You know what is especially encouraging these days?
Despite the divisive nature of the times made more divisive by people who think they will always be insulated from the riffraff.
Despite an unseen virus stalking the land crippling some, passing over others, altering our lives in a myriad of ways whether we’ve been touched by it or not.
Despite the daily assault of our senses by devices we can no longer live without, and these devil’s tools or blessings from angels are becoming more embedded like ticks on a deer every single day.
Despite the tattering of norms, the shredding of mores, the blithe disdain of every day ethics.
Despite the feeling of dread that our society may be reaching some kind of tipping point, just when we most need it to be, not just stable, but firing on all cylinders.
There’s more but I don’t need to go on.
I’m encouraged by everyone I see making an effort, putting in time, engaging in ways we don’t see people engaging in more sedate times. I see people reaching out into their communities. I see people looking out for each other. I see people being creative, doing the best they can, making of life what life has given them.
I’ve always pondered all the big concepts and the running joke is always after a spirited conversation of whatever national issue you can think of you end it sarcastically acknowledging that now that we’ve ‘solved’ that problem we can get back to discussing sports teams and the weather.
We’re not all designed to tackle the mega-issues.
But we can all tend our little corner of the universe. I think it is important to recognize that keeping your corner of the universe in order is incredibly, if not equally, significant. Starting with yourself and working out from there.
I think the mega and macro issues need to be met with mega and macro ideas, but it’s much harder to get those things to happen or be meaningful or rise to your level of consciousness if your own corner garden is untended.
So, I just wanted to point out that I see those of you tending your gardens. Helping your neighbors. Being kind to strangers. Following sound scientific advice. Educating others. Sharing recipes and recommendations and realizations and real-time treasured moments.
I see those of you who are educators and how hard you’re working. I see those of you who are in the medical field and how hard you’re trying to remain positive. I see those of you who care about your community speaking up and taking action. I see those of you adding light and music and humor and art. I see those of you putting your shoulders to the task without complaint.
These are unsettling times, and they are unsettled times.
2020 has been the trifecta of dumpster fires and it’s not over yet.
Even so, I’m encouraged by the resilience I see all around me. The awareness without despair. The courage to speak the truth.
Keep tending.
Marianne Williamson inspired me today. It was this quote that set me down this path.
The problem in this country and the problem on this planet - is not that those who hate speak so loud - the problem even bigger than that is that those of us who love speak too softly.
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This video from Kyiv, Ukraine, tickled the hell out of me. It does not appear anyone was hurt. . . somehow.
Also - and this one will make you go, “Awwwww” and possibly tear-up.
