The Mary Christopher Podcast

Caring for Creation Is Gratitude for Being Alive ~ January 14 2025

Creation Is Working Just Fine this Morning!  When I woke up, the Sun was shining through the window.  Light was sparkling off the snow that was left from our Big Winter Storm.  One squirrel was out looking for food.  One of the resident kitties was nestled up against my right arm.  I was warm and safe in the middle of Winter on the Prairie!  Definitely, an accomplishment for Human Beings!
January 13 was the first Full Moon of 2025.  The lineup with Earth and the Sun is always perfectly timed down to the microsecond.  Amazing how precise it is !!!  This Full Moon is known as the Full Wolf Moon in many Native traditions.  The Full Moon has been very bright, shining in the night sky.
We are so blessed in so many ways and we sometimes forget how blessed we are to have this lifetime!  Here we are, able to live on this planet as Human Beings because Earth has breathable air, water to drink, and enough Sunlight coming through the atmosphere to trigger photosynthesis.  Also, there is enough Soil, with all kinds of tiny creatures, so we can "grow food"!
We have learned how to cook vegetables, hunt and fish, sail in boats, gather honey, make moonshine and craft beer!  We learned how to heal ourselves using herbs and minerals, often with sweat lodges, and prayers.  We have been very busy creating "civilizations" that rise and fall over hundreds of years, often in a spectacular and devastating manner!  We have learned a great deal, except, unfortunately, how to get along with each other.  We could probably do a lot better in that department, for sure!
Most of us have such busy lives that we go from day to day without an awareness of the Beauty that surrounds us.  But, when we do take time and allow ourselves to experience the Beauty and Wonder of Earth, we are experiencing the Creator.  This is  because Creation reflects the Creator.  From our point of view as Humans, it is very difficult for us to even begin "to imagine" the immensity of Creation.  Are there as many Stars and Galaxies as there are grains of sand on all the Beaches of the World ... ???  Trying to imagine how many Stars exist in the Universe is beyond my comprehension.  But, the experience of Creation is available whenever I step into Nature and begin to feel Gratitude for Being Alive.
The last time I was in New Mexico, I was driving south from Gallup at night.  The road was completely dark and all I could see were millions and millions of tiny lights from one horizon to another!  Stars were everywhere !!!  I had to get off the highway, stop the car, and get out.  I stood by the car for some time, not sure how long.  I was in a "state of Awe"!  There were no words for what I was experiencing.  I was aware that I was part of Creation.  I have always been deeply grateful for that experience.  I am sure most of you reading this article have had similar experiences.
When I lived in Texas, I planted 2 peach trees.  I had to dig deep through limestone so there would be enough room to add dirt so the roots could get a good start.  The trees did well, even that first year.  I remember how excited I was seeing the first tiny buds showing up on those slender tree limbs.  After the buds appeared, I would check almost every morning to see if there were any blossoms.  Then, one morning there were 2 or 3 blossoms, amazing colors of blended pinks and white, and then there were blossoms opening up on all the branches.  I realized my little trees knew exactly how to grow and how to produce Peaches!  Seeing all those blossoms was so exciting ... !!!  I was having a love affair with my peach trees!
Whenever we plant a tree, plant native flowers, put in pollinator gardens, or just sit with a Tree, we are participating in Creation!  We are working with the Creator to preserve, protect, and defend Creation!  We are helping and supporting the activity of Creation known as "growth".  When we plant trees, we are showing our gratitude for Life on this gem of a planet.  Instinctively, we realize that taking care of Creation is a good idea since we need Nature much more than Nature needs us!
Last weekend I had been talking to several people about Monarch Butterflies and the importance of starting “pollinator gardens” from seed during January.  If we start those gardens from seed this month, we will have seedlings to plant outside in the spring for all Pollinators!  Two or three days later, I was walking back to my truck from the grocery store with a cart.  I looked up and saw a large Monarch Butterfly to my right, fluttering through the air.  This Beautiful Butterfly landed on the handle of the grocery cart.  It sat right there, slowly moving its wings, and then flew away.  Again, I was in a “state of awe”.  I had not seen another Monarch for at least several months.
We are so blessed in so many ways, surrounded by Beauty and Light and the Energy of Life.  All too often, we miss opportunities to experience Creation.  However, if we give ourselves time to be in Nature, or care for Creation, we are nurturing our Hearts and our Soul.  We are “touching” Creation.  Living on Earth is a very Rare and Wonderful Opportunity for healing and spiritual growth.
Have a Wonderful Week wherever you are and whatever you are doing.  I am looking forward to seeing you outside,  and being with you in Creation.   
Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, 
breathing practices, and building personal resilience.  
Gardening and Being in Nature are among her favorite activities. 
 

