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If we had no winter,
Spring would not
feel so pleasant.
Anne Bradstreet
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As the blooms of Spring remind us never to cut down what appears to be a dead tree in winter, each day brings us closer to the possibility of our lives returning to some new normal. Elizabeth Dias and Audra D. S. Burch in this weekend’s The New York Times took a look at how the past year has changed us. Excerpts from their piece Who We Are Now:
Everyone has a personal “before” and “after.” It has been a collective near death experience, for those lucky enough to survive. People have found themselves close to life’s deepest questions… Questions about how we live, how we suffer, and how we make meaning of our short time here on this earth. For some, facing trauma feels too hard. Others have found unexpected resilience and courage, rage or stillness. Transformation was forced on some, and for others it was chosen. For many, the suffering of this past year has birthed an awakening. The process of reflection is just beginning. Where it takes us remains to be seen. But the clarity that comes with intense suffering often clouds as time moves one. We have a window now to look at our lives anew. This is the story of how America is beginning that journey, in her own words.
This year has stripped me from so much, but it also allowed me to focus on and evaluate the big picture of my life. What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind? – Beca Bruder
I no longer have any clear trajectory, and I am learning to make peace with that. -GJ Hodson
When my husband died, I fought with God again “Why me?!” But afterward, I forgave him. I didn’t fight with him anymore. I just go on. If a job comes along and I get it, I say thank you. If he takes it away, I say ok. – Maria Judith Alvarez
I realized emotions can’t wait for another day. I’m calling my parents more and expressing my love and gratitude to them. -Vaneet Singh
I am not going to try to be polite anymore. I am going to become a less behaved, less likeable, ballsier, more outspoken, more dangerous woman. All these rules I had followed, these rules will not save me. -Aline Melto
This is what is driving me forward. There is nothing I can do about the stuff that burned up. I can look at this as the end of the world, apocalypse, but really our worlds all end when we die. And in the meantime, I am alive, I am still here, and what can I do about it? -Ramah Commanday
I like who I am becoming, I just haven’t fully met her yet. I don’t want to give 2020 credit, but I feel it put me on a conveyor belt to transformation that I wouldn’t have had without it. – Mary Fugate
I am falling back in love with myself: How I plan to live my life morning forward, no more doing for others what I do not want to do. I am centering my attention on the things that give me peace. – Jeffreen Hayes
Click on “Leave a Comment” (top left) to share how you’ve been fanning the flame of hope as we look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day and graduation of all kinds.
xoxox
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xoxox
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