It’s a new month: the month of May has begun. HAPPY MAY DAY!

Summer is on its way. And in Celtic tradition, the beginning of summer is known as Beltane (Gaelic May Day festival) with celebrations which include the decoration of homes with flowers, bonfires, feasting, making of May bushes. In France May 1st (known as the “worker’s holiday”), branches of Lily of the Valley are given as tokens of good luck.

Somehow, with the way things are unfolding politically in many countries, it seems strange to be thinking of “celebrations” and “festivals” and decorating with flowers. But, then I think of the roses that are beginning to open and their blossoms bringing colour, sweet aroma and joy!

And yet – and yet I remember that their thorns prick and can cause pain. Like roses, life brings joy and can cause pain. But even with the pain, in the midst, there is hope. Look for it. It’s there. Look for it. It is here.

Where?

While it may be difficult to see, sometimes even more difficult to experience, there is hope as a new month begins.
… hope – that life will return to some semblance of political normalcy
… hope – that people will think, speak and act with kindness
… hope – that peace will come to Ukraine, the Middle East, the United States, the other countries facing fear
… hope – that this planet will survive climate change
… hope – that neither nuclear nor chemical warfare will ever be used
… hope – that A.I. will slow down its rapid development in unsafe ventures

Hope … because it’s the beginning of a new month. And with beginnings, there are possibilities!

Let’s not focus on the fear, but on the ‘possibilities. Every time we “think fear,” let’s find something for which we can be grateful. Just one.
One thing that equalizes the impact of the negative.
One person that puts a smile on our face.
One action we did that made us proud of ourselves.

Just one thing
so we can say/think … Happy Beltane! Happy Month of May!

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© June Maffin
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