Joy and Pain in Equal Measure

A Greeting from the Stone Age

Dear Friends, Easter Sunday, 2026

I have been absent from my blog for a while. I've been focused on my mental and physical health, strengthening my practice, and teaching mindfulness. But while prioritizing to my own stability in a world of chaos, I can't help noticing some other important matters to which, like it or not, we all must attend. To summarize:

• Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti were martyred. No one was held accountable, and evidence is still withheld.

• Deportations continue in huge numbers, including violations of court orders to respect asylum seekers and those with legal status, like DACA recipients.

• Huge detention camps are being built all over this country. Who will be held in these places and who will monitor their conditions?

• More than 160 people have been executed by the military in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, without due process, and survivors of strikes were not offered aid as they clung to their sinking boats.

• We invaded Venezuela, killing up to 100 people and kidnapping their leader and his wife. We are engaged in creating humanitarian crises in Cuba with our blockade.

• In Iran, we have targeted civilians, including children, and killed upwards of 1,400 as of late March. We have also killed members of their government and their family members, noncombatant sailors, and others.

• Our war in the Middle East has led to an environmental and ecological disaster and accelerated climate change.

• Our only ally now, Israel, is engaged in murderous official and unofficial attacks on civilians, destroying homes and land in the West Bank and Southern Lebanon in order to annex the territory. Gaza remains a hellscape, especially for children.

• Ordinary Americans are struggling to put food on the table, pay for health care and housing, and put gas in their cars. Orphaned American children whose parents have been deported or detained now struggle to survive.

• The pedophiles exposed in the Epstein files continue to walk free. Others' names remain "redacted" while they enjoy elite privileges.

• Constant messaging on social media from Trump and his allies is a firehouse of hatred and lies directed at anyone who crosses them. Bullying, racism, misogyny, and intimidation are normalized. Even insulting dead heroes is deemed acceptable.

• God features prominently in their abusive discourse, including asking Jesus to bless their killing sprees and ridiculing Allah.

• Battle-tested generals are fired due to their lack of alignment with Secretary Hegseth's agenda to reduce and eliminate people of color and women from military command.

• The administration ignores judicial rulings. breaks laws, abrogates civil rights, threatens free and fair elections, and engages in monumental corruption while Republicans in Congress stand in support of it all, lying just like their leader.

  
  

  What can we do? Here is what I try to do every day. I am no paragon of virtue, but we must start where we are.

  
  

• I stay abreast of what is going on while balancing the news of the world with the news of my heart.

• I am involved in my local Indivisible group and attend demonstrations.

• I look out for my at-risk friends and neighbors.

• I practice daily meditation and prayer as a bulwark against despair.

• I read inspirational books from all traditions and seek greater understanding and wisdom.

• I take walks in nature, do yoga and tai chi, eat healthy food, and avoid foods produced by cruel methods or designed to be addictive.

• I appreciate and care for birds and animals, however I can.

• I try to reduce waste in my home. I try to eliminate the use of toxic products.

• I write letters to the editor and blog posts promoting awareness, preparedness, and compassionate action. I contribute to causes I consider valuable, like the ACLU.

• I try to appreciate the joy in the moment while also accepting the sadness and suffering of the moment. They are present in almost equal measure. There is no need for me to try to separate them.

• I practice accepting that many people including people I love, don't agree with me. I won't remain silent, however.

• I ask repeatedly, "Please hold us under the coverts of your wings, Oh God." This comes from the Quaker mystic Thomas Kelly.

Are you struggling? I am. I struggle every single day. But every day I also feel that I am held in God's hands. I sincerely hope that, on this Easter Sunday, you find peace and comfort in the midst of your struggle.