The View Up Here

Normally around this time, I do a wrap up of the year in my own life and estimation. Although I don't remember if I did one last year. Anyway, I'm resuming the tradition.  After spending the Christmas holiday with my family, I arrived home last night to find a pile of Christmas cards awaiting me in the mail box. I had anticipated this and was delighted to open cards from friends and family in other states as well as right here in Elmira. What I wasn't prepared for was a letter tucked into a card from my friend Fr. David, a Trappist in Utah. His letter held some sad news, including the death of their Guestmaster, lay brother Michael. Michael was my first contact at Holy Trinity Abbey, where I spent many a retreat weekend during my year in Salt Lake City, and we had quickly become friends. I will always remember his New Jersey baritone, "We all love you, honey. We're praying for you."  So last night after doing laundry and watering my plants, I made my ...

I don't do a lot with politics on this blog, but there are a few things I feel moved to say in this post-election, pre-Advent, almost-Thanksgiving season. Protesters are out in the streets with signs that declare "Not my president," while headlines blare "Trump's America." Here's a thought:  he is the president whether you like it or not. Be the light, be the love, don't leave it up to the president or anyone else. Will he do some damage to the country? Sure will. Just like every other president has done, some more overtly, some covertly. Will he do some good? Probably, just like even our worst presidents have done.  Do you have to like him? Of course not. But you do have to use your conscience and live your life according to the Law of Love -- well you don't HAVE to, but it really is the only way to a) keep your sanity, b) not alienate others, and instead c) educate with your life, love, and willingness to dialogue with others. Anot...

I think I'll have to stay away from Fb for awhile. The vitriol is still quite prevalent. I can't take it. Bernie Sanders' website posted this in response to Trump's election. Very well put: Sanders Statement on Trump Wednesday, November 9, 2016 BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 9 –  U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Wednesday after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States: “Donald Trump tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media.  People are tired of working longer hours for lower wages, of seeing decent paying jobs go to China and other low-wage countries, of billionaires not paying any federal income taxes and of not being able to afford a college education for their kids - all while the very rich become much richer.  “To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working f...

I know this isn't the most well-crafted piece I've ever written. I just need to get the thoughts out there. Thank you for reading. Trying to come up with a response to the election of Donald Trump as prez. It's not just about Trump, you see. It's about the backlash and the hate and the IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD and all the other negative feedback. I understand fully that people who voted for Hillary are in mourning. They feel that rights will be taken away from segments of our population, that healthcare will be decimated, that war will be inevitable. (I voted for neither of them, for my conscience would not allow it, and I live in a solidly Blue state anyway.) Trump's campaign was an ugly one. I'm no political scientist, nor do I play one on TV, but even a lay person like myself can see that people in this country have been unhappy and hurting for a very long time, and Trump keyed right into that. His inflammatory speeches and bold proclamations wh...