In the midst of the political rhetoric/reality/anxiety in many parts of the word, this weekend, Canadians are marking Harvest 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 of our neighbours (from within and from DJT) complicate lives. It’s not easy to ‘give thanks.’
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.
Having a Gratitude Attitude 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 yourself? Seriously … beginning with gratitude for ourselves is a great way to begin a Gratitude Attitude.
Here’s one way to cultivate this habit / attitude: 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 Creator (or just “thank you”) … for the gift of creation. Me.” Look into the mirror again and see the Gift of Creation. You!
Simple acts like keeping a Gratitude Journal, a Gratitude Box/Jar (click the ‘search’ bar here on Soulistry and you can read all about it) … sharing words of appreciation … volunteering … can cultivate a long-lasting sense of thankfulness, even in a world that can often feel overwhelming and anything but a place where one finds an attitude of gratitude easy.
Having an Attitude of Gratitude, grounds us and reminds us of the good that surrounds us.
A Gratitude Attitude can help transform the way we see the world. Perhaps only just for a moment … but it does work. 🙂
This weekend, whether Canadian and celebrating Thanksgiving as a holiday or not, may we all have an Attitude of Gratitude and “give thanks” and “live thanks” in some way.
***************************************** Nicole is on FB and IG … https://www.instagram.com/nicolesartbox/ Her words which accompanied her artwork: The flowergirl stands in the light Her glasses flow in lantern light She whispers dreams to stars above And fills the dark with gentle love.
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 even if we don’t believe there is hope.
This month, two wonderful young couples are celebrating the birth of their first child. I shared that good news with a friend and her response was not what I was expecting … “Why would they bring a child into the world at this time?” she said with fear in her voice. I stopped in my tracks. Then I remembered the fear in my mother’s voice when I told her I was expecting her first grandchild.
Years later, a conversation with Mom helped me understand her unexpected response. She and Dad had lived through WW11. When I told her I was pregnant, it was 1970 and the Vietnam War and the Kent State Shootings were part of the US story at that time. In Canada, there was the October Crisis; the FLQ (Front de libération du Québec) which kidnapped British Diplomat James Cross and Quebec Minister Pierre Laporte who was later killed; the Canadian Prime Minister invoked the War Measures Act; and martial law and arrests in Quebec sparked national debate about civil liberties.
I understood my mother’s fear. And yet, even though there was a lot of anxiety about the future, the excitement and joy outweighed the fear for the future for me.
My friend’s question – “Why bring a child into the world at this time” – has been asked since time immemorial.
The answer is always the same: “Hope … children bring hope.” Hope!
Welcome to this world, Samantha Violet LaBine and Freya Camryn Quinn and all Newborn Babies. 🙂 Welcome to this world, little ones! This world you’ve entered is big – very big!
It has … trees and animals, plants and bugs, galaxies and planets, rivers and oceans, stars and suns, fish and flowers and people. … people who speak different language. And people who can’t speak at all. … people who have different-shaped and different-coloured eyes. And some who have none. … people who are tall. While some are not. … people with red hair, brown, white, yellow, black and colours in-between. And some with no hair at all. … people with red skin, brown skin, black skin, yellow skin, white skin. And shades in-between.
This world you’ve entered is God’s creation. It’s exciting … and full of wonder! But it’s not nearly as exciting … as it will be. It’s not nearly as wonder-filled … as it could be. You see, the world is waiting … waiting for each of you to grow and learn … waiting for you to become a child, then a teen, then a grown-up. There is a reason you are here.
As time passes, you will discover your purpose, and in yet-to-be-determined-ways, you will contribute to the world in your own unique fashion. Yes, there is a reason you are here. 🙂
“It’s hopeless. You just have to accept that. Your child will never be a contributing member of society. I can make arrangements for him to be institutionalized. It’s all for the best.”
Those were the words the doctor spoke, telling the young mother that her son was “hopeless.”
Hopeless? There are many situations that many think of as hopeless … a marriage on the verge of collapse … a relationship that was desperate for reconciliation … war … a family that was estranged … a body that had run a good race for decades … corrupt politicians –
When human problems beset us … when our personal lives disintegrate … when the world seems as if it has gone crazy, it seems that we seek answers from every other physician, before we dare to “let go” and “let God” – before we resist putting our prejudices, our loneliness, our anger, our frustrations, our pride, our hatreds, our fears into the transforming hands of G_d, the Holy One, the Creator, the Personification of Love, the Bearer of Hope.
How long will it be before we reach out, like the woman with the hem who touched Jesus’ garment – or before we are like the story of Jairus, the ruler of a synagogue, who was searching desperately for some hope. He’d tried everything and now, one last attempt. When he finally found the man Jesus, he fell on his knees and repeatedly cried … “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hand on her so that she may be made well and live.” Without a word, Jesus went with Jairus. And while that’s all that Matthew’s Gospel tells us, the story appears in Mark’s Gospel as well and carries this story further as we learn that a messenger from Jairus’ home comes and says “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble Jesus any further?” To the messenger, the little girl’s death was the end of the story. There was no hope. There was no point in trying to go further. It was hopeless. Fear set in.
