Sean Major-Campbell | A refreshing break for 2025

TOO MANY minds and hearts are being filled from the toxic spaces of social media. The crassness and crudity that abounds has overtaken the much-needed tranquility and positive vibrations that we all need so much. The popular “role models” in society trade insults like there is no tomorrow.

Road rage, bullying, substance abuse, and sexual exploitation happen with impunity. Many with a voice or a space on the Internet believe it is okay to just issue threats, condemnation, and character assassination. Then there is the world of politics which will continue to use artificial intelligence to lead people astray.

Our over-engaged brains need silence, peace, and even a few moments of therapeutic meditation daily.

Every day we see evidence of people responding even to news and various reflections without processing the actual substance. There is a rush to respond. There is a rush to show who can hurl the most insults. The race is on to parade the hype and the show.

The wanton use of fireworks and other explosives over the Christmas season was a blatant reminder of how we do not care about each other. Communities and neighborhoods remain silent at the mercy of the explosions as the elderly, the sick, and fellow creatures such as domestic animals cower in fear and get lost in the flight-fight response. Some animals die as they are hit while running across busy roadways. We hear that it is illegal for these explosives to be used even while vendors in open, busy spaces ply their wares while shouting, “fireworks, clappers, star light.”

I am hoping that we will get that 2025 presents us with an opportunity to be more empathetic towards animals and people. Many people who pray and recite Bible verses lack empathy. The same is true for many who do not do these things. The point is that we need to make the effort to be compassionate if we are going to effectively understand and share the feelings of others.

Spiritual awareness involves a deeper appreciation for self and others. Others include our fellow creatures. Some years ago, when I did not have a pet, I would every few months visit the animal shelter to spend some time with the animals. Sometimes I would take a bag of pet food for dogs or cats.

While some people spend more time destroying or burning trees rather than loving them, may we invest more time in appreciating trees. Maybe you do not have a tree at home. However, you may join with others to adopt a tree somewhere. You simply identify a random tree and agree to see to it that is always cleared of garbage and unnecessary weeds. You may also acquire a potted plant that becomes a ‘friend’ at home. You tend the plant and experience the blessings of an improved sense of well-being just by being closer to something from nature. A flourishing pothos is beautiful and easy to care for. Use your plant as a reminder to keep healthy, drink water, meditate, eat well, and send love vibrations for all the creatures around.

Let us spend more time understanding ourselves. Our brain waves vary throughout the day. Alpha waves are at their most significant when we just awake in the mornings. It is that time when the brain is not intensely focused on anything. This state of calm is great for meditation. This is not “devotion”. It is also not “prayers”. It is not even thinking. There is no focus on the past or the present. Instead, it is mindfulness that engages the breath and life force within and without.

In 2025, may we start breathing differently, thinking differently, and living with each other differently. Often in our rush to pray and to talk about God and to announce our blessedness, we miss the divine gifts of breathing, thinking and living. Some people are so busy “churching” that they have forgotten how to live. The simple advice is getting a life. We want to move beyond existing to living.

You may be Hindu, Muslim, Bahai, Christian, Rastafari, Buddhist, or not even religious, you will find that learning to live without the need to judge others, makes for a better experience of humanity. Grace and peace to everyone as we seek to develop our better selves. We need a refreshing break for 2025.