By various leaders in Monmouth County
I don’t need to tell you that it gets dark very early these days. By 4:30, usually, the sun is setting, and darkness is settling in. It is no accident that religions worldwide have celebrations of which the central theme is light. Hannukah, with its kindling of the menorah for eight nights; Christmas, with decorations and trees filled with light; and Diwali, the Hindu celebration during which clay lamps are lit outside the home. Kwanza also includes the kindling of lamps.
We are living in a time of physical darkness, but also spiritual, ethical, moral and emotional darkness. The world is consumed by the dark, whether it be through war, hatred, prejudice, violence or cruelty. The major faiths teach us an important and vital lesson. That we, no matter who we are, can bring light to the darkness. By acting with love, compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness, we can drive darkness from the world. As the revered Rabbi of the 17th century, Baal Shem Tov, declared, “from every human there rises a light”. Happy and light filled holidays to all.
Rabbi Douglas Sagal, D. D.
Rumson Jewish Center at Congregation B’nai Israel
CBI means Committed to Being Inclusive
“The Old Shall Become New and the New Shall Become Holy”
In the symphony of existence, each soul carries the profound potential to compose a harmonious melody of peace, love, and unity. By nurturing self-awareness, we unearth the power within us to embrace non-violence as a guiding principle. Our individual peace ripples into the world, transcending the boundaries of race, gender and religious affiliations, echoing the universal truth that kindness knows no creed. Let us embrace our unique essence, recognizing that our collective serenity weaves a tapestry of global harmony. Together, our choices, rooted in empathy and understanding, wield the transformative might to paint a world where differences are celebrated and unity prevails—a world where the symphony of peace resounds in every heart. Konscious Youth Development & Service (KYDS) believes that every human is born with the innate capacity to love unconditionally. We must return to our origins of Love.
BeYoutiFull!
Mychal Mills
Co-Creator
Transforming Youth, Schools & Communities through Holistic Practices!
Embodiment . Transformation . Awakening
Konscious.org | Support our Vision
“Live each day with Purpose. Live each moment with Presence.”
As many people, including many in the Middle East, begin their observance of Advent, a time of preparation for the Christmas season, it is not lost on me that heartbreaking levels of violence are continuing to unfold in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. As a priest, I am also aware of many individuals’ private pain, loss, and conflict that tends to boil over in the stress of the holiday season. In the midst of all this, how can we engage spiritual practices in a way that promotes health in ourselves, our families, and our communities? Something that has been front of mind for me lately is a moment I observed while I was serving as a chaplain at a state psychiatric facility. I overheard a colleague’s conversation with some of the patients we cared for. They were discussing relationships among the patients living in the locked unit. In such an environment, even minor disputes can boil over into serious conflict, and chaplains are often called on to help calm disputes. Sitting in a sunlit dayroom with a few patients, my colleague said something to the effect of “spirituality is like oil in your car—it keeps your emotions running smoothly. Or it’s like oil in a pan that helps different foods combine into a delicious meal instead of sticking to the pan and burning. Or it’s like lotion that heals the dry, rough spots on our skin.” Spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, attending a service or group at a place of worship, time spent in nature, and other positive practices not only help to protect us from negativity but they also help strengthen us into people who can transform negativity into peace, unity, and love. This holiday season, I hope you can find and lean into spiritual practices that uplift you so that you might also uplift those around you.
The Reverend Micah Cronin
Curate, St. George’s by the River
The antidote to this erosion of spirit is simple…. Remember and accept the reality that we are all part of a community and that we all — at some level – depend upon each other. However you may define your community – block, neighborhood, town, country, or planet — make a conscious effort to look first for the good and, in the process, you will relegate the differences to the proverbial “back burner.”
Make up your mind to find common ground in the good, take time to celebrate the good, find a way to advance the good being done by others and yourself at this time of year, and carry that mindset into the New Year….
Trust me – the good is there. It may be buried, and you may need to look past those differences to find it and bring it to the surface, but you’ll feel better for having done it, and we – the community of which we are all a part — will benefit from and appreciate your effort!
Best wishes for a happy and healthy Holiday Season and New Year….
Paul L. McEvil
Executive Director, Interfaith Neighbors
