Tuesday, March 17, 2020

In this time of crisis and hope


In this moment, we are aware that the world is one. As the COVOID-19 pandemic sweeps across the globe, we understand that we are interconnected. We have learned the necessity of taking drastic measures to keep our most vulnerable citizens safe. We are asked to stay home.

This feels like the moment just before the evolutionary leap into a new way of being together.

We must be inventive and innovative and visionary. We must chose faith over fear and love over pessimism. This is a moment to practice our spiritual principles of trust, mindfulness, surrender, forgiveness, gratitude, joy, prayer, blessing, and service.

This is a sacred moment. This is a moment between the world we knew and the one that is coming.

We knew in our hearts that the time would come to move forward on our next step of evolution, although it came at lightning speed and felt shocking. We didn't realize how much we might have to give up or how deeply we need to change.

I certainly didn't know that it would be this soon when I predicted that we would no longer be able to jump on a plane any time we wanted to go wherever we wanted. If only I had taken those words more seriously and traveled to Spain months ago! And yet, I can't doubt that this is the way it must be.

This is a wake up call to take a leap toward We-consciousness and good stewardship of Mother Earth.

To take a pause and to reflect and to re-calibrate.

The world is reeling from the possibility of financial collapse. Our most vulnerable citizens will be impacted profoundly and irrevocably: children dependent on school lunches, the homeless who can't practice social distancing, incarcerated people without excellent medical care, the socially isolated elderly, detainees in immigration centers living in harsh conditions. As well, doctors and nurses are overwhelmed and overtaxed. I grieve the suffering that is happening and that will increase. I know this is a very hard time for many. If there is a reason to pray, these dear souls are it.

But on the other hand, look at what we have done to our Earth: the loss of species, habitats and wilderness, poisoned water and air, devastating fires and floods, fracking and garbage strewn beaches. Notice that Venice's canals now run with clean water, the skies over China are clearing, and quiet time with family is a long-lost pleasure.

Creative solutions and compassionate acts of kindness bring us together.

Some humans will react with fear and panic, stock-piling and hoarding supplies, blaming others, feeling cheated out of what has been a life of privilege. It's a privilege to eat bananas shipped from South American; to fill an enormous gas tank; drive a few blocks to drop kids off at school; to have clean, well-stocked libraries. To have toilet paper and running hot water and electricity. To fly anywhere for the fun of it. All we take for granted also have their costs.

This is a moment to appreciate what we have inside, our creative urge, our tolerance, our ability for self-awareness and kindness. We can slow down and become intentional and thoughtful. Talk together in our homes, play board games with our kids, be inventive using the supplies around us to make art or music, think of ways to reach out to those who might need a hand. Drop groceries off at the elderly neighbors or ask what we can pick up for them, write cards for those in the nursing home, or buy a ticket to a concert we will never be able to attend. Sing out our windows. Stroll carefully and mindfully outdoors. Ask those organizations who take in the homeless what we can do to help.

This is a moment that will show us who we are: our courage, our resiliency, our faith, our connection, our love for each other and for Mother Earth.

Practice loving-kindness and gratitude, and we'll move into the beings of Light we were always meant to be.