Reflecting on Presence
I think of this time, a time that’s grabbed the attention of the world’s human population, as a time of discovering presence, of remembering our heartbeat, individually first, so we can remember who we are and what truly matters to us. Not the job, the car, or what other people think of us, but that we find in each of us that thing that matters, that brings us joy and connection and fulfillment. Then, when it is time, we bring that essence out into the world. Not necessarily in some grand dynamic way, but certainly in a way that is unique to each of us.
Why a pandemic? To get everyone’s attention. It's like a flu that makes us stop in our tracks and think of nothing else but getting healthy so we can get back to our lives. However, this challenge is global and maybe, on a worldwide scale, we need to get healthy. So now we have to stop our daily routines, stop our automatic thoughts and behaviors and assess where we are, who we are, and what we are doing.
This is a great awakening, individually and collectively. On a spiritual level, it's as if we all come to a complete stop, place our hands together in a prayerful pose and bow to each other. With a full and open heart, we acknowledge that the divine spirit in us is equal to the divine spirit in others. Before we can start the world again, we stop in this space we have been given and remember who we are at our source—loving energy, and we remember our responsibility to acknowledge and be our best self for each other. Imagine if, across the planet, we literally stopped for 5 minutes to connect to the planet, each other, our universe, and that loving energy that holds us all together. Imagine if, in that space we remembered.
When the world restarts again:
• How will you bring that presence (presents) of mind and heart into your world?
• If you don’t want to return to a world the way it was, what will you do differently?
• What is it that you want to bring, to radiate, to share?
Standing in the present, can you see how this time, in all of its ‘chaos’ is ultimately getting our attention in ways that have more meaning by providing a platform to stop, assess, and refocus. It’s a time to honor goodness, compassion, and spirit. It is a time to remember who we are and what we are doing here. Have we gotten sidetracked, caught up in the drama of others, forgotten our path? I am certain that our path is not meant to be one of suffering and, if it has been that for a while, maybe it’s time to declare enough. Maybe it’s time to move on from a place of wisdom = knowledge and experience plus understanding. Maybe it's time to envision the world in which we want to live, recognize that our presence matters and, at the same time, appreciate the magnitude of goodness already present. The lessons, the opportunities, even the gifts in a time of crisis is the light needed to see in dark times.
Oh yeah, this is an amazing time, if only we allow ourselves to see and imagine how amazing it can truly be, because that sight is what will bring the transformation.
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