Benefits of Spiritual Practices ~ Our Inner Peace Guided Meditation

This is our Sunday, January, 12, Inner Peace Guided Meditation.  As you may know, I am in Tulsa, Oklahoma and we have been snowed in!  However, yesterday afternoon the Sun came out, the snow started melting and families showed up at the park!  It is cold today, but warm enough for a walk.
So, I am in the park, soaking up Sunshine and breathing fresh air.  As usual, Creation is working just fine!  Unfortunately, Human Beings seem to be having difficulty getting along.  Lessons we might have learned in kindergarten, didn’t seem to soak in.
Last week I watched the funeral at the National Cathedral for Jimmy Carter.  As I listened to the eulogies, again I was so impressed by all the good that Jimmy and Rosalynn were able to accomplish in their lifetime. They literally walked their beliefs into the world not only in the United States, but all around the world.  This is not easy to do.  Most of us are aware of how challenging it often is to bring Light and Healing into the world.  So, I felt deep gratitude for the patterns of compassion and charity they were able to bring into the world. 
Unfortunately, all those accomplishments do not seem to be nearly as exciting in the news for many people.  Now that the “media” serves up hour after hour of disasters, murders, and near disasters, we are often “bored” with goodness.  Because our brains are wired to be on the alert for “danger”, our attention is easily drawn to danger and drama!
Of course, there are times when there really is “danger”, but that is usually when the Weather Channel is showing the radar of approaching hurricanes, tornadoes, or snow storms.
If you have been watching any of the news on television, on your laptop or phone, you may have noticed how the news clips are structured to trigger fear or anxiety.  I don’t watch much television anymore, mainly because of the ads selling illnesses.  Now that I have noticed how the news clips are structured, I am avoiding that as well.  One ad or news clip that I saw recently, was very short.  It showed a photo of several young people of different races in a protest march.  I couldn’t see anything about the focus of their protest because there was large signage on the lower part of the clip with Big Letters that said, “Socialism”!  I didn’t keep watching because I was aware that the point of this clip was “to trigger” fear or anxiety.  However, I was impressed at how well done this ad or “news clip” was.  It was short and if I had not been paying attention, that image with the word “Socialism” might have slipped right by my conscious mind and into my subconscious.
I was aware, not for the first time, that we are being influenced to be afraid of, or worried about “other people” who may or may not look like us.  And, these ads or “news clips” are often exceptionally well done.
Because we as Human Beings are wired to look out for danger, anything that looks or sounds dangerous or threatening can grab our attention quickly.  If we are not aware that our attention has been grabbed, we may shift from feeling safe to feeling threatened.  Sometimes, this can happen very quickly.  This shift happens because of the way we are wired and because the amygdala may be triggered.  The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped part of the brain.  It plays a key role in processing emotions, especially fear, anxiety, and rage.
The amygdala is part of the limbic system, which controls emotions, behavior, and memory. It helps identify potential threats and can quickly trigger the body's "fight or flight" response.  So, if we are not paying attention, or if “the news” is running in the background without our full attention, we can find ourselves feeling anxious or even fearful.  Then we are moving into survival mode.  Our cortisol levels go up along with our heart rate.  If we are not entirely present and aware of the information and images that we are absorbing, we can be “triggered”.
Here is the Good News, courtesy of Google AI …
“Early scientific studies involving Buddhist monks and the amygdala primarily focused on observing how experienced meditators showed significantly reduced activation in the amygdala when exposed to emotional stimuli.  When the research compared non-meditating individuals to Buddhist monks, it showed a potential ability to regulate emotional responses through long-term meditation practice.”  
“This research often used brain imaging techniques like fMRI to measure brain activity during meditation sessions.  In one of  the very early studies, the monks involved had all been meditating on compassion or loving-kindness for at least 25 years.”
So, we are in good company and just need to keep up our spiritual practices, such as our Sunday Inner Peace Meditations !!!  Most of us have been meditating, at least since the 1970s.  This means we have been building “spiritual muscle”, and we tend to be more aware of the “mass mind” information we are absorbing!  Good for us !!!
Thank You all for showing up.  Thank You for keeping up your spiritual practices because it does pay off.  And, thank you for all the good you are doing in the world every day !!! 
Mary Christopher

Caring for Creation ~ The Enduring Benefits of Sunshine!

