Joy is Caring

This year Hanukkah kicks off on Christmas Eve, which brings me to a question I frequently ask myself on converging holidays: How are we all alike what are our common threads? How do I fit into these varied circumstances? It is a topic that I have encountered throughout my life in many situations and settings since childhood.

I am an ex-Catholic, confirmed in the Episcopal Church, and a sometimes-go-to-church guy. When I do attend, it’s when the church is typically empty and not during a service.

As founder of Less Cancer, I often hear from people who ask for prayers for themselves or their loved ones. Though the organization’s work is in education and policy, as someone in my particular role I do pray. Sometimes I don’t even know what I might be asking for as cancer has the potential to blow up the lives of patients, caregivers, families, and communities of all colors, all faiths, genders, sexuality, and cultures. Less Cancer is not the kind of work that takes time off. Every second of the day and night people are dealing with cancer and many times I hear about it.

My church experience involves me finding a quiet corner. I sit in the hush of stone and wood, moving from a peaceful, meditative state to prayer. I start to mentally unfold a list of requests including those I know first hand and those that might come to my attention through social media or another on or offline media source.