A solid foundation

Sun illuminates the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As I took a drive recently for some photos, I also took home a lesson about foundation. The soil, rock, and other elements under the surface are what we walk on, but it’s the sun – shining whether clouds cover it or not – that is foundational to life. Even when just one sunbeam breaks through a gray sky, that light touches everything around us.

Love operates in much the same way. Like the sun, it is always active – but its light can be hard to come by. In a moment, we can feel beset by swirling clouds of unrest, whether it be a local controversy or a national political issue that’s always on the news. It can all feel like a mountain of conflict that’s being built higher and higher, and entirely out of our control.

But there is something we can do. Instead of looking away, we always have the opportunity to look beyond the current conflict and our opinion of it – and look directly into that foundation of love that’s at the core of our very being. It’s a foundation made with the bedrock of compassion and goodness. There, we also find dependable strength and integrity that doesn’t wane when times are tough, that isn’t shaken by the winds of controversy, however daunting they seem.

This foundation of unfaltering love is tied to our innate goodness that propels us to do good to others, in deeds small and large. It enables us to love our neighbor, regardless of whether their opinions match up with ours. That’s because this love, this goodness, is already there. It’s already built within each of us, and it’s there for us to stand on and to use. Its fundamental role is to connect us with that same love and goodness within others. And it means we all have a foundation of good, the ever-present ability to be loving and to thereby connect with our fellow human beings for the betterment of all. Any conflict occurring in our lives is temporary, but goodness and love – those are permanent. And as such, we can make the choice today to step into those qualities and express them more freely. With that, we’ll be adding a little more peace into the world, each day.

— Gareth Henderson

Giving: The best gift of all

Holiday decorations in downtown Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Amid the rapid activity of the holidays, thinking beyond the needs of the present moment can be tough. There always seems to be some other task around the corner. 

But we have something else in common, that’s much more powerful than the anxiety of any given moment: It’s natural for us to give. Within us, we have a profound and ever-present ability to give some of the goodness we have in our hearts — whether it’s a small or a larger act of kindness; whether it’s some volunteering we’ve planned to do, or spontaneously helping someone carry an item they’re struggling with, for example. Just like the next sunrise, that spirit is always there and ready to be seen and experienced. And it fills us up with love. 

In spite of the conflicts and struggles happening in the world, this holiday season gives us a wonderful reminder of how we can use goodness and love to push back against their opposites. By expressing goodwill, we are truly giving and also contributing to peace in the world. That’s the true Christmas spirit, which makes a difference in each and every heart it touches.

In every season, we have the opportunity to reflect a bit more on the good we know, and what might come from it. Indeed, there is always a great deal of goodness and love being shared – the key is to keep our eyes more open to these qualities, and know we have them to freely give to others. In every moment, they are there to touch our lives and remind us how innately good we are.

Anything that would turn us inward, that would try to separate us from each other, is very much like the clouds hiding the sun. The light can’t be stopped from being light; there’s something about our very being that looks out from self, and is ready to help others. That’s the true spirit of the holidays. It never stops giving. Good is continuous, and it really is the best gift of all.

— Gareth Henderson

Precious moments of gratitude

A farm in Illinois during our recent travels. (Chris Henderson Photo)

They come about when you least expect them, but, so very often, they’re right around the corner: moments of gratitude. Sometimes they’re for major positive changes in life; other times you’re compelled to reflect on the smaller things that, even in a slight way, shed light on the goodness all around us. For either instance, the serene beauty of nature can be a powerful example.

Recently when my wife and I were driving back to Vermont, after a visit to the Midwest, I awoke to an inspired scene just outside our hotel window in eastern Ohio. The dawning sun illuminated a small marshland with a river and woods just beyond it. The light danced on the tops of cattails in the wetland and on the trees in the distance. A group of birds flew overhead, just above this pleasant scene, and its expression of light dawning on shadow, and making it bright.

It was a brief moment, but I was grateful for the beauty it brought forward — showing that something so simple, can be so profound. It points to this time of year, in which the light of gratitude comes out in a more pronounced way, and it shows that gratitude is always possible, because goodness is really all around us, with its varied expressions. That goodness cares for us and reminds us of its constancy, even its ever-presence amid the shadows of life. In this holiday season, people are stepping up to help each other, to lift their communities up and be there for those in need. Good is still being realized and acted on. The true light of love is still shining. And no matter what the situation may be, something to be grateful for is always about to show up, many times just around the corner. This truth guides us and reassures us that we are all part of a natural, beautiful network of goodness. It is radiant and ready to touch every heart, with an abundance of precious moments.