For thousands of years, we lived our lives in the Sun and by the timing of sunrise and sunset.  Then, as we became more "civilized" and modern, we have been spending more time inside with "artificial" lighting.  We have been trying to fool our bodies and emotions that artificial light is the same as real Sunshine. and has the same benefits as the Real Thing.!
 
As you know in our more recent history we have heard that Sunlight is not "good for our skin".  However, it is not true that Sunlight is our enemy.  Many current studies have shown how important Sunshine is for our emotional and physical well-being.  I have included a short list of benefits.  These are well-established, based on thorough scientific studies.  Since we are having winter weather here in the northern hemisphere, we have shorter days, longer nights, and cooler to colder temperatures.  The result is that most of us are not getting outside.  So we are not exposed to enough Sunshine this time of year.
 
Human Beings need Sunshine!  For centuries, we have lived, played, worked, hunted and fished, and grown food out of doors in Sunshine.  As a result, we tended to be more resilient, slept better, exercised more, and were generally stronger.  There were many ways in which we were healthier.
 
I am including a short list of a few well-established health benefits of Sunshine.  During the rest of winter, we will explore more of these.  Here are three important results of being outside in Sunshine.  We have covered some of these benefits before, and they are worth reviewing.
 
1.  Improved Sleep ~ the quality and to some extent the length of our sleep can be extended by exposure to early morning Sunshine.  Serotonin helps wake us up in the morning by acting as a neurotransmitter that signals alertness in the brain, particularly when stimulated by sunlight exposure. When the retina of our eyes is exposed to early morning sunshine, it triggers the production of serotonin so we feel more alert and present.  Serotonin promotes wakefulness, then melatonin is produced from serotonin, encouraging us to turn off the inside lighting and to go to bed.  Melatonin plays a role in both sleep and wake cycles.  Serotonin and Melatonin can be produced "naturally" by regular exposure to early morning Sunshine!  This is how humans have been falling asleep and waking up for centuries!
 
2.  Sunshine also functions as an anti-depressant for the same reason it "wakes" us up in the morning.  Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that strengthens alertness and our sense of well-being.  So we engage more fully in our lives.  We benefit along with everyone around us!
 
Sunshine is also considered an effective antidepressant and can be used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD).  SAD is a condition associated with winter and the lack of exposure to sunshine, especially early in the day.  Some people use special full-spectrum inside lights to mimic Sunlight.  These light treatments can be even more effective when combined with being outside, weather permitting.
 
3.  Scientific studies are also showing that Sunshine therapy can clear up skin conditions like psoriasis.  These studies have shown that exposure to Sunshine for 30 minutes a day can reduce psoriasis within 5 to 6 weeks.  Exposure to Sunlight also improves our immune function, improving our resistance to infections and seasonal conditions.
 
Since the 1960s, we have heard that exposure to Sunshine is not good for our skin.  However, current research is showing that regular exposure to Sunshine is healthy for us.  Remember that Sunshine is full-spectrum light.  We are just beginning to understand the numerous benefits that are available.
 
So, try getting at least 30 minutes of morning Sunshine, earlier is better, unless it is too cold.  Do some research for yourself and see what results you find over the next several weeks. 
 
Have a Wonderful Week and take good care of yourself!

Inner Peace Guided Meditation for Compassion ~ Sunday January 5 2025

As you are probably aware, we are having Weather!  In the U.S. from the Great Lakes region going south and east, we have plunging temperatures, freezing rain, snow, sleet, and very difficult conditions for travel.
During this week of Weather, please keep all the First Responders, including Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics, Police, Highway Patrol, City and County Linemen, and anyone else you think of in your prayers.  All these women and men, including all the people staffing hospital emergency rooms and urgent care centers are going the extra mile and may be putting their lives on the line.  Please keep all these courageous people in your prayers
Also, remember those folks who are homeless and in need of adequate shelter.  If there is a homeless shelter in the area where you live, consider giving them a call to find out if they need extra supplies.  Weather events can stretch their resources very thin.
This week we are remembering Jimmy Carter who passed away on December 29, 2024.  With all their years of service, Jimmy and Roselynn set an amazing example of compassion and integrity.  They had integrity and set the bar very high for compassion and service.  Please keep all the Carters' family and friends in your prayers.
Again, thank you for all you do every day.
Take good care of yourself and stay warm !!!
Mary Christopher

