As I was reflecting on 2021 and the year ahead…the word hope came to mind. Instantly I was reminded of a self-development program I participated in almost 20 years ago where we were told, “There is no hope.” At the time, I totally bought it. I was a believer and a know-er. I didn’t need hope. It was certainly nothing I’d ever relied upon. It felt kinda like Yoda where he says, “There is no try, there is just do.” There is no hope…you just know or you don’t.
My world was pretty black and white back then. I agreed with them. There is no hope. Fuck hope. Forge through and create your own reality, bitches. That’s what I’d been doing all of my life. Fortunately for me, my super-powers have been recognizing truth, exposing falsehoods, and having faith in something greater than my physical self—even if it’s just my Higher Self.
I’ve also had a very strong inner knowing about things…my path…my mission in life…what my next steps were. I’d ponder, go within or in nature…my answers always came quickly and I’ve been blessed to never doubt that voice. I’ve taken bold steps forward towards whatever answers I’ve received no matter how crazy they appeared to those around me. I never “hoped” things would work out in my life—I just knew they would.
As I thought about this, an old scripture from somewhere came to mind—“…for some it is given to know, and for others it is given to believe on the words of another…” I’ve been blessed to always know—even in my darkest hours. But I’m clear now that is not everyone’s blessing—and it certainly wasn't mine this summer, either.
I found myself in a slump, wondering what it was all for? Why even move ahead with my purpose work and mission when the world is completely going to hell—seemingly beyond repair. Why will anyone care about spirituality, healthy relationships, politics, etc when they may not even have food to eat if things continue like this. So much craziness in the world, how would we ever be able to turn things around.
I found myself at a farmer’s market talking to a beautiful shine-y 80 year old man that had an heirloom tomato booth. I had a couple of amazing friends that showed up to remind me of who I am. And I got a clear download that my only job was to stay inspired. So I took that advice to heart and went back to work on my projects, but I was just going through the motions.
I decided to volunteer in that tomato garden. I wasn’t in that garden more than 5 minutes when I felt a palpable surge of what hope must feel like. It’s like the Light had returned to the building. It was someone’s back yard that my new friend had rented and had turned into the most beautifully organized rows and rows of tomatoes, basil, squash, cucumbers, blackberries, etc. In that moment, as I picked what seemed to be no end in sight to ripe, cherry tomatoes, the sun was peaking through a near by peach tree, there were a handful of happy people in the garden harvesting tomatoes, and all the bad news on CNN seemed to evaporate like a think fog at sunrise. This was real life. This garden community was the embodiment of hope, I thought. There were no signs of the bs being spouted on the tv here.
No gloom and doom, no death and destruction, no tyranny or antifa in sight. Just happy, healthy people, creating life from tiny seeds and harvesting the real fruits of all of their love and labor. Almost all of us volunteering…gladly accepting all the tomatoes we could eat in dynamic exchange. I recalled a time my sister took up cross-stitching right after our grand-father had passed and she called it her “cross-stitch therapy” These Saturday mornings in the garden were clearly becoming my “tomato therapy” to a world gone bad.
I became a believer in hope in that garden in the summer of 2021. I thought all could be well in the world if everyone just turned their yards into gardens. Such a small step…had the potential to change everything, I thought.
As 2022 looms with as much uncertainty as the previous two, may I offer a glimmer of hope on this literal dark moon in which we enter the new year. Seems an appropriate entre, though. The Dark Moon occurs approximately two days before the New Moon when the sky is completely dark. Often correlated with a dark night of the Soul moment. It’s one of those in-between moments when the light of the waning moon has dissipated, but before the ever so slight, shimmering crescent of the New Moon appears. If there were one symbol of hope, I'd choose a new moon for sure—or a garden.
We find ourselves in a dark place, some of us are lacking hope that the light may ever return at all. It is always darkest before the dawn. But the dawn always comes and the sun always rises. At this New Year’s Eve, as we recall year’s past attending parties, making merry, setting our resolutions, and a flurry of activity, may I suggest something a little more meaningful and more appropriate for the time we find ourselves…perhaps a moment of rest and reflection on the past year.
