Hello Jubilants,
Are you a cynic?  You may not think so, but studies show if you are over 44 years old, you are probably more cynical than you think. (It’s in print so it must be true!)  I mean look around.  We see corporations, politicians, and sometimes even our closest beloveds who seem out more for self-interest than for purely honorable or unselfish reasons.  And after such a dicey election season, I bet even the most upbeat of us have turned towards a bit of cynicism.
 
Why the culture of cynicism?  Perhaps it’s our upbringing.  As kids we are taught that it is a dog eat dog world, and that each of us is the center of our own universe. Our open-hearted generosity often backfires and creates pain. So, we turn to self-protective and distrustful measures. Then we meet people who do the same, and it reinforces our beliefs. Finally, when even our idealized heroes fall, overcome by their own human frailties, we dig in deeper knowing we have just proved ourselves right...people and the world do indeed suck.
 
Feeling cynical yet?  If not, let’s turn to Sigmund Freud who wrote “In the depths of my heart I can’t help being convinced that my dear fellow-men, with a few exceptions, are worthless.”  
 
But what if cynicism creates more cynicism?  What if what we pay attention grows?  What if we accidentally end up creating the very thing that causes us pain simply because we grow into it with our attention.  If that’s the case, then disrupting cynicism might be easy.  Here are a few ideas:

• Wavy Gravy, and our own beloved Howard Hanger, might advise us to keep a sense of humor and not take ourselves too seriously. After all, how self-obsessive can you get in a clown’s hat?
   
• Pagan goddesses or good therapists might tell us to simply live in a “both/and” world instead of “either/or” one. People, situations, heroes, they are not all good or all bad. They are a mixture, and we have to take a little of both or we end up as disappointed idealists angry with the world.
   
• Leon Trosky tells us we just need to have a great idea before us, one which “raises you above personal misery, above weakness, above all kinds of perfidy and baseness."
   
• And lets not forget the wise sage Stephen Colbert who reminds us that the key to disrupting cynicism is simply to say yes to life. To be willing to be afraid, hurt and disappointed, but to have strength to say yes anyway to stay true to your idealistic self.
   
• But maybe the best advice on disrupting cynicism comes from that radical rabbi Jesus. To keep your eyes open, like that of a child.  Naïve. Hopeful. Trusting. Romantic. Idealistic. 

Life is not an easy matter but falling into cynicism, while understandable, won’t necessarily make it better.  That’s what we will be exploring this Sunday: Disrupting Cynicism. Bring your cynical self and see what happens.  Look forward to seeing you there.

Namaste and O'yeah!
Jackie Dobrinska

 

THE MAGNIFICENCE OF NATURE  ~  THE CHALLENGE OF CLIMATE CHAOS
The beauty and grandeur of animals and landscapes in natural areas can be awe-inspiring.  The power and destructive forces of an altered climate can be alarming.  Please join Dr. Roger Helm as he explores both of these realities.  Sponsored by Jubliee!’s Earth Team, Dr. Helm’s Zoom presentations will help us understand the existential threat climate change driven chaos is unleashing and the solutions at hand.  His presentations will also inspire us to action by reminding us, through photographs from around the world, of the magnificence of nature - part of what is at stake.  

• Dates: Four Mondays - 11/23, 11/30, 12/17, 12/14 
• Time: 7-8P
• Donation: $10-$30
• Register here

FINDING BALANCE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
If this election has taught us one thing, it is that our country is deeply divided. Regardless if your candidate won or lost, there is work to do...gardens to plant, allies to make, bridges to build, children to feed, elders to tend, and songs to sing.  How we approach our collective healing matters. Hopefully we can approach it all from a place of peace, love, and harmony.  Please join us each Thursday at 5pm on Zoom for a half hour of prayer, music and meditation with local spiritual leaders, meditation teachers and musicians to find balance in these uncertain times. Learn more and get the link.

GET LISTED IN OUR COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
As part of the launch of our new website, we are asking Jubilants to help update our community directory.  Between now and December 1st, we'll be collecting contact info and photos.  Then a few weeks later, we will go live with a password protected directory on the website so that we can all stay in touch with each other.  So please help us update the directory by December 1st. Click here to fill out the form.

KEEP PEOPLE WARM THIS WINTER
This year we are doing everything differently, including the Talent Project and Bizarre Bazaar. This is the way we as a community raise funds for the heating fund, which helps people stay warm in the winter.  This year we are doing a COVID safe online silent auction.  The first step is to find auction items.  If you would like to donate, either fill out the form or contact Jackie at jldobrinska@gmail.com by November 27th. Donate art, crafts, experiences, services, etc.  It's Jubilee! so get creative!!! Fill out the form here.

BE A SANTA FOR A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE
Here are the names and gift ideas for 50 children in Foster Care in Buncombe County. Select the name & number of a child and email your choice to Don Fortuna at 4.tunas@gmail.com . When he receives your email he will respond so that you know your selection has been received. Purchase gifts as you are able. Place gifts in a bag or box with name of child securely attached. Also, please place receipts in an envelope to facilitate exchanges if needed. Do not wrap gifts. Several dates prior to Christmas will be available for you to drive up and drop off gifts at Jubilee! Additional instructions will be included in your return email. Remember: When in doubt…gift cards from Walmart, Target or Amazon are good choices!  Get the kids' names and wish lists here.

NEW YEAR'S FIRES
The holidays can be hard for many folks, but they can also be incredibly sweet and connecting.  Since we are unable to do our large bonfire this year, we are taking that light and spreading it across the city...and we need you to make it happen.  We are asking for folks to host small outdoor New Year's fires for 8 to 12 Jubilee! folks throughout the holiday season.  If you are willing to host, please email jldobrinska@gmail.com with the subject line FIRE and let her know the day and time, how many folks, and your address.  She will then organize people from there.  

SUSTAINING A COURAGEOUS COMMUNITY OF LOVE
Your pledge is a dedication to our community. Making a pledge means you are saying yes to being a part of and supporting Jubilee! for the year to come.  We continue our pledge campaign from early November until the beginning of January.  After all of the pledges are tallied, we know how to set our budget for the year to come...how much we can pay staff, what we can do to support our community, and of course, how to set our budget for outreach giving, which we always hope to keep around 20% of our total budget.  Make your pledge now.

VIDEOGRAPHERS NEEDED 
As we move into the holiday season and beyond, Jubilee! is looking for videographers to help film Sunday celebrations. If you have desire and experience, please contact Jackie at jldobrinska@gmail.com.  

FEEDING OUR HOMELESS FRIENDS
The city of Asheville has contracted to continue paying the rent at the Red Roof Inn for the homeless shelter through February. But the people who are living there still need to be fed. Jubilee! is accepting donations for shelter dinners that will hopefully feed them at least once a month through February. We will hire our beloved Delia to cater.  To make a donation, click here and select "designated funds."

Please donate to the hunger baskets or Jubilee!'s operating costs or both.  Jubilee! continues to have expenses to keep running.  And know all hunger basket donations are going to Bounty & Soul and other organizations providing COVID relief.