This time of the year in many parts of the world,
it is or soon will be Winter Weather
At the same time, Political Winter weather is happening.
The nights are dark and bring fear
and political haranguing permeates social media.
Hope is disguised, hidden, not-evident by many
as people wait for the next political explosion.
We must remember to breathe
… breathe for ourselves
… breathe for those who cannot breathe.
We must hold fast and remember
the quietness of peace for ourselves
remember that while the nights may be dark
in one place in the world,
in another place in the world
the nights are light.
We must hold to the hope
that when the night seems dark
– hopeless – in one place
… hope is – somewhere
… prayeris being offered – somewhere
… communion is being received – somewhere
May we hold the light
… for those who cannot breathe
May we say a prayer
… for those who cannot sleep
May we hold hope
… for those who cannot hope
May we remember that there are signs of light.
This night, in a speech by a woman who faces unbelievable odds
yet who fearlessly confronts them.
she spoke a powerful speech.
Seven days before an election
that could determine political light – democracy –
for the people of the United States
the woman spoke truth – and hope.
She named evil
… warned against it
In these politically-trying times
this woman stood tall
spoke with determination and courage
and brought hope
and light.
In spite of living in the reality
of the howling of the wind and the rain in the trees
of the howling of the lies and fear on the airwaves, papers, social media
let us refocus.
Refocus on the good
… not the evil
Refocus on the possibilities
…. not the fear
Refocus on the reality that “this too, shall pass.”
It shall.
Hope IS possible.
Light IS possible.
We ARE possible in this Winter Weather
this Political Winter.
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!
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.
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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