Sunday musings - January 1, 2023
As we begin a new year, it would be easy to approach it with fear and trembling. Certainly the level of gun violence, the treatment of the homeless and homeless camps, the massive number of suicides, drug overdoes, the strikingly disparity of the distribution of essential resources, the war in Ukraine, the repression in Iran, and the blatant sexism in Afghanistann as well in as Iran and other counties, the lack of accountability for some of the factors resulting in the appeals from those fleeing physical and monetary violence, and lack of concern for environmental damage are all causes for grave concern. Individually or combined they could easily result in one tumbling into deep despair and hopelessness.
Yet, perhaps, seeming paradoxical, the joyful and creative elves who do not need to claim worth by discounting the sacredness of others continue to joyfully dance to a defiant tune of hope and new life. These are the very same elves responsible for incredible discoveries in cell research, new forms of cancer treatment, amazing works of literature, music, dance, painting and other art forms, selfless acts of kindness; the same elves who possess the courage to be the prophets of possibility.
When I worked in Alaska a wise elder reminded me: “The strongest leaders for social justice come out of the same religious institutions which produce the strongest and cruelest oppressors.”
Other wise elders often remind us that there are no “either-ors”. There are only“both-ands”. They proclaim that one can hold joy in one hand and grief/pain in the other hand; that both are equally real. Perhaps gray areas are the negative space which form the lines which create the object in paintings or the negative spaces which allow the notes to become a symphony.
If one has ever attended a wake one was invited to express the death of despair and the apex of celebration; the joy of good memories; the comfort of the members of the community who have gathered to celebrate and mourn together; the sharing of music, food and tears which combine to encompass the breath of this human journey.
We live in a culture which often comforts itself with the illusion of dualities; of good/bad, right/wrong, victim/perpetrator, righteous/evil, and evil/saintliness. It is easy and perhaps even temporarily comforting to pretend as if the world which we temporarily inhabit is comprised of such dualities; a world in which our pretenses are so all encompassing we do not envision the precipice before we fall into nothingness.
The words of such teachers as Jesus of Nazareth are often referred to as “The good news.” The good news is that there is both death and new life. The good news is, in the words of Corey Brookner “They cannot steal our joy.” The good news is that a comedian can lead a country in the power of the wisdom of Bigger Thomas the main character in Native Son who says to the police persons “You can’t do nothin cept kill me and that ain’t nothin.” The good news is “We shall overcome.” The good news is that if we listen the young children will share prophecies. The good news is that there is new art, music and dance to emerge into the light. The good news is that cities can be destroyed but spirits are indestructible. The good news is that the homeless can remind many of us of the poverty of our lives. The good news is that today is a new opportunity. The good news is that there is always good news if we have the courage to dream and to allow those dreams to manifest reality.
Written January 1, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
As we begin a new year, it would be easy to approach it with fear and trembling. Certainly the level of gun violence, the treatment of the homeless and homeless camps, the massive number of suicides, drug overdoes, the strikingly disparity of the distribution of essential resources, the war in Ukraine, the repression in Iran, and the blatant sexism in Afghanistann as well in as Iran and other counties, the lack of accountability for some of the factors resulting in the appeals from those fleeing physical and monetary violence, and lack of concern for environmental damage are all causes for grave concern. Individually or combined they could easily result in one tumbling into deep despair and hopelessness.
Yet, perhaps, seeming paradoxical, the joyful and creative elves who do not need to claim worth by discounting the sacredness of others continue to joyfully dance to a defiant tune of hope and new life. These are the very same elves responsible for incredible discoveries in cell research, new forms of cancer treatment, amazing works of literature, music, dance, painting and other art forms, selfless acts of kindness; the same elves who possess the courage to be the prophets of possibility.
When I worked in Alaska a wise elder reminded me: “The strongest leaders for social justice come out of the same religious institutions which produce the strongest and cruelest oppressors.”
Other wise elders often remind us that there are no “either-ors”. There are only“both-ands”. They proclaim that one can hold joy in one hand and grief/pain in the other hand; that both are equally real. Perhaps gray areas are the negative space which form the lines which create the object in paintings or the negative spaces which allow the notes to become a symphony.
If one has ever attended a wake one was invited to express the death of despair and the apex of celebration; the joy of good memories; the comfort of the members of the community who have gathered to celebrate and mourn together; the sharing of music, food and tears which combine to encompass the breath of this human journey.
We live in a culture which often comforts itself with the illusion of dualities; of good/bad, right/wrong, victim/perpetrator, righteous/evil, and evil/saintliness. It is easy and perhaps even temporarily comforting to pretend as if the world which we temporarily inhabit is comprised of such dualities; a world in which our pretenses are so all encompassing we do not envision the precipice before we fall into nothingness.
The words of such teachers as Jesus of Nazareth are often referred to as “The good news.” The good news is that there is both death and new life. The good news is, in the words of Corey Brookner “They cannot steal our joy.” The good news is that a comedian can lead a country in the power of the wisdom of Bigger Thomas the main character in Native Son who says to the police persons “You can’t do nothin cept kill me and that ain’t nothin.” The good news is “We shall overcome.” The good news is that if we listen the young children will share prophecies. The good news is that there is new art, music and dance to emerge into the light. The good news is that cities can be destroyed but spirits are indestructible. The good news is that the homeless can remind many of us of the poverty of our lives. The good news is that today is a new opportunity. The good news is that there is always good news if we have the courage to dream and to allow those dreams to manifest reality.
Written January 1, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
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