Another year winds down as many prepare to celebrate the holidays of their choice. What a year it has been. As I look back I see many losses in our village, country and world. It often seemed that getting news of a death was becoming a weekly event. I do not think I shall ever erase from my mind and heart the now famous photograph of the tiny child survivor sitting in an ambulance terrified and alone after a local bombing. Our country and our world have been through so much. In so many ways, we are a world in grief.
With the media focus on this year’s painful and sad events, it is easy to forget the good in our world and in our lives. Yes, we need to know about all the evil, the destruction, the deaths and losses, but we must be careful to balance our awareness and exposure with the fact that there is also an incredible amount of goodness, beauty, love, generosity, kindness, joy and more. We cannot allow ourselves to get totally overwhelmed over the long haul by the tragedy in our lives and world.
I believe deeply in being aware of losses, in deeply owning our own pain and grief. We must do that or these will destroy us, buried alive as they will become. I also believe we must do all we can to heal our lives and our planet as we simultaneously seek out and steep ourselves in true joy, beauty, kindness and love. It is all about balance. If we find ourselves constantly drowning in loss, pain, destruction and fear, the energy and motivation we so desperately need to bring healing to our lives and planet will become lost and suffocated — drowning in our own tears. We can and must experience pain. It is our growing edge. It motivates us to improve our lives and it is unavoidable. We need to see it, feel it, acknowledge it, but we just cannot allow it to take total control of our lives, our energy, our motivation or our attitudes.
This is a month of looking back, of being present to both joy and pain, and of looking forward with hope and commitment to what matters in your lives. It is a month in many traditions to prepare for the birth of joy by looking quietly inside to our own souls, lives and choices.
I wish you the courage it takes to deal with and feel your own and others’ pain as you also seek out, create and steep yourselves in deep joy.
Remembering the Good in Our World and Lives
Events Calendar
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Calendar of Events
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Live Music: Acoustic Collective
Live Music: Acoustic Collective
Acoustic Collective performs covers of feel-good music from the '60’s and '70’s, music that people know and like to sing along with. Come join us!
donations for musicians gratefully accepted
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Bus Trip to Chicago With River Valley ARTS
Bus Trip to Chicago With River Valley ARTS
Travel in Badger Bus luxury to enjoy a day planned by you and your friends in the exciting city of Chicago. The cost of the trip is $99 per person. People under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. • The bus will leave at 7 a.m. from River Valley High…
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Mindfulness: Discussion and Practice
Mindfulness: Discussion and Practice
Every month on the third Saturday, either through Zoom or outside the library building, begin or deepen your mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is paying attention to one's thoughts, body sensations, emotions and surroundings without judgment. Mindfulness can be used for many reasons, from better physical health to better mental health to improved relationships with one's self…
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Live Music: Dark of the Moon Contra-Band
Live Music: Dark of the Moon Contra-Band
Dark of the Moon, a women's band based in Madison, plays traditional music from the British Isles, America, Scandinavia and other countries for dancing and listening. We specialize in music for contra-dancing, such as jigs and reels, and also play waltzes, polkas, schottisches, folk songs, Cajun, bluegrass, Klezmer, Mexican and other traditional music.
donations for musicians gratefully accepted
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Brown Church Spring Service
Brown Church Spring Service
The Friends of the Little Brown Church are hosting a spring service at the Brown Church. The church is located at 29864 Brown Church Dr., Lone Rock, WI 53556, at the intersection of Hwy 130 and Brown Church Dr. Pastor John Sumwalt will deliver the message, and a coffee hour will follow the service.
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