A Love Letter from Sage-ing International
Series 4 – Issue 2
“Being Light in the World”
The 2021 holiday season has now passed. Before we embark on the possibilities awaiting in this New Year—2022, the Executive Circle pauses to send our community heartfelt greetings. We, as leaders on behalf of Sage-ing International, are humbled by the love that has exponentially expanded throughout the Sage-ing International community the past year—in our personal lives, within our families, local communities, and around the world. We are also inspired by witnessing the “light” that SI shines now in many countries, illuminating brightly and enriching the lives of those we touch.
 
This palpable love and light is felt in messages of hope, charity, inspiration, courage and care, as we stay connected in novel ways. While SI leaders have made remarkable strides to provide virtual opportunities to stay connected, it is clear that we desire to be in the company of one another—in the same physical space. The past holidays have proven that we all have a deep longing to reconnect in person during prevailing circumstances of the virus and variants. Although we attempt to practice safe measures to once again be in the nurturing presence of others, this remains difficult. The fact of the human condition is that we need each other; and, we also need to “be there” for one another in the best ways that we can while continuing to navigate challenging times.
 
During the past month there have been many religious ceremonies, celebratory events, and festivals of lights around the world in many different cultures and traditions. An obvious common thread is the hope of emergence from darkness to light. This hope is illuminated by acclaiming the “birth of light” in one aspect or another.
 
In the Western world, we are also in the season of winter darkness—factually and metaphorically. Furthermore, we are continuing to be immersed in “darkness,” if you will, relative to the pandemic crisis and a myriad of perpetual worldwide concerns. Parker Palmer says, “In times of deep darkness, we not only need light. We need to BE light for one another.” This is possible whether or not we are actually in the physical presence of one another.
 
The truth is that regardless of age—from children to elders, we have the capacity to shine a light in the world that makes a difference. This is comforting and worth remembering these days, as we continue living in troubling uncertainty. Truly, it is heartening to remember that any of us can light a candle with meaningful intentions. Click here: Light a Candle for Peace
How is it then that we can “be light” for one another? Here are some considerations:
 
There is the light of human kindness that comforts everything it touches.
There is the light that shines forth by showing compassion and love to oneself and to one another.
 
There is the light that comes from choices we make that bring a sense of peacefulness and liberation of the heart.
There is the light that emerges when we surrender, relinquishing a need to control, and trusting the wisdom of our intuition.
There is the light of “truth telling” that reveals untruths we tell ourselves—consciously or unconsciously, and that we hear told by others as well.
There is the light that shines from believing the simple and sometime complex truth that “I am enough” and that “you are enough.”
There is the light that brings love to the places that tend to be unloved.
There is the light that looks for opportunities to lift someone else up, and to be a light for them when they have lost their will to shine their own light.
There is the light that glows in blessing ourselves and others with loving kindness, protection, health, and good intentions.
There is the light that gives us courage to walk the way of transformation.
There is the light that brightens the path forward to a better life—thus, a better world.
Certainly, as sages and elders, we have wisdom, experience, and heart to intentionally “be light” for one another and for others. While none of us can provide all of the kinds of light that are needed, every one of us can shed some kind of light. Every day we can ask ourselves, “What kind of light can I be right now?”
As we expand our capacity to create positive change, we invite you to participate in a self-guided Metta Blessing Meditation in the comfort of your home Click here: Metta Blessing Meditation. In concluding, we send this blessing to our Sage-ing International community:
 
May we honor the dawning of this New Year 2022—a rebirth that calls upon our light to be a beacon of hope for good things to come in creating a better world.
May we bring our willingness and commitment to make our light visible and known by our living, in our relationships, and through our service.
 
May we be devoted to “be light” for our personal well-being and the well-being of others.
May we be dedicated to shine brightly in caring for life here on planet Earth this coming year.
 
We close with gratitude for all the ways the Sage-ing International community has shined a light on the conscious aging message around the world. This has been possible through virtual means, i.e. Zoom events, social media, and blogs. Throughout the past year, we have had robust attendance at our inspiring educational offerings, Wisdom Circles, and at the recent online Summit. Many leaders have offered their love and gifts of the heart to ensure that opportunities continue and the SI mission flourishes—transforming the current paradigm of aging to “sage-ing” through learning, community building and service. We invite you to join us in service as together we continue shining light and love out into the world this New Year. To Inquire, please send an email to admin@sage-ing.org.
 
Be light. Be love. Be well.
 
The Executive Circle of Sage-ing International
Marilyn Loy Every, Co-Chair
Katia Petersen, Co-Chair
Nancy Gray-Hemstock, Secretary
Cindy Siemers, Treasurer
Randy Morris, Member-at-Large
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