A New Year Begins

World Moon Affirmation from Lida Pavlova

Tonight is the first full moon of the new year.  I plan to stand under it and ask a few questions;  What do you ask of me in this time of turmoil and difficulty?  How can I learn to be more like you – to accept the phases of life and trust that they will continue according to plan?

So much in our world is horrific – fire, politics, war and all the other usual maladies.  At the same time, beautiful snow, peace marches, yoga and chocolate chip cookies.

I like the Buddhist’s mantra.  “right now, it is like this”.  A beautiful and simple acceptance of what is true.  We don’t have to like it, we don’t have to wish it wasn’t true, we don’t have to not be angry, sad, confused.  Our task is simply to acknowledge that in this moment, this is what is true.  We all dwell on the cliff of uncertainty.  As we have all learned this week with the California fires.  It’s true that in some real sense we never know what is coming next.  And, for the most part, I am grateful for that because often what is coming next is unavoidable.  Sometimes all we can do is bow to “what is”.  Deeply bow.  Acknowledging that there is SO much we can’t control.  And yet, must keep living through. 

And at the same time, we must remember that there is ALWAYS some good in our life.  A UU minister friend suggests that we all “eat cake” on inauguration day!   She says go out and buy cakes from bakers, bake your own cakes – give them away and eat them with joy on January 20. Or perhaps hand them out at the peace vigils that will be happening on that same Martin Luther King day!!!

I do wish you a Happy New Year – a year that WILL hold happiness as well as havoc.

WHAT DOES THIS YEAR ASK OF ME?

Oh, I want to meet it full

of smile and glitter. I want

to dive into the deep end

of it, dance under the full moon

of it, twist it

into some fantastic sculpture,

write it into the headlines.

But, what does it actually ask?

In my frenzy to make it notice me,

I wonder if it prefers

small acts of kindness,

simple acceptance;

   -do the dishes,

      -take out the trash,

         -return phone calls,

            -attend meetings.

See it not as a puzzle to be solved,

not as a demand to perform.

See it as holy invitation

to be most who I want to be

this year.

            ~Penny Hackett-Evans