Welcoming the New Year ~ Meditation for Blessing the World

As I am sure you have noticed, we are facing a year of uncertainty and potential difficulties.  We all know people who are celebrating and people who are very concerned.  The road ahead looks potentially very bumpy.
Since early this morning, I have been thinking about Jimmy Carter, our 39th president who passed away Sunday, December 29.  He was president from 1977 to 1981.  In 2002 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to resolve global conflicts and create peaceful solutions, primarily in the Middle East.  In 2000 he left the Southern Baptist Convention because of their rigid interpretation of the gospel, especially related to the rights of women.  But Jimmy and his family continued their relationship with the First Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.  I am sure his decision to withdraw from the Southern Baptist Conference was a matter of conscience for him, and not an easy decision.
Jimmy and Rosalynn lived their convictions.  They were what I would call "New Testament" Christians who lived their beliefs with their work in the world.  Their efforts and outreach while in the White House and during the years following spoke volumes about their commitment to Jesus's teachings.  They simply were a blessing to the World without a lot of fanfare and noise!
We know we are facing challenges this coming year.  We also know that so many of our social systems are not working well.  But when we become reactive, and begin to blame "others" for these problems, we are coming from a place of fear and moving away from our hearts.  When we begin to live from a place of fear, we are in survival mode.  That is not a good place to be!  And our Hearts begin to shrink!  Not a good situation ...
So, what do we do?  This is when our spiritual practice, our well-developed spiritual muscle known as mindfulness, becomes very useful.  If we can catch those moments when we are moving away from our hearts and into survival, then we can shift direction.  We can "choose" to stay centered, focused, and balanced.  This is one of the great benefits of "practicing mindfulness"!  Mindfulness enables us to choose our path, to stay aligned with our hearts and our convictions.  Then it is much easier for us to be present and focused.  When we are "present" and aligned with our Heart, we are a blessing to ourselves, and our families, including everyone within as much as 10 feet or more all around us!
As we move into this New Year, remember the thousands of people all around the World who are meditating, doing their spiritual practices and exercises every day.  We are a "murmuration of Souls" who are doing the work that Old Souls do to heal the wounds of humanity and restore equilibrium.  We have shown up right now with the capacity to be an Awesome Blessing in the World!
Also, do remember that Creation is working just fine!  The Sun is coming up every day.  Trees and grasses and plants are growing.  Squirrels are gathering nuts.  Birds are flying, no problem.  I was doing errands this morning, and as I parked at one of the stores, I saw a small hawk flashing through the parking lot about 20 feet away from me.  I had looked up at just the right moment to see this amazing bird, so close, soaring by, its wings out-stretched.  Absolutely took my breath away!
The Good News is that we are part of Creation.  We are living, and moving, and breathing from within this Amazing Creation that is way beyond our comprehension!  But, in our Hearts, we Know we are held deeply within Creation.  Please remember this ...
Winter is the perfect time for being quiet, for resting within, and for restoring our sanity.  Let's give ourselves the "Gift of Quiet", a time to heal and a time to bless.
Have a Wonderful New Year.
Thank you for all you are doing!
And, remember to Breathe ...

How Do We Know Creation Is Conscious?