This is a time of stillness and wisdom. It’s a completion of a cycle, so before we forge ahead, what is it that we would like to leave behind? What have you simply had enough of…what is it that you will no longer stand for? Are you ready to end that toxic relationship or that job that no longer sets your soul on fire? What old, worn out ways of being just aren’t working for you anymore? What would serve you best to let go of?
In Numerology the year 2022 equates to a six year, the planet Venus, and the tarot card of The Lover’s. Many think The Lovers card is all about romance, relationships and new partnerships and while it is, it’s also about a turning point, a choice making year—even a crisis point year. Will you choose one path over another…will you take this direction or that…will you choose to stay in a relationship or choose to move on…or perhaps you will seek to bring together seemingly opposing factors into one harmonious unit.
We all have a choice to make this year. Will we choose love or will we choose to remain in fear? Will we choose to unite…or succumb to the separation and segregation being foisted upon us? Will we choose freedom or comply to more tyranny? This is not a year to be in the middle of the road.
As Venus retrogrades in Capricorn and hovers around Pluto…this energy is asking us to re-evaluate what is important to us on a soul-deep level. What do we value…really? What is the most authentic thing for us in this new space that we find ourselves? Who do we want to move forward with in this new world to come? What and who sets your soul on fire? What goals are worthy of your time, energy and effort?
Maybe these questions feel heavy. It’s been a pretty dark couple of years…if your hope is waning, if it’s difficult for you to imagine a new, more beautiful world… I got you. I believe, “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
In order for the new to come, there must be a death of the old. I believe this is what we are experiencing. Apparently we were just too comfortable to notice the shit show that was and has been all around us…from how our children have been being educated, to big Pharma getting out of control, to our country accepting all the processed foods, pesticides and additives that smarter countries have banned, to fraudulent elections and power hungry politicians that feel no responsibility to their constituents, to the fake news media, to a healthcare system that cares nothing for science, to exalting that which is toxic and banning all that is truly healthy, to censorship that is obvious even to the ignorant, to promoting neither safe nor effective jabs over boosting one’s natural immunity…FFS….you can’t not see ALL of this?! I’m ok to see a massive demise of all of the above! Let it all come crashing down.
My hope/trust/belief/knowing is that a new Earth is on its way. One where we unite not only as neighbors and countrymen/women, but citizens of the world. I believe countless humans around the globe have had enough and are standing up for their rights and their freedom.
I believe more parents than ever are finally taking an interest in their children’s learning and are banning together to create alternative homeschool/neighborhood alternatives.
I believe good doctors, nurses, natural paths, herbalist, acupuncturist will one day ban together with therapist, shadow workers, counselors and coaches to holistically heal their patients.
I believe that one day a prescription of forest bathing, yoga & meditation, eating live wholesome foods, or getting a pet to care for will be as common a cure and more effective than a slip for pain pills or anti-depressants.
I believe one day we will no longer accept toxic pesticides on our food, or tolerate processed and artificial foods on our grocery shelves, but will opt for farmer’s market’s, neighborhood gardens, and learning to grow our own food again.
I believe one day, we will all do work that we love, that feels meaningful and purposeful and no one will settle for a job or a relationship that is not their authentic truth. I believe in a world that welcomes the creation of free energy, free internet, and creative and innovative invention in all areas of life.
I believe that new Earth is on its way. To assist in the ushering in of this new Earth, may I suggest, on this New Year’s Eve and day, some quiet time for re-evaluation…for re-thinking, re-imagining, re-aligning with your heart-centered desires, gaining clarity on your highest values. Perhaps simplifying your life to its barest essentials so that you may have the energy to take action on what is the most important to you, and where you can make your most joyful and authentic contribution to a world that is in need of YOU, your Light, your positive energy, and your wisdom.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”― Margaret Mead
I believe that as each of us begins taking some kind of deliberate action, the Light will return. Such a small steps…can change everything. It’s not hard to imagine, with enough people involved in various areas, how quickly things can change for the better.
Look at the impact the Frontline Doctors have made. People all over the world want change. WE are the majority. Pick a thing. Choose something you are passionate about and get involved!! Be the change. Soon that small glimmer of hope will turn into the Light of a hundred suns and dispel the darkness that has enshrouded us and we will indeed find ourselves forging a path to that other world on her way.
Much love, blessings and hope for a new dawn in 2022.