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Jan
8
YES, VIRGINIA THERE STILL IS A UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Filed Under America, American Patriotism, Blessings, Freedom, Gratitude, Happiness, Healing, Hope, New Year, Patriots, Peace, Tears, Tears of a Warrior, United States of America, Vote | Comments Off on YES, VIRGINIA THERE STILL IS A UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
By Janet J. Seahorn Ph.D.
It is the day after January 6, 2021 and I could not sleep no matter how hard I tried. The thoughts and experiences of this past year and then yesterday were way too vivid. Even though my family is in good health, the grief and turmoil that so many others have faced and continue to endure can be overwhelming. As a former teacher I worry greatly about all the children in our world and the adult issues they are facing only with the understanding of a young mind. It reminded me of the Christmas letter Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to The New York City Sun, a well read newspaper in 1897. This is my version as a result of a lack of sleep.
Dear Country,
I am an eight year old girl. Some of my friends say there is no longer a United States of America. They say that people are too divided and that we will never come together or agree on anything again. Since my parents state I can no longer rely on some newspapers or television people to tell me the truth I am asking that someone in our country, perhaps even our Supreme Court justices can give me an honest answer.
Yours truly, Virginia
Dear Virginia,
Your friends and even many adults are wrong. “They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical era.” They refuse to believe in truth, decency, and goodness even though they know in their hearts what is real or what is false. For some reason, Virginia, you and many of your friends are so much better at deciding truth and accepting each other for who you are rather than how much money you may have, what religion you belong to, or what political ideologies your parents adhere. Children don’t really care about these things as much as they care about kindness, compassion, and puppies. Many adults have lost their ability to ask questions, to seek what is genuine, to be brave in the challenge of uncertainty, and to trust in hope over fear. Most children are very smart at questioning everything, being brave, and trusting in things unseen like unicorns and angels.
Yes, Virginia, there is a United States of America. “It exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.” How discouraging and dangerous our world would be without a United United States of America. There would be no beacon of hope for other people in nations and countries without a strong democracy. There would be no faith that there exists in this world people and nations who value truth, integrity and acceptance of others and who believe all men and women are indeed created equal.
Not to believe in a United States of America would be giving up on peace, light and joy only to have us live in a world filled with hatred, doubt, and darkness. Not to believe in a United States of America would be to give up trying to understand others, only focus on the act of getting instead of giving. How sad it would be to stop forgiving and only hold on to bitterness. Not to believe in a United States of America would be to forget and dishonor the immense sacrifice so many men, women and families have given over countless wars so that we can be a country that honors the freedom to vote, the freedom to choose our leaders, and the freedom to honor our sacred commitment to equality.
Dear Virginia, in this world there is no greater gift than that of Freedom. No United United States of America would make sure we are no longer a truly great and strong country. No United States of America tells our enemies that we no longer care or stand for the ideals that our forefathers created in our Constitution. Most of all, no United States of America is totally unbearable because our country must always survive in order to ensure the best and most resilient life for you and your friends.
GOD bless you, Virginia, and GOD bless America.
Jul
26
THE RAINBOW CONNECTION
Filed Under Blessings, Coronavirus, Courage, COVID-19, Faith, Family, Grateful, Gratitude, Happiness, Healing, Hope, Peace, Tears, Tears of a Warrior, Tears of Joy, Veterans | Comments Off on THE RAINBOW CONNECTION
By Janet J. Seahorn, Ph.D.
How many of you remember the song, Rainbow Connection, by my favorite green frog, Mr. Kermit? In a time of necessary isolation and separation we need to work hard to find ways to connect to each other. Kermit’s song, Rainbow Connection, got me thinking about my own Rainbow Connection. Covid19 has attacked almost every part of our daily existence… our relationships, our jobs, our food sources, our medical care, schools – and the list seems endless. Struggling to maintain any semblance of our pre-covid lives can be exhausting. Grasping to stay attached to our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors can be an emotional combat zone.
During a storm the clouds gather, the skies darken, and often times the winds howl horrifically. Eventually rain falls, sometimes lightly and sometimes with the force of pelting water bullets that turn into huge hailstones. Yet, after the storm – if we are lucky and continue to look beyond the gale an amazing rainbow appears. The fractions of light bounce off each raindrop reflecting astonishing and breathtaking colors as a promise of the possibility for new beginning and fresh new starts.
Our tears can be a bit like these raindrops, but the various colors may only be seen in our own minds and hearts. We experience the colors of grief, of fear, loneliness and anxiety. However, there are also colors of hopefulness, courage, joy, love and clearer skies in the future. What lessons are we learning about each other? Ourselves? Are we able to see ALL of the rainbow or only a small part?
The other day I came across a quote by Haruki Murakami,
“When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
In the song, Kermit talks about being a Lover, a Dreamer, and Me… and the voices calling your name. Perhaps these new voices are what you hear after or even during the storm. Are you listening? There is magic in rainbows and we can, if we choose, linger under the glorious and colorful spell of its Vision. If we look for what may be on the other side, perhaps we can keep that Lover, that Dreamer in us and connect it to others. Perhaps we are that Rainbow Connection and we are a bit better after the storm than before we went into it.
Dec
18
Tears and Blessings
Filed Under American Patriotism, Bless Our Troops, Blessings, Christmas, Grace, Grateful, Gratitude, Holiday Season, Homeless, Human Rights, Military, Peace, PTSD, Tears, Tears of a Warrior | Comments Off on Tears and Blessings
By Janet J. Seahorn, Ph.D.
It is a week before Christmas. I absolutely love this time of year. I love the bright lights and colorful ornaments. I love the smells of fir trees and cookies baking in the oven. I love the music reminding me of angels watching overhead, bright tomorrows and Silent Nights, and, for me, the coming of Christ. I love the taste of hot cider, pumpkin pie, and a multitude of holiday fare. Most of all, I love sharing time with family and friends – the hugs of love ones, and even strangers. Smiles, handshakes, a soft touch on a shoulder of a person who may just need to know that someone cares.
Yet, with all the things I love about this season, every year I find myself feeling choked up with both gratitude and tears. Gratitude for all the blessings I have been given and sadness for those who have so little. Perhaps this is the melancholy holiday seasons generate. Perhaps I see the Grinch in many faces, faces that may be suffering deeply from pain, loss, or simple loneliness. Perhaps, more than any wish is one for peace. A wish for true kindness and compassion. A wish that brings all of us together, united in understanding and gentleness.
There is so much divisiveness this year in our world – a division that is tearing us apart and not just in our communities, our country, but the world. Love and compassion is what we have been taught from childhood. Let us not forget our early childhood lessons where we didn’t worry about what a person looked like, how much money they had, or what religion or political party they belonged. As small children, I believe we carried in our hearts the spiritual memory of where we came from.
Maybe this year, we can keep some tears from tumbling from our world’s eyes and hearts. Maybe this year we not only wish for peace on earth but emulate our prayers and wishes by doing what the Christmas song requests – Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me. And maybe, when we have thoughts that aren’t aligned with this peace, perhaps we can change our thoughts and be more compassionate. Maybe, when we look at that person in need and offer a smile, a cup of warm drink, or something to eat.
And maybe, just maybe, even this one small act of kindness will generate a bigger sense of peace within ourselves, our communities, and our world. And maybe, just maybe, we will become closer to the model of that child born so long ago on that cold night with a bright star shining above his manger.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Kwanza and blessing to all.