Like the day a phone call brought fear to a priest who, the evening of the phone call, wrote about The Not-Knowing-Time:
“An ordinary medical test was done. Anticipating nothing unusual, and yet there was. “Redo the test” said the physician. “Nothing to worry about – but let’s rule out …” So, the test was redone and there it was. Again! “A specialist. I want you to see a specialist” she said. The rest of that day was a blur other than the ugly FEAR.“Get me to the specialist. Now! Let me know what I’m dealing with, so decisions can be made and life can be planned. The fear is not of dying. The fear is of the not-knowing.”
When we are in such fearful and seemingly hopeless situations, is the God-of-All-Knowing the first we consider turning to? Or turn to at all?
Then there’s the story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. The social context of the time was a significant factor. Because she was bleeding, she would have been looked upon as ‘unclean’. And as such, she was a woman, a person with no rights, and would have been shunned, at the very least, for daring to be in the company of the men who surrounded Jesus, and to touch the hem of his garment. Perhaps she prayed/hoped that her fears would be relieved.
What of the priest who wrote about “The Not-Knowing Time”? A week after the phone call, another entry in her journal: “Unraveling the Not-Knowing Time.”
“Sunday night I wanted to stay home, curl up in bed and watch some inane television program, but I couldn’t. I had responsibilities. In that moment, I hoped that no one would show up at church that evening and I could go home. But, there they were … the two of them. I couldn’t go home.
I remembered the phrase: “When two or three are gathered together, there am I, in your midst” and hoped/prayed that something happened for the two who came to church that evening and would happen for me. But, nothing happened for me. I felt no relief – no peace. “The Unknown” still haunted me as walked home.
Home at last. A cup of hot tea brought solace, but no relief from the Fear of the “Not-Knowing Time”. The phone rang the next morning with a message “Your appointment with the specialist is scheduled.” The “Not-Knowing Time” had begun to unravel.”
~~~~~~~~ Many others have desperate situations. Perhaps they are facing a seemingly hopeless financial crunch … a marriage that is on the rocks … a teenager or toddler that you can’t handle … a parent who no longer can communicate with anyone in ways others remember … a spouse who is imprisoned either in body or mind … living in poverty and/or war, addicted with nowhere to turn … grieving over the death of someone loved very much …the thought of losing medical coverage – house – job – freedom … a child/spouse/partner/parent who is ill or dying … dealing with their own medical crisis … and the list goes on.
There are countless stories that remind us that no situation is hopeless. But does this mean that if there is enough faith, every dead person will be raised to life on earth? … that money for every financial need will appear?… that everyone who is terminally ill will be cured? … that a job will be provided for all the unemployed? No. What it means is that we will be met in our fears and uncertainties and comforted in our Not-Knowing-Times.
Like the true story, long ago, of a wealthy woman, an atheist, who lived in Hanover, Germany. She wanted to prove to the world that there could be no resurrection. She gave orders to those who were to take care of her money after she died, to build a tomb of stone around her, so strong that her body could never rise out of it. Since there was nothing illegal about her request, the men built her a great tomb, and around it, they built an iron fence. What the builders didn’t notice was that a tiny seed fell into a crevice between two of the massive stones and one spring some years later, it sprouted. As the seedling grew into a tree, it pushed aside the heavy stones and the unbreakable tomb was cracked open.
If you go to a place in Hanover, Germany called Gartenfriedhof (Garden Cemetary), ask to be shown the Geoffnetes Grab (the grave that was opened). You’ll have no trouble finding the tomb, because out of its great crack grows the finest tree in the garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Her grave was opened. Hope stepped into Jairus’ life … stepped into the life of the woman with the hemorrhage and healed her body … stepped into the life of the child whose doctor pronounced him to be hopeless … stepped into the life of the priest who wrote “Knowing Time … Holy Refuge”:
“Procedures have begun. Nothing untoward showing up so far. Other complications on the horizon. Getting older and having the body not move as it once did is not fun. I must try to “let go and let God.” The talk about the “peace that passes understanding” isn’t just ‘talk.’ It really exists. Should fear well up within me again… should the unknown frighten me … should the “Not-Knowing Time” seem to engulf and entrap and overwhelm and I can’t move beyond it, I hope/I pray I will relax into the gentle, caring, loving hand of Hope – of Love – of the Creator – and allow myself to move into “Knowing-Time” which, from God’s perspective – from Hope’s perspective – from Love’s perspective – from the Creator’s perspective is “Knowing-Time.” Kairos … not Chronos. “Knowing-Time” exists … whether I feel it or not. ~~~~~~~~~~~~
No matter what situation you may be in now – or you may have to face in the future – with God, there are no “Not-Knowing-Times.” There is always hope! Consider these …
—- on a wall in Dachau prison, these words were scratched: I believe in the sun even when it isn’t shining. I believe in stars even when I see them not. I believe in God even when God is silent.”
