We are living in very challenging times. And in the face of all the hard and frightening winds which are swirling around us I have sometimes (often) found myself overwhelmed and frozen with fear and uncertainty. But I am slowly (perhaps too slowly) beginning to discover what is mine to do. I know that there is much to be done, and I know that none of can do it all. But the good news is that none of us are called to do it all. That is the wonder and the power of community. We are in it together. Each of us has something we can contribute and together we can be a force to be reckoned with – a force that can transform the world. I don’t yet know all that is mine to do, but I do know at one thing I feel called to share. One of the gifts I have been given is the ability to pay attention and notice beauty, and play with it is such a way that I can share it with others. Glimpses of beauty that hold at least a chance of inspiring a sense of awe and wonder – what one of my favorite singer/songwriters (Carrie Newcomer) refers to as “leaving a light in the window” shining out into the darkness. It reminds me (and hopefully you as well) that there is still beauty, awe, and wonder in the world, and that is worth remembering in these days. I would invite you to refrain from scolding me for not doing more, or downplaying the value of such sharing it. I am, in this moment, doing something that I know I can do, and I am also discerning what else might be mine to do. My path will not be your path, but together we can and will make a difference.

That being said, I share this tiny glimpse of beauty that I came across this afternoon while walking in the woods with a friend. Spring is just now finding its way to this part of the world where I live and there’s not much color yet. But there they were, in the midst of a great deal of brown, shining forth their glorious beauty. They were small but mighty. And I was fortunate enough to notice. May we each pay attention, notice what shows up, and share it when we can, each in our own ways.