I find myself this morning, feeling called to begin…yet again…with my daily writing. I will share that this past month has been extremely busy, and very challenging in many ways. You may identify with my sentiments. In my morning meditation and prayer, I hold each of you in Love and Light, knowing that you are held, guided, and guarded by Divine Presence.
As I look into my back yard, I see the sun coming up just above the tree line. As I sit, listening to the beautiful bird song, I can’t help but notice the very beginning signs of Fall. The grasses are looking a little bit dryer…many of the flowers on the Crepe Myrtle have dried up and are falling like little pink snowflakes. And the fruit trees are just beginning to shed their leaves. We are moving into a changing of the seasons…and this year, it feels as though this change reaches far beyond our natural yearly cycle.
The onset of autumn is always a reminder to let go of what no longer serves me, just as the trees begin to slowly and gently let go of their leaves. As I make my weekly trips to the Farmer’s Market, I am reminded of the amazing abundance of life. This is a season of remembering to acknowledge and give thanks for the amazing bounty that so often is taken for granted. Each year, I experience the fall as a time of transition, a time to prepare for winter…that season of stillness, reflection, patience, and nourishment…a time for caring for the soul.
While I am experiencing many of the same qualities as I move into the month of October, there is something different about this autumn. We are moving through so many changes this year as a human family. It is not only the changing of the weather, the approaching Holy Days, and the moving into a slower pace that call for my attention, but also the experience of seven months living with a global pandemic, and the divisiveness it has created. It is the stress of another severe fire season for the western states of our nation, not to mention the blazing devastation occurring on the South American and Australian continents, and even Antarctica…further evidence that our Mother is in need of our loving care. All the while, the United States is facing a most divisive political season and mounting racial tensions, which have proven to increase our sense of separation from one another.
And still, in my heart of hearts, I know that Divine Intelligence is at work through all of it. As I give enough attention to world events to stay informed, and not so much that it distracts me from my Real Work, I am called to go both higher and deeper. What do I mean by this? I believe that the conditions we are experiencing are calling us to operate from a higher level of consciousness. They are calling us to expand our awareness, to increase our commitment to mindfulness in every area of our lives. They are calling us to put down our weapons…our judgment, criticism, and blame, of ourselves and others. They are calling us to open our hearts to one another, with empathy and compassion. They are demanding that we pay attention to how we treat our Divine Mother, to how and where we spend our money (another form of voting…every dollar speaks in favor of something), and to whom we entrust the leadership of our nation in the future. We are being strongly encouraged to consider that our every thought, word, and action (which amounts to how we spend our time) creates, or contributes to the creation of, an effect in the world. What will we create?
Over two thousand years ago, the Master Teacher Jesus called humanity to a higher form of existence. He invited us to give less attention to the letter of the law, to the conventional wisdom that prevailed in his time (and still does today), and to give more attention to the Spirit of the Law. His invitation in the book of Luke (chapter 10, verse 27) was that we focus on loving “the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.” And then to extend that same love to our neighbors. And who is my neighbor? All of Life…all humans, all of nature, Mother Earth herself is my neighbor. We are all inextricably connected, completely dependent on one another…whether I acknowledge this Truth or not, whether I like it or not.
Some speak of Jesus as a revolutionary. I believe he was an evolutionary, far ahead of his time in every way. In this sense, he was a prophet calling us to look ahead, to prepare for a change of paradigm. It feels to me like that time has come. I believe that we are being called to evolve what it means to be human. This feels so big. How do I, as an individual, step up to such a large challenge…step into such a huge idea… when my daily life and world events seem to be stretching me to my capacity? It’s really pretty simple. Take it back to the basics. In every moment, be mindful. Consciously place your faith in Goodness. Let go of the past…it is done. Let go of the future…it is taking care of itself as you remain present. In every circumstance, look for authenticity and truth. In every encounter, practice empathy and compassion. And when faced with any dilemma, ask the question, “What would Love do now?” Choose from your heart and all will be well.
Know that today and always, I am here to support you.
Know that today and always, you are stronger and wiser than you know.
Know that today and always, Infinite Intelligence continues to pour Its blessings upon you, upon our world.
May we all recognize, welcome, and willingly receive the grace that is showered upon us…
May we all be well…stay in touch…know our unity…and thrive!
And may we know the Absolute Beauty and Wonder of this Grace-filled, once-in-a lifetime day…
