Sometimes when life speeds up the rate of things coming at us, we need to find a way to stay grounded and choiceful about what really matters and where our energies are most effectively used.
I find myself deeply immersed in this process of involution, re-examining my priorities and commitments as I increasingly bring my sense of purpose into focus
It’s easy for me to see “everything that is wrong” in the world and to then feel instantly overwhelmed, despairing, and responsible for contributing to positive changes in many areas.
Whenever this comes up, I ground myself and go inward, knowing that we all have a role to play, but we cannot all play all roles. I cannot be everything to everyone. I cannot pick up every cause, even though I care passionately about so many of them.
What about you?
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How do you decide where to spend your energy?
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In what ways are you also re-thinking where you’re putting your attention and focus?
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What kind of rocky soil are you currently growing in?
Here are some things I’ve been pondering and exploring as I journey through these transformative times. I share them in hopes that you find some inspiration too.
1. Re-reading Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell.
Ugh. Have you read these books lately? Here are some thought-provoking quotes from those books:
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“Everyone believes in the atrocities of the enemy, and disbelieves in those of his own side, without ever bothering to examine the evidence.” Makes me wonder what I take for granted as “true,” question my own sense of “right” and commit to continuing to consider the truths I can find in “opposing” viewpoints.
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“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” I’ve been wondering about the nature of truth, and where I am afraid or insecure about standing in my own truth.
2. Reading A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn.
It tells America’s history through the lens of multiple perspectives, enriching the limited narrative we likely have. I love it when stories are told from multiple frames; it helps me see how we only really ever have a very small slice of the larger picture as a starting point, and it’s up to us to fill in all the rich details from multiple subjective viewpoints.
3. For my fellow white ladies, this TikTok video.
Only watch if you have a sense of humor! This is the best call to white women I’ve seen in a while. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
4. Videos by Charles Eisenstein.
Life just feels hard right now. Am I the only one feeling it?
I heard a funny suggestion on social media recently where someone was saying something to the effect of, how about if we set off some fireworks, throw some candy onto the front lawn, put a turkey in the oven, open a few presents and call it good for 2020. Yes, please.
But then again, I ‘d like to believe we are made for times like these.
John Demartini often says, “Remember everything is ON the way, not IN the way,” and I wholeheartedly agree.
I feel like I am living in increasingly rocky soil, many hard edges to work around. People seem more activated, more aggressive, more righteous, and more violent.
It’s taking me more effort to reach between the hardness, to find the cracks where life can still emerge and thrive.
But marvelously, the life force always seems to find a way to keep emerging, keep growing, and keep reaching.
We each have a part to play in these times – a unique, particular, and personal part.
If you’re a seed, germinate. If you’re a seedling, send your branches. If you’re a young tree, reach upward for the light. If you’re an established oak, spread your branches far and wide.
Are you listening to inner guidance and getting yourself re-aligned with all that is meaningful to you, or are you getting stuck in despair and paralyzed by overwhelm?
As you try to find the soil and the nutrients in rocky soil, remember that we are all here to help one another get through this together.
If you could use some focused time to get clear, sort out a tough decision, “train for the moment,” or generate some new words for an old situation, you can always book a private consultation with me.
What have you found inspiring recently? What rocky soil are you finding yourself in? What do you need to get aligned, and keep growing?
I’d love to know! Leave a comment below.
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