Dear friend,
There are intermittent crumpling explosions; mixed with voices and wailing sirens out on the high road. In the local park groups of people are setting off chinese gun powder, sending rockets into damp night air.
Bessie is still staying over. She’s curled up on the sofa. The explosions aren’t bothering her as much this year. I wonder if her hearing is less sensitive now her muzzle is showing signs of grey.
She still trots down the road like a prize fighter entering the ring at one of those huge stadium fights. It’s unreal sitting here thinking about the election taking place on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, listening to Bessies snores.
Soon millions of people will be waking to loss.
It’s going to be difficult. People are divided; angry, and beneath the anger scared about what will happen next.
An aggrieved frightened mind hardens; until it can see the world only as binary.
A hardened frightened mind, imagining enemies to be real, attacks in self defence.
Right or wrong.
Good or Bad.
This and never that.
But reality is subtle and deep; nuanced.
Full of paradox.
An open, peaceful loving mind is the basis for peace.
The work is the same for us all.
To stay away from judging others.
Being kind to them “out there” as to yourself.
Seek to build not burn bridges.
It does of course matter how badly wronged you have been.
It takes time to recover from trauma.
Being bullied or losing a loved one, or a job or the breakup of a relationship. Financial insecurity everywhere is putting a huge strain on people. Loss of community. Feeling like you don’t belong.
An uncertain future.
It’s all hard, difficult, scary stuff.
No wonder people crave certainty.
Over time you come to realise that you can forgive every thought that arises in your own mind. Slowly you see forgiveness reflected out there in your world.
We’ve no other options that will lead to peace.
So many Americans are people of faith.
All you need to do is contemplate the words of forgiveness Jesus spoke.
That would be enough for some.
They’re still lighting up the sky here.
In the morning there’ll be spent fireworks in the grass and in the gutters.
Wishing everyone in The States loving kindness.
Till tomorrow
Love
Mikey