Pondering how to begin November’s Wednesday Wisdom, I felt hesitant, even a little afraid after events of November 5 in America. An email from a poet friend I deeply admire propitiously appeared in my inbox. At the bottom in tiny print was a Toni Morrison quote. It took my breath away.
“This is precisely the time when artists go to work – not when everything is fine, but in times of dread. That’s our job! There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal. I know the world is bruised and bleeding, and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its malevolence. Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge – even wisdom. Like art.”
– Toni Morrison
Each of us, no matter what we believe or follow, has an opportunity to be that artist right now. We can build bridges not walls, create peace not wars, foster human understanding not ignorance. In the context of this moment, as Morrison describes, we must do the work for peace both inside and outside.
It will take work. My heart tells me we and our planet are worth it. Remember, we are the family of human-kinds.
Where do we start? You know my solution is always with ourselves first. We practice our mindfulness skills. We choose RAIN instead of being pulled by reactivity and stress, anger and grief, denial and arrogance, or self-righteous smugness. We accept what we find. We forgive. We care. We practice metta or maitri.
We can intentionally look for moments of joy in our day and share it. We can practice the stillness of meditation. We can be balanced influencers. We can do this.
A daily peace reprieve is possible. As Thich Nhat Hanh says: one conscious breath in stillness changes everything.
“Today I will remind myself that hitting rock bottom means a miracle is about to take place.”
– Karen Cassanova, writer
Today’s Prescription
Meditate more often right now.
Continue to notice changes happening in your life or in the world around you.
We are all experiencing some form of change right now.
Sit for 3, 9, 20, or 45 minutes. Give yourself this gift.
Please let me know how you are doing. I love hearing from you.
Every day blessings. Much love, Jane