Unity in Crisis
Building burning in Los Angeles
The fires raging through Los Angeles have ignited more than just forests and homes—they have consumed lives, memories, and a sense of security. Watching the news the other day, I found myself overwhelmed with grief, tears streaming as I mourned the countless lives disrupted, the homes reduced to rubble, the irreplaceable keepsakes turned to ash. And then there are the animals—our cherished furry companions, and the wild ones who call these lands home—now gone in the inferno’s merciless wake.
We are facing a stark new reality, one shaped by the challenges of climate change and a society in flux. The long dark has arrived, bringing with it an opportunity to reflect on how we’ve lived and what we truly value. It is a moment that invites us to reimagine our lives and begin anew, even though such transformation is rarely easy.
Having traversed my own dark night of the soul, I am no stranger to this terrain. I’ve come to understand that these moments, though harrowing, carry within them an invitation—a call to dismantle the old and forge a new way of being. Growth, as we know, is rarely painless. It feels like death because, in many ways, it is.
Several months ago, I sat in ceremony with the medicine, my body overcome with anxiety and the visceral sensation of dying. In that moment, surrender—a practice I often guide my clients through—felt nearly impossible. But then, a profound awareness arose: I was Mother Earth. I could feel her breaking within me, her plates shifting, her waters rising, her fires consuming. The grief I carried was not just my own—it was the planet’s, a sorrow for a humanity so disconnected that we have allowed our home to burn.
This grief is both personal and collective. As the fires rage on, I am reminded that our survival depends on belonging—to each other, to the earth, to all living beings. Belonging is not a luxury; it is a necessity. We must grieve the ways we have been asleep to these connections, and in that grief, find the seeds of awakening.
One image from the news struck me deeply: a car left untouched amid the wreckage, its license plate reading UNITY. In the midst of destruction, spirit speaks, offering a quiet yet profound reminder that unity is our only path forward. Fred Rogers’ timeless advice, "Look for the helpers," feels especially poignant now. That is what his mother told him to look out for any time there was a crisis and he was overwhelmed. Even amidst catastrophe, helpers emerge: neighbors opening their homes, strangers sharing resources and comfort. These acts of kindness shine like beacons, reminding us that we are not alone. My tears flow not just for the losses but for the profound beauty of this shared humanity.
Humans are not the only ones who understand belonging and the deep bonds of love. One of the beacons of light amidst this horrific mess was the sight of a horse turning back toward the flames to ensure the safety of its herd. At that moment, I was reminded that the connection thread extends far beyond our species. Animals, too, know love, loyalty, and loss. This is not just a human experience—it is a universal one. We all belong to one another, bound by the invisible threads of love.
To those in Los Angeles, my heart aches with you. My home and my heart are open to you. If you need a safe space, a listening ear, or any form of support, please reach out. Let this be a time when we come together, when we honor our grief and use it to rebuild a world rooted in connection and care.
We will endure this long dark, and together, we will rise.