— Gareth Henderson

The uplifting light of good

A brilliant sunset over Woodstock Village in Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Nature holds beauty for us every day. Just when we don’t expect it, another inspired scene unfolds and fills us with awe.

I felt that way recently, when going for a walk in Woodstock Village and seeing the setting sun, with a brilliant, orange blaze over the nearby ridge line.

What a sight to behold, and I only had a few seconds to see it. In less than a minute, the sun had retired, and the dark was rapidly setting in. But just as clear was the idea that the sun would return the following morning, regardless of whether clouds would accompany it, or not.

Watching that inspiring sunset reminded me of the goodness in the world. Its power touches the heart, and, like warm sunlight, it reaches each of us — in the form of people helping one another, or in other successes we may not always hear about. Clouds of negativity, fear, and despair may hide it sometimes. Commentaries about the impacts of political strife, hate, war, and fear may pervade consciousness. But right there where the world seems at its worst, there are people helping each other survive in difficult times, helping their neighbors in need, and stepping up when the community needs them. That constant expression of love is illuminating the light of goodness — the light that remains within us all.

With such expressions of love and compassion at the helm, the challenges in the world have not defeated good. That love is a real force in the world, here and now. There is a certain strength in the love people express and the good they cherish. When one person helps another, whether the task be small or large, it helps move us forward and see the brilliant, inspired hues of being, and it ushers clear skies into view. Let’s demonstrate that kindness today, in the moment, because we can’t take back yesterday’s moments, and we can’t borrow from tomorrow’s.

Even when times are difficult and we see clouds moving in, there’s always a glimmer of hope just around the corner. There is blue sky waiting to come through, to reassure us that good is here and remains a strong, uplifting force in this precious world we all share.

— Gareth Henderson

Stillness: A door for peace

The Ottauquechee River in Taftsville, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In the open air of nature, there’s a particular freedom all around. I look up at the trees, with recently fallen snow still resting on their branches. A sense of calm pervades life in that moment. All is still, as each step unfolds new views of the surroundings, new footsteps on the way — onward. A gentle breeze glances by, accentuating the stillness, a true gift in the world. 

I recall many such moments from the evening walks my wife and I enjoy. And the gift of stillness is one we always notice. After a long day, it provides a time to settle the thought, gain some perspective, and simply give thanks. These are simple moments of realization — something that is so vital in this rapidly moving world, where moments and opportunities seem to race by. These can sometimes make us feel these calmer moments are far out of reach. But truly, we can gain stillness through just a few moments of quiet, where we welcome productive, calming moments of peace, a quality we each innately have. 

To see peace in action doesn’t take time, it only takes that genuine, open door of thought, where we allow quiet, calming moments to take root, and settle us. In that space, a light grows, and we’re so open to the goodness in our communities and in the world — and so able to see it grow. That provides a meaningful sense of freedom. And then, the fresh, nurturing sense of peace gained outdoors can be experienced within us, any time. It’s not a time, not a place. It’s a reassuring stillness that’s always within reach. 

— Gareth Henderson

Starting with love

Sunrise over the mountains in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

What’s 2023 going to look like? A common question, and one that you really can’t answer – not today. But one thing is for certain: We’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to what we’ll do in the next 12 months. And while year-long goals are in the headlines today, the opening moments of each day deserve a lot of attention. 

Starting with the simplest and purest quality there is can be very powerful, and that is love. Many times, the early-morning moments have allowed me the opportunity to quietly focus more on qualities that stem from love, and to start my day in a positive light. It’s a way to let love naturally flow into your experience, like an outstretched sunray. Love provides a solid foundation that is as strong as rock, and it eliminates barriers, fear, and separation from good. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote so elegantly about this in his book, “Strength to Love” : "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." Each day, there are opportunities to live the related qualities of love through acts of:  

Kindness

Compassion

Cooperation

Service

Thoughtfulness

Patience

Generosity

Strength 

Hope

Centering the day on such qualities of love, opens up ways to more fully express them in our daily lives and overcome fear or obstacles to progress. Seeing that bigger picture, it’s more natural to be a positive force for good, even in small examples, such as thanking the store clerk, waiter, a teacher, or offering to help a neighbor. In this way, we become active parts of the greater good. Small acts of kindness uplift our entire community, moment by moment, and they help build stronger communities. Steps away from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., is an organization started by Mack McCarter called Community Renewal International. The entire project is about building positive relationships with your neighbors one house at a time and working together for the betterment of the whole. Major crime has dropped an average of 55% in most of the neighborhoods that Community Renewal went into by establishing a foundation of love, compassion and getting to know your neighbors. 

