Reentering Life (Again)

Once again we find ourselves reentering into many aspects of life which have been inaccessible during these COVID times.  We know the joys that this engenders—and also, some fear.

We may find ourselves a little more wary this time, some part of our heart may be asking whether this is really for real, the way a pup may grow distrustful if a treat is offered and then withdrawn.  Can we trust the world which has given and taken away, given and taken away in so many ways in these last years?  Our heads want to say yes—and our hearts may be a little more dubious.

This is where the words of Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron may be of use. She reminds us that in the teachings of this tradition, we must enter in whole-heartedly even if we do not know if everything will come to fruition. This teaching seems so apt to me in so many aspects of our lives together. We need to continue to believe in peace-making, even when the world is seeing war. We must continue to make the choices that will mitigate climate change even if we are not sure that they will be enough to alter the course. We must continue to build community as we can and to take advantage of these times of connection, even if we are not sure that we won’t, once again, be asked to pull back. 

We can be faithful without the promise of fruition, dedicated without knowing if we will see the ends of our labors, embracers of joy even though we know sorrow is far from banished in the world.  In this way, we do what we can.

So on this beautiful season, may you take in both life’s joys and its sorrows.