Where There Is Darkness – light

Where There Is Darkness – light

Uncertainty.
Fear.
Darkness.

Where there is darkness
we must bring the light.
Where there is darkness
we must send the light.
Where there is darkness
we must be the light.

We can be the light
as we focus on goodness
not evil.

We can be the light
as we offer a listening ear
offer healing energy to a troubled world.
by holding the light for others, being present
being honest, being kind, being thoughtful.

We can be the light
and reflect the Light of hope
and possibility
by speaking up
by speaking out
by peaceful protest.

Where there is darkness …
may we bring the light.
Where there is darkness …
may we send the light.
Where there is darkness …
may we *be* the light.

Let us offer healing energy, good thoughts, prayer.
Let us focus on goodness
even in the face of evil.

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© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
@soulistryjune.bsky.social
https://www.soulistry.com/where-there-is-darkness

Those Phrases and the “X” in Christmas

Those Phrases and the “X” in Christmas

Have you read (and heard people complain) about the use of “Xmas” … instead of the use of “Christmas” in advertisements, cards, written greetings?

Have you begun to hear TH​OSE PHRASE​S yet? You know the one​s … “Happy Holidays” ​and “Seasons Greetings” … instead of “Merry Christmas”?

I have, and can’t help but wonder why people get in such a flap over the phrases and spelling. Maybe it’s simply because they don’t know the history?

It seems that many believe that the use of “Xmas” is a recent invention or a secular attempt to remove the religious tradition from Christmas (by taking ‘Christ’ out of the word). It’s not. So, how about a short bit of history and reality about these two things? Here goes —- way, way back (some say as early as the 1st century) there was a practice of using contractions for divine/sacred names.

Have a look at the image from the Book of Lindisfarne (an Irish monastic foundation) c. 634 AD on the northeast coast of England – aka Holy Island. A lovely place that is filled with history that is palpable and I hope to return some day. 🙂 But, back to the Book of Lindisfarne — this photo is the “Chi-Rho” page and illustrates a distinctive long left leg of the Chi/X – a style also found in the other books: Book of Kells, Book of Durrow, St. Gallen Gospel Book etc..

“X” is a very old abbreviation for the word ‘Christ” which was written in the ancient Greek alphabet (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ – cristos). The first two letters are called ‘Chi’ and ‘Rho’ and formed one of the earliest Christograms – a monogram that formed an abbreviation for the name of Jesus Christ known as the Chi-Rho. So, not a “modern” invention and not a secular attempt to remove the religious tradition from Christmas. 

By the way, ‘Christ’ wasn’t a family name/surname. It was a title meaning ‘anointed’. If you doubt that, check out Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage (Merriam-Webster, 1994) which states that for many, many years, words like Christian and Christianity were written as Xtian, Xtianity.

Now, what about the use of “Happy Holidays,” and “Seasons Greetings,” rather than “Merry Christmas.” Those phrases aren’t an attempt to remove the religious meaning of Christmas either. Rather, they’re meant to acknowledge that at this time of the year, several religions have celebrations (holidays) – not just Christians. The use of “Happy Holidays – Seasons Greetings” acknowledge the reality that we don’t always know what others are celebrating, or even ‘if’ they are celebrating. And as there are days set aside as national holidays in the month of December, it’s very appropriate to wish people “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” in generalm and if they know what the other is celebrating, to wish them a specific greeting of “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” or “Happy Kwanzaa.”

I don’t know who created this chart, but I like it. If anyone knows who created it, please let me know so I can give appropriate accreditation. Thank you.

There is soooo much angst in this world. People are concerned and troubled and stressed and fearful. Let’s not add to the negativity.

Instead, when someone wishes us a special greeting this month, (whether or not we are observing that specific celebration,) may we, welcome the gesture and the good intention behind it, and be gracious, be gentle and be kind in response.

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© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

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Thanksgiving and Gratitude Attitude

Thanksgiving and Gratitude Attitude

In the midst of the political rhetoric/reality/anxiety in many parts of the word, tomorrow our American neighbours are marking their Thanksgiving – a time and opportunity to express “giving thanks – thanksgiving.”

