The Shire and Our Journey

There is something so magical, true and hopeful about Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. It parallels very closely with the life Johnny and I feel we are living. All hope rests on a small hobbit to carry the ring to be destroyed, we all choose whether we want to be hobbits, men, elves, dwarfs, fighting together for a world of peace, or we can be orcs, greedy and violent, without care for the state of the world. I see large corporations as orcs, destroying our world and making it uninhabitable. We choose whether we fight on their side or on the side that may seem less hopeful, for we are small, like hobbits. The difference between us and them: we don't have to give into greed and the need for power. In Lord of the Rings, when Saruman finds out that a hobbit has the ring, he immediately assumes that he is keeping it for himself to rise to power, it never occurs to him that Frodo would be taking it to be destroyed, and that is his downfall. He could never imagine someone not taking that power for themselves. In our culture, the ring parallels with money, power and fame. We sell our souls for these things and we've destroyed our home in the process. 

It's a similar story with Jesus in the Bible. The Jews thought he was coming to be their King, taking power from their oppressors, it never crossed their mind that he would come to die at the hands of those in power, showing them that the way is one of sacrifice. Somehow this story isn't retold in a way that causes us to really lose our lives in order to find them. We still stay in our safe places. Jesus came into the violence of the world just as Frodo left the Shire to on a treacherous journey to Mordor. There is a time to celebrate and enjoy life and there is a time to fight for what is good and true. 

Despite all the thoughts that swirl in my head everyday, I do make time to relax and enjoy good food and friends. The large shadow cast on my life doesn't engulf me; there is light. This weekend I surprised Johnny with a Shire themed Half-Birthday celebration. I felt like he and I needed it. Our amazing friends rose to the occasion and came to celebrate with us. It was a time to escape and pretend we were in the safety of The Shire, where we can be simple and filled with joy. 

Sharing good food with friends is one of my favorite things. I made a refined sugar free, grain free, dairy free dessert! (pictured above) It was a layers of Cashew Cream, Ground Hazelnuts, Coconut Shavings, Chocolate and Fresh Raspberries. I added the sparklers as my tribute to Gandalfs fireworks.

Steven and I serenaded the group with The Shire theme song.

No matter the hopelessness you feel in life, remember to never stop fighting for what is true and good in the world and take time to be thankful and enjoy life. We may be mere Hobbits, but we too can create change.