It’s only in the last 100 years or so that humans have lived in the midst of electric lights. Even so, I look out my window at the drizzly rain and grey clouds, with days that begin well before the dawn, and feel the darkness of the year looming all around me. I can only imagine what it was like living in stone castles or small huts with candles for light and fireplaces for heat. And yet, today we have another kind of darkness, unknown in the times of old. 

While the greed, violence, abuse of power, and ignorance have always existed, today we have them on a larger scale. Yet, like the yin yang symbol, where each side contains the other, there is always a spot of light. The tools of power: communication, information, and organization are in the hands of the common people like never before. Facebook, if it were a country, would be the 2nd largest in the world, yet its tendrils are everywhere, so our connection to each other and our access to information is also on a larger scale. In evolutionary terms, this new dawn of social consciousness is getting wired up at the speed of light.

Yet the light side of this worldwide network also has a spot of darkness in the form of personal isolation. We sit at our computers, our desks, our cubicles (40 million Americans spend their days in cubicles), and then bury our heads in our cell phones while commuting back home again. We are connecting, yes, but often at the cost of what is right in front of us: face to face connection.

The darkness of the year invites us to come closer. To sit by the fire and dream of a new world. To let go of the busyness of the year to spend time with friends and family. To share ideas and the warmth of love.

The winter holidays also invite us to get beyond our narcissism and share our gifts. So many organizations have formed to address the needs of the poor, the degradation of the environment, the creation of social justice, the preservation of democracy, and the pursuit of peace. Give something to the organization of your choice. Make a difference. Bring your light to some part of the world where it is most needed.

Here are some of my favorites: 

Women for Women: Lifts women out of poverty in areas plagued by violence and rape. Even a small donation goes a long way. 

Doctors without Borders: Deals with issues like Ebola, with heroic efforts to bring medical treatment where it is most needed.

Womens’ Earth Alliance: Educates women to become leaders in their communities in Africa, India, the Southwest, and more.

Amnesty International: Works against human rights violations to bring social justice. 

Oxfam: Working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. 

There are so many more and they need our support. What’s your favorite?

Our generosity pledge:
Click here for a list of our teleclasses!

50% off all teleclasses, and 50% of those sales will be donated to one or more of the above organizations, from now until Christmas.

Blessings,
Anodea
12.19.14