LESLIE’S LOGOS – DECEMBER 2024

Gratitude infuses me as I write this, gratitude for all the ways sustaining community has expanded in November. And what I want to share is that I am giving myself three gifts and making two resolutions as I enter into this holiday season AND the transition to a new year that seems to promise chaos and uncertainty.

The first gift I’m giving myself is a resolution to remember my strength and build it as much as possible. That means getting rid of things that are not helpful for my spiritual, mental or physical health: shame, self-hatred, perfectionism, resentments…perhaps you have your own list? Just as when I clean my closet Marie Kondo-style, clearing out what no longer serves me creates space for something else. My second gift is the gift of important conversations, including ones across difference. As I was reminded in a recent interchange—that doesn’t mean I won’t make mistakes, and still I am venturing in. Even if I am not always skilled at them, I want the most information and community.

Which leads to my third gift: the joy of the many moments of each day which it would be easy to miss in a swirling backdrop of divisiveness and chaos. I want to savor every instance of beauty, as people under duress have done throughout history, a known and critical strategy for survival.

And resolutions. My first resolution is to reconnect with my sustaining practices, including community. In these days, routines including nurturing times will be life-giving. I also resolve to keep learning, and not allow myself to be paralyzed by information that is designed to make me feel to powerless and overwhelmed. I am already invigorated by the materials for our new class on “Love-Centered Democracy” which starts in January. I continue to build my muscles to hold multiple truths in a world of divide and conquer designed to pit us against one another.

Love is the opposite of fear. I look forward to all the community we will create together in December.

In faith and perseverance, 

Rev. Leslie Takahashi

Rev. Leslie serves as Lead Minister and is best reached at leslie@mduuc.org or by phone. If you do not get a response, please let her know!

Schedule an appointment with Rev. Leslie through Calendly at https://calendly.com/revlesliemeet