Knowing, Doing and Being for All that Is, Has Been and Will Be

In honor of Alex Pretti

It is 9 pm EST on Sunday. What do I have to say to you, dear reader?

Here in Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA, we are still under a severe ice storm warning and could lose power for days. We are somewhat prepared and hoping that this danger will pass. Many of us still have some trauma from the post-Hurricane Helene devastation of 2024.

Many people, including me, are grieving the loss of another person, Alex Pretti, a Veterans Administration nurse who ICE killed in Minnesota (photo above). We are grieving the chaos, corruption and unconstitutional actions of our federal administration. We are grieving their threats to Greenland, Denmark and others. We are grieving their attempts to undermine the United Nations and the international rules based order.

Wherever in the world you are, please contact your representatives and ask them to hold the US federal administration accountable to the US Constitution and to international law and demand policy changes. Whoever you are, please take care of your neighbors, especially the vulnerable. And please take care of yourself, your family and your friends, as you try to do what is needed at this moment in history and evolution.

At eighty-one-and-one-half, I am feeling my age these days. I am aware that everything and everyone falls apart and comes to an end. I am grieving losing three dear people - my brother, a close friend, and a cherished teacher. Another dear friend has begun cancer treatments. I am contemplating my own death, and am grateful for this life and for this present moment.

I am grieving disasters of climate, democracy and elderhood. May I accept impermanence, transformation and continuation as the truth about life. May you and I embody and catalyze truth and love in our lives and communities. May we acknowledge our interconnections with all beings and help relieve the suffering of all beings everywhere.

I am so grateful for family members and friends. I am grateful for the many people who care deeply about our country and world and are speaking out and taking peaceful actions. I am grateful for those who practice mindfulness and compassion and other practices of care for self and others.

As I type, I am aware that the power could go out at any moment. A few years ago, I did a lot of research on getting a whole house generator but didn’t get one. I now intend to do that. As I consider this, I think of the people living in Palestine. I think of all of the people around the world who cannot afford a whole house generator. Why should I have one when most people cannot?

At this very moment, I am not feeling very inspired, yet I want to reach out to you. Please forgive me. I need to rest and reflect. May you be happy!

So many thoughts and feelings.

May we each know, do and be all that we can for all that is, has been and will be.

May it be so.