By improving our daily moments with love, these positive qualities can only lead to a ripple effect, seeing more of the abundance of love in our lives. And this cultivates progress, builds stronger connections with others, and shows us how we can positively impact this world we all share. What better way to bring more love into the new year?

— Gareth Henderson

The radiant gift of goodness

Holiday decorations in downtown Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Life has a way of reminding us there’s a greater power than us in the world. Even a simple thing, like the morning sun illuminating a snowy field, shows us a radiant, expansive beauty we couldn’t create on our own, but can always experience. It’s part of a goodness, a peace, that is often closer to us than we know. It’s innate to us, and we live in the midst of it. 

So often we feel that pull to rush into the holidays, swept up in a world that appears long on strife, but short on hope. But this time of year, we have the opportunity to reflect a bit more on the good we know, and what might come from it. Indeed, there is always a great deal of goodness and love being shared – the key is to keep our eyes more open to these qualities, and know we have them to freely give to others.

There was a heart-warming example recently, of 13 strangers stranded after a canceled flight in Orlando, Florida. Instead of despairing, they opted to rent a van and make the trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, together. As the CNN feature reported, they formed “an impromptu community”, and the results were moving. An aspiring college student, who thought she may miss the chance to visit her dream school in Knoxville, was able to do so. 

"I feel like this situation for me specifically kind of restored my trust and humanity a little bit," one passenger told CNN. "There's definitely hope for people — people, they can be good."

Also, here in the Upper Valley, another story touched our hearts. Following the many outages from last weekend’s storm, a Canadian line worker, who was far from home, went to the Wal-Mart in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, to pick up some things. When he was about to pay, he realized that they did not take Apple Pay and needed to go back to his truck to get his wallet. Well, he got back to the register to find that the people in line after him had paid for all his items, showing gratitude for his work in the field. 

We can take something meaningful from these stories: that spark of good is always at the ready, wherever our journey takes us. It’s there to touch our lives and remind us how innately good we are. Anything that would turn us inward, is very much like the cloud hiding the sun. The light can’t be stopped from being light; there’s something about our very being that looks out from self, and is ready to help others.

Whatever the situation, we are empowered to rise above any challenges and be a light for hope – even through a simple act of kindness. The more we focus on reflecting goodness and love in our lives, the more we’ll see them in action all around us, too. On days when those qualities seem in short supply, we can pause and know they are still around, still being expressed — and sometimes, they are just around the corner, waiting for us to embrace them. That’s the true spirit of the holidays. It never stops giving. Good is continuous, and it really is the best gift of all.

— Gareth Henderson

Sharing gratitude, being love

The Kedron Brook in South Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

When days of cloudy skies turn to light, we experience one of nature’s most awe-inspiring moments — and Saturday morning was such a time. I was quietly reading at my desk and looked up to see beautiful light shining into the room, illuminating part of it. Another few minutes, and the light shifted slightly, spreading further into the room as it took up more of the window. 

It struck me that good works much in the same way. Like the sunlight, it shines into our lives, and though there are days where it seems not to reach every corner of our experience, it is still active, still lending warmth, still breathing life into hope. This beautiful sense of good marches on, even through the toughest times. 

This time of year, gratitude is a point of emphasis, and is always a strong force for good in the world. Thanksgiving gives us a much-needed nudge to slow down our thought and take a moment to acknowledge the most important things. It provides an instant connection to how love is being expressed. For example, food shelves and other nonprofits are continuing to help those most in need, individuals and organizations step up to help their neighbors, and the smallest acts of kindness still go a long, long way. That’s because the light of goodness shining brightly in our hearts is a natural state of being for us, and it’s what we feel when gratitude is expressed. Take the example of Debra Ferrell of Virginia, who founded a nonprofit based on small acts of kindness. 

“It is a kindness organization where our motto is, ‘Be love. Do stuff,’” Ferrell recently told the media. 

Being love. Those two words are hugely important in today’s world, one where, so often, love seems to be very much overshadowed, or even under siege. But every time that issue comes into view, the perspective we bring to the table makes a difference, and it’s something we can consider, something we have the right to change. Even through challenges, the opportunity to be love — to do good, show gratitude to others — reveals life-changing actions we can take right now in our communities. In this world, nothing is more needed, and nothing can stand in the way of good that’s ready to make a difference.

— Gareth Henderson

Bookstock: A Vermont treasure returns with its full festival experience

The Green Mountains around Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The written word contains a simplicity and a majesty all its own. Its impact spans the history of the human experience. Writing can inspire, and beyond just that, it can be the catalyst for needed change. 