But these days, many struggle to find something – anything – for which they are thankful. Health issues, financial concerns, weather disruptions, faltering relationships, the political reality and forecasts … it’s not easy.

But when I remember that “thanksgiving” is an “attitude”
not a feeling,
I find it helps me look beyond
and focus on an attitude change
– a Gratitude Attitude.

Making a Gratitude Attitude a habit.
helps me extend my focus
and be open to an attitude of hope
even when things may appear to be hopeless.

How to have a Gratitude Attitude?
How about being grateful for you?

Seriously … beginning with gratitude for ourselves
is a great way to begin a Gratitude Attitude.

Here’s one way to cultivate this habit
… each morning, as you stand in front of the mirror, ready to brush your teeth, look in the mirror (hair likely uncombed, no make-up, haven’t yet shaved, grunge still in the eyes)
… think or say “Thank you Universe/God … for the gift of creation … me!”
Look into the mirror again and see the Gift of Creation
– you!

At night, after brushing your teeth, after removing your makeup
say/think it again: “Thank you, Universe / God, for the gift of creation – me.”
Look in the mirror again, and see the Gift of Creation
– you! 🙂

Simple acts like keeping a gratitude journal, a Gratitude Box/Jar (more about that in a few days as the Season called Advent begins) … sharing words of appreciation … volunteering
and an Attitude of Gratitude
can cultivate a long-lasting sense of thankfulness
even in a world that can often feel overwhelming.

Having an Attitude of Gratitude grounds us and reminds us of the good that surrounds us.
For good does surround us.

So, this Thanksgiving, whether American and celebrating Thanksgiving as a holiday, or another nationality,
may we all have an Attitude of Gratitude and “give thanks” – “live thanks”
for carrying a Thanksgiving Spirit – having a Gratitude Attitude into every day
can help transform the way we see the world
– perhaps only just for a moment, or only just for a little bit
… but it does work. 🙂

Happy Thanksgiving!


© June Maffin
www.soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry

Mushroom Metaphor

Mushroom Metaphor

Time to process what has just happened in the United States … and really, what has happened that will affect the world.

So, I took a little walk around the yard, enjoying Mother Nature breathing in life, ruach, praying, healing.

The mushrooms that keep popping up in the yard may have a short life, but each day, through them, Mother Nature provides such wonderful colour, texture, shape, peace.

And a gentle feeling of hope begins to slowly surface.

The mushrooms make their way through the earth year after year after year, in spite of winter weather, summer heat, fall and spring rain.

So too will humanity.

Thank you, Mother Nature, for your everpresent reminder that “All shall be well. All shall be well. All manner of thing shall be well.” (Dame Julian who reminds us that even though things may not be well, in time, they “shall be.”)

Reach for the sun, mushrooms.
Reach for the sky.
Keep on growing and surviving in spite of the elements of Nature.

You are a remarkable metaphor for humankind.

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry

“The Challenge”

“The Challenge”

“Where is the injustice in the outcome?”

It rests in
the lies he told;
the crimes he committed;
the supporters who blindly followed and follow;
the team around him who have planned and will carry out Project 2025.


I cannot – must not …


We cannot – must not … allow it to consume our light.


Gentle cyberhug is on its way to all who are confused, who are angry, who grieve.

May the light … even if only just a flicker … never go out.

And if it goes out,
may another stand with us as a reminder that “we are not alone.”
Together, the light remains lit.

May we be gentle with ourselves – and one another.

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© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry

Quote: unknown source

Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos

Today is ‘Dia de Los Muertos’ – ‘Day of the Dead – November 2nd, every year. The first time I learned about Day of the Dead was the Disney movie “Coco” and as a result, I wanted to learn more about the Mexican holiday known as Dia de Los Muertos.

On November 2nd, ‘literary calaveras’ (satirical poems in which the poet writes about ‘Death’ taking someone to the land of the dead) are shared; altars (ofrenda) are made to remember someone who has died; and families visit the grave of loved ones, sometimes bringing a sugar skull to leave on the gravesite.

