12/6/2020 Start with truth-telling
We are in the last few weeks of days getting darker (here in our northern hemisphere), and look forward to the shift toward light that is almost here.
The news is full of pandemic waves, additional restrictions, and falsehoods about the most recent election. It is also full of speculation about the closeness of vaccines, and how they will be distributed. We have so much to process.
For today, I offer one place to start: by telling the truth. In many faith and healing traditions, transformation and growth begins with truth-telling, especially about our own shortcomings, transgressions, and harm done. This makes for a state of discomfort, one we too often seek to escape too quickly. Illegitimate leaders encourage us to escape uncomfortable truth. They offer a story that obliterates facts, in part, so that we cannot engage in growth. If the truth sets us free, lies keep us trapped - dependent on those illegitimate leaders for more misinformation.
What if, just for one moment, we allowed ourselves to simply notice our response to telling the truth? To hold the discomfort it might provoke lightly? I wonder if the space around it could expand just enough for us to witness that we are larger than any single act or thought. And just enough to see the next step toward transformation.
As within, so without: if we tell the truth of the American story, and notice the discomfort it provokes without needing to flee or change it, might we create the space for transformation our communities need?
Being in community is essential to tolerate the discomfort of our transforming journeys. As always, I am full of gratitude for your company. I am aiming for launching a new platform for these notes in January, and will keep you posted.
Be well and safe, and take good care -
Liz