Sending light and love...Maybe because I am a 72 year old Black woman who has lived through a LOT that I do not see this time as a period of darkness but a period of rebirth. In my work as a psychologist and DEIB professional who "failed retirement" I started a nonprofit, Getting To We, that works to help people understand our shared core identity as humans and relate to each other without fear. Because of this work and my faith, I find great hope during this time. I am by far from being Pollyannish in my perspective. I could tell you about all the "isms" I have experienced since I was a kid, how I almost lost faith after experiencing so much racism and misogyny when I was in the convent (yes, I was a nun...your books, many years later, helped me make meaning of my faith) and all the ugly I have known and experienced in my professional life, especially when it comes to White people, but what I know for sure is that it is incredibly important to stay connected to other dreamers, imaginers, and creators of the world we want to see. It is imperative that we live that community and fight the good fight to use John Lewis' term, to know that THIS mess right here is what is called LIFE, and in this wobbly world we can be happy warriors together. This is an opportunity for rebirthing and we need each other to do that. This Christmas we can all be born again with light and love.
Thank you for your insightful comment and your way of seeing this. Someone told me that they will burn everything to the ground and this will make it possible for us to rebuild . I’m not looking forward to that process, but I do believe that sometimes things have to get worse to get better. I would love to find out more about Getting to We. Can you post a website link? Here’s to happy warriors. You certainly are one.
Thanks Leslye. A part of me wants to have Trump be Trump and destroy everything in order that the MAGA crowd will finally see the consequences. Democracy is fragile but I don't think it can be destroyed in two-four years...at least not without a fight. That is where we come in. We are the guardrails. Most likely Trump will just not govern (all he wanted was to keep out of jail) and his revenge agenda will just have all the Republicans fighting internally. He made so many promises to every special interest group in exchange for money and votes that he can't keep them all...especially because they have conflicting wants...I could go...Here's the website: https://gettingtowe.org/
Thank you for this. It's hard not to be worried about how much damage can be done in the next few years, but I hope there are more people who think like John, you, and many others I have found in the last few months. May we all be born again, and may love and light prevail.
It's like the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad has happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer. I know now folks in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something. That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.
A friend told me a phrase that keeps coming back to her is: “Life is always as it has ever been.” I can see that as being true. Things in life happen at different times, in different places, to different people. But essentially “Life is as it has ever been.” There have been Peace-Messengers and Peace-Leaders all through history. They are usually murdered. Yet, the meaning of their actions, their wisdom, their vision stay with us who long for deep meaning in a world hellbent on hurt. Some people will their lives to seek pleasure at other people’s expense. Others seek power and strive for superiority. We seek deep meaning and action for a better world because that gives us the Will to Endure our currently sad circumstances. And it’s a better use of our gifts. And it feels better to love and to be kind and to share and to see others humanity and try to heal the world. Soon we come into our Winter Solstice. But fortunately we never stay there. Peace this Christmas Season.
I'm Jewish. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas night, when we kindle the first candle to celebrate the first of eight days. The holiday commemorates the Maccabees' recovery of Jerusalem, the rededication of the Second Temple, and the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the Second Century BCE. +
Thank you. I am finding that the combination of meditation/prayer and a gratitude journal, along with some kind of action daily, helps. Jess Craven's "Chop Wood, Carry Water" has been helpful with scripts and dialogue. And of course, reading your beautiful words. Thank you
Thank you for this, John. Fr. Jim Callan, our beloved pastor and friend of mine since college days passed away during the night after much suffering from cancer for the past several months. I plan to read and share your suggestions to remind all those who mourn that there is still joy, hope and love.
I remind myself that Christ was born in an era of oppression as well. I find my light in like-minded folks and the fact that so much of His Word is being proven true. In a weird way, that strengthens my faith.
Joe Biden is still president. Government is operating. Benefits are being sent out. The excrutiatingly awful cabinet nominees have not been confirmed. Today is still a good day. I'm not going to invest in pre-mourn or borrow trouble that hasn't come yet to pass. I'm not numb or dumb, but I don't see how wasting my 'now' helps the cause. Deep breathe, y'all. There are other things that can legitimately be celebrated and treasured. Rest up and recharge. The time will come when our energy is needed for action.
There will indeed be dark days ahead. I will try to ask this question often: "What is the next right, loving thing to do?" If I can act on this consistently, I hope it will see me through the darkness.
Beautifully said, John. We will all take turns being light and dark - so we support others and then in turn receive support. Thank you for being the light today.
This is why I find celebrating Solstice a lot more therapeutic than celebrating Christmas. It is a very literal, tangible celebration of light in the heart of darkness and the world turning, and a hope for the renewal of life.
Thank you. Your work fills our flickering lamps - with fuel, goodness, kindness, the beautiful brilliance of Hope and persistence that pushes darkness away for everyone to see a better day(s) ahead - and together, a Community of Light.
