Saying Goodbye to 2010

Last updated on: December 28, 2010 at 3:55 pm by laurapatsouris

Saying Goodbye to 2010 2010-12-28T15:55:35-04:00 laurapatsouris

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What can I say about 2010? Almost every person I know faced great trials during the past year. While it is a normal human response to recoil from painful lessons, sometimes we learn and grow the most from having to slog our way through adversity. I’m not saying that our ancestors and Gods purposefully inflict trauma on us…but They will take advantage of a learning opportunity and use our life situations to help us to grow stronger and to grow in faith.

Each challenge is a dangerous opportunity for us to make choices consciously and choose to either grow past our fears and stretch out of our comfort zone or to retreat into denial. With each choice we can either accept or shirk our duties to ourselves, our ancestors, our Gods and our communities. Each choice is woven into the web of our wyrd and changes us for better or worse.

On good days I can see this and feel strong and move ahead. But the true test comes on the bad days when the world feels like it is crashing in and I don’t want to face life. Then my choice becomes one of shaming my ancestors by allowing myself to buckle under or getting up and dragging myself to my altar to ask for their aid. Sometimes the most potent prayer comes through tears, “please, I beg you, do not let me fail you today”. This sort of supplication before our dead and our Holy Powers brings untold grace. They may not be able to fix every problem, but They can provide the strength needed to endure the trial.

Our pagan ancestors understood this, I think. They lived in a world where life was often brutal, mercurial and short. Their faith was not a flimsy thing to be cast aside when rewards weren’t obvious or forthcoming. They understood the power of endurance and of right action in the face of loss. They understood that true happiness does not come in a vacuum, that it comes as a result of faith, connections and right relationships with the ancestors, the land spirits and the Gods. There is joy in taking ones place in the web of relationships and obligations and doing what is honorable and right, even when it is distinctly unglamorous or difficult. They understood the beauty of service.

As much as I loathe to admit it, it was the truly dreadful moments in 2010 that taught me the most. We learn the most about who we are and about the people in our lives when we are deep in crisis…for only then do we see someone’s true character (or lack thereof) emerge. So, while I will not be sorry to see the year turn, I cannot avoid a grudging respect for the experiences and lessons and growth 2010 has brought. Being human, that hard-won understanding will not prevent me from praying like mad for 2011 to be a far gentler year for myself and all those I love. May your New Year be blessed!

Previous Post

December 27, 2010

Solstice Series: Pagan Religious Education

Next Post

December 29, 2010 Solstice Series: Doubt

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category alexandrian asatru astrology ATW Audio books btw ceremonial magick chaos classics community conversion cosmology dianic discordian druid dvd eclectic equinox ethics family feri festivals film Fully Inclusive Events gardnerian gender issues glbt heathen hellenismos history humor initiation interfaith magick meditation Military movies music mysticism myth networking news Open Thread Pagan Pagan 101 Paganism passings polytheism Polytheistic Religion polytheology praxis Reading List religio romana review ritual sabbats santeria service solstice symbols tools values wicca witchcraft

Select a Month July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which book of the Bible contains the genealogy of Jesus?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John Mark Luke Matthew