“Bringing a sugar skull to leave on the graveside?” What’s that all about? While I enjoy walking through cemeteries, am not afraid of death, or uncomfortable being with people who are dying, but somehow, the thought of creating a skull and bringing it to leave on a gravestone, (until I began to research Dias de Los Muertos), was a difficult concept to comprehend. Clearly it was time for me to do some more research.

I learned that the tradition goes back to prehistoric times when people believed in a spiritual life after death and made an offering to the god of the underworld (Mictlantechutli) who was expected to guarantee safe passage to his world. Interesting! More research needed … and doing that, I learned that at that time, brightly coloured sugar skulls were part of the offering to Mictlantechutli, but, when Spanish conquerers arrived (all offering except for the colourful skull made of a sweet confection which was often placed in home altars as part of the offering to the deceased) were lost.

Then, in more recent times in Mexico, Dia de Los Muertos became a holiday – a holiday around death – and a very, very colourful one at that!

While I have no Mexican ancestry, I have never liked the idea of wearing black as a sign of mourning. Rather, I like the idea of celebrating … remembering the deceased with joy … wearing anything-but-black to funerals because for me, when family and friends have died, they are never entirely ‘gone’ … I keep them alive in my heart and in my memories.

I have a strong belief that I’ll re-connect with loved ones again … in some way.
Not in a way I can explain – but ‘some way.’

Is that a certainty?
No.
It’s not a certainty, because no one can prove that such a re-connection can or will happen.
But … is it possible?
Why not!

I’m a “possibility-thinker.” And until scientifically proven otherwise, I am going to continue to believe that when I die, in some form, in some way, loved ones and I will re-connect.

And in the meantime, time to celebrate (albeit belatedly), Dia de Los Muertos and remember my parents, my siblings, my husband, my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends who have all departed this life. It is a special day to remember them with joy, celebration, and colour … and create a sugar skull: artistic representation of calavera (skull) piece of art.

Thanks to Mexican culture for teaching me about this unique “Day of the Dead.”

© June Maffin
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
www.soulistry.com/blog


STRAWBERRY SURPRISE

STRAWBERRY SURPRISE

I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen them.
November 2nd and there they were
… four strawberries in the strawberry planter on my deck, this morning!

We’ve already had our first snowfall
yet, they survived the snow and the cold and the rain
and there’s another berry
“on its way” to full strawberryhood. <g>

So if you’ve had a difficult day
… if the rains are causing your arthritis to flare
… if traffic was frustrating
… if the news brings despair
… if the future looks bleak
let these strawberries
… give you a sweet surprise
… put a smile on your face
even if
only for a second or two. 😉

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© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry

LET US LIGHT A CANDLE

LET US LIGHT A CANDLE

Last night, I lit a candle
for the people of the United States.

This night, I will light a candle again because
many are bereft at the news and find fear
the occupier of their thoughts.

Lighting a candle is a simple act
but if I light a candle this night
and you – and you – and you – and you
light a candle this night
for the people of the United States
and the nights to come …
whether we light a candle
in our imagination
in our prayers
or in real time and space,
may hope
be
lit.

It only takes one match to light one candle
… one voice to light a conversation
… one conversation to light a change in one person

Let’s light a candle. Let’s light many candles.
Let’s light conversations. And who knows – maybe those conversations will turn into votes.
At this point in time, it’s about HOPE. Let’s keep hope lit!
Let us light a candle.


© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry

STILLNESS – PEACE

STILLNESS – PEACE

Gratitude today
for the gentle reflected image of boats
bringing

Stillness of water
… peace

Stillness of mind
… peace

Stillness of body
… peace

Stillness of soul
… peace

May it be so
as the reality of what happened
at a presidential rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024
is processed

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog


in the midst of tears

in the midst of tears

  · 
in the midst of tears
light raindrops on flower petals
reveal beauty
something about which
one can be grateful
if so
in the midst of personal tears
what are you grateful for today
if so
in the midst of political tears
what can we be grateful for today
if so
in the wider scheme of life
what can humanity be grateful for today
name them
name them out loud
name them by writing
name them so they will never be forgotten
even in the midst of tears


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© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry