Some questions I’ve been grappling with lately include:
Where do I go with the writing now that I’ve squeezed most of the pain from my system? Now that I’ve talked about it enough, and wrung myself out and let myself drip dry? Where do I go, now that I’ve over-tapped the creativity keg and it feels like the flow of ideas has slowed to a trickle?
Where do I go with the running now that I’ve completed a goal and literally exercised a demon? Now that I’ve accomplished something personally significant, and the motivation and “purpose” of my training has bid me farewell?
Where do I go with the sheer bitterness of this past year, the hard feelings I’ve harbored and the profound disappointment I’ve felt about our elected leaders, and the outrage I’ve expressed time and time again?
How do I move forward? How do I remember to be grateful, grounded, and generous in present moments, the only moments that actually count?
My answer this year, this Thanksgiving, is to let go of it.
All of it.
I will let go of the questions, the swirling storms brewing in my head, and simply pray.
Yes, I will pray.
I will close my eyes, still my thoughts, and whisper a healing prayer for humanity.
Here goes…
May we never feel alone, may we always have people to talk to, to share ideas with, to lend and receive comfort; may we always have a friend.
May we never go hungry, may we always have food on our table, and food in our belly; may we always have enough to share.
May we never go thirsty, may we always find a way to quench the dryness; may our parched and puckered mouths find relief.
May we never be cold, may we always have blankets and jackets and hats; may we also have gloves and good boots, and sweaters, and tights, and very thick socks.
May we never stop listening and learning, may we hear the point before making our own; may we wait and digest before countering with everything WE know.
May we never stop finding joy and delight; may we laugh until our bellies hurt, and tears stream down our faces.
May we never stop fighting the good fight, for what’s truly right; may we always champion the underdogs, with smaller voices, turning darkness into light.
May we always be heard, believed and encouraged; may our shared stories lift the veil that eclipses the truth.
May we always be seekers, doers, and problem solvers; may we find ways to be part of the solution.
May we practice kindness like religion; may compassion be the first thing we feel, even in the most difficult situations.
May our many prayers be answered; may all of our prayers upon prayers upon prayers for this troubled world be answered again and again.
May our words not be censored, or misconstrued, or stifled; may we always speak clearly, with conviction, and from the heart.
May our Constitutional Rights remain intact, even if they are amended; may we learn to accept amendments for the greater good and safety of all people.
May we explore renewable energy and slow down the human consumption currently killing our planet; may we work to put the excavation of fossil fuels secondary to environmentally sound options.
May we turn away from hatred, and rid ourselves from its suffocating grip; may we recognize it before it weaves its way into our lives and the lives of our children.
May our grief give way to fond, warm memories; may the recollection of special time spent with passed loved ones sustain us throughout our days.
May our physical health be our top priority; may our mental health be just as important.
May our innocence shine through our cynicism, our jaded life stories; may the goodness we were born with keep us happy and young inside.
May we always feel free from fear; may our fears never hold us back.
May we first look to humble ourselves, to be grateful, and ever-mindful; despite the raging world outside, may we feel stability and grace inside our own souls, for what else is there?
May peace be our collective dream; may prosperity be the byproduct of our quest for peace.
And may we find the kind of strength that comes from selfless love; may our strength come from how well we genuinely love others and how well we freely love (and forgive) ourselves.