For all of us who wish so deeply that the world might soon become less chaotic, less confusing, more comfortable for us, the world itself is the answer. It is nothing but complexity – the intertwining of every living thing – the interbeing of everything. It is not just a game of winners and losers, of “sides,” unless we accept that the sides are infinite in number. In this enormous and mostly incomprehensible complexity, we are still given our breath every day. An invitation to be alive, to keep going.
A few years ago, as I considered the world the way it was then – so much seemed so horrifying – I shared this poem from Mark Nepo as a prayer to begin a day.
“Every day, we are challenged to love what we’re given as much as what we want. We don’t have to like the things we’re given, but we need to find a way to accept them. And love is the surest way to deepen our acceptance. And so, we must stay devoted to getting up one more time than we fall down. To waking up one more time than we fall asleep. To being sensitive one more time than we are blunt and cumbersome. To listen one more time than we speak. To hold one more time than we drop what we’re holding. To aspire to be clear one more time than we are confused. To open one more time than we close. And to lean into life one more time than we are pushed away.”
Once again, may this be a prayer for us. To love complexity, plurality, intricacy, to not reduce life to what we want, but to find contentment in being part of its complex wholeness. The invitation is as huge, and as present today as in any time in our lives so far. May we have the courage, the humility and the boldness to accept its gifts, and our breath, and let the best Life has to offer find its way to live through us. See you Sunday!
