Welcome to March, 2025! I find it helpful to orient ourselves with the calendar, in a time of escalating chaotic change. We can stop and take stock of our own well-being, recognize and reinforce stability, find spiritual direction--even in a season of political turbulence. One thing to consider is conquering the mesmerizing pull of repetitive 'sensational' news. Take a meditation break.
After a week of jarring news, I remembered this year March begins Ramadan, a Holy mouth of fasting, spiritual reflection, and devotion for Muslims around the world. I am not Muslim, but the power of almost 2 billion Muslims attuned to their Holy month, brings a deepening spiritual energy to the world, when we welcome it with respect. March holds the promise of the renewal of spring. If you have fallen away from a meditation practice, this is a great month to renew your spiritual life, or extend it in deepening practice.
Also, last Friday, at the end of February, was Rare Disease Day. As a psychiatrist, I remain an advocate for Rare Disease research, because such research opens doors to new ways of understanding variance, genetics, adaptation and healing. Medical conferences on Rare Disease will continue this month and beyond. I flag this as simply one example of the larger activity of life. It's easy to miss a vast field of Good happening in the world, beyond dramatic flashing news.
Friday night, when I put down my news-scrolling phone to sit in meditation, a line from Larry Morris burst into my mind. "When things go wrong, don't go with them". That is really my message for you this week. I thought of last Sunday, when for unexplained reasons, the Zoom link for my talk just didn't work. That had never happened before. My link, the scheduled meeting link, and all the links for those on the email list matched, but Zoom did not recognize it. Luckily I had the expertise of family on hand that took over with positive attitudes, rerouted the meeting, set up a new link and emailed immediately the entire list, while I was still processing "what's wrong!" Several of you managed to connect a 1/2 hr. later and we "went right". My apologies to those who were not able to attend. The glitch, though, has brought new ideas and needed adjustments to Hillside's platform. I'll let you know, as things unfold. Larry continued his thoughts with the idea of "If things are well, let them get better". (link below). Paraphrased from the I Ching, the best way to fight the harmful, is to make energetic progress in the good. (Susan Nettleton)
You can find further inspiration and insight on our website, hillsidesource.com. If you want to be on our mailing list, send your request to either the contact page on the website, or email us at hillsideew@aol.com.
Larry: https://hillsidesource.com/.../if-things-are-well-let... for poetry: https://moniquemartineau.com/.../Do_It_Anyway_by_Mother... https://wordsfortheyear.com/.../for-one-who-is-exhausted.../