Dear Gatherers,
How is everyone doing? I mean really doing.
I spoke to my 92 year old mother today who said she is in the worst "funk" of her life and she can't find her way out of it. My mom is one of the most optimistic people I know so hearing that was a real punch in the gut. I want to fix it, to make easier for her but I am 3000 miles and we are in the pandemic. We talked for a long time and at the end of the call she said "talking with you lifted my funk." My eyes welled with tears. I felt the healing power of connection.
Other than family, I have had no social interaction for months. But the calls I've had with old and current friends helped lift me out of my own funk on many occasions. However we can, we need to create opportunities to stay connected, particularly when we can't be together physically!
And what about the people we are with physically 24/7?? The close quarters in which we are living can put a strain on our closest relationships. No matter how much we love our family members, they can still drive us crazy.
So this week I've thought a lot about tolerance and forgiveness. Are there people you haven't forgiven for things they did in the past? How many years have you held on to that resentment?
Could you be more tolerant of the people around you?
I love Anne Lamott's honest comment.
"I really believe the earth is forgiveness school- I really believe that's why they brought us here, and then left us without any owner's manual."
Forgiveness is hard and ongoing. My teacher this week was John Lewis, whose words and actions inspired so many people for so many years. The video of him dancing to Pharell Williams' Happy filled me with joy. But it is this quote which I have read every day this week and continue to be moved by.
Anchor the eternity of love in your own soul and embed this planet with goodness. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth and follow its dictates. Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness, Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won.
So inspirational! So aligned with the core values of The Gathering. With meditation, we really can lean toward the whispers of our own heart. As Maya Angelou writes, forgiveness is "one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive."
Let's work together to create a world with more love, peace and forgiveness.
And we always have to start with ourselves.
We look forward to continuing to see you on Sundays from 4-5:15 PT/ 7 -8: 15 ET for our signature Gathering where we meditate, write, reflect and share!
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Please share this with one or two women you know who might need a little nurturing.
With love and light,
Nora Plesent
Lawyer/Entrepreneur/Mom/Immersive Meditation Leader/Ripple Maker
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