For all those reasons, books have held a special place in my heart, and I've celebrated their profound influence by enjoying many of them over the course of my life. But this week, the ultimate celebration of the written word returns to Woodstock, in person. That's Bookstock: the Green Mountain Festival of Words.

It was a special experience to write about the first Bookstock, over a decade ago, and it's a great honor to write about it now. Now, as then, something exciting is about to inspire us. For the first time in three years, writers, artists and book-lovers of all ages will gather in Woodstock Village for this special event, running from June 24 to 26. It means the large book sale under the tent will be back, right in the middle of Woodstock's historic Village Green, starting on Friday. And, a great selection of fine vintage books will be available at the nearby Norman Williams Public Library. Around the village at speaker events, authors, poets and artists will share their work with festival-goers, and hearts will be enriched, and minds expanded, from the abundance of ideas imparted.

It's really that act of sharing that makes Bookstock special, unique, and so engaging. That can mean a new idea from the words of an author, or a discussion with friends after learning a new concept, or picking up a new book and finding new inspiration in its pages. For all these reasons, events like Bookstock are vital. This festival celebrates not only Vermont’s rich literary culture — with Robert Frost, Rudyard Kipling, and many other greats calling it home over the decades — but also humanity itself and the rich palate of expression that defines our world, and pushes us to understand it better. 

It goes to the very heart of sharing our deepest thoughts and experiences with each other. It marks our commonalities, the things that bring us together as people. In the era of podcasts and ubiquitous digital content, it is still important to read and celebrate the written word and to interact with its creators. That experience of learning loses something without that personal interaction, that face-to-face connection with no screen in between. So what a treat it will be, to have Bookstock back in person. 

At the end of the day, the literary gem that is Bookstock benefits humanity as a whole. It adds profound meaning to the myriad hues of the human experience. Through our love of the written word, it encourages us to take a moment to open one more door in our busy minds, and to think about ideas in deeper ways. And those ways help us learn, they enrich us, and we grow. What a treasure to share with the world.

— Gareth Henderson

Find the event schedule and full details for Bookstock 2022 at www.bookstockvt.org.

Building peace, and starting with love

A view from Fletcher Hill Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As springtime flourishes around us, we witness natural peace and harmonious progress all around us, the former season a distant memory. Familiar images come to mind, like that beautiful, slow-motion video of the flower blooming, and turning toward the sunlight, finding its natural place closest to the sun’s nurturing rays. A moment of seeking light, and finding it. 

These days, that moment can seem a distant thing. Pictures of peace, like the above, seem fleeting at best. The world longs for peace, one that lasts, one that goes beyond a feeling. Though it may be difficult to see at times, people have a natural leaning toward peace, just like the flower that seeks the sun. It’s not about what we feel from moment to moment; this peace is part of our being, joined to our innate ability to love one another. 

Knowing this, we have to seek peace where it all begins: within us. If we build peace within ourselves, the harmony that seems impossible to attain can shine through us, even if just a little bit at first. It starts with an individual’s chosen lens through which to view the world. Will it be through the love which comes to us so naturally? To build peace through loving others as ourselves, is really our most natural desire as people. Where rightly motivated desire lives, there is opportunity, and a possibility to join together for the greater good. In that space, we make a difference.

Amid the struggles of the past two years, we’ve seen this happen. Neighbors have helped one another and created unforgettable, inspiring moments leading to progress, and leading others to help their communities. It’s clear that this pattern of unselfishness awoke in us a collective propensity to lift each other up. There’s a history of this in the world, even in the darkest times, because that connection of compassion is natural and familiar to everyone.

However, this existence never allows us to sit still; it demands greater proof of what we can accomplish. Now, we, as a global community, are being asked to meet such a challenge. From the recent shootings in the U.S., to the war in Ukraine, the demand of the times is to muster compassion, love and grace to make a difference. That work will look different for each individual, but everyone has a way to contribute to the healing, the peace, that is so needed today. Every person can express peace and provide that gift to everyone they see, every day. By doing so, that natural, peaceful expression is established, takes root and grows in the world. It’s a meaningful part of the solution at this important time. And it shows us that the answer the world needs begins in our very hearts. Right where hopelessness tries to creep in, there is love, and the ability to build lasting peace. Each person can play a role in cultivating that framework, starting now.

— Gareth Henderson

The armor of courage and love

The sun rises over the mountains in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

This past weekend, a priest at a Catholic church in Ukraine told his congregation, their faith is their armor. Even after Russia began bombing the country, congregations still continued to meet in Ukraine, bolstered by faith and courage. 

