“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.” ~  Rabindranath Tagore.

My father has been haunting my dreams recently.  In fact, just this morning I said those exact words in my dreams.  Well not exactly, I said my father has been haunting me.  Because dreams are weird.  They can feel so real at times, even when the most unreal things seem to be happening! Unfortunately, although I have had dreams that seem exactly like the plot to a movie, if I have ever tried to retell the plot, or even write it down (could make a great novel!), something gets lost in translation.  I definitely can see the eyes glazing over of anyone I try to share it with!

Even though there are websites dedicated to dream interpretation, I have never been able to find one that satisfies me, or gives me the winning lotto numbers, which would be even better.  Most of the time I can hear some imaginary psychiatrist tugging on his beard and asking: ‘But what does that mean to you?’ Like Tarot card readings, we can interpret things on many different levels.  For example, the card which signifies death could be meaning death of a way of life, or the end of a relationship or job, not an actual death.  In Jamaican folklore dreaming of a wedding means that a death is imminent.  And to dream of fish? Someone is pregnant! So dreams are not reliable foretellers of fate.  They are, however, interesting insights into the workings of a brain as it sorts through images and memories of the day’s activities, combining snatches of current affairs with your own imaginary worries.

There is a word which has only come into being in our current technological (smart phone) era: Doomscrolling.  Sidebar. We have recently been listening (audio books make great companions on road trips, and can be borrowed from your local library for free!) to an excellent book by the Jamaican author Diana McCauley.  I am a little distracted by the accent of the narrator, who is obviously not Jamaican, but she puts out a great effort! Anyway, in the story, the protagonist (Miss Pauline, an almost centenarian) is struggling to learn to use a smart phone.  Terms like texting, blocking, internet drop out, all sound like a foreign language to her! But back to doomscrolling: many of us (especially in these times) find ourselves scrolling down pages of distressing and depressing stories (they could be factual, actual news, or perhaps not) seeing nothing but doom and gloom.  No wonder we end up dreaming about martial law and landslides!

Although it is unquestionable that some very bad things are happening across the US at the present time, we need to be sure we are maintaining balance for our own health’s sake.  We need to be informed of the possible threats to our wellbeing, which seem to be being attacked on many different fronts, and take steps to ensure that we are prepared (like before a hurricane).  But at the same time we need to make sure not to go so far into paranoia that we are filling our home up with toilet paper all over again! There is a line in an excellent distraction, the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel that says something like: It will all work out in the end. And if it’s not worked out, then it’s not the end! 

While there are terribly concerning things happening, such as the dismantling of government systems that many people rely on; the slashing of research funding which will have real world impact on many fighting cancer or Alzheimer’s disease; the fear that our personal data has already been sold to the highest bidder; the roller coaster economic policies that threaten our financial security; the whitewashing of history to remove the stories of American heroes (of all colors and genders); need I go on? At the same time there are glimmers of hope that at least one of the branches of government will hold people accountable and call out those who are breaking the law and challenging the Constitution.

One of the beautiful things about life is the ability to see things from more than one point of view.  On the one hand, we are being challenged every day by news of a disturbing nature.  On the other, we are learning legal terms like ‘habeas corpus’ which literally means to have the body! In practice, it is the term which indicates that everyone (yes, everyone) has the right to due process, to be brought before a judge before action is taken against an alleged crime.  We have long held on to the belief that in this country, you must be presumed innocent until evidence is provided to the contrary. We have seen too many images of masked men and women, armed to the teeth, walking up to people on the street (or at their interview for naturalization) and, without even identifying themselves or declaring charges, handcuffing and detaining students; legal residents.  This is against the law. 

Yesterday an Appeals Court Judge (one appointed by Reagan) rebuked the administration’s actions in ignoring the Supreme Court’s enjoinder to ‘facilitate’ the return of Abrego Garcia.  In addressing the fact that the administration has omitted to give due process to any of the detainees sent to what has been described as a mega-prison with extremely harsh conditions, Judge Wilkinson stated: “This should be shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear”.  So, dear readers, although we are right to be shocked, appalled, dismayed and concerned regarding all we are seeing, we also can hold onto the glimmers of light that are appearing.  Slowly, slowly, there is a growing feeling that both ordinary citizens and those with the power to hold the country firm, may be able to make a difference.

I joked to my daughter recently that I had given up spending for the duration.  We may be called upon to join (or support) protest marches; boycott our favorite shopping sites; sign petitions; support legal organizations that are fighting illegal and unconstitutional actions in the courts; call our representatives repeatedly; all of these acts have consequences.  We are not without power! Sometimes we are too close to something to see the outcome, and although it is not assured, we have to have faith that democracy will prevail.

In my dream this morning, a paper that I was copying floated to the ground.  Instead of the form I was expecting, it was sheet music, of a hymn, which is why I said ‘my father is haunting me’, my father the minister, the faithful servant.  He was once asked if he wasn’t worried that the end of the world was at hand (this was more than fifty years ago).  His answer? “I am selfish enough to hope that it doesn’t come before my children and grandchildren can live their lives”.  He was not a panicker, he did not believe in hysterics, he had a faith, an anchor, that kept his soul ‘steadfast and firm while the billows roll’. 

This Friday morning I am reminded to hold on to that faith that it will all work out in the end.  If we keep holding each other up; supporting those who need our help; sharing our stories so that we give each other hope and comfort; we will make it through to the other side.  And if you need to, turn off the TV, put away the phone, take a walk outside and notice that the natural world is ticking away regardless.

Have a wonderful weekend, Family!

One Love!

Namaste.