2023: From the Frivolous to the Sublime, a Year in Review

I just finished streaming The Mandalorian, which includes baby Yoda and a cast of characters whose names I have trouble recalling.  I am more of a Trekker than a Star Wars fan, sort of like I prefer the Stones to The Beatles.  But I watched at the urging of other chaplains. And the series is entertaining, and at times kind of thoughtful. I like the image of the super-charged macho hero, Din Djarin, snuggling Grogu through many of the fight scenes- a reminder that even tough guys can be nurturing. Honestly, I did too much streaming this year- The Sandman, Medium, The Fall of the House of Usher. One of my New Years goals is to watch less TV and read more.

Aside from the frivolous, 2023 provided sublime moments: watching my son graduate from Navy Corpsman training in San Antonio, kayaking the La Croix River with my sis, nephews, and sons, and hiking with my brothers, step-mom, and son in the pouring rain in December. The theme to the joyful moments is that they all included people I love. None of my sublime moments occurred when I completed a goal. Real happiness isn’t about accomplishing something, it’s about putting energy into relationships that continue.

My past year was marked by painful loss and joyful new beginnings. One can’t happen without the other. Room for rebirth is made possible by the sacrifice of those things whose time has come to end. As I sift through the debris and the treasures of 2023 experiences, I can see that endings and beginnings are a full circle, not a dead end.

I’m reminded of the circle of life and death every day at work. Sometimes, while I tend to the end of life for one person, I will hear chimes over the loudspeaker playing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, indicated the birth of a baby.  What astounds me is when a grieving family member notices this, and comments on how nice it is that a baby was just born. Life is a sublime gift, and in death we pass along all of the energy that animated us to those who come after. A perfect and unending cycle of unspeakable beauty.

My blessing to all in 2024 is to claim your joy. It’s yours. Be glad. Allow the gifts of spirit to unfold before you and be amazed. Savor the frivolous pleasures and the deep and well-earned joys. Embrace the paradox that we are Divine Spirits on a sojourn and also deliciously shallow people, living it up. We are a yes/and kind of people. And it is good.