This Wednesday marks the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. Like so many of you, I vividly remember where I was that day and the feelings of shock and sadness that filled the days afterward. Yet, a new generation has grown up without personal memories of that tragic time—only hearing stories from family or seeing images on screens. They’ve inherited a world where uncertainty and violence are part of daily life.
No matter your age or experiences, it’s important to pause and reflect. Allow yourself the space to process any emotions that arise and tend to your well-being. Now, more than ever, we must cultivate our spiritual resilience. Take a moment to reconnect with what grounds you, to focus on the practices that bring you strength and hope.
Today, we face many stressors: the lasting impact of COVID, school violence, ongoing racism and discrimination, and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. These global and societal challenges often awaken past trauma and create new emotional wounds. It's completely normal to feel vulnerable, overwhelmed, or emotional during this time.
A MOMENT OF PEACE
In times like these, rituals can provide us with a sense of comfort and connection. They remind us of the small ways we can bring peace into our lives and, in turn, into the world around us.I invite you to light a candle, say a prayer, or engage in any practice that calms your heart.Together, we can hold space for healing and connection, beginning with ourselves. Let’s reflect on these words from Lao-Tse:
PRAYER FOR PEACE
If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.
—Lao-Tse
May this serve as a gentle reminder to prioritize your inner peace, even amidst the challenges of the outer world.
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With love and light,
Barbara