Hate Is NOT The Answer

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good (wo)men to do nothing."

I know it's terrifying. I feel the horrors of this energy too. The United States is a mess. A complete and utter mess. Still, I keep Hope in my heart. Hope. Because Hope is better than keeping terror. Or hatred. Or anger. I keep Hope in my heart so that it may keep me. We can not allow the ignorance of the few to corrupt the Knowing of the many.

We MUST NOT.

So, while it may be a bit on the short side, today's missive is meant to keep you, ALL of you, from drowning in the chaos of recent events. It may only be "the second hundred days", but we can, and MUST, keep ourselves focused on the GOOD. While it may seem there is more evil than good at the moment, it is only because of media, both broadcast and social. Do not ignore what you feel. Do not deny what you CAN do. But please, please, PLEASE, stay in HOPE.

Act when you can. Write and march and do whatever it is that you feel will contribute to the GOOD. Keep kindness in your daily Life. Reach out to strangers. Open a door. Let that maniac who just cut you off go on his angry way. Don't cuss him out or wish him ill. Simply hold a space for Hope...for him too.

I realize this sounds pretty PHOOOFEEE. I don't care what it sounds like. All I wish is for us to KNOW that there is more Good than Evil. For all of us to be KIND.
And Mindful.
And HOPEFUL.
Action without hatred. 

PLEASE.

take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while...

Ya know, it's really okay to curl up and disappear for a while. It's okay to find a cozy spot, unplug your phones, turn off the computer, draw the curtains, lock the doors and just hole up. Really. It's okay. Better...better than okay. It's a delicious thing to do for yourself.

When was the last time you did? When was the last time you told your family to get lost for the day...and just had the house to yourself? When was the last time you called in 'sick' (or 'well', if you have a boss with a sense of humor) and just indulged yourself in your favorite pleasures...for no reason whatsoever? When was the last time you had a day just for YOU?

There is something marvelously enriching about doing such a thing. There is a kind of glow that grows inside, as if your Big Me is whispering to your Human Me, "Oh yes. This is what we're here for. This is the place where You and I can meet and remember. This is what it's about."

Me thinks that far too many folks ignore this indulgence. Far too many put everyone and everything else first. Far too many are running so fast they have no idea how to just BE. For those, I say a prayer. A prayer that they shall, sooner rather than later, come to some point where they remember just how much they matter. Just how much their own well-being relies on taking such simple pleasures...and refilling their wells. It is such an important part of living...yet, so many won't allow themselves this 'luxury'. But you know something? It is NOT a luxury. It is an essential part of living true to your Self. If you don't spend time with that Self, how will you ever hear what She has to say? How will you ever know what she's asking for?

I offer this up today, as I witness someone I love struggling with this very thing. She knows she must take time for herself, but she's doing everything she can to avoid it. Why? Because it scares the bejeebers outta her. It scares her to even think of being alone with her thoughts. It is, in her mind, as scary as walking the streets of a ghetto with hundred dollar bills pinned to her clothes. Scary, scary stuff.

So, on behalf of my sweet friend, I pose these questions to you in an attempt to nudge you a bit. To STOP and smell the roses...and give yourself a big ol' hug.

You deserve it.