As Howard Beale says in the film Network, “I don't have to tell you things are bad.
Everybody knows things are bad.” He goes on to explain why (link).
Howard’s words
ring true today. We all know the reality and politics of COVID, the big lie, climate
change, voting rights, gun violence, police violence, immigration, and abortion
laws – along with all of our other personal issues – are out-of-control. So how
does a person find peace and joy this Christmas?
Although I am
with family and friends this Christmas, I am essentially “alone” in that there
is no special “other” in my life right now, and I don’t have children, or dog
or a cat, or anything that depends on me. It’s just me this year and I find
that liberating, calming.
The Roman
philosopher Seneca proposed that finding peace and joy in life comes from
imagining the worst that can happen, dealing with it emotionally and
intellectually, then moving on (okay, greatly simplified). That is what I have
done. During my drive to California and over the last few days I have daily
considered the horrid problems of the world and the confusing, but not-so-horrid
elements of my life right now. You should know that was shattering at first, yet,
it became easier. The more I visualized the potential catastrophes, the
ultimate horrors, that might await the U.S. and the world, the more I realized that
my fear, my anger, and my anxiety offered no solutions, no peace, and no joy.
As popularized as
these words have become, I realize how powerful and true they are: “Fear is the
path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to
suffering.” (Yoda, in The Empire Strikes Back).
I considered what
I fear. I considered how angry I have become. I considered what I have come to
hate, and yes, I do hate some things with a black heart. Following that path of
thought, I again thought of Yoda’s words, “Named must your fear be, before banish
it you can.”
I know, I know. You’re thinking I’m an immature Star Wars
geek looking for life’s answers in a movie. Maybe. However, when I think of
Seneca and imagining my worst fears and how to deal with them, I have to
believe George Lucas read him, along with Joseph Campbell, and updated
(simplified?) the concept.
To deal with my fear and my anger I took long drives, long walks, did
deep breathing, yoga, listened to good music, drank good wine and coffee, put
on pretty clothes, and touched myself quite a lot.
I’m alone this Christmas, with my friends and family, close, but
not too close. It is exactly what I needed this year. Being with them is
helping me find peace and joy as I quietly face my fear and anger. I am stronger
and more positive about facing the certain troubles of the next year.
I hope my little story helps you find your way to peace and joy.