Hope and hard work
Reject the invitation to fear, and ensure our communities endure the toughest times, by helping one another.
Dear friends: The seasons here in our valley are finally shifting noticeably: cold nights, color coming into the leaves of trees, and some much-needed rain.
There is a sense of things ending. For those of us with roots in four-season climates, the movement into late autumn and winter brings with it apprehension from our history of wondering if we have enough to survive the cold, dark times of the year. Have we put by enough food to eat, fuel to stay warm? Will spring treat us to an early arrival, or stay away just a bit too long?
It is in this season that U.S. elections land, a time when perhaps we are primed for messages of fear. I certainly see too many of the people seeking office using fear-based messages to gain support - or simply strip support from their opponent, often enough to gain power. We are not only eager for water in the drought-ridden West; we are parched and thirsting for real leadership.
A healer once told me: “The task of winter is to hold on. The challenge is fear; the tool we have to meet that challenge is hope.” I would add: hope and the hard work of ensuring our communities endure the toughest times, by helping one another.
Hold one another up, and do not accept the invitation to fear too many who crave power offer. Remember that their promise to “save” you from the frightening “other” is worth nothing. The “other” is not our enemy. Communities that value humanity do not need to create false enemies: we work together to confront the true threats of poverty, illness, climate catastrophe, and violence.
Our harvest will always be enough, as long as we stick together.
Sent with love and gratitude.