A young friend took his own life. Another friend’s life was cut short by that which plagues us. Another death. Another. And another. The sad news comes wave after relentless wave. As much as I like to highlight the positive, it seems irresponsible not to acknowledge the challenge of simply keeping one’s head above the water of despair. Where is help? Where is the hand to pull us to safety? We. We are the help. We have to be the help. There is no one else. We have to put aside our differences and, together, build a sea wall as a buffer from the incessant pain.  We need one another.

Have you ever watched a dog circle around and around before settling in with a plop? Once settled, the creature will survey the surroundings as if to say, “I know this place. I’ll keep watch. It’s a good place,” before resting their head on their paw with a contented sigh.

I think about this as I circle, in my human way, and settle in for the Winter. This is the 5th weekend in a row that I have been home. It’s hunting season. Hiking and camping are off-limits for now. I have to get used to being home again. I renew my commitment to routine. I begin and end my day with meditation. Daily yoga keeps my body moving. Nutrition moves to the forefront and I am learning all I can about investing. YouTube might be as good as college, I think, as I squint at my remaining student loan debt. Ha. This is what I am doing for the Winter.

Like my home life, my practice settles and relationships have the opportunity to deepen. Conversations shift away from “What are you doing this weekend?” to “What are you working on?” I schedule extra time to connect.

I am reading a lovely translation of the Tao Te Ching by Ursula Le Guin.

“Heaven and Earth
Act as a bellows.
Empty yet structured,
It moves, inexhaustibly giving.”

These words have captured my imagination and inspire me daily.

A bellows encourages a spark to flame by introducing air. What would happen if we could help discover a tiny spark of hope in one another and flame the fire to life? That is giving! What a worthy goal! A bellows could also be the breath. Perhaps simply existing is giving. Maybe our job is solely to be. This is the Yin and the Yang.

Today I was the bellows that encouraged hope as well as the recipient of encouragement from a fellow human bellows. The exchange was significant. Maybe tomorrow we will simply be. That will be significant as well.

Suddenly, I feel like the dog that just settled in. Despite a very challenging week, there is hope. I am familiar with this place. I can keep watch in my own way. It’s a good place.

Contented sigh.