Many of us, and many more, are experiencing states and feelings that are expressions of anticipatory grief.

Anticipatory grief arises when seeing what appears to be approaching includes the ending of what we love and care about. Or who we love and care about.

Sometimes it hurts. This is not because we’re not spiritual enough; it’s because we are sensitive, deep feeling people who cannot help but feel and respond in some way to what is dying and broken in the world, to the dying of a loved one.

We know that no matter how the U.S. election turns out, there will be massive change. Our democracy is faltering.

We know that climate change is a real thing that will bring changes to every neighborhood, to the world’s food supply, to how billions of people will or won’t survive.

We know that bombs and guns never bring peace.

Anticipatory grief can show up as depression, lack of energy, anxiety, maybe fear and dread, feelings of overwhelm, anger and more.

There is so much we can do so little about. There is plenty of evidence that we may have gone past the point of no return.

We don’t want to hear this.

There are the children and grandchildren.

Our spiritual practices, the love that is one of God’s names, these are the essential ground, standing between hope and hopeless, pointing us to and supporting us to stay sane and healthy in the midst of it all.

Love and grief, twin sisters.

We always knew, one day we’d need to say goodbye to everyone and everything we love.

It just makes it all the more precious, doesn’t it?

Reverend Bodhi Be

Haiku