Sending light and love...Maybe because I am a 72 year old Black woman who has lived through a LOT that I do not see this time as a period of darkness but a period of rebirth. In my work as a psychologist and DEIB professional who "failed retirement" I started a nonprofit, Getting To We, that works to help people understand our shared core identity as humans and relate to each other without fear. Because of this work and my faith, I find great hope during this time. I am by far from being Pollyannish in my perspective. I could tell you about all the "isms" I have experienced since I was a kid, how I almost lost faith after experiencing so much racism and misogyny when I was in the convent (yes, I was a nun...your books, many years later, helped me make meaning of my faith) and all the ugly I have known and experienced in my professional life, especially when it comes to White people, but what I know for sure is that it is incredibly important to stay connected to other dreamers, imaginers, and creators of the world we want to see. It is imperative that we live that community and fight the good fight to use John Lewis' term, to know that THIS mess right here is what is called LIFE, and in this wobbly world we can be happy warriors together. This is an opportunity for rebirthing and we need each other to do that. This Christmas we can all be born again with light and love.
Thank you for your insightful comment and your way of seeing this. Someone told me that they will burn everything to the ground and this will make it possible for us to rebuild . I’m not looking forward to that process, but I do believe that sometimes things have to get worse to get better. I would love to find out more about Getting to We. Can you post a website link? Here’s to happy warriors. You certainly are one.
Thanks Leslye. A part of me wants to have Trump be Trump and destroy everything in order that the MAGA crowd will finally see the consequences. Democracy is fragile but I don't think it can be destroyed in two-four years...at least not without a fight. That is where we come in. We are the guardrails. Most likely Trump will just not govern (all he wanted was to keep out of jail) and his revenge agenda will just have all the Republicans fighting internally. He made so many promises to every special interest group in exchange for money and votes that he can't keep them all...especially because they have conflicting wants...I could go...Here's the website: https://gettingtowe.org/
Thanks for your interest and your hope.
Thank you for this. It's hard not to be worried about how much damage can be done in the next few years, but I hope there are more people who think like John, you, and many others I have found in the last few months. May we all be born again, and may love and light prevail.
Thank YOU! We focus on what matters and stay connected, fighting effectively and as happy warriors.
It's like the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad has happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer. I know now folks in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something. That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.
Samwise Gamgee
Sam for president of the world.
Yes!
Love this Kathleen! My college roommate had a dog named Frodo & Lord of the Rings will always be a favorite...thanks for this reminder! :)
❤️❤️
Thank you
A light will shine in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.
Amen
Amen! ❤️🙏🏻❤️
I'm trying 😔
A friend told me a phrase that keeps coming back to her is: “Life is always as it has ever been.” I can see that as being true. Things in life happen at different times, in different places, to different people. But essentially “Life is as it has ever been.” There have been Peace-Messengers and Peace-Leaders all through history. They are usually murdered. Yet, the meaning of their actions, their wisdom, their vision stay with us who long for deep meaning in a world hellbent on hurt. Some people will their lives to seek pleasure at other people’s expense. Others seek power and strive for superiority. We seek deep meaning and action for a better world because that gives us the Will to Endure our currently sad circumstances. And it’s a better use of our gifts. And it feels better to love and to be kind and to share and to see others humanity and try to heal the world. Soon we come into our Winter Solstice. But fortunately we never stay there. Peace this Christmas Season.
I'm Jewish. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas night, when we kindle the first candle to celebrate the first of eight days. The holiday commemorates the Maccabees' recovery of Jerusalem, the rededication of the Second Temple, and the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the Second Century BCE. +
Lighting the menorah is a beautiful tradition, as is the Jewish salutation: Shalom
Thank you. I am finding that the combination of meditation/prayer and a gratitude journal, along with some kind of action daily, helps. Jess Craven's "Chop Wood, Carry Water" has been helpful with scripts and dialogue. And of course, reading your beautiful words. Thank you
Thank you for this, John. Fr. Jim Callan, our beloved pastor and friend of mine since college days passed away during the night after much suffering from cancer for the past several months. I plan to read and share your suggestions to remind all those who mourn that there is still joy, hope and love.
I remind myself that Christ was born in an era of oppression as well. I find my light in like-minded folks and the fact that so much of His Word is being proven true. In a weird way, that strengthens my faith.
Joe Biden is still president. Government is operating. Benefits are being sent out. The excrutiatingly awful cabinet nominees have not been confirmed. Today is still a good day. I'm not going to invest in pre-mourn or borrow trouble that hasn't come yet to pass. I'm not numb or dumb, but I don't see how wasting my 'now' helps the cause. Deep breathe, y'all. There are other things that can legitimately be celebrated and treasured. Rest up and recharge. The time will come when our energy is needed for action.
Excellent advice! Thank you. Celebrate the now.
There will indeed be dark days ahead. I will try to ask this question often: "What is the next right, loving thing to do?" If I can act on this consistently, I hope it will see me through the darkness.
I love this and will try hard to remember to approach all with that view. Thank you!
Beautifully said, John. We will all take turns being light and dark - so we support others and then in turn receive support. Thank you for being the light today.
This is why I find celebrating Solstice a lot more therapeutic than celebrating Christmas. It is a very literal, tangible celebration of light in the heart of darkness and the world turning, and a hope for the renewal of life.
Thank you so much, John.
Thank you. Your work fills our flickering lamps - with fuel, goodness, kindness, the beautiful brilliance of Hope and persistence that pushes darkness away for everyone to see a better day(s) ahead - and together, a Community of Light.
It’s way too late. The light gets dimmer by the minute.