Just as I was about to start writing this editor’s message, I caught a mouse in our “mouse friendly” trap. I heard the familiar click of the trap door,  and so got up to relocate the little guy. Normally the mice scurry around and around and scamper off at the speed of light when I release them. But not this little mouse, he just sat there. ‘Come on then,’ I encouraged him to leave, but he remained quiet and still. I grew impatient, forced to sit quietly in the sun while I had work to do! Then it hit me: he just wasn’t ready yet and needed more time. He was afraid, but willing to sit with it for a while.

I’m a bit like the mice that scamper around and around. Often running off without considering my situation; too busy trying to get past one moment and on to the next one, and then the one after that! I miss out on so many important moments because of this.

It seemed forever, but eventually the little mouse poked his head out, looked at me for a while and wandered off into the bush. He had sat quietly, considered and accepted his situation, and then when he was ready, he moved on.

One little mouse showed me something that I know, but do not often do. No matter what we believe — or whom we believe in — the only way to  see a clear path and to truly know yourself is to just stop. A simple truth from a simple creature.

Like those crazy little mice, most of us spend our whole lives scampering around. We tend to consume ourselves with busyness; overcomplicating our lives and accumulating more stuff — which in turn requires even more effort and keeps us stuck in this endless cycle. We are so smart, we build our own “people” traps, so complex that they are almost impossible to escape, unless we just stop. I fear it’s something that most of us are just not capable of or willing to do. I know I have difficulty being still, it’s not part of my nature — but it is important I make time to practise and find balance. My fear of stopping is a great one, but if a mouse can do it, surely so can I.

Talking about mice and spirituality: I’m sure if you asked singer, songwriter and witch Wendy Rule, she would probably tell us that when animals show up in your life they usually have a message to help you along your way. Yasmin Element talked to Wendy after her recent performance in Canberra; about her path as a pagan and a witch — it’s a lovely journey. Also in this issue, both the Quakers and Uniting Church talk about their support for gay marriage and equal rights. Clayton Gibson from My Out Spirit magazine writes about finding the truth within and Simon Copland gives his thoughts about the religious left.

As well as all our great features and op.eds this issue, we have two really interesting theatre reviews: The Laramie Project at the Canberra Theatre (opens 20 May), the tragic story of gay student Matthew Shepard; and Shakespeare’s R&J at The Q (opens 8 June), an all boy rendition of Romeo and Juliet — yes there’s kissing. Oh and read all about Ricky Martin, apparently he’s gay — derrrrr!

Which brings me back to the critters. I would like to say thanks to everyone who performed, supported and came along to the FUSE 1st Birthday Bash. It was a huge success, and we raised over $1700 for the Humane Society International (www.hsi.org.au) who work tirelessly for the benefit of our planet and animal wefare.

Blessed Be and Enjoy. Alex

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