, January 21st was awe inspiring, invigorating, and for a few weeks we were in the afterglow of having made our voices heard loud and clear, not just women, but men too! Fast forward 11 months later and still the majority of Americans are still in horror and shock on a daily basis if we still watch the news. I have to be vigilant with how much news I ingest, otherwise I become depressed, angry and sometimes feel hopeless. Other times I am again invigorated to make my voice heard, calling and emailing my Congress Members and Senators each time the GOP attempts to rape Americans from their basis needs. This is NOT a democracy anymore, our government is run by the GOP who refuse to put their country over party, and greedy donors who control financing their re-election. It all resembles a sports event, ramming the ball/bill through to the other side, just to get a so called win! In 2018 those attempts and very few wins will be rewarded with big GOP re-election losses. Americans must go to the polls and make their voices heard with our votes for honorable people who care about our country over party. We cannot sit back and watch our country be raped and abused by those in our government who have no conscious or respect for our country. I have used the word rape, and now the word abused because as of the past several months, a huge Tipping Point has occurred in our country thanks to courageous women who made their voices heard loud and clear. It gives me hope for our future and so much pride for all the women who have come forward after years of shame and suffering that was not theirs to live with. In 2017 a woman was not elected into office because of an old antiquated Electoral College procedure but let us not forget that a WOMAN was Elected by popular vote. Now the women are the ones who are literally “draining the swamp” of men who have no respect for women, using their powerful positions to degrade, destroy and disable them from progressing in their careers. Now the men have lost their careers and in my opinion should be making apologies and going to jail for their disgusting behavior.
My prayer and hope for OUR AMERICA, our government to be run by a majority of women. No lobbyists, donors, big money for elections, just honorable citizens who care what direction our country will go in the future. I wish I would be alive to witness the transformational changes of a government run with respect, dignity, kindness, and compassion. A truly needed advancement in our country instead of this insanity we are witnessing in 2017. For the sake of our children, and their children we must commit to voting for honorable candidates and make our voices heard loud and clear on election day November 6, 2018. See you on January 20, 2018 for the 2nd annual WOMEN’S MARCH.

I designed this heart to give myself and others a visual way to comprehend the numbers reported on a daily basis of the COVID-19 deaths. This image of hearts within the larger Heart represent 2,000 Hearts & Souls. Today marks a horrific tally of Hearts & Souls lost to Covid-19. It’s almost incomprehensible to visual this heart multiplied by 100, but as of September 19, 2020 we have lost 200,000+ Hearts & Souls just in the United States. My heart breaks for the grief all these families are enduring.

I much prefer to visualize this image as if all the hearts are TREES PLANTED in the MEMORY of those deaths.  

Leaving this legacy for their families is a beautiful way to honor those who have suffered and passed away during this pandemic. Let’s PLANT TREES in honor of lives lost, with a living breathing gift of nature that will live on for many years to come in their memory. 

“He that plants trees loves others besides himself.” ~ Thomas Fuller

“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” ~ Dalai Lama 

Along my adventures yesterday here in Sedona, AZ I snapped this interesting image of Quan Yin & Friends together in their temporary residing space. The spiritual nature park that I have enjoyed visiting these past few years to walk the Labyrinth and visit Quan Yin is no longer there. All the statuary has been moved to this temporary location soon to be placed in their new home. I am looking forward to visiting the new nature area and resuming my visits for meditation and peaceful labyrinth outings.

I was so happy to find Quan Yin sitting in the background with her serene smile as she was sending out Loving-Kindness & Compassion in unison with all her friends. We sure need this sharing of peace and calm in our humanity right now. My hope is that somehow we will be able to regain understanding and togetherness in our very divided society. My heart hurts to see such division and vitriol actions on our streets and in social media. This is a major turning point in our human condition, and change is the only way forward. More of the same will ruin us, and if we continue this division we will fail horribly. Together we must rise and repair this wreckage of the past 4 years by VOTING as soon as possible for the renewal of our country. As soon as you receive your ballot, or the option to visit your polling place, PLEASE don’t delay, we need every humane voice voting to create a better world for all of us.

NAMASTE

During these hot summer days in Sedona, Arizona during pandemic quarantine life, I found myself inspired to create some acrylic paintings which I call my Heavenly Series. I wanted to have an outlet to create and share some love and compassion through my artistic expression during these difficult days. I hope they put a smile on your face, some hope in your heart, and some comfort in your grief. We will get through these challenging times a bit easier if we share loving-kindness and compassion with all who cross our path.