We know that Creation is Conscious.  We know this because we now have the technology that "shows us" our relationships and connections with plants and animals, even insects.  We can demonstrate the ability of Slime Mold to find its way through a maze to food!  Really … !!!  We know that plants respond to “loving-kindness”.  We know that herbs are healing.
We all know people who have amazing relationships with plants and animals.  I have been very fortunate to have known several amazing veterinarians who care for and heal all Creatures Great and Small.  We know people who are healed by “their pets” or others who are restored to sanity by gardening.  We also know that some people can "grow anything"!  They seem to have a "green thumb"!
We know people of all ages who have amazingly conscious relationships with bees, birds, camels, cattle, goats, horses, dogs and cats, chickens, and even snakes.  We know farmers who grow bountiful crops of corn, oats, wheat,  vegetables, herbs, flowers, apples, or oranges almost every year ... !!!
We don't actually need science and technology to tell us that Creation is Conscious.  We know this in our Heart and in the deepest and most ancient awareness of our Souls.
That is why we care about Creation.  This is the reason humans are so nurtured and healed by the Forests, by one Spectacular Sunset after another, by the sound of gentle rain on the roof.  We laugh at Squirrels and marvel as Hawks soar through the air.  Fields of ripening wheat are breath-taking as the wind makes wave after wave.  People sit by the Ocean for hours, calmed and restored by the sound and rhythm of the waves.
We are part of Creation.  We tend to forget this in our "high-tech" modern world.  And, we tend to forget that we need Nature much, much more than Nature needs us.  As long as we are on this delightful and amazing planet, we need Mother Nature.  As soon as more of us understand that, our lives will be much simpler and healthier as well as happier.
One of my very early spiritual teachers told me several times, "If you want to understand the Creator, study Creation."  I took his excellent advice and I am so glad that I did!
Happy New Year !!!  May you find Peace and Happiness being a conscious part of Creation !!!

Caring for Creation ~ We Are the Caretakers! December 24 2024

We are the Caretakers of this Earth.  Right now, we are the ones who are making a difference for the next generations.  This is like the game of tag.  Those of us living on the Earth right now are the ones creating the kind of world that our children and grandchildren and their children will inherit!  This is our moment to make a difference!
As you may know, I grew up in southwest Oklahoma.  We farmed and raised cattle, horses, and a few chickens.  Keeping the four-legged carnivores out of the chicken coop was always a challenge!  But we did manage to have fresh eggs during the laying season.  I learned so much from being around cattle and horses, farmers and ranchers, and veterinarians!  
Much of what I learned could not be absorbed from a book.  That learning came from experience.  For instance, cattle don’t like to be rushed.  Horses don’t like to be yelled at.  Farmers and Ranchers don’t always talk a lot, but when they do, it is worth listening to.  You can’t hurry any seeds to sprout once they are in the ground.  Wheat seeds, oat seeds, and alfalfa seeds each have a specific schedule.  An entire crop of alfalfa seeds can blow away overnight if the soil is too dry and the wind too strong!  I also learned that Patience usually gets better results than impatience.  Treating Everyone, including Animals, with courtesy and respect is a very good way to move through the world.
I learned how important it was to pay attention to the weather, and always carry extra flashlight batteries in the truck as well as extra water, especially in the summer.  I also learned not to get too close to a “dead” rattlesnake on a farm road, until you are sure it is DEAD!  I still have not heard the last of that one!
So much of what I learned growing up comes under the heading of wisdom and practicality.  We were careful not to waste water on the farm.  That water came from a well that could run dry during a Drought!  My grandparents were able to “hang onto” their land during the Dust Bowl, but not everyone was so fortunate.  Many people lost everything they owned.  They were forced to move away and usually never came back!  Trying to farm on the Great American Prairie is not a very good idea.  Crops and fields can blow away.
We are the current Caretakers of this amazing Earth.  Unfortunately, there seem to be fewer and fewer family farms.  Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream kept Vermont family dairy farms going for many years, but they were finally bought out.  We can’t all farm, have orchards, or raise bees.  But, we can support the people who are growing food or raising bees or fruits and vegetables.  They are still showing up in Farmer’s Markets and along roadsides.  
And, we can support the organizations who are preserving and expanding forests.  Every generation is going to need clean air and clean water to survive.  That is a legacy we can do something about right now.
Every tree that is planted and protected, every Old Growth forest that survives intact is our direct contribution to the Future.  We are contributing to the health and well-being of the generations that follow us.  We are “believing” in the future of Life on Earth.  Many of us live in neighborhoods where there is no guarantee that Trees will be left undisturbed for many years.  But, there are places where Trees and natural habitat can be sustained and protected.
Right now we are the Guardians and the Protectors of Creation on this beautiful little planet.  We are making a difference!  And, we can have an even greater impact by “giving Trees as a Gift” for holidays, birthdays, graduations, even as a memorial. 
Remember, every Tree counts and every gift makes a difference!
For nearly 125 years the Sempervirens Fund has protected these precious old growth forests by purchasing priority forests for permanent protection.  They have implemented extensive restoration techniques.  They manage thousands of acres of forest for resilience against climate change and wildfire, establishing a growing network of healthy, resilient redwood forests.  They are assisting a new generation of old-growth redwoods to emerge.  These amazing trees provide a critical natural infrastructure that captures carbon, filters air and water, and supports diverse wildlife.
We know redwoods are more than just local landmarks; they are global climate protectors. They are also home to countless species. Owls nest in their towering canopies, amphibians find shelter in their shade, and mammals of all shapes and sizes rely on them for survival. By protecting these forests, we preserve the rich biodiversity that makes these ecosystems so unique.  We can secure a healthy, thriving environment for future generations.
You can make a definite impact right now by supporting the ongoing work of the Sempervirens Fund.  Your contribution funds the year-round work of sustaining these precious redwood forests.  Sempervirens Fund is California’s first land trust, founded in 1900 and dedicated exclusively to defending the redwood forests and all creatures great and small that live in the Santa Cruz mountains.  
These donations make very special birthday and holiday gifts for any family or friends who care about the Redwoods and our environment.  All contributions are tax-deductible as allowable by law under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).  
Click here to make a secure donation!

