THIS IS a holiday season unlike any other. In this note, I want to share a fourfold invitation – to JOIN, to GIVE, and to PoP as this year comes to a close. I hope these offerings encourage you a bit (or a bunch!) and remind you of the beautyFULL ways we can stay connected, while tangibly caring for each other with great love.

JOIN (1 of 2)

Our dear soul sister, Sarah Jackson, with Casa de Paz, has created an intimate way to gather virtually to honor and remember immigrants who died while crossing the US/Mexico border.

What: Virtual Memorial Service for Immigrants Who Died Crossing the US/Mexico Border
When: December 21 at 6 pm PST | 7 pm MST | 9 pm EST
Join: Facebook live or RSVP here (free)

From Casa de Paz: “Let’s gather together (remotely) and remember the lives of immigrants who have died crossing the Mexico/US borderlands in 2020. Hundreds of people have perished this year and the numbers continue to rise. This will be a time to honor their memories. This is an interactive experience and you are invited to participate in whatever way is most meaningful to you – light a candle, say the names of folks who have perished, pray a prayer, etc. We will lead you through the service as we mourn and celebrate their lives together.”

Read more about the dire situation on the border in this article, “How 2020 is on track to be among deadliest for migrants at the Arizona-Mexico border“. Also, check out the wish list of items that can be dropped off or mailed to the Casa to care for their guests.

JOIN (2 of 2)

For some time, now, I’ve loved the email offerings and podcasts of Krista Tippet and her On Being team. I deeply appreciate and look forward to what they’ve created in this virtual gathering (it’s free).

What: On Being Midwinter Virtual Gathering
When: December 21, 2020 at 2 pm PST | 3 pm MST | 5 pm EST
Join: Facebook live or register here (it’s free)

From Krista and her team: “This Midwinter Gathering will be an invitation to care, replenishment, and renewal — for the many losses we scarcely know what to do with; for dwelling with reverence before our exhaustion and our resilience; for the expectant waiting that is the spirit of Advent; for being present to the deep, demanding learning that the ruptures of this year have brought; for pondering how we want to live once the virus releases us back to each other. This will be a time to accompany one another as we hold space for all of these things.”

And, these are incredible, too: Care Packages for uncertain times: A collection of podcasts, poetry, meditations and reflection for however you’re processing this moment. Find some enCOURAGEment here, my friend.

GIVE

If you are exploring year end giving opportunities, consider donating to the ongoing work done by some of our previous fundraising partners. I love and trust them with all my heart. Most of them are tax-exempt organizations.

Place of Pause

Be Still (Surrender)
Take a few moments to breathe deeply,
to notice the sounds around you.
Arrive.
Be here.
Be open.
Be still.
Stay here, breathing and being,
whether it’s ten seconds or ten minutes.

This is 8 of 40 weekly PoPs and our focus is: ARMS FLUNG OPEN.

Begin to explore, experiment with, and experience what happens when you walk more often open to those who seem uncomfortably unlike you.

So my friend, how about it?
Are you ready to commit to living a bit more
with your arms flung open to yourself and to others?
I believe that when you do,
you will discover and offer a balm for healing,
energy for next steps and leaps,
joy for the arduous days,
meaning in the minutiae, worth in the diminishment.

As you do,
you will find
kindred soldiers for the battle, conceivers of
and
collaborators for your big dreams.

You—we—will be lit up and
live ablaze.

For a longer and guided PoP on YouTube and to dive into this week’s PoP (our focus: “Arms Flung Open“), check out the video series (it’s free) of 10-minute PoPs.

I share these short and sweet PoPs so you can FILL UP with peace and navigate this wild and crazy season with strength and courage. There is much clamoring for our attention 24-7 with LOUD, FEAR-based, PANIC-inducing messages – but let’s practice peace, together, amidst these stormy days.

My heart and prayers are with you, my friend.

You are loved.
You belong.
We belong to each other.
Let’s standTALL together and light up the world!

Have a blessed and beautyFULL day,

xo, -Sarah DT ❤️