I remember reading a short story by Anton Chekov in High School, still recalling vividly how struck I was by that story. It was about a middle aged woman living an uneventful life, alone. In sharp contrast to her current situation, she was feeling as if she were still 17, with all the possibilities of life ahead of her.
The image of that woman’s spirit was etched into my brain and heart – to me, it spoke of her unchanging spirit, even when all else had altered.
I look at myself 55 years later, knowing the truth of that story. My daily life remains purposeful and filled with wonder and possibility. There are things that I can no longer do; there are other things I can do much better.
The spirit I still carry is my hope for a good, happy, content, interesting life lived among a world community who also experience this. Sometimes this seems like an impossible spiritual desire; sometimes it feels like it’s just around the corner.
Today, as I write this blog, it is voting day in the United States. Some say this particular day in this particular year is one of the most important days in American history. People are worried, anxious and wound up, some depressed and expecting disaster, some feeling old and wanting to retire from life because it seems too much. At this moment, I have no idea how it’s going to turn out. Yet, however it turns out, I remain hopeful, and willing to do what I can to bring about my dream of a better world.

My failed mission to find God – and what I found instead