Like it was for many, last night and this morning were rough. Although some people may be celebrating, many are suffering. One of my default responses to what I view as bad things in the world including the election of a man who is sexist, racist, a convicted rapist, a multiple felon who recently publicly pantomimed an act of oral sex with a microphone, and who promised revenge to many people as an authoritarian president is anger. Last night I was pissed and felt hateful.
When growing up, my mother had a rule in our house. We could not use the word hate. She insisted. Amongst my many awakenings and rushes of violent thoughts, I felt the hate.
We have many historical and current names for the great divider. Lucifer and Satan come to mind. After all, what is the demonic, if not the stoking and spread of hateful thoughts and actions? Those thoughts gave me pause. At the same time, we need to find the right times and places and spaces for love. After all, what is the spiritual, if not the stoking and spread of loving thoughts and actions?
I wish for you, the time and space you need for dealing with your painful emotions as well as the opportunity to build a more positive future, together. But the afterglow continues. Being at a wedding, it was hard not to think of my mother.
(mh=R0oRAryiTE2mKRvL)1.jpg "Prostitutes in Missoula")
She loved weddings and always wished for everyone to find love. My sisters had similar thoughts. We reminisced and projected my mother into the scene of my nephew marrying an Asian Indian woman in a Hindu ceremony.