—- In a tiny room in a refugee camp in Sri Lanka, four women were teaching songs to barefoot, dirty, scantily-lad children. Since there was no room to sit, they all stood for this brief respite from the noisy, hot, humid, dusty and impossibly crowded communal living area. On the door, crudely printed, were these words “Life is a gift from God.”
The refugees in war-torn Sri Lanka, the concentration prisoners in Dachau – they knew Hope – they knew Love – they knew another word for Hope, for Love – they knew the Creator, God, By Whatever Name … even in the midst of a terrifying yesterday, a bleak and often hungry today, and a potentially fearful tomorrow.
In many Christian churches this coming Sunday, people are marking Pentecost Sunday – a reminder that the Holy Spirit offers Hope – Love.
May we never forget that even sturdy tombs crack open! … that Hope/Love/God enters lives (enters the “Unknown Times”) – enters the moments of apparent hopelessness.
Many seem unable to experience hope or joy these days. But on the last weekend in April, both were experienced by well over 500 on an island in British Columbia, Canada at the “Nanaimo Infusion.”
The story is simple: one Canadian (Tod Maffin) was concerned by the disintegrating trust between Americans and Canadians because of the tariff war created by the President of the US and the increasingly frightening situation many Americans were experiencing. He wanted to “do something.” So he posted a very short video on TikTok and invited Americans to come to his home town of Nanaimo, British Columbia one weekend to meet, experience some Canadian hospitality, possibly make new friends over a meal. He thought 4-5 people from a neighbouring State would take him up on his invitation.
It wasn’t just 4-5 but more than five “hundred” … from sooooo many States: Oregon, New York, Florida, Washington, North Dakota, Idaho, Indiana, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Mexico, Alabama — and more!
The weekend was incredible! People gathered on the Friday, meeting one another, enjoying the arts and crafts market and delicious food from the food trucks (in greater numbers than people could remember even being at Canada Day celebrations!). They went on free “old town” Nanaimo tours organized by Nanaimo residents; restaurants buzzed with happy conversations by the influx of tourists; some Americans were “adopted” for an afternoon or a day by BC’ers who wanted to give Americans a taste of the BC experience on the weekend; many went boating, shopping, pubbing, kayaking, crafting, whale watching and more. One fellow from Abbotsford, B.C. created “Tod’s Nanaimo Infusion” tags to put at the end of red lanyards that many bought or brought with them to identify themselves as “Infusion” participants at airports, ferry terminals, restaurants etc.
Smiles were everywhere! Laughter filled the air. The joy was palpable. And phrases of “I am so happy!!!” echoed throughout the two days in Maffeo-Sutton Park. On the Saturday, over 500 gathered again for a “family photo” at the park. It was the birthday of the originator of “Nanaimo Infusion” and hundreds spontaneously broke into loud and joy-filled singing of “Happy Birthday” as he stepped on the outdoor stage to welcome them. He was more-than-surprised!
After the huge “family photo” was taken, photos and conversations with Tod were a “must” … cell phones popped out of pockets and purses as email info was exchanged … gifts were given … gifts were exchanged … people were interviewed by local and national media. And as the afternoon drew to a close, many lingered, not wanting to leave … not wanting to let go of the wonderful feelings of hope and joy – and safety! Sadly, “safety” was a factor for many Americans who had registered for the Nanaimo Infusion but cancelled in the last week as the US President instilled fear about the possibility of ICE arresting Americans who held dual passports or were LGBTQ+ at the border and deporting them. Even though they forfeited plane, hotel, ferry deposits because they couldn’t feel secure that they could return home safely, they were part of the Discord channel (an instant messaging and VoIP social platform) channel Tod created and maintained and it quickly became a way for people to begin to get to know one another before the Nanaimo Infusion and afterwards.
Deep friendships have been made, lives have been changed, and people have returned or are returning (some extended their holidays to further explore Vancouver Island’s charm and beauty) with memories that will last a lifetime. My heart is full, the sense of “family” was tangible and the memories of the joy and expressions of happiness as Canadians and Americans gathered together in Nanaimo was and is, very special.
Remembering the words of former Prime Minister Jack Layton “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world” may the “Nanaimo Infusion” be a catalyst for changing the world with love, hope, optimism and possibility in both countries in a variety of ways!
