This is a letter I would like to bring light to that a dear friend of mine gave me over Christmas. I feel it is valuable to share with each other bits and pieces of our life, whatever those may be. I see that as we get older, it can be easy to feel like we no longer have a voice and that some of our stories will die with us . In this culture, in particular, we don’t listen to our elder’s life experiences as much as we should. So, on this note, I hope you will enjoy reading someone else’s story. ~ Joaquina
The following has been written by Margie, born in 1947 (with her permission I publish this):
I don’t think I have ever shared my own spiritual journey like this before but I’m in the gray zone now and memory can be elusive.
We are living in very challenging times, in fact, the most challenging of my lifetime so far.
Until shortly before Brady, my son, was born I spent much of my life as an activist for civil rights, peace, and justice especially during Vietnam/Nuclear disarmament times.
I always felt that what I believed to be just and inherently good would be what prevailed if we persevered. And, little by little, progress was made during those times and since. That is, until recently, because today it feels like hatred could win. Love, compassion, and peace is not the driving force behind much of what’s coming to fruition.
I am old now. I no longer have the energy, stamina, and strength I once did for political activism and yet I can’t just do nothing. My purpose in life has long been to become the peace I wish to see in the world, and in turn, a peace bearing ambassador in the world.
It doesn’t matter which side of the political divide we are on. Some listen to the news and want to react with anger towards our President, others want to go after the Democratic party, not to mention people of color or people of different religions. My bias is showing. Hatred is running deep in this country and around the world.
But there’s much more at stake now than most of us were aware of when activism was ignited on the streets decades ago. We are rapidly destroying our most precious resource that we depend on for our very life: Planet Earth. So even though there is more to divide us than before, these issues touch all of us deeply. This is our world today and this is why I am writing this letter. I have to share my thoughts and what is in my heart. This is what I can do. I don’t have the agility to get to the streets or show up to sessions in Congress, or to attend meetings and so I write.
There are two quotes that are helping me deal with what is going on in my heart.
“But I say to you to heal, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you…” Luke 6:27, 28
“You can use hatred as a weapon, but you cannot use hate to defeat hate.”~MLK
I am empathetic and highly sensitive and have always been a sponge for other people’s pain-even strangers on the street. I used to hold on to all that pain inside of me. I didn’t know what to do with it or how to take care of myself in the process. It was crippling.
But here’s what I’ve learned: Feeling peace, and becoming peace and love is how I can contribute to the greater good. When I take on other’s pain, as it passes through me I don’t hold onto it now. Instead, I cradle it in peace and love, transforming it so that as is leaves me it now holds the energy of peace and love as I do.
If others are coming at me from a place of hate, I now understand that that hate comes from a place of pain. Wrap that hate in love, compassion, and peace and let that be the energy that flows out from me to them. Hate can come at me when it is generated in the world. It doesn’t have to be directed at me personally for me to be a recipient of it. I’ve come to understand that whatever part of that hate/harm reaches me, I have a responsibility to do my best to transform it. Every bit counts.
This is my purpose-to be part of our collective healing.
I still have a glimmer of hope that good will win out. Hope is one the energies that contributes to creating peace. Throughout the course of every day we are given moments to choose to serve the greater good, or not. I know how much easier said than done this is. Slowly, but surely, I am getting better at it. Intention matters.
My prayer for myself and for all of you who I hold dear this Holiday season is that we all choose to serve the greater good in those difficult and dark moments. The little things we do add up and ultimately can make a difference.
Peace and love
Margie
(Thank you for sharing dear Margie!)
