Espiritu Health

He’s just contemplating current events

01.13.26

In Barrow, Alaska, the sun disappears once in late November and doesn’t rise again until January 22, 2026, plunging the town into complete darkness. This period of darkness lasts for over two months each year and offers a unique living experience that is rare to find anywhere else. For residents, the endless night is a part of life, one that they have learned to embrace.

Living in complete darkness for months is not for the faint-hearted, but the people of Barrow have found ways to adapt. The polar night becomes a time of reflection, a chance to disconnect from the usual hustle and bustle of life. With no sunlight, many people focus on their inner worlds, finding peace in the quiet of the dark winter months.

Though the lack of daylight can be challenging, it also brings beauty in its own form. The auroras light up the night sky, creating a stunning spectacle for those lucky enough to witness it. The darkness is also a time for community closeness, as people come together to share warmth and experience life at its most unique. 🌑❄️

The Vatican has returned sacred artifacts that had been held for more than 100 years to their indigenous communities.

The items were originally removed during periods of colonization, when cultural and spiritual objects were often taken without consent.

Their return involved formal ceremonies acknowledging both cultural significance and historical harm.

Indigenous leaders emphasized that the artifacts are not museum pieces, but living symbols of identity and tradition.

The importance of this moment extends beyond restitution alone. As institutions worldwide reassess their roles in cultural displacement, acts of return represent steps toward reconciliation, historical accountability, and respect for spiritual sovereignty—signals that long-held power structures may finally be shifting toward repair rather than possession.

Bummer

Firefly populations are rapidly declining worldwide. ✨
Light pollution, habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change are making it harder for them to survive.
If nothing changes, fireflies could disappear from many places within our lifetime.
That means future generations may never experience summer nights filled with their glow.
Protecting nature today decides what tomorrow will still be able to see.

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A Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center was canceled after President Donald Trump’s name was added to the venue.

📷: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty

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