Staying Focused on Love to Set Aside Fear
Greetings lovely one,
Here we are at a new year and a new lunar year. Sometimes, when I pause and think about it, I can't believe so much time has passed and so much has changed. Change can be a beautiful thing, but also change can be scary and met with great trepidation. Those of us who decided that we wanted to spend our lives creating positive change - change that heals, change that encourages greater awareness of the Divine Light dwelling within each soul, change that invites compassion and loving-kindness - are dealing with much opposition to that inward movement that pours outward into the world. And it's easy to find ourselves reactive. But we have the inner strength not to fall for the okie doke.
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
― Audre Lorde
I don't know much about the brain because I am not that kind of scientist. But I was reminded the other day while reading the words of Sr. Joyce Rupp that over time, our brains have developed the ability to pause, think, reflect, and be mindful so that we don't go about all zombie-like mindlessly acting on impulse and hostility. Sometimes, that's easier said than done, but the fact of the matter is, we have that ability. We can choose to be mindful of our thoughts and behaviors. And there are ways we can practice that and make it a healthy habit now.
Growing up, my stepfather insisted we train in martial arts under him. If I remember correctly, he was a war vet who had studied and trained for years in Okinawa. I liked watching martial arts movies, but I didn't actually want to learn because the actual workout was grueling under him as Sensei of his own dojo, and there was immense pressure to perform being his kids. When I came to a certain age, I could choose whether or not I'd continue my training, and I decided to opt out. But, years later, I would find that the discipline of martial arts had provided a gateway foundation for the grounding practice of coming back to center (to the here and now) when everything around me felt like it was on fire. According to the Enneagram, I am the type that needs to get into my body to stay grounded. So, over the years, I've taken to things like yoga, martial arts, long, brisk walks, and, more recently, skating. Perhaps you don't need a personality assessment to help you find your zen, so to speak, but I do think it's imperative that you stay awake. It's hard to do that when constantly putting out a fire without rest. And I don't know about you, but I have no interest in being a dance puppet to someone else's tune.
“If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.”
― Audre Lorde
Sometime in December, as I was still healing from surgery and grieving the passing of my grandmother, one of my SFCC Sisters suggested we start the New Year with a 30-day devotional. I have not done well with devotionals in the past. I start them but never finish (like too many of the books on my shelf). But she said we could "read it together and that it would be in the words of my patron saint, St. Catherine" (it was her feast day that I offered my vows). So, I joined her in reading and found that each day, the devotion ended with a repetitive prayer about trusting in God's love and setting aside every fear. It was the devotional I needed to read more than anything right now. This year is the first time in a long time that I read every single day of my devotional. And every day, I let it sit in my heart that I could trust in the Holy One's love and that that love determines my worth and my dignity. Prayer, it turns out, is an even stronger grounding practice than skating in the park (which I can't do anyway as I heal and am surrounded by negative-degree weather and snow).
Here's my encouragement for you…find what helps you slow down, pause, be mindful, get present, and commit to practicing that a little each day. Maybe it’s meditation or prayerful dance, or maybe it’s building a snowman with your sister! When the news weighs you down, when family with ethically and morally different views tests your very last nerve, etc., return to that practice over and over until you've fully integrated it into your life. If you’re looking for spiritual accountability around that, reach out.
As someone who has dedicated my life to walking the way of love, I know this is not easy. I have to constantly study and seek spiritual renewal to maintain my journey. So, don't take for granted that love is work so that your work can be your love song in the darkness of this world.
Peace, Love, and Wellness,
Lynette
(More formally, Sister Lynette Davis, SFCC, but feel free to call me Lyn)
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Available now: A while back, I was deeply honored to be invited to include my essay "All In" in an anthology of writings from the Quaker journal What Canst Thou Say. The book, titled “God's Grace: Comforting, Guiding Supporting," is a collection of essays about mysticism and mystical experiences, and I'm sure you'll find many wonderful pieces to enjoy. Grab your copy today.
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Tales from the blog keepers
Are you looking to keep up with news in the nonprofit world? I've been following the updates of the National Council of Nonprofits, a pretty solid source of information in our field. It's a reliable way to stay informed and avoid the chaos of social media debates.
There are many ways to address violence; F/friend Windy Cooler worked to create a way Quakers could address it communally, seeking the Light of the Divine in the process. Check out what she’s developed over time in Preparing Ourselves to Receive Reliable Love.
Quakers Sue over Immigration Enforcement and Religious Freedom. According to Duncan-Tessmer, friends' historical experience of religious persecution motivated modern Quakers to join the lawsuit. William Penn's protection of freedom of religion in the Charter of Privileges is a significant part of our history. The framers of the Constitution drew on this tradition to enshrine religious liberty in the First Amendment, a connection that makes us part of a larger narrative.
Muse of the month
Blerd’s the word
I didn't become familiar with the term Afrofuturism until long after I graduated from my BA program. Still, I knew the art, literature, and music that defined the experience. My Meeting for Worship member has offered a beautiful reflection of this movement in his video "Lost." Also, the lyrics seem fitting and relevant