Semocracy is on the edge of disappearing in many countries. Added to that is the rising homelessness; war; addiction; climate refugees; increasing hatred at work, school board meetings, local community gatherings; escalating polarization among family members, religious communities, cities / towns / villages – has led to experiencing grief at a profound, often inexplicable level.
It is a grief that is different than the grief experienced after personal loss (death of a loved one, limb, ability, relationship, home, job). It is a grief that rises when hearts are physically heavy from the hurt and pain due to witnessing hate, racism, injustice and discrimination in the local community, on the news, in person, in social media. It is a grief when living with the reality of war on the doorstep. In “The Wild Edge of Sorrow,” Frances Weller writes that “it takes everything we have to deny the sorrows of the world.”
If you’re wondering why you’re feeling more tired … your body is hurting … you’re experiencing confusion, unusual anger, impatience, loss of sleep (or inability to sleep), headaches, resentment at life’s ‘little things’ etc., it could be the consequence of collective sorrow – corporate grief.
What to do about it? … we can “turn off” for a bit of a break and retreat from social media – not enter conversations that cause distress … we can become a supporter, ally, listener, financial contributor of people/causes that touch our soul … we can talk to someone we trust, as simply ‘naming’ the grief/feelings can release some of their grip on us.
And if/when mental health concerns surface, we can … speak with a health care professional … focus on balancing the sorrows of the world with moments of gratitude, experiences with nature, gentle moments with ourself while enjoying a craft / art / music / hobby / reading.
Focusing on all that is happening in the world can be a double-edged emotional sword. It can … trigger past grief … cause fear and sense of hopelessness and lead to deep emotional trauma.
It can … promote into action. Action via peaceful protest … contacting political leaders … becoming involved in the political process … learning about Restorative Justice programs in the community … speaking out by writing letters to the editor in local newspapers, being witnesses to the truth … and more.
Corporate grief is real.
While sorrows of the world have always existed, today’s social media world and the exploding world of AI bring those sorrows in our living rooms, on our phones, even on our watches. It’s up to us as to how we handle the sense of corporate grief that is palpable, visible, here-and-now.
May we be honest with ourselves – be part of the witness and do what we can to raise consciousness. May we bring truth to the lies and work towards change within ourselves – not so we stop being compassionate beings, but so we can be / continue to be concerned about, care for, advocate on behalf of those people and situations without being crippled by the communal grief.
We must take care of ourselves and acknowledge the corporate grief we feel. It is real. Very real.
I watched tonight’s news. Sure don’t like doing that, but know I need to keep informed because things are moving sooooo quickly – not just in the United States, or Canada, or Ukraine, or … but everywhere.
What can we do? We can “be each other’s strength” … by being kind … by being gentle … by being open to hope for others and ourselves.
And if we believe in prayer, we can pray for … those who are letting evil guide their decisions that they would not be motivated by greed, lust for power
We can pray for this world. And we can pray for its leaders who are working hard – in spite of personal danger to keep democracy alive.
A friend wrote: “I don’t know how the world is going to manage four years of this. I really honestly don’t know, because if this is just the beginning, what’s going to happen from here?” Neither does anyone else know what’s going to happen.
But whatever happens, we cannot lose hope. We cannot let evil win.
While evil may take over for a while, it must not take away the soul of the people.
I believe we can survive this – the “we” being humanity.
While the United States has been at the forefront since DJT took over the White House, while and his unofficial co-president continue to shock Americans with outrageous statements and decisions, there are other countries in similar predicament … or are on the brink if upcoming elections go certain ways.
I believe that “we” … humanity … can survive. I believe that we “must.” I don’t see this as the literal end of the world, as do some.
I draw strength from the words of a woman who lived centuries ago and who wrote these words “All shall be well. All shall be well. And all manner of thing shall be well.” While I wish Dame Julian of Norwich had written “All things ARE well”, she did not. She simply said that they SHALL BE well.
The question for many is — when will wellness happen – for the people of Ukraine? for the people of the city of Djibo, Burkino Faso? for the people of El Fasher, Sudan? for the people of Gaza? for the people of the United States? for the people of Canada, Mexico, Panama?
And will it happen – in our generation? in our children’s generation? in the generation of our grandchildren or great grandchildren or beyond that?
We don’t have the answers, but we must hold fast to the “SHALL BE” well and in the meantime, do what we can to maintain our emotional, physical and spiritual wellness of today.
For some, that means taking a break from social media – from the news – from talking about politics – from certain family members – from certain friends – from certain community / on-line groups that continuously talk about politics.
For some, it means being proactive – calling politicians, writing letters to politicians, being active on social media, speaking up-and out.
And we can send thoughts of protection and loving concern to others in the form of financial support, prayer.
Evil must not permanently destroy the essence of what it is to be human – of taking care of ourselves and doing what we can to bring kindness and compassion into the world around us.
And, we remember to breathe – as this yellow daffodil did in my garden, surrounded by a foot of snow.
