As new vaccines are being distributed and the first Americans begin receiving them, the hospitals in many states are at peak capacity with severely ill Covid-19 patients. Emotionally, we are confronted with a roller coaster of reactions: hope, relief, further fear and deeper grief. On a public health level, we must continue our prevention practices, staying at home as much as is possible and consistent with the community's mandates, while at the same time, we begin preparing for the vaccine process, by staying informed and open to our community's plan. Spiritually, the ground remains the same. That is the focal point I encourage you to stay with as winter unfolds.
We are both more tired and more experienced as the end of the year approaches. This is the time to lean on your experience, as well as cultivating times of necessary rest. The holidays, seen through the eyes of Holy Days, can be a source of strength and inner nourishment, when we view them that way. There is still an often buried ancient spiritual energy that runs through these weeks that can give us new momentum toward a new year. We can stop and turn to it. These Holy Days can also be holidays that provide needed distractions from the news and distractions from ourselves, when we turn our attention to how we choose to celebrate, who and how we connect, remembering past holidays and creating new memories that will become part of our history. Still, the spiritual ground remains the same.
Our understanding shifts. Our faith both wavers and strengthens. Our hearts question or drink deeply in times of comfort and inspiration. Still, the spiritual ground remains the same. These next weeks and in to Spring, we will walk this strange balance point between the raging Pandemic and the gift of vaccine. Recover the spiritual ground. Let it lead you. (Susan Nettleton)