170) Hallowe'en, Ancestors, and War: One small way you can take action
For Hallowe’en this year, I decided to start a new tradition, in the spirit of Dia de los Muertos, a personal ritual of honouring my ancestors at midnight tonight, and welcoming them back into my life. I am humbled at their sacrifice and strength, and I am proud to have done my part in breaking the cycles of trauma, violence, and more trauma that result from such horrific experiences as war.
133) From Shitty-ness to Well-ness, Part 12: You are strong enough
If it’s been hard to read this, I’m sorry. But if it’s the truth, then it’s the truth.
This can change. You are strong enough. Your ancestors made sure of that.
73) Dear Ancestors,
Dear Ancestors, thank you for this chance you’ve given me, to live. For the songs you passed on. The babies you nursed at your breasts, taught to walk, and speak, and play, and fish, and build, and love, and read, and forgive. Thank you for your courage, the sacrifices you made in the wars of your time. The wisdom you discovered in silent meditation. The poems. The traditions, dances, beautiful creations of art and worship. Thank you for the recipes you passed down through generations of care-takers labouring over hot stoves, for the endless mouth-watering concoctions we coaxed from the abundance of water and soil and sunlight. Thank you for the luminaries who inspired all who came after, to strive for the Good, to love unto death.