Learning How to Make Light

Dear Family,

I’ve had many times in my life where I watched people closest to me struggle with the darkness, with loss, myself included.

I found a way out of that darkness by learning how to make light within it. Partially by reading and listening to wisdom, partially by learning to create energy balls of reiki energy (shoutout to my reiki teacher Asa Angel), and partially by shifting my perspective.

For some time now, I have felt safe and sound and supported and blessed. But throughout the past few years and really my whole life as a member of the tribe of Millennials and family to Gen X, and Boomers, and the Greatest Generation, I have observed the torment and despair and fear…that death and sickness and addiction and alcoholism and abuse bring in and out of the lives of our people.

It can feel helpless or worthless or meaningless out there, it’s human to see it that way. But if we are lucky to be standing and breathing and feel our heart beating, there is a purpose, there is a service there for all of us in the present moment to be there for others and to offer support and an ear and a shoulder and our wisdom and experience in an effort to help someone through.

I like to practice connecting with my ancestors and my past lives and the souls and spirit that is within me, all the way back to the beginning when we first were able to think and feel and wonder. This poem “A Vision in Meditation” came to me while sitting in meditation this year.

When we peel away the stories and the labels and the words and form and conflicts and histories, what is left is life on Earth, you and me included, and the sun in the sky. What if we remembered it and cherished it and cherished this life and opportunity and chose light as our way and being? It’s worked wonders for me. Remember it’s there even when it’s darkest; nourishing and supporting. Don’t give up, don’t stay down. We need you.

As one of the most amazing and beautiful humans alive today Thich Nhat Hanh said: “Because you are alive, everything is possible.”