SPIRIT OF THE CENTRAL COAST (#1)

Hope for the Light in the Midst of the Darkness of Uncertainty:

It this time of year, most of the world’s religions and spiritualities have celebrations connected with the Winter Solstice -- the shortest day and longest night of the Northern Hemispheric year. Be it Hanukkah, Christmas, Diwali (the Indian festival of light), Wiccan rebirthing ceremonies, etc., these celebrations all connote the coming of the light into the darkness all around us.

Of course, many spiritual teachers over the centuries have taught that darkness is as necessary as the light for human spiritual development and have pointed out that all light would be as difficult to take as all darkness. However, we humans crave the light as winter and the darkness descends. This year especially, we are looking for light. The growing economic and political problems, like the growing winter darkness, can no longer be ignored. Many are afraid, just as ancient humans were afraid, that the light will not come this time.

Being human, though, we must have hope. We haven’t the patience of our four-legged and winged friends to accept and live with what is given to them. We humans must look for the light. We must do something to hurry it along. We may build a cozy fire, light candles, decorate our homes -- all to show our faith in and hope for the future of this world and human kind.

This year especially, many of us have additional reason to hope that a new day is about to dawn. That this new year will be brighter and more filled with joy and opportunity than the old one. For many, just the idea of November’s historic election and the possibilities of the new American administration are enough to give hope. Pollsters tell us that many who did not vote for President-elect Obama are hopeful that he can do some important good for the nation and the world. So, even in the midst of severe job loss, stores and companies going out of business, homes empty and foreclosed upon, longer and longer lines at food kitchens all around us, we want to hope and plan for the new day.

It was said of former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt that “she would rather light one candle than curse the darkness.” She would rather take even a small positive step than be overcome by the tragedy around her. Let us emulate Mrs. Roosevelt. Let us understand that the darkness is part of life -- necessary for rebirth and new understanding. And then, let each light our candle of hope and service and hold it up high so that all might be warmed. Together, perhaps, as one world, our candles can join together to form that new day of which we all dream.