I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well, able to celebrate the arrival of a new year.
It's hard to grasp fully, but here we are. We turn the calendar page on 2020, one of the most difficult years our communities have struggled through, and take a moment to look ahead at where we want to go in 2021.
First, a message of gratitude to you all: Your loving kindness, your caution, your care, your actions, your conversations, your work, your creations all made 2020 better than it would have been without you. You touched someone this past year, whether you see the impact of your touch or not. Someone is safe and well who might not otherwise have been. Someone laughed when they needed to laugh. Someone realized they were seen and valued. Someone found a loving, nonjudgmental ear. Someone learned a new skill or word or idea from you. If you are looking back today with any sadness or regret, know that you also contributed something to cherish, just by being part of our community.
As we look ahead, we recognize the territory of ongoing uncertainty. The dreadful pandemic continues, even as vaccine distribution crawls forward. A new administration will take office soon, trying to shift direction back toward a more functioning federal government. Too many of our community members face the fallout of economic disaster - as too many never found traction in the economy before the pandemic. Climate change hurtles toward the point of no return. Our own families might experience splits of perspective about how to move forward, splits that hurt hearts and souls longing for attunement with those closest to us.
We also see opportunities: new perspectives, new learning, new relationships, new adventures, new commitments. And a chance to consciously let go of things that no longer serve us - material possessions and ideas. (Such as all those clothes that no longer fit after the months of staying at home, so close to the fridge...)
Over the course of 2020, I found myself lucky enough to share thoughts with many of you via an informal email circle. As I read back over some of our conversations, this part of a message from early October stood out as a roadmap for my desired path for this new year:
Even the efforts to divide us using fear are based on an understanding of the commonality of our emotions. Look within the stories designed to frighten us, and see what we share: love of family, love of community, love of life. It is by threatening these loves of ours that the fear mongers seek to divide us....But we know better. Inside each of us is an inner voice that sings in harmony with all other humans, indeed all creatures.... If we believe in ourselves, and one another, we will find our way together.
As we face the opportunities and uncertainties of a new year, I renew myself to this commitment: finding our way together.
I hope 2021 brings you and your loved ones good health, deep peace, and moments of profound joy.
With love and gratitude,
Liz