For some reason, those words wouldn’t leave my thoughts last night as I worked on a lovely pumpkin design by Suzanne Crisafi. But for me, it wasn’t working out to be ‘lovely.’ The Ecoline markers I had weren’t the ‘right’ colour. My hands were more shaky than usual. And vision was a wee cloudy.
I wondered how, on the eve (of the south-of-the-border-from- Canada) American Thanksgiving weekend, the ‘wonky world’ words could be appropriate. How to be in a posture of “thanks-giving” at a time when the world is so out or sorts and at times, frightening? Wonky world, indeed!
But I carried on and before I knew it, the card was complete with a very wonky pumpkin and flowers, the unplanned lettering appeared (ever-so-wonky), and a smile began to curl on my face. In spite of the wonkiness of the world, of this country, of this community, there is always reason for gratitude … big, small, huge, insignificant.
May each day be one of gratitude … ‘thanks-giving’ … even a ‘Wonky World Gratitude.’
Have you ever created something only to have it *not* end up being what you imagined it would be … a painting, a dinner, a handmade card, a Zentangle® tile, a quilt, a sweater … likely, yes.
And, when you discovered that it wasn’t what you had hoped for, did the word “fail” cross your mind? or the word “end” (as in, I’ve never going to paint, crochet, etc.) again? or the word “no,” as in your inner voice telling you ‘not’ to enter it into your local fair or contest, give it as a gift or post it on FB or IG?
If so, then maybe it’s time to remember the words of the former President of India, Abdul Kalam (whose words I’ve adapted) … and what the words “Fail. End. No” can mean?
If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L. means First Attempt In Learning. End is not the end because E.N. D. means Effort Never Dies. And if you get “no” for an answer, remember that N.O. means Next Opportunity.
Guess who is on to N.O. — the Next Opportunity to create.
People of many cultures, traditions and religions around the world around this time of the year, use the symbol of light to bring the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance with the intention of driving away the physical darkness of winter and the spiritual darkness of hopelessness and fear.
To those marking the Hindu “Festival of Lights” – a special happy Diwali which has begun. Diwali is five days of celebration where, on Day 1, homes are cleaned, rangolis and kolam are made and decorative art is drawn with rice flour; homes are decorated with clay pots (Day 2); on Day 3 (today), the height of the holiday, best clothes are worn, lamps are lit to bring as much light as possible into homes and fireworks are ignited bringing light and colour to the sky. Then tomorrow (Day 4),considered to be the first day of the new year, the focus will be on thanksgiving and reflection; and the final day of Diwali (Day 5) siblings are celebrated and the bond between them is honoured.
However, it’s not just those of the Hindu faith who use the symbol of light to banish the darkness. When we watch the news and become disenchanted, distressed, concerned or fearful by the expanding negativity, hatred, fear, it might be good to remember the words of President John F. Kennedy – “what unites us is greater than what separates us” and light a candle to symbolize the bringing of light into the darkness of the world.
For example, many … put a light in their window in the ancient tradition of Winter Solstice … light the Menorah candles on each of the eight days of Hanukkah … begin their seven nights of Kwanzaa by the lighting of the Kinara … light the candles on each of the four weeks of the Season of Advent … place lights around homes, in wreaths and trees throughout the Season of Christmas.
However we shed light in the darkness, may joy, hope and peace surround you at your special times of celebration. And may the light shine … from within each of us … through each of us … beyond each of us. May it be a Merry, Happy, Joy-filled Diwali, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Advent and Christmas.
November, welcome! In this part of the world, you mark the end of the harvest and you mark the beginning of the season of Winter. You bring wind. You bring rain. And politically this year, you bring ongoing devastation of war and great global uncertainty.
Where I live, November has been known to be an opportunity to making time to experience a sense of calm by … slowing down … making and eating comfort foods … becoming more involved in our art/craft/hobby … curling up by the fire … getting lost in a great book … making applesauce … being creative … catching up with friends by phone and mail … be-ing hopeful
Yes, being hopeful. There is always hope. Perhaps not tangible. Perhaps not visible these days. But hope exists.
How is hope here if we are feeling fearful, isolated, uncertain? It’s here, because hope is here in us. We are the hope. We are the hope that after November … there will be a December … and a January … and a February, etc. And that hope is not just for ourselves, but it is for those living in refugee camps, those at borders trying to cross and leave war-torn areas …
We cannot lose hope because if we do, what are the ones who can see no hope (beyond the possibility of a glass of water, a crust of bread, a loved one released from the prison of a building that collapsed), what are they going to do?
May we take each month as it comes. May we take each week as it comes. May we take day as it comes. May we take each moment as it comes and look to this month of November as a month where courage will be found and where hope will prevail.
Fragility … the quality of being broken, damaged, delicate, vulnerable, wounded, weak.
Many want to live in a world that is healthy, durable, safe and strong. Not fragile.
Many want to be perceived and perceive themselves as healthy, durable, strong and resilient. Not fragile.
But life can be fragile. * The pandemic was real: people died and long-haul health issues are on-going. * Wars continue with inexplicable horrors and devastating consequences. * Some leaders ignore the people they serve and serve their personal greed and lust for power instead. * Weather changes result in … breathing difficulties … homes being damaged or razed … people, animals, crops being injured and destroyed * Killing of children is happening … in classrooms … on the streets … in grandparents’ back yards … at concerts … churches … shops … * Unexpected health issues erupt and lives … finances … relationships are disrupted.
Life can be fragile. * People don’t listen. * Feelings are hurt. * Misunderstandings happen. * Relationships end. * Trust is eroded. Fragility.
The voice of reason is silenced by * greed * ambition * desire for personal power * egotism * revenge Fragility.
Democracy begins to fade. Grief causes hearts to break. Fragility.
But … fragility can be seen as * resilience * possibility * hope * strength
Think of the heart. It pumps blood through the body every moment … every single day of life. Hearts are strong and resilient. We are, too.
Think of the eggshell. It can be easily broken. But put a raw egg, in its shell, in the palm of a hand and squeeze. Even under pressure, eggshells are strong. We are, too.
The “I-don’t-know-what-it-is object” (less than one inch in circumference) unexpectedly appeared one day while I was weeding. It was * delicate * strong * tiny * beautiful … like spun-gold. Fragility.
As evidenced by the egg, the heart, and this “spun-like-gold-I-don’t-know-what-it-is” object, may we take comfort and realize that out of fragility, there is hope!
Cognizant of the fragile reality of life around us, and at the same time mindful that others have lived in difficult and fragile times before us of war, plague, violence, corruption, we can be fragile. And, we can be hopeful … even if only for a moment.
And then – we can be hopeful for another moment … and another … and another.
As I drove through Shawnigan Lake, B.C. on Vancouver Island, I noticed this path.
I stopped to take the photo because it caught my eye and gently reminded me that while the Fall/Autumn Season has arrived, if I look ahead, I will see the Light … the Light of Spring … the Light of Hope. It is there (at the very back of this photo – in life).
Even in the darkest of days, somewhere in the world, there is light/Light and light/Light is part of Hope. May we be the light and hold the Light for those who cannot see it, imagine it, experience it.
