mjd offerings p. 42

it's ok to still be raw, be numb - i am. this was a shock - for me, the grief has everything to do with what was validated by so many. my heart is still fluttery with anxiety. but less than yesterday. 

so the fact remains -

we are here

now.

we are not in uncharted waters - history gives us much guidance for cases like this. 

we have seen that people with conviction, love and compassion can move mountains in the face of adversity. so let's start (in a focused and intentioned way) strengthening and stretching those muscles.

perhaps we begin thinking about metta practice or loving kindness meditation. 

the idea that 'just as i want to be happy, all beings want to be happy'

it starts with directing it towards the self - 

because how can we help others if we are not taking care of ourselves?

metta progresses - 

from "i"

to a benefactor

a being(s) for whom you feel love

a being(s) for whom you feel neutral 

a being(s) for whom your feelings are conflicted 

thich nhat hanh gives us this to work with:

may i be peaceful, happy and light in body and spirit

may i be safe and free from injury

may i be free from anger, afflictions, fear and anxiety.

as your practice progresses, 

you will recite this with 'i', with 's/he' and 'they'.

but we aren't at the end yet. 

we're at the beginning. 

let's start with love - 

loving ourselves so we can extend love to others in a healthy way -

and kindness.

you are a light in the darkness

you are important and necessary

you are allowed to be sad and disappointed (or whatever you are feeling)

but please don't get stuck there. 

we can do this - 

together. 

it's been done before and we can continue the tradition. 

namaste -  

call to arms - and hearts and souls

we have been issued a challenge:

cave to the negativity
or rise above it. 

these are the moments in your life that matter, that define you. 
when things don't go the way you'd hoped
when you thought you were on the cusp 
of the end of the negativity
and that things would get better.
how do you choose to respond? 

:: the light is you ::

when you are ensconced in darkness
it may seem as if darkness
is all that exists - 

that there can only be more
of what you are feeling
and experiencing.

but the truth of the matter
is that at the core of darkness
one finds light.

as long as you live and breathe
as long as you have choices to make
it's there.

you must trust
and open,
because the light is you. 

set yourself free
and shine.

for when you do, 
you illuminate the world.

-----

and people - 
we need to become beacons 
bright bold and guiding. 

give yourself some time to mourn, to let the shock subside and then dig deep.

because this is our reality.

there's no use 
in wishing for something different. 

we've been given 
another opportunity 
to rise  
and shine. 

do you accept it?