Emails and social media posts from American friends who shared feelings of helplessness, isolation, and fear, lacking strength to face the next “drop of the shoe” haven’t stopped since this time four years ago.. So what has changed? What has changed is – it’s gotten worse. Much worse.
Dear American neighbours, my friends, what is happening in your country is beyond imagining … the hatred … the fear … when will it end? how will it end? will it end?
You may feel alone. You may feel helpless. You may feel frightened as you have never felt before. You may not think you have the strength or courage to face “the next.”
Please be assured that there are people around the world who are holding you all in the Light … praying for you … are “with you” in spirit … are hoping and praying and encouraging you to vote in your this election if have not already done so – and vote in numbers your country has never seen before.
May you vote with ‘hope’. May you vote ‘love’, not hate. May you vote so that this time next year, the answer to the question “What has changed?” will be “A LOT!
… the economy will be better – much better. … news media will revert to its original purpose – inform people with truth no supposition, rumour, pontification, conspiracy spreading … social media will bring people together …the fear and hatred will begin to dissipate as leaders at all levels of government of the United States will be devoted to country, not party.
May all Americans get out and vote Vote for hope!
That’s what millions around the world are doing for you … hoping and praying that you will vote … vote for democracy … vote for leaders who will put the country first, not themselves.
But …. to bring the change you have to do your part and vote!
It’s Thanksgiving weekend in Canada – Happy Thanksgiving! And for many, the “How do we give thanks” question arises.
Especially, *how* do we give thanks … when there is unemployment or illness in our family? … when there are senseless deaths caused by terrorists, drunk drivers, those wielding machine guns, war? … when abusive substances continue to attract and ruin lives? … when we feel depressed, spiritually dry, lonely, are grieving? … when hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, earthquakes, famine, mass shootings, violence, “isms” are prevalent? … when abductions happen and people of all ages are forced to become sex slaves? … when we don’t know if … war in Ukraine will be stopped tomorrow … peace will come to Palestine/Israel … war will come to our own country … nuclear energy will be unleashed? … when hackers, scammers, spammers disrupt our lives with growing frequency? … when we don’t know when/if COVID or some other nasty virus will attack with even more fury? … when we are uncertain about the future of democracy … when we don’t know if there will be a tomorrow?
History shows that there are always people who give thanks in good times and in bad times … like Henry. Who is Henry? Henry was a farmer from a very remote area where people could only gather for worship at great intervals.On those occasions they would witness to the blessings in their lives since the community had last assembled.
At one such meeting, Henry stood and addressed the people in halting and simple speech:“It’s been a powerful difficult year out there. The fever took our eldest daughter. Then my wife took ill and is still in bed. The spring wheat crop was mostly ruined by floods.And, oh yes, praise God from whom all blessings flow.”
Then Henry sat down.In the midst of personal disaster, Henry paused and gave thanks.
Being thankful each day, takes discipline, especially when there are financial stresses, medical concerns, family problems, scary political tactics, environmental devastations, unrestrained viruses, war and more.
How can we be thankful where there is too much that distracts us from living a life of gratitude? Maybe it is because we are looking for the “BIG” blessings to be grateful for, when there are many “LITTLE” blessings each day?
Think of all the gifts that come absolutely free to most of us. * If you had to pay for the oxygen you breathe at the rate oxygen cost in a hospital, how long could you continue breathing? * If you had to pay for the sun’s heat at the rate of today’s heating bills, how long could you stay warm in winter in the western hemisphere? * If you had to pay for each of your eyes, at the rate eye damages are awarded in court (about $50,000 for the loss of sight in one eye), how many eyes could you afford? * And the list goes on if we pause and reflect on these gifts.
While I believe that the Henry’s of this world live “Thankful Living” lives, I also believe that there are more Henry’s than we know!
At Graduation ceremonies several years ago, almost a hundred students filed into their High School auditorium. Speeches were offered, but because of legal issues and court decisions at the time in their area, no prayers or blessings were allowed to be offered in the school.
When the last student came to the microphone, the students in the auditorium all suddenly sneezed! The student at the microphone looked at the students, smiled, and clearly, slowly and confidently said “GOD BLESS YOU!” The audience exploded into applause. The point had been made. A unique way to invoke Divine blessing on their future? You bet!
May each of us “sneeze our way” through our Thanksgiving (whenever they happen), and realize, that in spite of the angst and fear and unknown (in the world and our own personal stuff), there is always something for which we can be thankful and experience at least one little blessing.
