Sunset of an Era.
Twilight has been gathering for decades and now the sun sets on an era of reason. We are entering a period of ignorance and fear. It has taken us time to understand that we are on a long journey to restore Democracy, Enlightenment, Justice, and Truth. Noble goals require that we dig deep within ourselves to uncover the strength and courage that sleeps in each of us, waiting for the moment when they are needed.
Our culture uses myths and archetypes to define who we are, our ideals and core values; the humble, self-sufficient pioneer, helpful to others, and reluctant to fight but willing to when family and community are in danger. Myths are stories and the archetypes the characters; healer, mother, teacher, warrior, priest and so on. Each of us is a collection of these archetypes that we use subconsciously to define ourselves. Occasionally, intentionally, we draw on these idealized selves to face challenges. Now is the time to go deep and wake our heroic selves.
We all know the hero’s tale; the dark forces are lined up against her/him and all looks bleak, it gets worse as everything is taken away from the hero. But it is in this crucible of loss and despair that our valorous champions are created and inspired. In these myths, the hero doesn’t always make it out alive, but always, the cause survives and succeeds.
How do you conjure up your heroic self? Like in the story, each of us must come to a moment of reckoning in which we face our fears and despair, see through them, and behold a future of equality, justice, and prosperity. You become a hero when you give yourself body, mind, and spirit, to a higher purpose that seems unattainable. Sacrifice and courage.
When the first colonists arrived on the Atlantic coast, they had a dream of building a shining city full of honest, hardworking, pious people. Their goal was a myth that they created and then used as a beacon to direct them towards that ideal city.
We must do the same. I see a time when there is no fear, everyone is economically secure, we celebrate our differences and our similarities, we provide quality education for all Americans, we embrace health as a right and not a privilege, we are respected around the world for our generosity, and we protect our land, air, water, and climate.
When I feel all is lost, I sit in my backyard and watch life. What can be more amazing than life itself. The odds for life becoming and evolving are small, and yet, here we are; from disassociated atoms to self-awareness. If that isn’t a wondrous tale I don’t know what is. I remind myself that the history of our species has been rough, but the trend has always been upwards, toward the light of compassion, justice and reason.
We will overcome.