 As of today, tragically more than 150,000 lives have been lost in the USA just in the past 5 months. Our hearts are breaking for the families having to cope with their devastating reality. The sadness and grief at the loss of so many hearts and souls is staggering to comprehend.

One Dollar = One Tree = One Life Honored

I continue to have an ongoing fundraiser with OneTreePlanted.org to plant trees in memory of these Hearts and Souls lost to Covid-19. I started this as my Birthday Fundraiser in May, and at that time there were 2,000 Hearts & Souls who had passed away.  It is impossible to comprehend that in such a short span of time so many more lives have been tragically lost. 

When we plant a tree, we are creating a beautiful living breathing gift of nature that will hopefully live on for many years to come. Leaving this legacy for their families is one way we can do something to honor those who have suffered and passed away during this pandemic.

“He that plants trees loves others besides himself.” ~ Thomas Fuller

Let’s PLANT TREES in honor of lives lost to Covid-19, with a living breathing gift of nature that will live on for many years to come in their memory.

I designed this heart to give myself and others a visual way to comprehend the numbers reported on a daily basis of the COVID-19 deaths. As of today June 29, 2020 this image of hearts represents 500,000 Hearts & Souls lost in this pandemic globally. 

I much prefer to visualize this image as if all the hearts are TREES PLANTED in the MEMORY of those deaths. 

“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” ~ Dalai Lama 

Click on the Heart to DONATE at ONE TREE PLANTED or click this link:  https://forest-fundraiser.raisely.com/marlene-besso/

“IT’S LIKE A CLOUD IN THE SKY”
BY: THICH NHAT HANH

“Love, Peace & Believe” By Marlene Rose Besso

I discovered this road sign a few years ago while touring with a friend visiting me here in Sedona, AZ. At that time I had lived here for 5 years and never knew this street existed. It was so serendipitous to find Serendipity Trail, especially since serendipity is one of my favorite words!

Often times in our lives there are things that are obscured, but have existed for centuries without the awareness they deserve. This is the time to open our eyes to generations of prejudice, racial inequalities, oppression, and shed a light on these horrendous truths. Leonard Cohen’s lyrics: “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” seems so relevant right about now. America has broken open and we can no longer ignore this glaring spotlight on 400+ years of unjust treatment of black people on this planet. Finally, centuries later in 2020, the phrase “Black Lives Matter” has become the chant in the streets by humans of all races and ethnicity, marching together to forge a new frontier of equality, liberty and justice for all.

During these tumultuous times on our planet, as we deal with the coronavirus pandemic, and the breaking open of historic racial inequities precipitated by the police brutally killing George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we might want to look at this as a serendipitous event in our history.  Usually the word serendipity, or serendipitous is associated with happiness or luck, but it also has a more contemplative meaning; something that happens by chance, unforeseen, unanticipated, advantageous, fortuitous, etc. I believe that out of all this turmoil and grief that America and the world are experiencing, we will chart new paths in history toward healing our humanity and planet for the next generations to come.

America has broken open with peaceful protests going on indefinitely in our streets and globally across the planet. Change will come; this is an uprising, a revolution long overdue. Equality, Liberty and Justice will prevail for all human beings, of all races, nationalities, genders, and the result will be beneficial and serendipitous for all.

I believe all of these pandemics plaguing us now have happened at this time in history for a higher purpose. This is a challenging and traumatic time in all of our lives, and as we get through this together, I believe when it eventually ends we will have experienced a profound transformative catharsis.

In America we have the national elections coming in November, I foresee a referendum coming on who we allow to reside in our White House, moral values and experience requirements, and how all Americans, and immigrants who wish to become Americans, are respected in our country. I have confidence that the young generation will vote in massive numbers, and we will all make our voices heard loud and clear for our future healing and survival. I hope we will continue to peacefully protest in our streets to ensure justice and systematic changes be enacted, forging a new path, to protect, respect, and insist on equality for all.

Our environment, our humanity and our values must be respected, cherished and protected. New chapters will be written in history to document these transformative tumultuous times in 2020, and I foresee the consequence as a serendipitous transmutation for the future of our planet earth.

Living our lives with loving intentions, integrity, honesty, decency, fortitude and courage will create the kind of world we all can be proud to call home. Resilience, patience and passion, along with focus, determination and courage are what it takes to make your dreams come true.

 “Always remember the future comes one day at a time”. Dean Achsen

I have HOPE and believe in the DREAM of Liberty and Justice for ALL.