Aaaaaccchhhooo! Blessings upon all Canadians who are marking Harvest Thanksgiving this weekend. Blessings upon the people dealing with hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding … the threat of war in their homeland … injustice … political leaders who lie and then lie again and then lie some more Blessings upon all who are finding life stressful, and aren’t able to even “think Thanksgiving” let alone “live *giving thanks” (Thanks-giving). May we pause and find one thing for which we are able to give thanks each day – the blessings in our lives – and particularly for those celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving in Canada.
Happy Thanksgiving! Aaaaaaachhhhoooo!
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A kaleidoscopic tumbling of emotions pierces conversations, thoughts and social media as words are spoken, written, texted and issues of racism, colonialism, fear and hatred surface.
While we know that words can wound … we sometimes forget that words can also heal. While we know that words can cause confusion … we sometimes forget that words can also bring hope. While we know that words can bring division … we also forget that words can also bring reconciliation.
Reconciliation … a much-talked-about word in many places and is a word that has begun to be put into action. This day is a national holiday in Canada. Every year on September 30th, the “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation” is marked to encourage Canadians to engage with their colonial history, to raise awareness of indigenous cultures, and to honour the survivors of the Canadian Residential School system. That system forcibly removed more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children from their families, subjected them to assimilationist policies, as well as other broader injustices faced by indigenous peoples under colonial rule. This day, Orange Shirt Day, many wear orange-coloured shirts as a reminder of the missing children.
When apartheid ended in South Africa, the government sought to transform December 16th into an annual symbol of unity rather than division, creating the National Day of Reconciliation to reflect on the country’s progress in overcoming its painful past, to promote social cohesion across racial and cultural divides, and to raise consciousness about historical injustice.
As issues of racism and colonialism are rising throughout the world, giving fear and hatred through words., the word ‘reconciliation’ must become a reality – within our families, communities, countries, globally – for we all share this planet Earth.
In the exchange of words, may there be sensitivity to those whose opinion differs from our own. May we be empowered with compassion for those who are hurt by the opinions of others.
May we be enabled to move beyond woundedness, confusion, and fear, and not retaliate with words that wound, confuse, and instil even more fear.
And may we be energized with hope … hope that gives life … hope that encourages … hope that empowers reconciliation in word and action.
May we “find the courage to look at our past with eyes wide open, unafraid to see our country at its worst and then humbly, take steps to heal the damage done.” (Globe and Mail)
I was in awe when this exquisite flower first opened its petals.
Awe filled my heart even more as raindrops fell leaving their mark on the exquisite petals … tenderly embracing ……… gently blessing …………. its fragile petals.
When raindrops of sorrow touch our bodies, minds, souls, may we allow the tears to well up and flow and healing can begin … tenderly embracing …….. gently blessing …………. our fragile souls.
On this 23rd anniversary of 9-11, the world remembers. We remember the fear, the terror, the bravery, the sacrifice, the horror of it all.
The world specifically remembers … the First Responders who died.
The world remembers … those who struggle with ill health since being near Ground Zero.
The world remembers … those killed in the twin towers & planes.
The world remembers … those who continue to grieve … those who deal with PTSD and health issues because of that day.
The United States went through a devastating time September 11th. The United States is going through a turbulent time now. Canadians stood with our American neighbours then. Canadians stand with our American neighbours now.
May each of us … remember the day… remember the lessons … remember.
If a church is a place for worship, and worship is an expression of praise, reverence and thanksgiving, then surely a garden with flowers and bees, colour and birds, fruit and grass, trees and bushes, and even bugs and weeds can be a place of worship.
An encounter with Garden Church can nourish the soul and nurture a sense of deep gratitude.
Garden Church can be a gentle reminder of the gift of creation and the miracle of birth, growth, life.
Time spent in Garden Church can be sacred and holy.
It can offer an opportunity for meditation, prayer, reflection, worship, praise, healing, thanksgiving, intercession and gentle, spiritual growth.
Spending time in Garden Church (aka, the back yard and deck with plants in planters) among the colourful flowers, bees, burgeoning strawberries, fruit trees, bugs, shrubs, weeds, the silence, the shining sun and gentle warmth are a healing welcome to my body that seems to ache more and more with each passing year.
Sometimes I experience Garden Church on a walk around the neighbourhood, listening to the calls of the birds, the chatter and joy of the children, enjoying the beauty of flowers and plants in the front yards of my neighbours.
But it’s not just on sunny days that Garden Church calls me.
Overcast and rainy days are also opportunities for Garden Church.
I love it when Garden Church is inspired by nourishing rain, gently watering the plants, grass and flowers in the garden (like these pansies) and bringing beauty to my day.
Garden Church, thank you.
You deepen my appreciation of nature.
You nourish my understanding of the created order.
You deepen my sense of spirituality in ways that touch my soul.
You bring an awareness of the blessings around me in ordinary ways – often when and where I least expect them. Truly, I am blessed when I experience Garden Church.
