Diane Dreher

Unlike countries like France, Germany, England, and Spain, America was not founded on regional boundaries or nationalities but on a dream of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." And unless your ancestors were Native Americans or brought here as slaves, they came here as immigrants in search of that dream.

 

At the base of the Statue of Liberty, the poetic words of the writer Emma Lazarus proclaim:

 

                 "Give me your tired, your poor

                  Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. . . .

                  Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.

                  I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

 

As we begin this new year, despite the darkness and divisions of our times, we can each re-connect with that dream that endures as a shining light to guide us in the days ahead.

 

And you can pause to ask yourself, "What is the dream of freedom that can light my life today?

 

If you have a few moments now to connect with your dream, you can join me in this brief meditation.

• First close your eyes or shift them into a gentle downward gaze.
• Then breathe in, focusing on your heart and slowly breathe out. You can put your hand on your heart if you wish.
• Again, slowly breathe in and slowly breathe out.
• Breathing in, breathing out, feeling your shoulders relax, your mind becoming more peaceful.
• As you continue this slow heart-focused breathing, visualize the Statue of Liberty and ask yourself, "What dream of freedom is calling to me now?" 
• Take your time to listen, breathing into your heart, feeling a joyous connection to the greater oneness of life.
• The answer will come, now or later as a gentle message from your heart.
• When you're ready, gently open your eyes and return to the present moment.

 

I wish you joy in taking the first step in the direction of your dream.

 

Reference

Statue of Liberty photo. (2009, November 7). Dominique James. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dominiquejames/4621961395/ Creative Commons Attribution. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Statue_of_Liberty_-_4621961395.jpg

 

During the dark days of winter, many of us are feeling anxious and concerned about our future and our world. Yet in these times of darkness, political polarization, and uncertainty, we can still find ways to connect with the light and bring greater hope to our lives.

 

Years ago, in my college French class, I learned about Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who wrote Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince). Saint-Exupéry was a pilot. He wrote about how, when flying at night, he'd look up at the stars and then down at the lights of people in their homes below. He called the lights below him "les étoiles vivantes, living stars. Stars above and stars below. Each person was a living star. This inspiring image has stayed with me ever since.  

 

Today, these étoiles vivantes, these living stars,  are the people around us—our loved ones, friends, and neighbors. And when we connect, we can see the light in their eyes and they can see ours.

Many traditions remind us to connect with the light beyond the darkness. During the winter holidays, Catholics light Advent candles for the four weeks before Christmas. My Jewish friends light the candles of the menorah to celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah, and my African American neighbors light red, black, and green candles in late December in the cultural celebration of Kwanzaa.

 

Now, instead of surrendering to the darkness or rushing through our daily tasks, we can pause to look more deeply and discover new ways to connect with the light. We can experience:  

• The light of appreciation for the moments of beauty in the world around us.
• The light of gratitude, when we pause to give thanks for the daily blessings in our lives.
• The light of compassion, when we connect with each other with greater kindness and understanding.
• The light of self-compassion, when we extend this kindness to ourselves.
• The light of inspiration that can guide us on our path.
• And the light of awe and wonder as we look up at the stars.

This year, more than ever, when we face the darkness and distress of political conflict, polarization, and uncertainty, I invite you to connect more often with the light within and around you. For by connecting, we can increase the light to bring greater hope to our lives and our world.

_________________

Reference

Photograph: (2013). Michael J. Bennett. A starry night sky with a tree silhouette in the left corner. Wikimedia Creative Commons Attribution. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Night_Sky_Stars_Trees_02.jpg