Winter Solstice Guided Meditation ~ December 21 2024

This is our Winter Solstice guided meditation and podcast for our weekly Inner Peace meditation. It is a beautiful day here.  It is cold and the Sun is shining.  I'm at a very lovely park in Tulsa.  There are parents out with their younger children. It is so good to see young children outside on scooters and swings and climbing all over the equipment rather than sitting in front of a screen!  This is a well cared for and safe park.  
We are now officially in winter in the Northern Hemisphere which means it is now summer in the Southern Hemisphere.  On the day of the Winter Solstice, the Sun appears to stop on its journey south through the sky.  Then it gradually begins its journey north over the next several days.  The winter solstice occurs at an exact time which is the time the sun appears to pause over the Tropic of Cancer.  Then each day following the Solstice, the sun will appear to be a little bit higher in the sky until the Spring Equinox.  Then we will begin our journey towards summer on the Equinox.
It is a beautiful day.  The sky is clear.  There's a breeze which is a bit cold, but not too cold for a walk.  And, I was up this morning in time to catch a photo of the Sun coming up over the house across the street.  That was great.
Unfortunately, in the midst of these holidays, we seem to have gotten ourselves into a bit of a political tangle.  That could be my understatement for the year!  I have noticed that humans tend to do this.  We tend to get into serious and very challenging messes like this when there is a problem with refugees or overpopulation anywhere on the planet.  The situation is made even worse when refugees are fleeing in large numbers from one country to another.  This has been a problem throughout our history, and we have not managed to solve it!
When we have refugees knocking at the door, and it doesn't seem to matter which country it is, we tend to get a little crazy.  Sooner or later we begin to feel threatened and then frightened and anxious.  When we feel this threatened, we have a tendency to move into very unpleasant sorts of behavior.  In order for us to solve problems like overpopulation, or refugees, or systems that are way out of date, we need to get much better working together.  
Here is the Good News!  There are people in government and in communities who know how to do just that. They have learned how to get people talking to each other, listening to each other, working together for the common good.  If we can get better at communicating rather than polarizing, name calling, and threatening each other, we could make progress.  We know from experience that all those behaviors exacerbate the problem! 
So we're in a bit of a tangle.  And, it is a very unpleasant tangle!  It has become a very difficult political tangle, primarily because we haven't gotten much better at working with each other.  And, there are people who refuse to consider any other solutions but theirs!  Now we are in a situation where
people can get hurt.  All kinds of people, young and old and everything in between, can get hurt.  This is a tragedy in the making!
This is a tragedy in the making because it is what happens when people refuse to work together for whatever reason.  There are tragedies that didn't have to happen or that could have been avoided.  And there are tragedies that were made worse because of choices people made.
A good example would be the Titanic.  This ship was supposed to be unsinkable, so the owners and builders decided not to load the required number of lifeboats!  Why bother to put enough lifeboats on the Titanic for all the passengers since it was definitely “unsinkable”.  Then there were people, immigrants, refugee people, on the lower levels, all crammed in below.  In many ways they were considered “worthless”.  Approximately 1,317 passengers died when the Titanic sank.  709 of them were 3rd class passengers. Three-quarters of those passengers perished.  It was very difficult for them to reach the upper decks where the lifeboats were stored.  The sinking of the Titanic was tragic, and it was made even more so by the decisions and behavior of human beings.
I'm not saying that life would have been any better if it had been easier for them to reach the upper decks.  The Titanic went down regardless.  What is tragic is the arrogance of the people who built the Titanic, who did not put enough lifeboats on for everybody.  And, they probably overloaded the steerage!  We keep doing things like that.  I'm not sure whether we mean to or not.  We are creating tragedies because we are not working out solutions together.
