As I contemplate my next article–#211–I feel it’s time to reflect on my past writings–revisiting what my intention has been and will continue to be–sending out “light and love” as we deal with holistic wellness. With SO much darkness around us–I feel our wellness journey will benefit from a positive and loving perspective. Many folks have asked–where do your writings come from–to which I answered my journey as well as intuitive or spiritual guidance/direction and a passion for holistic healing–and possibly enlightenment for another way of looking at or dealing with an issue. My writing can be and has been very cathartic for me at times along the way, and guess what–you all get to come along on that journey. As I’ve stated before–take what you like and leave the rest, however, if you gain just one thing–what a blessing!
To be honest, I used this “Light and Love” term before I actually had a grasp on the power and energy behind these words. And yes, they do have power and they are different. Therefore, when we are offering someone “light and love” we are offering them the frequencies of creation and enlightened wisdom. How beautiful is that?!
In this article I have two topics I would like to address and send “light and love” toward–our new Juneteenth Holiday and National Pride Month.
Juneteenth is now an annual holiday observing the end of slavery in the U.S. and marks the day (June 19, 1865) when news of emancipation reached people in the deepest parts of the former Confederacy in Galveston, Texas.
Nearly two months after the end of the Civil War, General Granger, along with more than 1,800 federal troops, arrived to take control of the state, confirming the freedom of the last remaining slaves in the deepest parts of the South–a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation!
Although the Emancipation Proclamation—an executive order declaring that “all persons held as slaves” would be free—was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, and Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender in Appomattox, Va., marked the end of the Civil War in April 1865, news spread slowly and often met resistance from plantation owners.
The 13th Amendment, enshrining a ban on slavery into the Constitution, was approved in December 1865–however, in pockets of the country enslavement of African-Americans continued for several years. Light and love to all those affected–and that includes all of us– we’re all in this together.
Gay Pride: The uprising at the Stonewall Inn, Greenwich Village, NY in June, 1969, sparked a liberation movement–a call to action that continues to inspire us to live up to our Nation’s promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all. is the promotion of the dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as a social group. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the main outlook that bolsters most LGBT rights movements.
Back in 2003, the reverend Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church. I’ll never forget the Sunday following that announcement, Father Hess, our pastor at The Good Shepherd Church in Colorado Springs stood up and said “Like Jesus, we are about loving and helping whoever needs us”–be still my heart–wouldn’t it be wonderful if all religions embraced that love? Honestly, for me it was and continues to be the true meaning of ‘Light and Love’ for our fellow human beings even though they are different from us. In fact, our church was the only church that marketed to that gay community.
Sadly, what followed was a campaign of death threats and intimidation that would test him to the core. Needless to say, this lifestyle can be quite challenging. In fact, suicide rates among LGBT folks are alarming. Robinson states “[They] have taken their own lives because religion tells them they are an abomination before God and who believe their lives are doomed to despair and unhappiness,” the bishop said. “I tell them a different story.”
There are 108 versus in the Bible related to love, I have chosen two of them:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. I Corinthians 13:4-5
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7
We are all equally made in God’s image. Genesis 1:26-28
Let’s be an important part of ‘light and love’ in this world, Warriors!
Covid19 Humor: The 10 lbs of weight that we’re all gaining from comfort foods and comfort drinks is also known as fattening the curve.