Inspiration for hard times is a fitting theme for our current world situation!
I love the word Autumn…it just sings to me of the richness of the season: the colours – golds, crimsons, the subtler ochres and soft russets; the sounds – the wild geese, the acorns and chestnuts cracking underfoot, the rustle of leaves. Oh, and the smells and the quality of the air! Autumn is definitely my favourite time of year!
For those interested in the way the earth turns, here’s EarthSky on the September Equinox. The EarthSky site offers lots of cool, starry stuff! Scroll down a bit to find signs of Equinox in Nature and some lovely Equinox images.
I offer the following piece by Howard Zinn, about hope in hard times, as inspiration for this time and season:
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.
What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.
And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
This autumn, let us hold all those struggling and suffering with the devastating events and aftermath of war, terrorism, hunger, loss, uncertainty, as well as the disastrous effects of climate chaos, unprecedented storms, fires, floods, and more. May we all experience healing, inner and outer, find courage to speak out for what matters, and is important to us, find the resources to live with peace, gratitude, generosity, and compassion in these challenging times.
Abundant autumn blessings, encouragement and love, and active hope for positive outcomes in the important elections to come,
If you would like to delve further into how hope can help us in such times as these, here are some resources:
Active Hope. a book by Johanna Macy, about finding, and offering, our best response when facing concerns about our world situation.
Hope is a Verb. an inspiring podcast by Angus Harvey, of Fix the News
Hope is a Verb: Six Steps to Radical Optimist When the World Seems Broken, a book by Emily Ehlers
PSS As a bonus, September 21 is World Gratitude Day! How perfect!
Some posts relevant for these times:
Do a Little Bit of Good On an inspirational quote from Desmond Tutu about doing good…very fitting, even inspiring, for our current times.
What Are We Living: Fear or Hope? An essay tackling this thorny question, and offering perspectives and resources for your consideration.
Stonehenge at Autumn Equinox.
What wonders our precious world contains!
Jill Schroder is the author of BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity. BECOMING is an invitation for self-reflection, and to mine our memorable moments for insights, meaning, and growth. Check the website for a sample chapter or see the reviews to get a flavor for the volume. Your feedback, forwards, tweets, and likes are most welcome.