“The enemy is attacking us, but we are with God, and if we are with God, who can be against us?” the priest resolutely stated, quoted on the PBS NewsHour Monday evening. The church’s choir sang out a battle hymn for Ukraine, reflecting the country’s resolve, even as it faces the first major land war in Europe in over 70 years. 

Amid war and violence, are signs that faith, courage, and dedication to one’s country are fueling many efforts to repel this invasion. Early on Monday, a line of vehicles 20 miles long on the road into Poland grows; some locals have brought food to those waiting in the seemingly endless line. All the while, the Ukrainian forces fight on, as Russian aggression continues. 

Amid war and violence, are signs that faith, courage, and dedication to one’s country are fueling many efforts to repel this invasion, and help those in need. Early on Monday, a line of vehicles 20 miles long on the road into Poland grew; some locals have brought food to those waiting in the seemingly endless line of families fleeing the conflict. All the while, the Ukrainian forces fight on, as Russian aggression continues.

After watching the news coverage in recent days, an understandable question is, Can the world repel such an invasion? More to the heart of it, Can peace and stability win? 

Over the past two years, the world has seen strong, encouraging reflections of support, love, and collective strength, where they’ve been most needed. The example of a congregation standing up, resolute, for the higher goal of faith and love, is a reminder how the human spirit can shine its brightest amid adversity. And it shows why the answer is “yes”, to the two questions posed above. 

Indeed, this represents a far stronger history than that of violence. As seen in times past, churches, organizations and other groups join together to rally around their communities and offer support in the toughest times. Today, at this moment people from around the world are praying and holding vigils in support of love. One of the greatest resources is the constant amount of prayers being offered to Ukraine worldwide, every day. This has happened amid all other challenges the world has faced, and this support has its foundation in love — a quality we all know, a power we’ve all felt.

This love, this resolve, grows and multiplies; it never diminishes. It is greater and more powerful than any bomb or military force, and it’s a force for good that won’t be turned back. This love offers protection when material resources cannot meet the present need. Love’s armor remains, as the light that still shines in darkness. Wherever we live, we have a role in sustaining that armor, by the love and support we maintain in our hearts for Ukraine. And we can know that the hearts of those who need to feel that love, will feel it, and be nurtured by it, because it knows no borders, no limits. 

The best part of history will repeat itself. Love has seen the world through its darkest hours, and it will do so again.

— Gareth Henderson

All-encompassing freedom

A wintry scene near Lake Pinneo in Quechee, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the snow blankets the landscape around us, it embraces its surroundings with a special stillness, an all-encompassing sense of freedom. 

Even amid frigid conditions, we’ve all felt the serenity of winter. Its sense of peace envelops the land and all that takes place on it. To see this in action is a joy, including Saturday as we once again visited the trails by Lake Pinneo in Quechee. As the cross-country skis hit the tracks in the snow, they added their own sound amid the gentle silence. A graceful mix of light and shadow danced over many parts of earth’s snowy blanket. 

As we go by so many of nature’s splendid scenes, we do so in a world that is struggling with challenges of lack, economy, health, division, and other issues. These can lead us to feeling trapped, like there’s nothing which can settle or resolve these challenges. In truth, embracing and connecting with that feeling of peace is an important place to start, because any productive thought we cultivate within ourselves can be shared with others, even through just a kind interaction. The vastness of peace that nature so easily provides, can be ours to express, too. This can happen even amid political tension and places where ideas of peace and unity face an uphill climb. We can know those more productive ideas have their allies, and that in the end the very peacefulness expressed so naturally in the outdoors is a point of commonality — it means something to all of us.

That peace, that broad sense of good and harmony, isn’t far away from any of us. It’s accessible, its power is immediate, and it’s something we can embrace and cultivate in all our endeavors. Feeling a growing sense of natural peace can start right this very moment, and we can calmly welcome more of it into our lives right now. Like the brilliant winter sun enveloping the landscape, we can let peace, goodness and love surround our hearts and bring us to a better moment where harmony reigns. With that, the daylight in our lives can keep expanding and has more than enough grace to help every heart it touches.

— Gareth Henderson

The calming presence of music

A scene by Hartland Hill Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

So often, music sends a message to the heart just when we need to hear it. Such was the case this week, when I came across a version of “Simple Gifts” performed by cello master Yo-Yo Ma. His gentle, soulful performance of this song drove home its much-needed message of simplicity over complexity, as shown with the opening verse:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

To me, it was a timely message for today, which invites us to find peace in the simpler things in life, things that goodness and love  guides us to cherish and share. This universal good counters any heavier, more complicated layers of negativity, and any pressure that can overwhelm. Whatever the world may throw our way, it’s still true that cultivating and building our thoughts in the opposite direction — the direction of only good — has a powerful effect on us and those we interact with.  A brief but meaningful message, such as that contained in this song, can be part of that process and can uplift us in any situation. It adds to those lighter, heartfelt layers of inspiration that bring grace into our lives. Grace invigorates us, brings freedom, and allows each of us to have the patience to go forward, letting feelings of burden and heaviness fall away like layers of yesterday's laundry. 

