Speaking of Spirit

There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen   In September, the season of Light, Love and Gratitude began. This month, people around the world celebrate - the harvest (Sukkot), grateful for the bounty they have been given; the Light (Diwali), observing Light and darkness; and the love of ancestors (All Soul's Day/All Hallows' Eve), remembering our dead and giving thanks for their lives with us. As we move forward towards the end of the year, the feasts and festivals of Light, Love and Gratitude continue.   This year, there is a greater need to observe these days, together. The world is very "dark" in so many places due to natural disasters, hate, oppression, and greed. Observing these Holy days, reminds us that even in the darkest night the Light of millions of stars illuminates the sky. These times together remind us that Love is eternal; that those who shared our lives are always with us. These celebrations remind u...

  New Grange, Ireland - were the sun lights up the tomb during the winter solstice. Photo Credit: R. J. Welch (late 1800's) For Christians around the world, this Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Advent.  Advent, a season of anticipation...of hope.   In many other cultures and spiritual paths, this time of year is also a season of anticipation, of hope and of new or rebirth.  Humans from the earliest of times anticipated the return of the sun in the northern hemisphere, thereby creating the connection to Light at this time of year.  They hoped that their harvest would last throughout the long, dark winter days. They awaited the new birth of life to the fields, with their animals and even within their communities. As our longest day - the Winter Solstice - is celebrated this week , along with the other Holy days of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, let us ponder what we are anticipating, what we are hoping for and how we can become part of the birthi...

By Bestbudbrian (Own work) CC BY-SA 4.0  via Wikimedia Commons This holiday season is a difficult one for my loved ones and I, as it is for many people this year.  In my circle of family and friends, there have been numerous deaths - loved ones who are no longer here to share our joy or celebrate along side us. We must be gentle with ourselves and each other. In other words, we need to give ourselves permission to be happy as well as sad.  We need to allow ourselves the ability to laugh and cry.  Being gentle means it is OK to  want to be with others, but also wish to be alone.  When our hearts are filled with sorrow, grief becomes part of our life.   Grief is our response to sorrow.  Each person grieves differently.  The catch is that in order to move forward, to do the things we need to do in this life, we must not let sorrow consume us.  When we are consumed by sorrow, our lives become dark, empty places. Grief enable u...

"A picture is worth a thousand words."  This old adage rings true, so rather than words, here are pictures that speak of this Season of Love, Light and Peace...no matter how you celebrate it.  Blessings! Love  Light       Peace