Using smoke as part of cleansing and purification rituals is a tradition going back thousands of years in many cultures. While many people think of white sage bundles used by indigenous tribes in the American Southwest, this is only one of many ways smoke is used, from tobacco rituals in the Caribbean to burning joss sticks in Taoist traditions to the near-ubiquitous use of incense in Christian religions around the world.
With Pride events being held all across the world, this is a great month to focus on self-love and self-acceptance. This has been a big theme in my writing and meditation this year; many of us treat ourselves as an afterthought rather than a priority and say things to ourselves that we would never dream of saying to someone we love.
Almost everyone I know breathed a sigh of relief when 2020 was finally over. While the fact that it was 2021 didn’t magically change anything overnight (well, aside from the calendar), a lot of people felt that it was a much-needed new beginning and that better times were ahead.
I’m grateful that my kids have grown up in a time and place when being openly LBGTQ+ is more widely acceptable than it was when I was growing up. When I was in high school, “gay” was a common insult and being out was scary, dangerous, and almost completely unheard-of.
After a flurry of spring cleaning, I was starting to think that I would take a break – but it turns out that there’s no bad time for a fresh beginning. With summer upon us and a few milestones coming up, it feels good to wipe the slate clean and take on some new projects.
I’m not a person who thinks that everything happens for a reason, but I do believe very strongly that there’s a lesson we can take from anything that we encounter. Sometimes I need to
remind myself of this.
My family and I have been dealing with a very complicated and painful issue for a couple of years now.
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman
Many thanks to my friend and colleague Niko for posting this – it’s the perfect framing idea for this season.
