A Day Early...

And a dollar to the good?

A day late and a dollar short is the usual saying so is it a dollar richer if you are early? Hmm...

Anyway...

I thought today was the solstice but it's tomorrow. I was all prepared to write a quick jaunt reflecting on how to chase away the darkness, like right now I'm sitting in a sunbeam writing while a Christmas playlist made by a friend runs in the background. The tree is plugged in with its pretty white lights. No decorations because...Tig...but pretty lights.

It's the last week of the busy holiday season. Shows, and dinners, and grocery shopping, and peopling and and and...then a break.

So today might not be the solstice like I thought but tomorrow I will be too busy to write so it's pretend solstice!

We've had massive rain and wind this week. From a really dark but very dry November to a really wet but warm December it's been an odd season so far. But the rains the past two weeks have been no joke. Which means trees are down, landslides have closed roads, power is out all over town. Dark is really dark when the power's out and you aren't sure if the road ahead is clear or if it even still exists.

And yeah, I know, it's a metaphor for these United States isn't it? It's as dark as I can remember it ever being. Like I studied the late 60s and early 70s in school (and technically I was alive...) but this seems so much worse.

I'm waiting for the shift. For that pendulum to swing again. For the spell to be over. For the fever to break. For the metaphors to metaphor to their completion.

And like I mentioned yesterday, I'm holding on to joy with both hands while I do it.

Yesterday I was listening to a podcast and something Rainn Wilson (yes, that Rainn Wilson) said struck me. (and I'm paraphrasing) The best evidence we have for people being good and optimistic is that when they imagine a god they imagine one that wants the best for them. Because we could imagine a totally malevolent being out there who just wants us to suffer.

I thought that was an interesting take on optimism. That if you believe in an all powerful being out there guiding everything, odds are you believe in one that loves you.

I also thought it was a lovely thought to apply to us all. That if we could all take the time to want the best for everyone and act accordingly the world would be a better place.

So for today (really tomorrow) as we face the darkest day of the year I wish for you the peace of knowing someone is on your side. Someone wants the best for you. Someone wants you to make it through this dark time and come back out in the light.

Be the light in the darkness and keep shining.