I am not intending to lower your spirits for the holiday, but I am asking for some serious consideration for ways that we as human beings can move forward together.  
What can we do?  
How can we learn to listen to each other better? 
How can we get better at coming up with better ways to solve problems.  Many people go to church, go to synagogue.  People go to spiritual retreats. People do all kinds of activities in an effort to become more spiritual.  I understand that because I've done that myself.  And, I've been very fortunate.
The reason I feel so blessed is because the spiritual teachers I have studied and worked with were very practical and very grounded.  One of my very early teachers in his professional life had been an electrical engineer. He was very knowledgeable and practical.  And, he taught from that kind of understanding.  Another of my early teachers was Murshid Samuel Lewis, the Sufi teacher who brought in the dances of Universal Peace.  He was very practical.  He was a gardener.  He was an excellent gardener.  And the plants that he put in, many are still growing at his house in San Francisco.  One thing Murshid Sam said in one of the classes was when anyone showed up at his door for whatever reason, he would bring them in, wash their feet, and feed them.  He would welcome them, and then he would try to find the best way to help them.  All of my teachers had that kind of heart.
In the Benedictine tradition, welcoming a stranger is a major pillar of that teaching and of spiritual practice.  Hospitality is a core value of the Benedictine spiritual practice.
What we have right now, what all of humanity has right now, is a big challenge to grow up a little bit, to become a little more spiritually practical. Our challenge is to close the separation between what we say and do in church, what we absorb and learn on retreat, and turn that into better listening and better systems of dealing with problems.  This is not easy for humans, especially when we feel threatened!  We can do this. We've done it before and we can do it again!
There's a place, a small town in Texas called Fredericksburg.  It is near a sacred mountain, a granite outcropping, sacred to the native people who live there.  The German immigrants arrived in 1836.  There were probably some Spanish people there already.  The German settlers were very ethical. They talked to the native people and made friends.  And, they made a treaty.  Those settlers and the generations that followed, kept the treaty.  It is one of the few treaties in the US that was kept!
Good for them.  That is an example of human being growing up, being mature!  Keeping our word!  That was a big deal in my family, keeping your word, taking care of your neighbor.  Nobody in my family was a preacher, nobody. I come from a long line of attorneys, farmers and ranchers, and school teachers.  So, I know that keeping our word can sometimes be challenging!
Being on this planet right now is a huge challenge! It is also a gift.  This is an Opportunity to Grow!  Earth is an amazing place.  Creation is amazing, every day, it is amazing.  Maybe if we paid a little more attention to Creation and how well it is working all the time, we might calm down a bit and do a better job!  Creation is amazing!  When I saw the Sun coming up over the rooftop this morning, it was just stunning!  The sky was clear. The air was crisp.  The world was gorgeous.
That is another reason I'm so glad to see children and parents outside!  Some of the parents were wrapped up, like me!  Children were taking off their jackets and tearing around.  It is a good day to be alive.  It is a good day to be on Earth!  Yes, it is challenging!  It is difficult, and we're up to it.  We have to be up for it because it is right in front of us!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday.  Hanukkah and Christmas are the same day this year.  Kwanzaa starts immediately after on the 26th.  We are incredibly Blessed and sometimes we forget.
I am deeply grateful to you, to everyone who listens to this podcast and reads my notes, and gets my emails, and makes lovely comments on Facebook!  Thank you.  Thank you for being here. Thank you for all you are doing every day to make our World better for Everyone.  
So, take good care of yourself.  Have a wonderful holiday.  And, let’s do a little better tomorrow.  Let's be a little more creative with all these challenges!  
And, remember to breathe.  Mary Christopher