Memorial Day is rooted in the national honoring of US military who died in service to America and that remains its focus. Over the years though, the weekend has expanded in different areas as an opportunity to recognize other sacrifice to the greater good for those who have died in service to society in other ways. Yet this Memorial weekend brings the news of another mass shooting with more tragedy and cultural divide to this country. The murders of so many young children and heroic educators casts a deep shadow of grief and loss which simply cannot be understood or explained away or ignored. No one is able to emotionally process or even absorb the impact of immense tragedies like war and mass murder in the time span that society often demands; to pick up, regroup, carry on, or to take immediate action to "make things right". It is not possible. Raw hearts must find some solace first.
Today, follow the pull of whatever brings you personal peace and comfort. Then consider the quotes below that sum up my own spiritual approach to moving forward in the face of tragedy:
A New Thought maxim, "Don't fight the dark, turn on the light."
From the I Ching (Richard Wilhelm translation),
"...the best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good."
Robert Pirsig (reference to Plato's "Phaedrus" (dialogue with Socrates):
"And what is good, Phaedrus, and what is not good. Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?"
There is wisdom and intelligence within each of us. We have within us, right at hand, a directive toward the good. This is a time to listen, You have your part, your way to feed the light and progress the good. (Susan Nettleton)
For poetic reflections, follow the links below.