Thank you. Again thank you, for a grief that permeates, for a truth ….. bared for all to feel.
Before I read your message…….. after my early morning contemplative prayer time…… I lit three candles. One candle for Nicole….. one for Alex ….. and one for my wife. I needed the presence, the presence that loved ones provide. I am not the “enemy from within.” I am a liberal, environmentalist. I accept that I am not “right” …… that other viewpoints matter….. that loving my neighbor is a tall order, yet what we are called to do. I believe that nonviolence is a courageous calling.
My grief right now is palpable….. my sadness profound.
Like individual separation and death - an unfolding reality we all face individually, and which some of us continue to avoid confronting until it's upon us - this existential crisis was always there. I am grateful for those like Cameron+ and other respondents in this campfire vigil who realize what Arthur Miller had Linda Loman say to her sons: 'He was a human being. Attention must be paid.' Lament is a part of the cycle of life and love that counter exile and death and entropy; only a part. Expressions of shock and outrage are not solutions, nor to be scorned. We are all in This together - Craig's response, just below as I type, is also mine: palpable grief, profound sadness. We/they distinctions are useful for analysis, worthwhile messengers, terrible mistakes as ending places. Love and gravity alone transcend time/space; that compound of love and attraction wins; it is never a walkover.
You are getting to the point, however, I am seeing what is happening in this moment as an extension of
“gun control and mass shootings”. Everyone gets upset, shows extreme outrage and asks for prayers for all the children/people killed and then, everyone gets back to life until THE NEXT TIME. And, the next time America reruns the reel. Some may say, you don’t understand or but it’s our amendment rights or whatever excuse they choose to use or let’s talk more or let’s change the laws or, or, or….
But, what America always does is shrink a little more but, in the end, they do nothing!!!
Grief is born out of the capacity for love. We only grieve because we love. And the wisdom in our hearts holds the sanctity of life as the most valuable treasure. May we never forget!
The world so needs your voice, clarity of thought and expression, soul weaving and singing wide a vessel and container for what is so so difficult and often overwhelming to process and digest. Thank you.🙏🏼💕
Thank you for these words that can touch our grief and be a reality check. The music that helps break us open to process our anguish—so we can see more clearly, love more deeply and know we are not alone. 💓🙏🏼💖👏
A Canadian here. Thank you Cameron for your wise words. I can’t understand or believe what is happening in the U.S. The unspeakable violence. I’m trying to keep the faith. With each day it grows more difficult.
Cameron, you lift up my faith and my spirit every day. You have such an extraordinary gift! I feel as though you are a mystic born to share faith and life insights and experiences with the blessed people whose path crosses yours. I’ve shared your post with many others who feel the same. Please know how grateful we are for your daily reflections.
Thank you. Again thank you, for a grief that permeates, for a truth ….. bared for all to feel.
Before I read your message…….. after my early morning contemplative prayer time…… I lit three candles. One candle for Nicole….. one for Alex ….. and one for my wife. I needed the presence, the presence that loved ones provide. I am not the “enemy from within.” I am a liberal, environmentalist. I accept that I am not “right” …… that other viewpoints matter….. that loving my neighbor is a tall order, yet what we are called to do. I believe that nonviolence is a courageous calling.
My grief right now is palpable….. my sadness profound.
Like individual separation and death - an unfolding reality we all face individually, and which some of us continue to avoid confronting until it's upon us - this existential crisis was always there. I am grateful for those like Cameron+ and other respondents in this campfire vigil who realize what Arthur Miller had Linda Loman say to her sons: 'He was a human being. Attention must be paid.' Lament is a part of the cycle of life and love that counter exile and death and entropy; only a part. Expressions of shock and outrage are not solutions, nor to be scorned. We are all in This together - Craig's response, just below as I type, is also mine: palpable grief, profound sadness. We/they distinctions are useful for analysis, worthwhile messengers, terrible mistakes as ending places. Love and gravity alone transcend time/space; that compound of love and attraction wins; it is never a walkover.
You are getting to the point, however, I am seeing what is happening in this moment as an extension of
“gun control and mass shootings”. Everyone gets upset, shows extreme outrage and asks for prayers for all the children/people killed and then, everyone gets back to life until THE NEXT TIME. And, the next time America reruns the reel. Some may say, you don’t understand or but it’s our amendment rights or whatever excuse they choose to use or let’s talk more or let’s change the laws or, or, or….
But, what America always does is shrink a little more but, in the end, they do nothing!!!
Grief is born out of the capacity for love. We only grieve because we love. And the wisdom in our hearts holds the sanctity of life as the most valuable treasure. May we never forget!
I love that you call the labeling the second violence, and that’s exactly what it is. Excellent.
You write so beautifully Cameron. Thank you for putting into words what I cannot articulate so coherently.
Thank you for expressing in words what I am feeling in my heart and mind.
Slander, libel, lies...
on repeat gaslighting tries.
May we not buy them.
...
Intentional acts...
“better training,” not enough.
May we not fall fools.
...
May we say their names,
honor their lives, chide the lies.
May we remain sane.
Here is a link to another interfaith service that occurred on January 23 at Temple Israel in Minneapolis.
https://vimeo.com/showcase/10963074?video=1157269395
Marianne Budde and Rabbi Jonah Pessner (sp?) both from DC were there along with elected leaders
Thank you so much. This was inspiring!!!!
The world so needs your voice, clarity of thought and expression, soul weaving and singing wide a vessel and container for what is so so difficult and often overwhelming to process and digest. Thank you.🙏🏼💕
Such a deep and moving tribute and warning. Thank you once again for putting into words what we are all feeling in our hearts.
Blessings to you, Cameron, for your helpful words. And especially for the song at the end. I cried, and that helped.❤️🙏
Thank you for these words that can touch our grief and be a reality check. The music that helps break us open to process our anguish—so we can see more clearly, love more deeply and know we are not alone. 💓🙏🏼💖👏
A Canadian here. Thank you Cameron for your wise words. I can’t understand or believe what is happening in the U.S. The unspeakable violence. I’m trying to keep the faith. With each day it grows more difficult.
Cameron, you lift up my faith and my spirit every day. You have such an extraordinary gift! I feel as though you are a mystic born to share faith and life insights and experiences with the blessed people whose path crosses yours. I’ve shared your post with many others who feel the same. Please know how grateful we are for your daily reflections.
Thank you