Resilience

Our July worship gathering focused on the theme of resilience. Before worship, we met for a picnic and an opportunity to create and write postcards to send to our Premier asking the provincial government to repeal Bill 5. Both the meal, and the opportunity for action were ways I think we are building resilience as we strengthen our sense of community and take positive action together against government legislation that will harm natural habitats, endangered species, and Indigenous rights. 

Resiliency has to do with how we respond to and recover from trauma or adversity in life. The earth itself is facing much adversity and trauma. In 2024, the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Daily Meditation theme for the year was Radical Resilience. In the intro to the series, they wrote, “Radical Resilience is the ability to face hardship with greater love and deeper awareness. We believe that contemplation, the practice of being fully present, is one way to grow more resilient — teaching us how to sustain inner strength, purpose, and connectedness.” In a post from last June, author Cole Arthur Riley wrote, “Resilience isn’t really about returning back to the way you were before, but is much more about reclaiming whatever new shape your [life] has taken. Resilience … doesn’t really ask us to forget, but carries the memory of whatever harm or whatever fire we’ve been through.” (CAC Daily Meditation June 18, 2024) We can see trees here that have been wounded and have a new shape. They carry that memory, and they are living on (or in death are contributing to the living on of the forest community). 
Where do you see signs of resilience around you? What does the Earth want to teach you about resilience?