The highlight of my week is attending a small virtual group on Saturday mornings with people from around the world.

The format is simple. We check in with each other, listen to a short reading, and meditate for 15 minutes. Then we listen to one or two additional readings, followed by a discussion. Our discussions are thoughtful, without the usual back-and-forth stance of most discussions in today’s world. Today, we listened to a poem by David Hazard, titled “Winter Woods”. You can find it online.

I was moved by this poem because it’s related to something I’ve been considering for the past few days and because it describes how I often experience life. Since I can remember, I have often felt like an outlier or observer of others. In some groups, I often feel lonely because it doesn’t feel safe to be genuine. We are expected to take sides in most things, and I find that difficult. Why can’t I forge my own path and still be accepted? Why are politics and, daresay, religion so tribalistic? Tribalism doesn’t serve a purpose other than allowing entire groups of people to feel superior to others. I think that’s dangerous, especially when done in the name of God.

On a lighter note, the poem resonated with me because I’m missing snow. Walking in silence through snowy woods sounds comforting to me. Here’s the part of the poem that most struck me:

i have made my own way in winter woods. . .

because no one there demanded to know

why i wasn’t walking on a path already made by someone else

From the poem, “Winter Woods”, from “The Fire in Everything: Poems to Wake Us All” by David Hazard Copyright 2026

already made by someone else