Issue 3.13
It’s amazing how a tragedy brings out the best of us as human beings. In the midst of the events of Newtown the families continue to be an inspiration to all of us. Their heroic examples of compassion and love lift our hearts with hope.
The sign from Newtown, frequently shown after the event on national news, sums it up eloquently: “Our hearts are broken, but our spirits are strong.” The awareness and connection with their inner spirit has aided many of the families to go beyond their own grief and to think of others.
In their sorrow and loss, the community of Newtown has banded together and asked each of us to consider performing 26 acts of kindness in honor of their children and beloved teachers.
The people of Newtown have shown tremendous compassion and love for everyone involved in the event. Their willingness to let us share in their loss and participate in their grieving eases our own pain over this national tragedy. Through their examples of courage and strength we learn how to deal with our own grief.
The 13th century spiritual poet Rumi stated: “grief is the garden of compassion.” In the process of working through our grief and loss, we discover the reality of our spirituality and the true nature of our Oneness with God and each other. The Newtown tragedy has caused all of us to take time to reflect on our relationships and connectedness with each other as a nation and family.
Perhaps the means to overcome our own experience of grief is to follow the Newtown families’ suggestion: Perform an act of kindness in honor of those loved ones we have lost.
Such acts of kindness would remind us of the loving relationships we have had with those who are no longer with us and would re-affirm their presence within our hearts. Most likely it would bring a smile to our face and create the feeling of compassion and love for others –it has for me!
A New Year’s Resolution for this year might be to perform one Act of Kindness a day to honor those no longer with us. May we all grow in loving kindness in this New Year and create a kinder, compassionate, and peaceful world for everyone. Happy 2013 to all!
Rev. Luigi Persichetti is the chaplain for Southern Utah Home Care and Hospice and retired Unity minister from Unity Center of Positive Living in St. George.