Inspiring and overwhelming

It's almost too much...after being inspired by a friend's workshop on dealing with the state of the world and finding the strength needed to contribute to its healing, I heard an interview with Joanna Macy, the woman on whose ideas and methods the workshop is based. It was the experience of hearing someone not only express, but embody- in personality,in attitude- the ideas I'd been reaching for and trying to articulate.

The theme of the interview was "don't be afraid of the dark." What does this mean? Well, on Thursday night, I heard another inspiring person, this time Stephen Lewis.

For the past few years he has been witnessing the horrendous toll being exacted on Africa by the AIDS epidemic. His words, delivered with trendous passion, painted a picture to break anyone's heart- a picture of heartrending suffering, of inexplicable destruction, of callous indifference. Why look at this picture? Turn away now, or it will surely break your heart. But wait! If you turn away, what will you be missing? You will miss the other parts of the picture- the parts in which people draw on unexpected inner strength to deal with heartbreak and worse- to deal with unimaginable trauma. The parts in which people help people rebuild their lives and their communities- the spirit of life coming to the aid of life in distress. Look away, and you will not see our strengths- our own strengths; our common strengths.

We look away with foreboding and we do not see that we are strong despite our frailties. We feel weak and isolated. But imagine- if we could only focus on those qualities that could make us strong together, and support and celebrate these qualities in ourselves and in each other, rather than distracting ourselves with destructive pursuits- what then? Of course, it isn't that simple. There are so many practical details to concern ourselves with- so many points on which to disagree. But then again...in a way, once we get to the heart of the matter, maybe it is that simple after all.

And so, Stephen Lewis showed how a heartbreaking picture in words can yet be powerfully uplifting and hopeful. A powerful illustration of Joanna Macy's point- we need not be afraid of the dark.