The Wild Hunt (https://wildhunt.org/category/perspectives/opinion)
“It’s hard to feel hopeful in the face of so much violence and gaslighting,” writes Storm Faerywolf. “That is why it is important to periodically disconnect from the noise and reconnect with our inner natures. To “touch grass,” as the often-snarky internet memes suggest. Toward this end, let us apply our magic.”
What surprises me most about the reactions to Trump’s use of Arlington for political theater is the silence from religious and spiritual communities. While many individuals have voiced their opinions on social media — some with more nuance, others with a creative mix of four-letter words — there has been little to no response from religious organizations.
September exhales the last gasp of summer in the northern hemisphere while providing balance and a harvest of memories. This is the perfect month to reflect on what is around us, and what needs to be swept away.
To sacrifice takes courage. In our ethics, to put others or our values above the desires of the individual means to appeal to the better parts of our nature. How often do we teach our children or say to each other that we should “do the right thing”? How often do we applaud words or deeds that demonstrate this higher form of sacrifice precisely because it is so difficult for many people and it is not what most might do if we were in that same position.
I am often amazed by the way this country’s people have weathered the years since the 2016 election launched us further into the shadowlands of hatred, racism, misogyny, bigotry, and terror. I am equally amazed by how those years have weathered but not beaten us.
Over the past week, Democrats have giddily celebrated the ascension of Kamala Harris to the top of the ticket. That’s great, but it doesn’t deal with the issue of elderly leaders in this nation of ours. Maybe the tale of Egil Skallagrimsson, the Viking poet who lived to old age, has something to teach us here.
