A Great Art



Stick it out: not by becoming a doormat, not by blindly obeying whatever command the other person gives you, but by resolutely refusing to hurt anyone no matter how much you have been hurt. It is a great art. Compassion comes with insight into the heart of life, as we see more clearly the unseen forces that drive a person into action. Ultimately, compassion extends to every creature.

Eknath Easwaran
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY


There just some days we leave our homes feeling the entire world is beautiful and we are happy in our body, mind and soul.  We are fully prepared to embrace our day as we feel abundantly alive and filled with love.  Then we run into a friend or a rude sales clerk and the love is knocked right out of us, leaving us with the sensation of being deflated.  Our impulsive response is usually to strike back, but we are move evolved than that aren't we?  We do not have to condone a person's inappropriate behavior, but we don't have to take it on either.

In these situations, I believe we are called just to stay in the moment.  To be a witness in this person's life as a force of compassion can be the best thing we can do.  If we call upon our intuition we can perhaps catch a glimpse of how miserable this other individual is just by observing her energy or sense of emotion.  We don't need to do that, but it helps us remain in place just for a few minutes.  It is a matter of extending the good parts of our selves, our energy, to this person in obvious need.

When we are cut off in traffic by a dangerous move from another driver, if is easy to yell, "Idiot!"
Then we can quickly realize our error and say, "Oh, sorry."  Then think of why the person was in such a hurry.  Send them good thoughts, "Please be more careful."  It is not good for our mental health to take everything so personally. 

While standing in the midst of a group of people I knew, I felt myself fading.  I didn't need to draw attention to my lovely self, but I at least would have liked to be a part of the conversation.  I offered a nugget of information, but someone talked right over me and I could feel my self shrinking.  I was beginning in minimize my presence, turning invisible when some how I remembered to just be present and to do what I know how to do.  I stood near those who had gathered and simply sent them good thoughts, "Have a really good day.  Really enjoy the spirits of each other.  Open the heart and embrace one and other."  Tons of wonderful thoughts dashed out of my mind and into the presence of others.  I felt purposeful and good, standing in my own power.

Step into Unknown

When you walk to the edge of all the light you have, and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen.  There will be something solid for you to stand upon or you will be taught to fly.

Patrick Overton

The Leaning Tree

Embracing a new year can be a bit overwhelming.  One needs to shed the past; be grounded in the present; and bravely step forward into the unknown.  Each one of these steps requires faith, courage, and compassion.

We never truly forget the past, but we can pull our invested emotions out of it.  We can review all of our challenges with understanding of the intended lesson and with compassion forgive our smallness, unintended harm, and judgment.  We can also recall all of the petty misdeeds against us, and understand we are more than each of these slights.  Someone else's opinion of us is not as worthy as our own.  When the year is done, we can file it away as we successfully withdraw our emotions.

To begin anything anew, we prepare, clean, and restore.  We stand with two feet solid on the ground, feeling the energy from the earth spreading up through us as we stretch our arms above our heads, reaching for the light of Divine Spirit.  Feeling the energy of all things surrounding us, we grow strong in the sense of everything and everyone being one.  We love and we are loved. 

When we have disengaged from our past, and restored a loving image of our selves and others, we are prepared to move forward.  We do not need to set goals or rigid time tables if we have an open heart ready to embrace whatever life brings.  It is not quite as frightening to step into the future when we do not feel alone.  When the presence of Spirit dwells within us,  we have  more confidence in our abilities to navigate the bumps and unforeseeable bends in the road. 

As we all venture into our new year, let us all move forward with faith rather than fear; love rather than judgment; and integration rather than isolation.  May we all find flight and soar!