Bittersweet

It's dark and cold this day. The temprature sits at 49 degrees fahrenheit and the forecast is suggesting we will see an almost twenty degree shift to 68. Today is Sunday.

This time of year is one in which we are supposed to honor the values of peace on earth, joy about the fact that Spirit arrives to remind us of the universal truth of love and the brother/sisterhood of humankind. This is the ideal.

There are decorated trees, homes (if one has one), gatherings that are supposed to give families a chance to try yet again, to overcome any divisions that may have caused rifts, hurt, or disappointment to others. It is supposed to be a time to bring generations together so that the blessings of life can be centered. And it is a time when small tokens of affection can be delivered to bring a moment of joy.

That's the idea, but the reality is a little different for many.

It is hard to think that we are living in a time when war is at the top of mind, causing not just nations, but university students (our future), neighbors, and sometimes even old friends, to clash. It is challenging to hold hope for humanity when the season of "welcoming the stranger" is in fact, allowing thousands of families with children to suffer. And it would be truly disappointing to feel helpless in shifting society toward seeing how deeply, and inextricably connected we are in today's world.

So it was so very sweet to be with a group of incredible and courageous and loving people last evening. Some work with youth in Watts, others are social change agents who have been on both sides of prison walls, still others are musicians and artists... a small but mighty group of Angelenos. We created something more than a year ago called the Los Angeles Race Praxis network. The only purpose in coming together was to share time and space, to learn about how it feels to be with people you sort of knew but didn't really know, and to feel something beyond trust - grow. We have come to a place of loving one another and look forward to our monthly connects. It has turned out to be an experience of seeing what kind of caring can come from sharing.

We decided last night to try something rather unique - going on the assumption that vibrancy can be created among perfect strangers as well as family and friends. We took conventional currency and like magic watched it converted into social currency - something that is more valuable today than money. It is the thing that happens when a perfect stranger is dumbfounded by a small and unexpected gift of a well wishing greeting and gift. The smiles, the surprised look, the exchange of gratitude - all among strangers who will likely never meet again.

The art of gifting and reaching out with warmth has faded in recent years. Not sure if things will survive the meta-dynamics of our world today. But a small band of members of a secret society is exploring now, how to shift the bitter toward the sweet. It's like having a chance to be a part of a little miracle in life.