Memorial Day 2026- Re-Membering Ourselves

“I know who I was this morning but I’ve changed a few times since then”.

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll

I love this simple, yet complex and compelling quote that sums up not only the journey of a little girl named Alice, but ourselves as well. How often do we wake up and find ourselves going down a rabbit hole only to find a world really quite disorienting and mad, desperately trying then to find our way home?

The story of Dorothy’s adventures in OZ equally points out the same predicament, but Dorothy’s tale does involve (consciously) taking along the three aspects of ourselves- our heart, our mind and our courage (will), plus her dog “Toto”. (FYI- the word “Toto” means “all-encompassing” in Latin). In our journey(s) to Wholeness, never forget the dog…

O.K., so “Who” exactly are we? That is really a trick question, for truly we are not a “Who”. There may very well be an experience of our “Who-ness”, but that is a very clever trap, laid by our own egos. So, why does the ego seemingly end up being our worst enemy? The answer is surprisingly simple. It is because the ego sees itself, and experiences itself, as separate from Divine Reality, and all the qualities that “DR” entails and reveals. The solution, the cure, involves embracing our-selves as a unique expression of the Divine, not separate from it. That is the Ultimate prescription for our Healing. Let’s explore this further…

Let’s bring up another important guidebook…one drawn from “children’s literature- “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss. The setup is perfect. It starts with a town called “Who-ville”, whose denizens, the Whos  are whimsical, furry and colorful dog-like creatures who live in shaped houses, known for their warm hearts and welcoming spirits. (Remember the dog reference again). Apart from them lives the dastardly Grinch, who lives in a world of separateness, cynicism, ill-temper and envy. Christmas comes and the Grinch can simply not tolerate the joyful season of celebration, and plots to destroy it by taking away the material gifts on the residents on Christmas eve…disguised as Santa. Now the Whos truly understand the meaning of the holiday and celebrate anyway- it was never about the gifts. This causes the Grinch to reconsider and he returns the gifts, and as a result has his heart grow three times in size.

How can we use the Grinch story to realize our true nature. Our true “Who” nature is defined by community, joyfulness, gratitude and devotion to something bigger than themselves. The Grinch is that part of ourselves that lives close to Who-ville, but finds itself compelled to live apart in bitter separateness. That part of our “selves” needs to find the place/space/awareness of the importance of connection and wholeness. Of course, this results in, (and is a function of) a bigger heart.

This Dr. Seuss story has many echoes in the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, where Ebeneezer Scrooge must find his heart (and thereby his Joy).

All of these stories reflect our own journeys to wholeness and heart-fulness. During an average human lifespan, the heart beats roughly 2.5 billion to 3 billion times. This averages out to about 100,000 beats per day or 35 million beats per year…WOW! (This is based upon roughly 60-100 beats per minute, about 100,000 beats per day for 70 to 80 years). That’s a lot of chances to find Joy, to find Wholeness. Imagine each heartbeat as an opportunity to align with Joy, Peace, Harmony, Creativity, and Love. All that it takes is consciousness, devotion, dedication…and yes, H-E-A-R-T. It also require us to find a Practice that unites us with our Higher (and True) Self, and thereby connecting us the Universal Self.

So, as we fire up those barbies, take out the summer season clothes, and prepare for the Summer, let us also take the time to Re-Member. Allow time in every week to bring those disparate parts of ourselves that are truly yearning to be united. Invite them to the feast…eventually even our own (inner) Grinches will find a reason to let go of separation and join the Party.

Sacred Re-membering allows us to realize the truth that we are more than just “Whos”- we are only complete when we find the way to bring in, and heal, our tendencies to separateness. And so, as Ebeneezer generously toasts Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim observes: “God bless us, every one!”

So, remember the lessons of Whoville, the Looking Glass and long journey on the Yellow Brick Road- no one does it alone…and don’t forget the dog.