It’s been three and a half years since I have written in my blog. Where have I been, you ask? I was on sort of a detour. Covid threw a curve ball for us all. It caused me to turn more inward. I enjoyed my last years of having a child younger than 18 in my house, ending a 39-year era. I watched my older daughter marry her favorite person. I sold the home I was in for more than two decades, and my husband and I moved to another state. Phew!
I recently was in a dark place due to world events. Yet, I had a part in the development of my troubles. I was watching too much news. I was on social media. It all had a huge negative impact on my well-being. The good news is that I saw my choices. I have shut off the news. I have curtailed my social media scrolling. I have turned to my toolbox. Prayer and meditation are a daily part of my life. I had abandoned my breathwork practice but have now returned to that. I am heading to a sound-healing event later today at Hummingbird Healing Center in Westport, CT. I know how blessed I am to have the luxury of pulling myself out of darkness, while individuals worldwide do not have the same luxury. Millions are in the middle of conflict, war, disease, poverty, and pain.
I have always wanted to be the light for others’ darkness. I cannot achieve this unless I am in a place of alignment with my true nature, which is love and light. If we can be love and light, we can shine that love and light on those who need it most. And everywhere I look, I see people who are in darkness themselves. I look at crowds of people gathering at “Pro-Palestine rallies.” They call themselves activists. There is nothing “PRO” about these rallies. It is “AGAINST”. I see hatred. I see violence. Tearing down pictures of kidnapped children? Really? I mourn for the people of Israel. I mourn for the people of Palestine. I want peace. Don’t we all want peace? As Pema Chodron writes in her book Practicing Peace, “We can talk about ending war and we can march for ending war, we can do everything in our power, but war is never going to end as long as our hearts are hardened against each other.” TRUTH!
Watching the events halfway across the globe and right here on our campuses and in our cities, I know with every cell of my being the answer is not hatred. Hatred can be seductive. It brings a sense of being superior to the people you hate. This can be applied to the politics in our own country or abroad. Race and religion are constructs that divide us. But there is an answer. No matter what the problem is, love is always the answer. And yet, that seems elusive and almost naive. Oh, but it isn’t. It is possible, and as Pema Chodron challenges us, we must start with ourselves and our own hardened hearts. We may be powerless over government actions and terrorist organizations, but we are not powerless over what is in our own hearts and minds. Set an intention to notice your own judgments that arise when you hear the news or listen to a person’s opinion. Each time you notice your own judgment, hatred, or strong opinion, try the following: take a deep breath, soften your heart, intend to listen with an open mind, and be neutral, even for a moment. In these moments, compassion and love have the opportunity to enter the situation, and peace is a possibility.
Intentions are powerful. What do you want to see this holiday season? I want the gatherings I host and those I attend to be nurturing and filled with memories to cherish, not occasions that are filled with controversy. We will not solve the world’s wars by having heated discussions over the holiday table. What would it look like if we practiced peace in our minds and hearts this holiday season? What if we started there?
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! May you cultivate peace and enjoy your feast!