Every New Year’s Eve, my husband and I watched the New York City celebrations on TV. It is something that has become a tradition and we enjoy very much. This year, as I watched, I realized something that although in plain view, escaped my mind before, and I did not give it a second thought. As I watched the crowd, I saw a sea of diversity, people from every ethnic background, color, race, age, gender … They were all celebrating together, smiling, dancing, hoping. At that time, these people were one in experience. I thought of it as one of the most beautiful things one can witness in a lifetime, the oneness of us.

The human race is so beautiful. The more I focused on each face on the crowd the more I felt this internal connection of belonging to something greater than myself. I saw hope reflecting; I saw such beauty in God’s creation. We are all different, but one race. We might look different, speak different languages, have different cultures, but we are one race. There is such beauty in that. In this climate of division and hate, let us realize that we came from one Creator who loves us all the same. Some of us might have fallen in darkness more than others, but we are loved the same. If only we could realize the mystery of His creation, that we have the breath of God in us, His light, and that just because of that, we are one in many, but also the wonder of being, of existing as part of His creation. If we could understand that each one of us was meant to be, we would feel more connected, and maybe we would understand that God does not make mistakes, or garbage, or less than … that would be denial of His own nature. We are all in this together and we are part of something beautiful, of something holy.

I leave you with a poem that I wrote years ago and came to mind as I wrote this post.

One in many

On this day I shall wish

many blessings, harmony

When the night gives in to day

and the day nestles the night,

we will be as one in many.

Shine your light for it will be

as the beacon one will see

Always seek your love to give

without measure, plenty and free.

As you give you will receive,

one in many it has been.

Me, You, It, one and the same,

Love, One Source, is One in many.

As you wish it will be done,

may you wish, joy, peace, and love

For it returns the wish to wisher,

two ten fold, as one in many.

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