Life on the Edge

Two days before Christmas and this cactus blooms. Out of a seemingly thorny and tough plant whose existence is shaped by an arid environment and extreme fluctuations in temperature from sweltering to freezing within the same day, this fragile trumpet of exquisite delicacy was born. Coming as it did at this time of year, this flowering causes me to wonder that if the Christmas message of "peace and goodwill to all" is to happen, it depends upon a certain willingness of people to remove themselves from their comfort zones somewhat, throw themselves more willingly into adverse conditions (albeit with a protective cloak of awareness) and, thereby, create the conditions necessary to blossom into love, compassion and forgiveness. Two neighbours are now locked in an argument over the felling of trees along a portion of road that is my driveway. There is justified pain and anguish for both parties. Having designed, surveyed, constructed and maintained this section of road for eleven years, even I was initially devastated by the visual, destructive impact. Now, though, I only want peace to descend upon this land. Now, though, I only know that for it to happen we must all be willing to sit with all our neighbours and talk openingly, face to face, of where we hurt. And listen. Only then, will the possibility of a lasting peace begin to unfold. Only then will the negative energies enveloping the land begin to dissipate into nothingness and cause no further destruction. Oh, it is so much easier to remain in anger and pain then to "face" the discomfort of being in dialogue to birth a natural justice. But try we must because not only does our individual health depend upon it, the whole world depends upon it. I offer another portion of a letter from Africa as a reminder of what can be accomplished through this approach. From Bev: "In these last months in Pretoria I have witnessed some very different lenses In the Tree of Life workshops. We have listened to the sort of stories that no one ever wants to hear: stories of pain and horror inflicted on Zimbabweans by fellow Zimbabweans. We have sat whilst grown men have cried at the hugeness of the torment experienced. Over the past few weeks we have witnessed stories of such courage, and hope and endurance of love and loyalties and friendship, that we have been awed and humbled  by the greatness of the human spirit; have watched it soar above the horizon and celebrate the stars.   We have watched people who have been separated and isolated by violence and intimidation, speaking of love and friendship forming networks of support, gathering their strength and moving before us, leading the way past the power of a dictator who has separated them with fear and gather together - a new gathering dream:   A home where we stand together in peace." ************** May this Christmas be the beginning of a flowering of peace for all living beings. In the New Year may we find the courage to move beyond fear and anger.