Why Now?
“Why now?” I’ve been asked. Why re-release books that are already out there? I’ve asked myself that same question (a lot), and the same answer returns: It’s time to acknowledge and challenge all the grief feelings that flow, often unobserved, throughout our daily living . . . those worrisome, unexpected changes, the troubling shifting sands of unpredictability, the profound hearbreaks we’ve endured.
Pandemic, war, political chaos, inflation, climate crises, social injustices . . . it’s exhausting, trying to balance it all and still find time for genuine laughter. Underlying grief is so pervasive, it’s rarely named; instead, grief-based anxiety has taken on the guise of normality.
But grief is not meant to be our normal!
Intentionally shaping the patterns of our lives in ways that highlight love, joy and peace should be our normal. Directing, rather than blindly allowing life to unfold – the if, where and how of welcoming joy, or seeking calm acceptance, or grieving – can be our normal.
Consider an Anne Lamott reminder: “The road to enlightenment is long and difficult, and you should try not to forget snacks and magazines.”
“Why Now?” . . . because Now feels like just the right time for me to offer, again, some compassionate reading material for your journey into the awareness of a more gentle, gracious normal. Grab a snack; I’ll see you on the road.
Jane