Do you remember – when you surprised yourself by singing … creating … laughing out loud … dancing a few steps in an unexpected time/location?
– when the contrast of sky and trees … night and day … sunrise and sunset – brought a sense of wonder that filled your soul?
– when a deep part of you that you’d long forgotten was awakened by the colour of a flower … the sound of an instrument … the taste of a meal … the touch of love … a moment of silence in the midst of a chaotic day?
– when the laughter of a child … the smell of a newborn … the antics of a pet … the unexpected embrace of a loved one … the personal words that accompanied a “Happy Birthday” greeting … the fragility of life … the flutter of a hummingbird’s wings … reminded you that there was “something more” to this world?
– when you followed that “still, small voice within” making a decision?
– when the concept of sacredness brought a sense of peace to your soul … and you couldn’t explain it to anyone, or even yourself?
– when, in spite of personal difficulties, fears, doubts, you … chose to put one step in front of the other … chose to take the day, one moment at a time … chose to whisper ‘hope is possible’.
These are moments when we touch the holy – the sacred – that which moves us to a sense of awe, that “je ne sais quoi” because it is indefinable, inexplicable, and deeply moves us to a place/space of reverence that can but does not need to be connected to the common understanding of the divine.
Those are moments when the Holy as we understand it, touches us.
In these difficult days of political rhetoric … divided families … countries at/on the brink of war … flagrant lies from people in leadership positions … financial instability … diminishing health … global climate concerns … and more, may we be observant to the holy, remember the moments when we have touched the holy, and be receptive to the moments when the Holy touched us for, whether we use that word, we have encountered Something Beyond Ourselves and it changes us – whether we know it, whether we acknowledge it, whether we believe it or not.
Trigger Moments – they come; they go; they can ambush without consent.
Trigger Moments bring us back to a time and place with a loved one who has died or who is dying … who has dementia and whose mind is dying … who is missing and not yet found … a much-loved canine/feline friend who has died or for whom we have made the difficult decision for a veterinarian-assisted death.
Trigger Moments enter conversations and thoughts in other ways … catalyst for recovering addicts/alcoholics to slip … PTSD flashbacks … COVID19 when thoughts of “what was, is no longer” surround and affect on all levels: body, mind and spirit.
Trigger Moments can be sweet. Trigger Moments can cause deep pain. Trigger Moments can intensify the desire to have “just one more” conversation … one more laugh … one more time to travel … one more opportunity to be together in holy silence in the Studio or garden, creating … one more embrace … just one more “we” moment.
When those Trigger Moments show up, when the tears flow and we are helpless to stop them, it is natural to want to “get over it.” I know that I do.
Instead, I let the tears flow … do some gentle, deep breathing … and acknowledge that the tears and sadness are part of the grief experience and I am not “losing it”.
Trigger Moments. In those moments, I know I need to care for – and take care of – my husband’s wife … me.
And I do – finding comfort in sitting on our deck beside the chair my husband used … sipping cold lemonade, enjoying the peace, quiet and beauty of our back yard … feeling his presence in a gentle way … and knowing that eventually, the Trigger Moment which left me reeling with the pain of loss, will pass.
I know that Trigger Moments are a natural part of healing from loss. I don’t like them. I know that there will be other Trigger Moments.
All I can do when they come is … let the tears flow and deep breathing happen … remember that such moments are part of the grief experience … recognize and accept the reality that in time, healing will come … take comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah “joy shall come, even in the wilderness”.
Grief is part of life.
Trigger Moments come. Trigger Moments go. May they not be resented. May they not be despised. May they be welcomed as part of the grieving process as part of the healing process as part of the circle of life.
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The tomato plant in this photo was last year’s attempt to grow tomatoes. This year, I didn’t even do this well! I got four mini tomatoes and no, they weren’t supposed to be mini tomatoes. My guess is that I didn’t water the plant enough. I’ll try again next year. And remember to water the plant each morning. 🙂
Long ago, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was born. Considered to be one of the most important Stoic philosophers, Aurelius penned these words: “When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive: to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
The world seems to be going crazy on so many levels. It would be easy to give way to the fear, the anger, the hopelessness, the racism, the hatred.
It would be easy …. but I refuse to give power to evil.
Today, I awoke. … I am grateful.
Today, I awoke. I could breathe. … I am grateful.
Today, I awoke. I could think. … I am grateful.
Today, I awoke, I enjoyed something. Many things. … I am grateful.
Today, I awoke. I loved. … I am grateful.
Each day, may we waken and find something each day … no matter how small for which we are grateful.
I picked these flowers from my garden. I am grateful for them and I am grateful that today, I awoke.
