Transitions

Friends,

Even in the midst of the current political and cultural drama that is disrupting so many lives, it is important to remember that most of us continue a pretty steady course of transitions from childhood, graduations, vocational decisions, parenting, and edging into retirement and aging. This is not to suggest complacency just now, but to remind us to also simply enjoy life as we live through the personal and historic eras of our lives.

All this is a prologue to help us remember that daily life does go on despite the prevalent uncertainly of our times. I worry a lot about the rage and sadness I feel as I take in so much injustice, deceit and ignorance that besets us. But then I am also embracing how much gratitude there is in my life as well. Today, for example, was a fairly average day of Saturday chores, a few phone calls and emails, a walk, some solitude and reading, paying bills, and cautiously taking stock of the news. Other days, of course, include the responsibility of managing medical issues, unexpected problems, and reasons to be especially wary and discouraged, a list, I suspect, similar to yours. But mostly I can tell myself, despite it all, that I am still having regular “good days.” And I am grateful to be able to say that honestly. 

I think I can write this because as I age I have gained increased perspective on the flow of life. Even as a child I have always been fascinated and delighted by watching a small stream dancing along over rocks, dividing here or there, hitting an occasional blockade of a fallen branch, carrying an occasional stick or leaf that I probably put there, and sometimes settling into quiet back eddies. But I also know how vulnerable that little stream can be when a sudden torrent of water sweeps it along or it dries to a trickle during late summer. I think life is a bit like all that, isn’t it? And in the end our little streams of life do bring us much joy and affirmation in their relationships continuity and beauty, even amidst our challenging transitions

For more perspective, I had the privilege this week of watching a podcast featuring Richard Rohr, Brian McClaren and Valerie Kaur, three of my favorite contemporary, wise, prophetic voices.* Their conversation wove a story out of their various religious traditions (Protestant, Catholic and Sikh) that connected to the spiritual hunger and dilemmas of our contemporary life. The topic was how to deal with our anger in the face of so much suffering and injustice. Their answer was more sophisticated than I can adequately summarize here, of course, but it boiled down to responding to fear not with more fear and angry control, but by acknowledging our common plight and responding with compassion and love. If that seems too simple or naive of a response, I don’t think it is. We simply must develop an alternative to the rage that is destructive of us individually and as a people. We need to learn how to foster and nurture the forgiveness necessary of ourselves and others as a means to counter the effort to control us with fear. I am still just learning how to use nonviolence, but I have years of practice having now lived through so much war and racial and gender bias and hatred while also so profoundly appreciating how, in spite of it all, the power of love and nonviolence has the ultimate word.

In these stress striven days we need to both acknowledge and resist the impact that insecurity and fear have on us and our families, friends and so many other vulnerable people, and yet we cannot give over to despair. We can still have lots of “good days” of kindness and joy in spite of it all and, in fact, we simply must continue to acknowledge and celebrate the miracle of life that surrounds us, especially during the assurance and gift of this springtime that is unfolding around us. 

So during whatever transitions and challenges you are facing in your life, including the political chaos, may you also find time to dance with the little stream in your life that carries assurance and joy. And may you also find the love and support you need in your community life, personal support, and a faith in an enduring future.

Peace,
Tom

*Rebroadcast may be available later. See https://cac.org/event/what-do-i-do-with-my-anger-online-gathering-richard-rohr-brian-mclaren/