What does it mean to be human? We have been wondering that for millennia. It’s a mystery.
I read three books over the holidays—all at the same time. Two were written in 2022, the other was published in 2006. It includes essays from a previous edition, which came out in 1952. My reading and recent real life have stirred quite a conversation in my mind and heart.
The three books are: Intraconnected: MWe (Me + We) as the Integration of Self, Identity, and Belonging by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, Expecting Emmanuel: Eight Women Who Prepared the Way by Joanna Harader, and This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women with a Forward by Studs Terkel and edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman in Association with NPR. The books provided lots of light in winter’s deep darkness.
Contemplating a Christmas alone, the weather had other ideas. Winter Storm Elliott knocked out our power early on December 23. Five minutes later, our generator kicked in. It covers the basics except for Internet service. We were lucky. Will doesn’t have a generator, so people, pets, and plants from his household moved in. Dinner was improv. It was at least good company. Snowed in, we prayed for power and the plow.
I noticed that Elliott’s chaos brought us company for Christmas. When USPS resumed mail delivery and Internet service was restored, I read Holiday Letters from friends all over the country. The end and beginning of calendar years is always a time of reflection and intention, a time to embrace the mystery of Grace.
As I reflect on times in my life when I have lived what I believe, I notice the connection between wonder, wisdom, and wholeness. Wonder & Wisdom, The Wisdom Connection, and WholeHeart, Inc. have been my ways of convening and being in community to address the world’s most pressing needs. It’s all Graceful Mischief for The Common Good.
Last January, my manuscript for Defining Grace was turned down first by a publisher and then by a prominent publishing agent. I was told that the manuscript was interesting and well written, but that they don’t take on “unknown” people. (The publisher and the agent told me they personally would buy the book if someone else publishes it.) The eight women who prepared the way for Jesus were unknown too. I guess you could say that they were published posthumously.
This I believe: we are all intraconnected and are here to prepare the way for an unknown future. Wholeness is a work in progress. We need all the wonder and wisdom we can collectively muster. Mystery loves company.