At the Dawn of 2013

We are coping with the death of a dearly loved.

America is coping with Newtown.

India is coping with Damini.

Syria with Assad.

Whether it is personal or universal, suffering seems ubiquitous. The augmented reality of social media makes it all even more intense, dominating our consciousness.

And yet.

As Spielberg reminded us recently with Lincoln, we have come a long, long way. Slavery has been abolished. Women can vote.

Life is messy. Change takes time. But it eventually does come. Civilization does move forward.

Meanwhile, wonderful, inspiring events continue to happen. Nature offers itself quietly to those who pay attention.

Here’s a piece of verse from Tagore (Golden Raft):

Amidst suffering, death, the longing of separation
Peace, joy, a breath of the infinite.
Life flows on, a river.
Smiling sun –
Smiling moon –
Twinkles in stars’ eyes.
Spring comes to my garden in splendid colors.
Waves fade away, rise again.
Blossoms wither away, bloom again.
Where there is no erosion, no end, none at all of pettiness,
My heart seeks surrender at the feet of such completeness.

The 1M/1M team joins me in wishing all readers such completeness. Happy 2013!