That process is reflected in the tangible harmony of Yo-Yo Ma’s rendition of this beautiful song. After the familiar opening verse, several layers of graceful notes build, and then the performance ends on a simple, fitting note as the perfect conclusion, followed by a tender word of gratitude for the audience. It’s another shared experience, calming the soul as only music can. And I’m grateful to share it with all of you.

— Gareth Henderson

A higher hope

The moon on Wednesday night, as seen from Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Nature has a way of lifting your heart and calming your thoughts with its innate grandeur. And sometimes such a scene appears when we least expect it. 

I had such an experience Wednesday night, when I arrived home thinking I’d head straight to my front door. But the brilliant sky above me captured my attention, and pulled my gaze upward. At that moment I saw the moon, shining down from the sky, surrounded by a field of clouds illuminated by white light. From the one source, came the brilliance that filled the sky, unlimited in its beauty, and powerful by its reach. 

As I write, I’m viewing the picture I took of this inspiring scene, and I remember the moment I saw that tapestry of moon and clouds. How incredible that from the darkness and depth of space, there could come such pure and piercing light. In just a short time, in earth — and in thought — that light can quickly become the dominant force in a particular moment. Night is not the overarching theme — radiance and beauty are. They shine out from the sky, unlimited. 

The same can be said for love, hope, and good deeds. Even the tough times leave enough room for incredibly bright moments to appear. They break through the darkness with light, inspiration and kindness. Hopeful moments we read about, even small acts of tender kindness we see, help to reveal that light in the human experience. We’re never cut off from experiencing those precious moments and the good they do in our hearts, and the good they propel us to share. Like moonlight, one beam of good radiates to another location, and then another, and multiple people are touched by that embrace of all-encompassing goodness. 

That’s the repeating, active motion of good in the world. And so it continues, beaming out from our true, loving nature, not letting clouds remain in the way, and letting humility shine. Even during a long, cold night of challenges, we can lean on the good that drives a higher hope for mankind. We can know the dawn is coming, and that a brighter day is unfolding.

— Gareth Henderson

Seeing beyond the noise

A view of the Ottauquechee River from River Street in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Fittingly, on the most frigid morning of the year, I happened upon a documentary on Saturday about climbing Mount Everest. What a breathtaking history, of determination, learning, overcoming obstacles, and of those who reached the summit and those who did not. 

What struck me the most about the history was the collective fellowship among all Everest explorers, from George Mallory and Andrew Irvine right up to the present day, and how they did not view each other through a lens of victory and failure. Instead, they’ve shared a mutual sense of community as fellow mountaineers and explorers, forever joined together by the virtue of the journey. In the earliest expeditions, their equipment was woefully unprepared for the conditions, and yet great achievements were made. The driving force was something bigger than themselves, and it was that spirit that urged them on to heights many thought were impossible.

Today, the world finds itself on a long journey, and, like those climbing Everest, we can’t tell what the outcome will be. The fabric of society indeed feels awfully strained, not only because of the pandemic and the economy, but also the partisan division that seems to grow more acute with each passing day. There is a strong focus on who wins and who loses with each decision made, each bill passed, each ruling handed down.

However, at the same time, we each have an opportunity to take our own experience, our own consciousness, beyond the present struggle and know that goodness can still unfold amid challenges. We can help bring any situation to a higher place — a healing place — by bringing thoughts of love and goodness to it, because thoughts of peace impact the whole situation for the better, even from a distance. 

With that approach, we can advance beyond a view limited to personal gains and losses into a new space where everyone can benefit from a wholesome sense of community that works for the good of everyone.

We are greater than any conflict, or any apparent victory or failure. We’re part of the world’s grand journey, and as such, we exist within a network of lovingkindness that is continual, available to all, and constantly with each of us. Challenges abound during life’s uphill climb, and hope can at times appear distant. But the sunlight of good still shines for us all. And the more our minds remain open to even the slightest glimpse of light shining in, the more we will see that love is shining all around us, everywhere. 

— Gareth Henderson

Seeing the world through a lens of good

Sun rises above the mountains in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

In a world facing many challenges, we have a constant opportunity to contribute to the greater good by something we can do each day, within ourselves.

