Am I Allowed to Yearn?
"It is right to long. It is right to yearn. It is our yearning that takes us forward toward our soul's desire."
~ Martha Beck
These are very hard times, my friend.
We were not designed to be this over-stimulated, this saturated with information about tragedies around the world. Humans were designed to take care of just the people in front of them...their family group or tribe or village.
I imagine that if there was a catastrophe of some sort, they would hear about it eventually. Not within moments of its occurrence. And truth be told, by the time they heard, it was probably done, over, and nothing they could do about it.
But our world is a very different place. And we are inundated with information. And the information we're pummeled with is usually the worst of the worst. And oh there is plenty of that anyways.
Sometimes, though, I feel that because the bad and horrible and terrible news is what gets the attention, it breeds more of it's ilk.
And so we are flooded.
But, it's November and I am looking towards the coming New Year. I have led New Year's programs for the past many, many years and always they have been centered on recalibrating and reflecting on the year ending and turning with anticipation to the year ahead.
Yet this year I feel so different. Since October I have felt so conflicted. I want to dream into my next chapter (I actually have some big and beautiful changes coming) but I feel weighed down by the troubles of the world. It's hard to feel optimistic.
I can't just look away. I am connected to Israel by my DNA. I am affected by rising antisemitism in this country and around the world. I am woeful about the violence perpetrated around the world every day...in the name of what?
It all feels so pointless and I feel helpless...and often hopeless.
So, how do we turn to the future with a bright spirit when the world is in such pain?
Is it selfish to long for something sweet for yourself when you know how many are suffering? If I acknowledge my own privilege to even contemplate these questions, does that free me to dream into my desires?
Here's what I've concluded: If I am here on this planet, alive, heart beating, lungs expanding and contracting, and I have something to give, then I will give it.
But I need to fill my own well, too. I need to make sure I am caring for my own tender heart. I can cry and pray (and call my congresspeople) about the tragedies in my community and world AND I can yearn for my own life...to fill it with beauty and joy. And you can too.
This time of year is a time of hibernation, rumination, marination. It's a time of drawing into oneself to reflect, but also a time to look ahead.
Don't give up on your own life when the world around us is hurting. Take the time to comfort your own soul, to find your art supplies, to read poetry and listen to sad music. Do what feels right to your heart and give yourself permission to yearn--and dream--into the future. (And stay tuned for my New Year's offering. It'll be announced later this week!)
I'm going to be continuing my daily photo invitation posts on Facebook as long as interest is there. There's so much beauty and gratitude! Go to my page to catch up on the posts you've missed if you'd like to see what folx have shared or you'd like to join in.
It is something to connect us and look forward to. And connection is something we yearn for too...we all can attest to that after the long pandemic years!
