Thank you for this reminder of our human frailties and the on going forgiveness. And as always gratitude for that. It is not easy and it is worth doing.
Perhaps the best we can all do during these turbulent and unsettling times is go within to the deep still center where the truth of the wisdom of love resides. This truth comes from an intelligence far beyond the reaches of any one individual mind and emotions. Trusting that the Divine dream is playing out exactly as it must takes tremendous courage. There is a peace that passes understanding where we can rest in the arms of the Mystery during the most difficult circumstances. Then we receive comfort and can experientially know the grace freely given always at all times in open hearts of surrender.
Thank you, Diana for this meditation. I am grateful that the hard and fast rules regarding work has melted away for some. However, I think in this moment, we are lacking innovation and creativity regarding work and school life. I feel a great majority of us are thinking of old structures and not thinking of new ways of working and schooling. I think of children, who we are insisting on going to school five days a week in masks. Can we have school and work for four days? Can we go to our places of work for 4 or 5 hours instead of 8? Can we build our schools and our places of work with more green spaces and better ventilation?
Maybe we need a new labor movement, after all the labor movement fought and achieved the 40 hour work week and the weekends. Can we create policies requiring businesses that do not need to be open every day to have a Sabbath day for employees, the buildings, and the earth? Can we create policies for those who control the capital to release the capital instead of damming it up, so that, capital can flow more equitably and fluidly? Therefore, allowing for more innovation and creativity. These are the questions I have been wondering about.
Once again great thoughts, I always appreciate your insights.
Great words. Your beach photo reminds me that even when we go there the sun, the water, the wind and smells are somewhat different than when we visited before but still there to see and experience--constants, just as our creator is 24/7/365.
Since my husband of 62 years died late in 2021, I've been working on "who I am NOW!" Your fluidity cautions were SO worth reading in this instance as well as in responding to the pandemic work changes.
I too have been dealing with an almost relentless and underlying anger over the past 20 years. Anger and a sense of powerlessness in the face of the insidious fear and distrust that has permeated this nation since the 9/11 terrorist attacks erased our sense of well-being and confidence in our daily lives and the futures of our children.
Each day starts with the forbidding question “What Next???”, and a reluctance to turn on cable network news programs where the latest disappointment of (???) is covered in excruciating and endlessly repeated detail, or tragic or pending event is reported.
Somehow life goes on with gradually diminishing quality or reward. Hope remains present but does not dominate our lives as it did before 2001. What was a promise that gave a foundation to all that we planned or experienced lies somewhere buried under the present situation.
How do we get through this?? When will this mess begin to diminish?? What do we tell our children to expect and to plan on?? What will it take for us to “trust” again?? When does the “fear” go away??
As always, I was deeply moved by your writing. Some days are just particularly difficult. My husband and I both recently retired. It has been a confusing and perplexing time for me. Where does retirement fit into a world that on some days, does not make sense, and to be honest, is frightening? Some days all of the changes and what feel like new realities overwhelm me. As you have mentioned, when you are standing on the beach and the sand is shifting, holding on in faith is essential. As a deconstructing, faith after doubt gal, I keep intersecting with the Living Christ who holds tight to my hand and reminds me that I belong to Him, and that I can continue to “make the road by walking” and He will be there with every step.
Thank you, Diana! Yes, life is like a river which requires daily fluidity and flexibility. It is an illusion to think or believe otherwise. The Covid pandemic has dismantled our illusions about many aspects of life and death. Cardinal John Newman has a wonderful quote: " To live is to change and to be perfect one must change often." Moment to moment flexibility is the essential requirement for adaptation in our turbulent world to survive and to thrive.
Therefore, with all our strength and effort we must strive that at least in the future the abundant fruits of production will accrue equitably to those who are rich and will be distributed in ample sufficiency among the workers–not that these may become remiss in work, for man is born to labor as the bird to fly– but that they may increase their property by thrift, that they may bear, by wise management of this increase in property, the burdens of family life with greater ease and security, and that, emerging from the insecure lot in life in whose uncertainties non-owning workers are cast, they may be able not only to endure the vicissitudes of earthly existence but have also assurance that when their lives are ended they will provide in some measure for those they leave after them.
Quadragesimo Anno (“After Forty Years”), Pope Pius XI, 1931, #61.
The idea that gratitude can corral self pity is helpful. When I start to feel sorry for myself, I need to think about one of the many things I have to be grateful for.
I suppose whether or not you are back to working in person depends on what part of the country you live in. Here in Oklahoma, I have been back to work since June 2020. I don't personally know anyone who is still working remotely. I'm fortunate that my employer requires masks -- most in Oklahoma do not. I would love to be working remotely. Instead, I risk exposure to the virus every day I go to the office. It is a maddening world we live in, and I agree that being able to pivot and adapt are the most valuable skills we can develop.
Thank you for the metaphor of the ocean as a new way of imagining our new circumstances for living our life in the pandemic.
Thank you for this reminder of our human frailties and the on going forgiveness. And as always gratitude for that. It is not easy and it is worth doing.