It’s easy to think progress is temporary, akin to a gestured drawing with lines that intersect to give the appearance of an image. The quick gesture line glides over the paper and reveals an insight about that moment. There are two ways to look at a gesture drawing: a bunch of scribbled lines that that are imperfect and chaotic; or seeing the beautiful curves and quick lines that express life, joy, freshness, and activity as they capture that suspended moment.

Reflecting on the past two years, progress can seem fleeting, similar to the constant change we see and hear about on a daily basis. But there’s another kind of constancy which has been around far longer than any pandemic: the goodness that is always alive within us. For every kind word, every hungry family helped, and every generous donation to a good cause, there are numerous other gifts of kindness being shared among mankind every day. This can be seen daily in our communities, here in New England and farther afield as well. I was touched to read this encouraging line up of positive community efforts in the Sarasota, Florida, area, including a recent work by a local artist, depicting the planet Earth and children of diverse backgrounds holding hands all the way around it. 

The above story comes with the headline, “A world of good thoughts”. As we start 2022, it’s important to remember that we truly do have that world, where loving thinking is a powerful force and goodness has a lasting impact on people’s lives. In spite of conflict or fear, we have the opportunity to reject those negative influences and choose the good, which is deeply rooted in each of us. Then we can freely use that elevated thinking to uplift others and show the world there is a better path. Let’s cultivate that encouraging concept in our lives this year, and know we have the strength to bring out the good in our experience. Each instance of this is a step more hopeful not only for us, but for all our brothers and sisters around the globe. We can make each day a new step toward seeing the world through a clearer lens — one that’s illuminated by the goodness we all share. 

— Gareth Henderson

Goodness without limits

A view of the Ottauquechee River from Bridgewater Center Road in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

On Saturday we were once again guests amid nature’s glory, with the Green Mountains wrapped up in a bright blanket of snowfall.

The winter experience often prompts us to think about weather as a barrier, or at least a very influential inconvenience in our day. It’s easy to embrace that thought, without considering the bigger picture, one of a scene that lightens thought and inspires. A snow-filled scene is another show of nature with a deeper expression: one reflecting a sense of unlimited good reaching all of us, and inspiring each place that witnesses it.

During a drive to Rutland just before noon on Saturday, heading over the Killington pass as the snow intensified, it was easy to become a bit fearful. Should we turn back? But in a short time, as I calmed my thought, the existence of harmony became more apparent. I observed the tall trees lined with snow, the graceful snowfall floating down and caressing the earth. Peace was reflected, I was part of it, and I felt I always had been.

That sense of the permanence of peace is an available comfort for each of us, today and every day. The pull of negativity can feel particularly strong, with the various issues of the world competing for our attention and demanding space in our thought. This time of year, we can sometimes feel the pressure of the holiday season, rather than the joy we all have a right to experience.

But it’s possible for each person to demand and expect to see good, because it is available to ready to be embraced, each moment. Examples of people uplifting each other, whether in grand ways or simple, are abounding even in the most difficult times. With every shop visited, every phone call made, and every card written, we can expect good to be realized. Even if we’re confronting a day that seems fraught with limits, that boundless good can shine through, and change our day for the better. That’s true for us all, and this means we have an ever-present opportunity to bring good into the world by witnessing it, cultivating it, and sharing it. That's a light we can bring into any moment, on any day.

— Gareth Henderson

Light shining through darkness

From left, Jeff Kahn, Dan Gottlieb and Rachel Kahn light the Menorah at Congregation Shir Shalom’s celebration of Hannukah on Friday night. It was Shir Shalom’s first in-person Hannukah Celebration in two years. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In darkness, there is always a glimmer of light. That’s because each of us has the brilliant light of goodness and love to shine out and share with the world. 

On a frigid winter evening on Friday, the members of Congregation Shir Shalom in Woodstock, Vermont, gathered for their first in-person Shabbat and Hannukah Celebration in two years. Gathered together outside for lighting the Menorah, they sang together and heard words of inspiration from Rabbi Ilene Haigh. 

“Each of us holds a light inside of us, and particularly at this time of year, at this moment, particularly this year, we have the ability to share that light, to spread that light from one person to the next person, and to fill the world with light and hope,” she said. 

Spreading light at a time of darkness is central to Hannukah. This eight-day celebration commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where the Jewish people rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Central to the story is that even though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for one day, the flames remained for eight nights, leaving enough time to find a fresh supply. Hence, the eight-day festival. 

