The new year arrived a week and a half
ago. I meant to write—it has been a
while—but no inspiration came. I even
wrote it on my to do list.
Perhaps I simply need to wait until
everything falls together. Today it
seemed to do just that. This morning I
met with other members of a political coalition. Our state legislature convened earlier this
week so it was time. We talked about the
importance of intersectionality.
Marginalized groups and their supporters need to come together and help
each other. Besides being concerned
about LGBTQ rights, we need to also support causes like Black Lives
Matter. It is all connected—WE are all
connected.
This afternoon I took a class on
meditation. We learned about the history
and mysticism of meditation. The best
part was actually practicing it several times.
It was so relaxing. When I was in
college I learned to do Transcendental Meditation to help me with my stress
headaches. I continued to practice it
for over 10 years, until I had kids.
I no longer meditate but I do try to
take time regularly for personal devotion and prayer. I have all types of devotions—I nearly always
write—and then I follow it with prayer.
I feel I need to work in meditation.
Prayer can be a form of meditation.
In these quiet times I have reflected on
the new year. What does it mean for
me? I can complain about the state of
our state, country, and our world, but what should I do? Do I continue what I’m doing as an activist
or make changes? I think I am making a bit
of a difference in my little part of the world.
I ask God but I rarely get clear answers. I speculate about the nature of God. Who are you, God? Are you really all powerful? I got an answer this time. “Love is powerful.” Yes.
Yes it is. And God is love. I’ve been thinking about this.
This evening my husband and I attended a
special event in a Mennonite church hosted by a Buddhist group. (I love these interfaith connections.) Their leader began by leading us in a guided
meditation, of course. (This morning was
just a warmup.) As he ended the
meditation he asked us to think about what we are going to go out and do. What are we called to do? I think I know. He introduced his guest, the first Native
American woman to run for governor. She’s
a member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe and a representative in our state
government. Paulette told us that from
the time she was a small child, elders on both sides of the family told her she
was special, “the one.” She was raised
that way. Our host told her that he
wanted to know about her as a person so he asked her questions about her
spirituality. Paulette told us that she
believes we must love ourselves before we can love others. We need to take care of ourselves. (This struck a chord after the lecture I got
from my doctor this week.) She talked
about the connection between us all. At
one point she stated that love is powerful and fear is also powerful. Leaders often rule by focusing on one or the
other. Paulette was clear that she
chooses love. She knows what she is
called to do.
I am mulling all of this over in my
head. Every new year is a fresh
start. I think I know my calling but I
have doubts at times. I worry that I
should do more. . . but I know I need to take better care of myself. Most of all I know that I am loved. God is love.
And love is powerful. It can
change the world. Let me reflect that
love as I move forward this year.
Written
on 1/11/2018
