In the midst of gathering darkness, light becomes more evident.
BONNIE BOSTROM

I love today’s quote and as a new Daily Question hadn’t arrived in my inbox when I began writing this, I’m going to reflect today on darkness and light.

Through the study and practice of Goethe’s Theory of Colour and the use of a prism, I have seen how the meeting place of darkness and light gives rise to the visible spectrum of light – colour. I envisage how the tiniest light in a huge dark cave could not be extinguished by the darkness around it.

When the world is darkest and its cruelty, greed and inhumanity seem to be overwhelmingly in the ascendant, it is my responsibility to bring light wherever and whenever I can. There is a wonderful quote (with numerous citations as to its source): “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” I would say it is not only better – it is essential.

Yesterday some of the pandemic restrictions were lifted and I can once again leave my county (Tipperary). My daughter and her children live elsewhere in Ireland. But I don’t feel comfortable going to their home due to their lack of social distancing etc. And they are Muslims, so Christmas is not a celebration there – although the little girls got into it somewhat last year when my son joined us from Switzerland! I told them then that we were celebrating a Festival of Light and that was accepted.

So instead, we are meeting today at Lough Gur, the largest circle of Neolithic standing stones in Ireland. I haven’t been to this one before, but I know from visiting others of their importance to the times of the solstices and the sun’s piercing of the darkness. And in two days time the winter solstice will be here.

So I will endeavour today to manifest light and colour in a dark time. No dark clothes (except for my wellies!) and with a smile full of light and love and gratefulness.

I found this site and this way of living on Easter Sunday of this wonderful year. Without the transformative power I have found with my new way of thinking, I would indubitably be complaining about all the losses occasioned by the pandemic. Instead I have found deep veins of courage and resilience, forgiveness and acceptance. Adopting and embodying the phrase that I learned from the teachings of Brother David Steindl-Rast – “I am not grateful because I’m happy, I’m happy because I am grateful” – has improved my life immeasurably. Blessings to all of the wonderful contributors and staff who have made gratefulness a living being for me today.

The difficult truth is that I don’t like sharing my difficult truths. But I know there is healing in doing so as I frequently listen to them from others, and reading today’s posts has helped me realise this.

I can listen without judgement but am afraid of others judging me. By accepting this I have gained more self-knowledge and can attempt to dispel this baseless fear.

And today’s other difficult truth is that my relationship of 5 years is coming to an end. I’ve been vacillating – but with a clear and firm decision, I WILL SURVIVE!

I can offer my thanks to all who post on this site. I haven’t posted for a while, but I do read this page every day to cherish the love that is evident among a group of strangers. (I’m assuming a bit there…maybe some do know each other! But I’m pretty sure most do not.)

Your wisdom inspires me and reminds me to be grateful for all that has been given, all that has been taken away and all I have left.

I wish a wonderful day to all who are celebrating Thanksgiving – and all who are celebrating thanksgiving. (Capital ‘T’, small ‘t’!)

Blessings on you all.

The people of the USA need my compassion right now. The fear for the future, the divisiveness, is palpable in everything I read.

I lived there for 15 months, thereby fulfilling my childhood dreams, and have visited on numerous occasions and most of the states. I love the country and I love the people. It is heart breaking that today I wrote to someone to say how grateful I am not to be living there now.

I can show my compassion by sending my prayers and my love. May the next few days see a return to unity and kindness. Blessings.

Thank you all for your comments. Well it was a pilgrimage – of sorts!

A (presumably) local family had set up a rinky-dink Christmas tree in the centre of the sacred circle and returned while we were there to decorate it! So the mood I had anticipated most certainly wasn’t there, but we had fun about the irony of it all. Especially as I was discussing it with my daughter the Muslim! Think I’ll try for the summer solstice next time!

I hope you make it to Ireland some day, Howie. Let me now when you’re coming and I’ll show you some of the magical places. And there are a lot! (The invitation stands for all of you wonderful folks on this site.)

I always loved Advent too – especially the music connected with it There are some beautiful carols.

Blessings to all!

I just bought The Call of the Wild a couple of days ago for my granddaughters and hope they will love it as much as you and I both do. I also this week read London’s short story, The Minions of Midas, having been inspired to do so by the contemporary adaptation on Netflix. What a writer! And I’m with you all the way on the understanding gleaned from the classics.

In the ‘good old days’ of air travel, I would always take a Dickens’ book for the absorbing story, the humour and the psychological insights provided by the fantastic characters. He died 150 years ago but, for me, the truths in his books are timeless. I’ll never tire of rereading them and they are a source of solace.

And I have to give a shoutout to Trollope too! Augustus Melmotte in The Way We Live Now is alive and only too well. Sadly, financial scandals are perennial.

My goodness, Lioness – you certainly have a lot to deal with. Your young nieces, too, are dealing with such a loss. Hopefully their virus experience will be short-lived and you don’t succumb too.

But they are fortunate that they have a Lioness for an aunt! And she is wise enough to know that she must care for herself so that she can care for them. I hope they are reciprocating the love and care you are providing and that you can all find at least a moment or two every day to laugh. Even black humour helps. Blessings