And now a reflection on the week:
One of the striking, intriguing aspects of the traditional Yin/Yang symbol is, as you notice, a spot of light in the midst of the portion of the sphere of darkness and a spot of darkness in the center of the portion of light.
In the Christian tradition, some of you probably are familiar with St. Paul’s insight. “Where sin abounds, there much more grace abounds.” Paul’s referring to perspectives about the contrast of co-existing experiences in our lives. Leonard Cohen echoed the same observation in a famous musical lyric he wrote a few decades ago: “The crack is where the light comes in.”
For those of us who have been battling the cold, freezing weather and in lingering levels of discouragement and despair over COVID-19 and impeachment politics, a most remarkable event happened this week here in Marquette. Those of us first witnessed it this past Wednesday at the Park. A solid sheet of clear ice covered, for the first time in memory, the downtown harbor. Children and folks from all walks of life brought their ice skates. And once again, this afternoon, on Valentine’s Day, our downtown harbor bay was filled with the joy of children as they slid across the ice and scrambled about under the arches of the abandoned historic ore dock.
Diana commented to me as we wandered over the ice, “Look what is happening. Our community has come out in the midst of this cold and is creating a festival!” She was right. The excitement, the joy was palpable. Though the temperature was bitter cold, the afternoon’s sun was shining brightly. Hope hung in the air. The resilience of the human spirit was on display!
Hard times. Dark times. But remember the wisdom of the yin/yang symbol and the writing of St. Paul of Tarsus. There will be signs. During the toughest of times for each of us, be ready. Have confidence. When the pandemic is over and our economy stumbles back into some kind of balance once again, we’ll certainly recall the difficulties we endured. But some of us will also remember this afternoon, down at the harbor with the dozens of children at play. I’ve lived here as a youth, then returned as an adult. A total of 40 years. There’s been nothing quite like it here in Marquette, I think, for a century 😇, if ever.
This way of living and hoping, knowing life can be hard, but looking for the light in the midst of darkness is something that the Navaho call “The Beauty Way.” And the good news is, friends, – we’re all invited.
Peace and Grace
Jon
The Cedar Tree Institute
With greetings from Diana
A deep thank you for those of you who have chosen, thus far, during this series to make a contribution to the ongoing work and projects of the Cedar Tree Institute! Remember, there is no obligation or any expectation involved for the Institute’s zoom series or Wednesday evening outdoor Tai Chi classes. This is a gift!
As I’ve written earlier, these months (the second year of the global pandemic), the Institute is honoring the tradition of “Dana” (Dhana), the practice of “a generous heart.” Under ordinary circumstances, income from our Tai Chi classes support the Institute’s summer tree planting projects with at-risk youth and assist in supporting training programs for hospice staff and workers.
Just in case there may be a few others of you new to our series or who may be interested in supporting our outreach, you can make a donation online by using the “Donate Now” button above. If you would rather send a check, you can address and mail it to The Cedar Tree Institute, 403 E Michigan St., Marquette, Michigan.
