Dear World,
You’re so beautiful and so vicious. Please, for the New
Year, scream enthusiastically of two things: (1) Kindness and (2) Chutzpah. You know
Kindness, World. We all do; we’re the majority. It’s a shame that greed and
destruction claim relentless power. It’s outrageous that a loud lunacy has successfully
demoted Kindness to something that’s not only invisible but “bad” and “threatening.” You’ve come this far, World. You haven’t simply let evil get
past you – not without taking note, standing up to it, fighting against it. Chutzpah. Spunk. Resiliency. These are some of your greatest
resources, and they’re in abundance. It’s prime time to proudly use them to their greatest extent.
People hate the Jews, World, because we’re said to be “chosen.” Yet
what we're chosen for, according to scripture and ancient narrative, is to
bring peace on earth. We can’t do it
alone, never wanted to. We’re only 2% of America, only .2% of You. In fact, Your main
religions share this goal. It’s a mission that requires copious amounts of chutzpah. Those
of us able to fight full-force this moment, must do so
on behalf of those struggling to survive the same moment. Let's nurture ourselves
and each other every breath of the journey. We need each other. Time to admit
this. Let’s stop fighting over words and egos, World.
I know that this sometimes overly
feisty and otherwise flawed woman has room for improvement. I’ll keep
working on it, World. Thanks for the fairly constant loving wisdom in others who've given hugs, guidance, and support. We are, after-all, a family of humankind.
Together, we can and we will work towards a better World, one that will most certainly challenge us with
plenty of opportunities for Kindness and Chutzpah. Humor too. Let us never
forget the life-sustaining powers of laughter.
I won’t say “Happy New Year,” World. “Happy” is an unreasonable,
arbitrary expectation. I’ll say this: May we best take care of our human
family. May we not only be kind to each other. May we find in ourselves, and
through unity, the chutzpah needed to rise above and beyond threats to our lives and to all Your beauties. May we make progress towards a better YOU for all of humankind.
With Sincere Hopefulness and Gratitude,
Robyn Alana Engel
I love you.
Let's do what we do best in 2017: Keep on keeping on by way of kindness and chutzpah.
Smooches and chocolate to you all.
xoRobyn
I'm one of four Californians participating in