Update from Kate
GREETINGS AND GOOD THOUGHTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Please Share Widely:
I, and perhaps many of you too, often approach the news with trepidation these days. Our national politics provides a roller coaster of anxiety, hope, and despair. Nearly every day brings news of dramatic climate and environmental impacts and alterations that greatly outpace predictions. The challenges for people, animals, and ecosystems around the world shock one's conscience. National and international resistance to young people’s calls for urgent climate action, and the threats to democracy, gaping inequities, and civic polarization in our nation and elsewhere can make us feel frustrated and hopeless.
Instead of giving in to all this, let’s change the frame. At our final 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting on December 17, I shared these thoughts about “Active Hope” from Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone:
Active Hope is not wishful thinking,
Active Hope is not waiting to be rescued ….
by some savior.
Active Hope is waking up to the beauty of life
on whose behalf we can act.
We belong to this world.
The web of life is calling us forth at this time.
We’ve come a long way and are here to play our part.
With Active Hope we realize that there are adventures in store,
strengths to discover, and comrades to link arms with.
Active Hope is a readiness to discover the strengths
in ourselves and in others;
a readiness to discover the reasons for hope
and the occasions for love.
A readiness to discover the size and strength of our hearts,
our quickness of mind, our steadiness of purpose,
our own authority, our love for life,
the liveliness of our curiosity,
the unsuspected deep well of patience and diligence,
the keenness of our senses, and our capacity to lead.
None of these can be discovered in an armchair or without risk.
May this holiday season bring joy, well-being, and hope to you, your family, and everyone in our community.
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