Today, in a much different world and a different time, the world is crying out for light, for good, for more hope. Today’s tensions — whether about health, politics, economics, or other factors — can very much seem to have the upper hand. In times like these, however, it's crucial to share goodness with others, and to let unselfish acts of kindness and community outshine the darkness. That’s how we show good is more powerful and more important to progress than its opposite. Darkness would turn us toward conflict, while the light of good is familiar to all, connects us through compassion, and helps us strive together for better days. 

Rather than yielding to discouragement, let’s make this holiday season a time of joy and collective, uplifting love that inspires us each day. We have the ability — right now — to cultivate the goodness that propels the best qualities in ourselves, and this encourages action that leads to more good expressed in the world. With that, the light we all want to see and embrace won’t be distant. It will be our present reality, and the foundation of our lives — and it will shine freely from one person, to the next.

— Gareth Henderson

Inspiration that always progresses

A view in South Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson)

When I step out of the house for the first time each morning, I often look up to the sky. What is it presenting today — a sky-scape that’s gray, or brilliant blue? Was the morning forecast correct? These questions are answered in a heartbeat, but that information really doesn’t predict our day. It doesn’t even predict much about nature, which thrives in navigating the unexpected and presenting us with sudden moments of beauty. Nature is that book with an unpredictable next chapter. 

I turned to such a page this afternoon, observing a lonely crabapple tree near my house. It was one of the last trees on the property to lose all its leaves. This may appear to be a disadvantage, when it comes to beautiful outdoor views. I myself was close to looking away. But then, I saw the larger picture: The pelting rains this afternoon had left hundreds of tiny water droplets on the branches, up and down the tree, as if each one was carefully placed there. What little light remained in the day was captured in each tiny droplet, hanging neatly from the bark. Together, they made up a whole network of rows of water droplets, lining the underside of each branch. Below the great sky, even on such a gray afternoon, this is really what the natural world was presenting: beauty not seen by many, but there, available for instant inspiration. 

What beauty I would have missed, if I had simply assumed I had seen all there was to see. I love what can be gained from a few moments of humble observation. If we take that time, and don’t take our surroundings for granted, we can learn something new each day. And there is always one more insight to be gained, one more lesson to know, one more kernel of wisdom to absorb. These small inspirations of nature serve to bring us a little bit more out of ourselves, and make us think more of the greater world beyond our own walls. The more we embrace such insights, the more we solidify our connections with that world and our fellow brothers and sisters that share it. 

Even on those gray days and amid difficulties, those moments of learning show us we can cultivate progress together, and see it manifested. Nothing can keep us from those moments. They are there for each of us, and abundantly so. We just have to remain open to them, regardless of how that morning sky may look.

— Gareth Henderson

The unlimited light of service

An American flag in Woodstock, Vt., on July 4, 2020. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

As the sunlight shined in through my window this morning, I already knew the impact of this radiance went far beyond my own benefit. The light spread throughout the community, blessing everyone in its path with energy, sustenance, and illumination — all from an infinite source. 

When I think of Veterans Day, and the sacrifices so many have made for our country, I’m in awe at the vast nature of that goodness, that steadfast cultivation of a life of service to others. Like the very sunlight, it goes beyond just one interaction or a few points of impact. It’s there to help everyone, and the good our veterans have expressed is beyond measure. 

This profound impact is so deserving of our recognition, and indeed, it has helped form the very bedrock of our nation and is intrinsic to its story. In Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott and Lt. Gov. Molly Gray each thanked and honored our veterans in statements on Thursday. 

“Thousands of Vermonters have served our country over the course of American history, and too many never made it home,” Scott said. “From the Green Mountain boys who joined the fight for independence; to a war that saved the Union, and two wars that would encircle the world; to Korea and Vietnam and the Middle East, and our F-16s defending the skies above Ground Zero on September 11, 2001; Vermonters have always answered our nation’s call.”

Both made appeals to Americans to honor and appreciate this great record of sacrifice. 

“Thank you to our veterans, their families and our future veterans – our active duty troops – for your commitment, your sacrifice, and your courage. We are forever indebted to your service,” Gray said. 

As we honor the incredible work of our veterans, one attribute in particular stands out: resolve. That quality of unwavering resolve to serve others and uphold the higher good, even under extreme challenges, holds an important lesson for the rest of us. Sunlight shines not just for one person, but for everyone. If we combine that concept with a broad definition of service, then we can know that anytime we help another person, we’re serving the greater good. And we can always build on that good to accomplish great things in life. 

Any unselfish act has a ripple effect into the greater community, and adds to a storehouse of goodness and light we can always access. It’s uplifting to know that we have so many wonderful examples of service to look up to in this nation, and, every day, we can be part of expanding on that firm foundation.

— Gareth Henderson