2020 just keeps coming, right?! From a global pandemic, murder hornets, police violence, Black Lives Matter Protests, the upcoming election, virtual school, & cancelled events, we are surrounded by stress & negativity.
BUT . . . I’ve seen a lot of beauty too. I’ve seen priorities shift, a reconnection to each other, & a new thirst for dance. So in order to close out the year strong & hopefully provide some stress relief, I’ve compiled a new series of stories describing the beauty of 2020. I hope that each story will bring a little warmth to your heart & smile to your face.
We’ve made it this far. We got this!
For now, we might as well see the beauty & dance in the rain.
Much Love,
Charlotte
PS Here’s a favorite quote from Fr. Richard Hendrick, (March 13th 2020)
Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death.
But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise, You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet, The sky is no longer thick with fumes But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi: People are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are. To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that:
Yes there is fear. But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying. But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness. But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death. But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square,
Sing.