Perhaps the best we can all do during these turbulent and unsettling times is go within to the deep still center where the truth of the wisdom of love resides. This truth comes from an intelligence far beyond the reaches of any one individual mind and emotions. Trusting that the Divine dream is playing out exactly as it must takes tremendous courage. There is a peace that passes understanding where we can rest in the arms of the Mystery during the most difficult circumstances. Then we receive comfort and can experientially know the grace freely given always at all times in open hearts of surrender.
Thank you, Diana for this meditation. I am grateful that the hard and fast rules regarding work has melted away for some. However, I think in this moment, we are lacking innovation and creativity regarding work and school life. I feel a great majority of us are thinking of old structures and not thinking of new ways of working and schooling. I think of children, who we are insisting on going to school five days a week in masks. Can we have school and work for four days? Can we go to our places of work for 4 or 5 hours instead of 8? Can we build our schools and our places of work with more green spaces and better ventilation?
Maybe we need a new labor movement, after all the labor movement fought and achieved the 40 hour work week and the weekends. Can we create policies requiring businesses that do not need to be open every day to have a Sabbath day for employees, the buildings, and the earth? Can we create policies for those who control the capital to release the capital instead of damming it up, so that, capital can flow more equitably and fluidly? Therefore, allowing for more innovation and creativity. These are the questions I have been wondering about.
Once again great thoughts, I always appreciate your insights.
Great words. Your beach photo reminds me that even when we go there the sun, the water, the wind and smells are somewhat different than when we visited before but still there to see and experience--constants, just as our creator is 24/7/365.
Since my husband of 62 years died late in 2021, I've been working on "who I am NOW!" Your fluidity cautions were SO worth reading in this instance as well as in responding to the pandemic work changes.
Pidge Diehl
I too have been dealing with an almost relentless and underlying anger over the past 20 years. Anger and a sense of powerlessness in the face of the insidious fear and distrust that has permeated this nation since the 9/11 terrorist attacks erased our sense of well-being and confidence in our daily lives and the futures of our children.
Each day starts with the forbidding question “What Next???”, and a reluctance to turn on cable network news programs where the latest disappointment of (???) is covered in excruciating and endlessly repeated detail, or tragic or pending event is reported.
Somehow life goes on with gradually diminishing quality or reward. Hope remains present but does not dominate our lives as it did before 2001. What was a promise that gave a foundation to all that we planned or experienced lies somewhere buried under the present situation.
How do we get through this?? When will this mess begin to diminish?? What do we tell our children to expect and to plan on?? What will it take for us to “trust” again?? When does the “fear” go away??
As always, I was deeply moved by your writing. Some days are just particularly difficult. My husband and I both recently retired. It has been a confusing and perplexing time for me. Where does retirement fit into a world that on some days, does not make sense, and to be honest, is frightening? Some days all of the changes and what feel like new realities overwhelm me. As you have mentioned, when you are standing on the beach and the sand is shifting, holding on in faith is essential. As a deconstructing, faith after doubt gal, I keep intersecting with the Living Christ who holds tight to my hand and reminds me that I belong to Him, and that I can continue to “make the road by walking” and He will be there with every step.
Thank you, Diana! Yes, life is like a river which requires daily fluidity and flexibility. It is an illusion to think or believe otherwise. The Covid pandemic has dismantled our illusions about many aspects of life and death. Cardinal John Newman has a wonderful quote: " To live is to change and to be perfect one must change often." Moment to moment flexibility is the essential requirement for adaptation in our turbulent world to survive and to thrive.
“For man is born to labor as the bird to fly”
————————-——
Therefore, with all our strength and effort we must strive that at least in the future the abundant fruits of production will accrue equitably to those who are rich and will be distributed in ample sufficiency among the workers–not that these may become remiss in work, for man is born to labor as the bird to fly– but that they may increase their property by thrift, that they may bear, by wise management of this increase in property, the burdens of family life with greater ease and security, and that, emerging from the insecure lot in life in whose uncertainties non-owning workers are cast, they may be able not only to endure the vicissitudes of earthly existence but have also assurance that when their lives are ended they will provide in some measure for those they leave after them.
Quadragesimo Anno (“After Forty Years”), Pope Pius XI, 1931, #61.
“ In the first place, the worker must be paid a wage sufficient to support him and his family.”
Quadragesimo Anno (“After Forty Years”), Pope Pius XI, 1931, #71.
https://youtu.be/RVKrelLD0rA
The idea that gratitude can corral self pity is helpful. When I start to feel sorry for myself, I need to think about one of the many things I have to be grateful for.
I suppose whether or not you are back to working in person depends on what part of the country you live in. Here in Oklahoma, I have been back to work since June 2020. I don't personally know anyone who is still working remotely. I'm fortunate that my employer requires masks -- most in Oklahoma do not. I would love to be working remotely. Instead, I risk exposure to the virus every day I go to the office. It is a maddening world we live in, and I agree that being able to pivot and adapt are the most valuable skills we can develop.