The phrase “Winter of Discontent” is from the opening line of William Shakespeare’s Richard III.
While the weather in Michigan has been mild, by winter’s standards, that very mild weather is the impetus of discontent for some who live along the shores of Lake Michigan. The absence of an ice shelf, coupled with high water levels, has brought worry to some, and loss due to erosion to others. Special WSBT.com report: Dreams Swept Away.
In an email exchange about all of this with a friend, I wrote, “People lose money in investments or business ventures, and homes to fire or flood. To lose a home and the land and have insurance not cover the loss seems so much more difficult.”
I often recall the comment Barbara Brodsky made when I was grieving the removal of the tree on our property. I told Barbara how unskillful I felt, not being able to feel the everlasting peace as well as the sadness. She said kindly, “Who dies? What dies? Does the tree still live in your heart?” (See: Does the Tree Still Live in Your Heart?)
I cannot imagine the sense of loss the Smothers family is going through. It is my hope they have something to sustain their hearts. People often say they can go on because they have their loved ones.
How do you go on when it is your loved one you are grieving? “What dies? Who dies? Does your loved one still live in your heart?”
People often say they can go on because they have their health.
How do you go on when health is lost?
Today the corpse prayer by Jarem Sawatsky keeps cycling in my thoughts. (See: Corpse Prayer)
Corpse Prayer
Be not afraid.
I give thanks to god who created all things good.
In christ, all things hold together.
I am not entitled to life without death.
I embrace sacred life.
I embrace sacred death.
I embrace the growing and crumbling in between.
Smile at yourself in the silence…
~ Jarem Sawatsky
Everything about these words soothes my heart. Nothing about it soothes my mind. Perhaps minds are built for worry and hearts are built for love.
I hope you will appreciate a recent poem about all of this:
Out of our Heads!
Addicted to worry we’ve been
a feeling through which we can’t win
It’s not like the bliss
from a passionate kiss
It’s unlike the joy that flows
right under the tip of your nose
The chains of the free
this habitual worry
A robber of peace
and theft of our ease
Its time we move past
give up worry at last
Come sit under a tree
remember we truly are free
We’ll hear a bird sing
and enjoy every thing
The sun and the rain
the wind and the calm
Fretting won’t help
fear’s false alarm
Purveyors of doom
leave us no room
For the gifts of the day
life’s sending our way
Let’s make up our minds
give worry a shove
Out of our heads
do this instead—
live only from love!
Debra Basham 02-11-2020 (WC 133)
May all beings come to the end of suffering. We may never come to the end of loss, but perhaps we can live only from love.
