Nothing is lost that can’t be found

On Why We Need Whales

“Reporting in for duty - how can I be of service?'

We were on a walk through the streets of Berkley when my friend Karen shared that she opens her morning meditation with that simple question.

And then she listens.

So the other day, as I sat in front of my own altar, finally ready to stop pushing my own agenda and feeling more ready than ever to surrender to the flow of life, I tried on those words, reporting in… how can I be of service.

And this is what I heard:

“Write: Why We Need Whales”

Something you should know, in my journey of writing The Whale Dreamer, I met a lot of whale people, and some of them say they speak for the whales.

not me.

I imagine one whale broke through the consciousness barrier, made into my imagination plane, and the book I wrote features the story of that one whale.

I don’t know how anyone can speak for all of anything. I certainly can’t speak for all of the beings in the clubs I am a member of: such as all Women, or all of humanity, or all Americans, or all Jewish people, or all Californians, or all Earthlings.

As much as I love them, I have never been of the ilk that says, I speak for whales.

Photo by Jorge Vasconez on Unsplash

I do believe that things can speak through us.

When we listen.

As I listened this morning-- I didn’t receive a bunch of facts and stats, such as that whales help with Nutrient Cycling as they redistribute nutrients in the ocean through their vertical movements between feeding in deep waters and defecating near the surface (called the "whale pump").

I wasn’t inspired to tell you that they are Ecosystem Engineers: By feeding on certain species and providing food for others (even after death), whales maintain balance in marine ecosystems, supporting biodiversity.

Here’s what arrived as I listened for why we need whales…

Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash

“We are needed more than you should know.

And you know we aren’t boys who cry wolf. You know we have been out there in the wilds of the depths moving the currents of life with the air streams and clouds.

You know we have been staying in the right lane of life.

But today we are woken out of our own stream of dream to tell you,

the whales need you more than ever to listen for the current of life in new ways.

Photo by Chinh Le Duc on Unsplash

You see the current of life is being disrupted–

so those who know how to listen are being put to the test.

The sonic booms are real- they break and shatter the song of earth

that ocean holds.

The underwater windmills cut and slice

through our songs

leaving entrails in their wake.

Do not think you are alone in this fight for balance and normalcy.

Do not think that something is not wrong just because you feel something is right.

Do not think you have to do anything alone.

Image by Mike Parry

We are here for you, humanity.

Our songs have been recorded for all of time–

the records of time have been kept in tact,

because you know that’s what we do, who we are, why we sing –

so the codes of life are remembered, known, and present in all of time.

Know that nothing is lost that can’t be found on this planet.

Nothing disappears, but it does change form.

And just as the things that cause harm shape shift through the night making it hard to track and know who is right and what is wrong–

in matters of sustaining life–

So do we.

So don’t fall into the illusion that death means gone.

We are preparing you for our death.

New Bedford Museum

In ten years, ten months, ten weeks, ten days, ten eons, it does not matter, we will be complete.

And it will feel as if all has been lost.

But remember, nothing can be lost that can’t be found.

Photo by Saroj Bhandari on Unsplash

And when that moment comes,

And as keepers of time we know that it will…

You will be needed more than ever not to fall,

knees on the ground,

tears making pools of grief that you and others might drown in–

No.

Hope must live on your lips.

Must be sung through your song.

Must be ground and spoken through your teeth,

but if they/we/us/them don’t know or remember that what has been lost

can’t be found without looking,

then lost we will remain.

So fix your eyes and sharpen your ears.

Listen with all parts of your being.

Find the fun and the joy of life and weave it in to every single moment.

Laugh out loud.

Sing in the shower to the water– songs of hope because we can hear you there.

Photo by Rémi Boudousquié on Unsplash

Nothing is lost that can’t be found

When it is looked for.

We will remain in many shapes and forms.

And our songs– will be there for you to call upon

as mysterious as the space between the rainbow

Nothing is lost that can’t be found

those are the rules of earth.

And they will try to tell you that is untrue,

that they broke that too.

But that is an untrue lie.

And so you must not forget:

Nothing is lost that can’t be found.

Photo by Chinh Le Duc on Unsplash

Not all will get this

Just a few

But it is your j o b to remember your task is not to speak to all-

but just a few who recognize the truth when they feel it.

Love lots– as much as possible.

Listen to all kinds of things

Patience is a thing of the past.

Go time is now.

Remember when you sing that magic can happen

We need your voice more than ever.

It doesn’t matter where it is or often or how loud.

Just sing

Sing

And sing some more

And that is where we tell you what to do.

Nothing is over until it is over.

So let’s us begin."

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As always, I love to hear your reflections and comments. I noticed that many of you email me directly— thank you! And if you want others to get to read your thoughts; do so here:

For those who want to spend time catching your own stories from the whales, we have 3 spaces left on the WRITING WITH THE WHALE RETREAT Feb 9-15th:

Email leah@leahlamb.com for more information.