#MicroPoetry|September ’24 Reflections

As I write this, we are currently in the throes of political discourse that no longer seems to articulate the threads that knit the social good together. Rather, some seem intent on narratives of division, separation, and hate. These are not easy stories to absorb, as they serve to undermine our collective desire and longing for safety, joy, and abundance. The amazing thing is, and in no way to detract from the impact such choices make, we are literally reminded that hope abides when our hands intertwine. That warmth serves as a powerful reminder of Light’s promise, even in the darkest of times.

I have always admired people who possess the ability to craft. Whether small or large, pottery or wood, paper or weave, the ability to create something of beauty is one of our shared individual and collective gifts. This inherent ability to create, however, is not neutral. We can fashion beauty for the few and thus eclipse the many, or paint in large strokes where all are embraced by a Rainbow’s arch. As I watch my spouse create art that they intentionally leave in public spaces for others to find, it feels like the kind of legacy to which we all might aspire. Letting someone know they are valued and beautiful is indeed a way to inspire those who shall follow.

Matter, the things we feel and touch, is fascinating when you explore the infinitesimally small reality. It is in the spaces that things find their shape, being, and nature. Music, as a metaphor for life, lifts us even amid chaos and discord. The amazing thing about sound, when it shapes spaces musically, is that without the spaces, it would simply be a barrage of noise. Harmony and accord reach deep into our being through these spaces. It is in those spaces that noise transforms into music, leading us from chaos to hope and shared alignment.

We are invited to recognise three interconnected blessings that can create a new future. The first is our ability to see opportunities even in the midst of challenges. The next is our capacity to embrace hope, even as we confront discord with those perceived opportunities. These two gifts, however, require us to not only imagine what might be possible but, emboldened by belief, translate our aspirations into tangible reality. We must enact this third step to avoid despondency, cynicism, and apathy, which can replace our envisioned future if we simply dream and hope but do not act.

Though we may hear the phrase “don’t rest on your laurels” as dismissive, perhaps even judgmental, I believe there is a deeper meaning that is both celebratory and inspirational. We must indeed take stock and reflect on what we have achieved and accomplished. Life can be hard, and without pausing to notice how far we have come, we will miss the wisdom that we must note and claim. It is at that moment, when we have harvested the learning of a task well done, that we must again look forward to a future ever beckoning, now just a little bit more prepared with the knowledge and skills attained.

Since I learned about the Third Way, I’ve been looking for people who model that we can move away from the irrational logic of violence and embrace the expansive reason of Love. This isn’t always easy, which is why we need to intentionally seek out teachers who can transform judgment and hate into a way that reveals everyone’s humanity, especially those who may, knowingly or unknowingly, cause suffering to others and/or themselves. Being compassionate in the face of the temptation to power is a noble pursuit. It requires communities to nurture Elders who can pass down this ancient wisdom.

An age-old question that rabbis and philosophers, monks and dreamers have asked: how do we gauge a life well-lived?

I believe there are many ways to answer this question, each reflecting a particular context or way of looking at the world. In this instance, I suggest we answer it through the service we choose to offer others without expectation of recognition or recompense. In my context, the parable of the Good Samaritan captures this radical way of living a fulfilled life.

What are we willing to give of ourselves in order for others to flourish?

There will be hard days. Perhaps today is one of those. Moments when the smells of days gone by were filled with voices you no longer hear and faces you have begun to forget. Time blurs, and longing for our beloved rushes into the Now with overwhelming weight. In this colliding of past, present, and future, we cannot deny the hurt any more than we could endure a deeply lodged splinter. In these fragile moments, with hearts aching and tears falling, we rest in the sainted community that holds us until we are ready to walk on, once again, without those who have gone ahead.