"What is promise if not something that's impossible to live up to? Promise is inchoate and promise is what binds us. Some of us died, some got sick, some got rich, some had bad luck, some of us were fortunate, more than others. But failed promise only truly fails when it leads to lowered expectation."
- C.J. Cregg, The West Wing, #413, "The Long Goodbye."
Another year is drawing to a close. 2016 has been a year of dizzying highs and terrible lows in varying degrees for each one of us.
Like the script above says, "Some of us died, some got sick, some got rich, some had bad luck, some of us were fortunate, more than others."
- I remember those who were in my life who are not this year, having passed on to that realm beyond time.
- I think of my childhood friend in Denver whose son is hospitalized and going through multiple surgeries as the doctors try to fix the problem.
- I think of my colleague who just secured a large grant to do more amazing work with the organization that she leads.
- I think of a friend from my church whose partner and he became homeless this year.
- I think about my kids (a lot) and how much I love watching them grow and discover the world.
- I think about my spouse (a lot) and how she is a much better partner than I will ever be.
All of these memories, feelings, hopes, and fears culminate in my mind and heart as another year draws to a close to the point where they just kind of "cancel each other out," and I end the year (spiritually and emotionally speaking) not in deficit, nor in surplus, but at a "realistic zero."
C'est la vie (such is life).
For many years when I was a much younger man, driven by ambition and striving to be great at my craft, I remember always ending the year disappointed, as if I hadn't done enough, been enough, or accomplished enough.
However, as I age I see that spirituality, faith (whatever you choose to call it) is not about "making things happen." It's all about "letting things happen," and allowing ourselves to be shaped in the process.
We can buck it, sure. We can push back on it, sure- but that's the easy way. It takes much more courage to embrace whatever good or bad we see enveloping us without being swayed by it.
We learn to become (as the Vedic tradition so beautifully puts it) "a candle that doth not flicker in the wind."
My hope for you and yours in these final days of 2016 is that you would see life for what it really is- that you would accept and embrace all that is wonderful and all that is terrible about it.
There's something in that for each of us.
We can spend ourselves silly trying to experience pleasure and/or avoid pain, but the true mark of spirituality is simply choosing to "be" in whatever triumph or circumstance we find ourselves in. Letting life "soak." Letting things have their appropriate time, but not clinging to them as they pass us by.
Wherever you are in your life in this season- rich, poor, sick, struggling, winning, losing, remember that all that your life is can change in an instant, and all that we have to experience (and have to) experience is the now.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.