We are in the middle of a holiday season – Diwali and Thanksgiving having passed, Channukah and Christmas and Kwanzaa coming up – with the questions of a new political landscape and an uncertain climate future arising before us in our everyday existence.
Some people will say that there are basically two ways to live one’s life – on the basis of love and on the basis of fear. Love means opening up to one another, being grateful for the gifts of family/friends/ well-being, and looking toward the future with an open mind and an open heart. Fear means defending ourselves from one another, protecting our families and ourselves from the world, and looking to the future with dread and grim determination.
As always, as we live in either love or fear, our children are watching and learning from us. How do we want to raise our children – as individuals open to the world or as individuals who need to battle against perceived enemies? Maybe a bit of each, you might say, but which approach will you favor?
Most of our current holidays – Diwali, Channukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa – involve celebrations of light over darkness. In the Northern Hemisphere we experience shortening days as the sun moves further south on our horizons. We light candles, look with awe upon the mysteries of our faith traditions, and feel joy in the presence of loved ones. The lights are already up and lit along City Island Avenue, and the short days of winter are to be illuminated by the warm glow from our homes.
As we look to the new year may we choose light over darkness, love over fear, and hope over despair. Our children will learn from us that being open and loving is the best choice in times of adversity. Blessings to all.
Comments