A Season of Love
It’s that time of year again: trees are going up, lights are being hung, feasts are being planned, and a new year will soon be upon us. It’s also that time when we take our yearly vacation, to rest and recoup, before another year of work here at the Press. I can honestly say that I need that vacation more this year than I have most years in the past.
We seem to be living in a world where most everybody hates something or somebody else. We get out there, and we try to “fight the good fight”, and in the process, we find ourselves hardened; we find ourselves choosing sides, and then sticking to those sides with a vehemence that doesn’t much seem to care who gets caught in the crossfire of the generalizations that we throw seemingly out of necessity. In all our talk of trying to trump hate, we seem to find ourselves forgetting all about the one and only thing that can actually do that: love.
So, as I toddle off to my Yuletide vacation, I want to take a moment to urge everyone to really and very deeply ponder what that looks like, within the sphere of all of your social activism, as well as just getting along through life: really and very deeply ponder what love looks like. Take a moment to consider whether or not posting one more vehement meme is really going to fix things, or if maybe taking the time to make this world a slightly brighter place by posting a happy or bright meme instead might make a bigger difference. Instead of getting into yet another flamewar, think about what might happen if you contacted someone and just let them know you are there for them. What might that do? What kind of difference–even a small one–might you make in someone’s life today by doing the kind thing; the bright thing; the loving thing; the compassionate thing? And then go and actually do that thing. Stop fighting and start caring–genuinely and actively–just for one short season, and see what happens. It can’t hurt to try that, now, can it?
As for me and mine, we will be decorating trees and putting up villages, and spreading Yuletide cheer whenever and wherever we can. And we will also be practicing that kindness, that brightness, that loving, that compassion. Together, we can make a difference, but the keyword is together. There is no together when everyone is infighting, separating by labeling, and generalizing, and there never can be. And togetherness is the only hope we have; it’s the only hope there has ever been, when it comes to pretty much anything.
I hope your season is merry, but more than that, I hope it’s bright: full of wisdom, compassion, and love that will carry you onwards and upwards into the new year and beyond. Hug someone you love. Share a meal with someone in need. And most of all, spread love. Until next year…..
