As I sit this morning, between my time of meditation and prayer, where I hold each of you and our Beloved Community in Love and Light, and time to leave for a Core Council meeting, I take this time to share some reflections from the morning.

We, as a society and as a Spiritual Community, are moving through some very challenging times.  Each of us is impacted in ways we are not even aware of by the Covid-19 virus and all of the resulting effects… psychological and emotional impact, economic impact, and social impact, just to name the obvious.  As a member of the human family, I am using my time and attention to work for global transformation, an up-leveling of human nature, what it means to be human.  As a spiritual leader, I am interacting with other people in a way intended to support them in their own growth and transformation, so that each one experiences a personal benefit, and by that growth, the planet is transformed, one conscious choice and action at a time.

This can all seem pretty huge… sometimes what I write is a little heady and hard to grapple with.  Yet, Spirit says, “Hit send! There are some who will hear.”  Today, I am getting a different message.  While it is true that Global Transformation and Spiritual Liberation are big subjects, they really come down to some very simple ideas.  I would like to share some of the simple things we can do to support one another and our world as we move through our day today, and through this compelling time that faces us.

1. You may recognize this from Don Miguel Ruiz… Don’t take it personally.  Whatever happens during your day, whatever other people say or do, it is not about you.  It is about them.  Other people’s opinions are none of our business.  While they may take us to briefly reflect on why they are before us (never a bad thing to do), and what we might learn from this opportunity, what others are presenting is grounded in who and what they are and what they are experiencing in the moment.
2. Also from Don Miguel… Be impeccable with your word.  Remember to THINK before you speak… consider whether what you are saying is True, Helpful, Improving upon the silence, Necessary, and Kind.  Are you speaking directly to the person you are speaking about?  Remember that speaking about a person in a way that is not uplifting is gossip.  And gossip is never in line with integrity or impeccability.
3. Assume the best intent.  This says more about you than it does the other.  Trust and know that people are doing the best that they can in any given moment.  Might they know better somewhere inside?  Of course, but for whatever reason, they may not be able to do better in this moment.  These are challenging times and it is best to practice compassion.  Assume the best intent.
4. From Christian D. Larson… Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.  This really speaks to the last two, but carries it into action.  Give your attention to how you can improve your life and make the world a better place.  This is really IT in a nutshell.
5. Honor the Sacred in everything and everyone.  We are all here for a reason.  We all have Purpose… are irreplaceable expressions of the Divine, expressing Itself.  We are all equal in the eyes of God.  As we honor the Divine in all of creation, we give it full permission to be the highest and best it can be… to walk its own path, according to its own soul’s journey.

I believe that doing these five things could keep me busy for the rest of my life.  How about you?  In closing, I want to leave you with a poem written in 1895 by Mary T. Lathrap.  The original title was Judge Softly. Be mindful of the time it was written… hear its message for our time.

Pray, don’t find fault with the man that limps,
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the moccasins he wears,
Or stumbled beneath the same load.

There may be tears in his soles that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
The burden he bears placed on your back
May cause you to stumble and fall, too.

Don’t sneer at the man who is down today
Unless you have felt the same blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, unknown to you in the same way,
May cause you to stagger and fall, too.

Don’t be too harsh with the man that sins.
Or pelt him with words, or stone, or disdain.
Unless you are sure you have no sins of your own,
And it’s only wisdom and love that your heart contains.

For you know if the tempter’s voice
Should whisper as soft to you,
As it did to him when he went astray,
It might cause you to falter, too.

Just walk a mile in his moccasins
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse.
If just for one hour, you could find a way
To see through his eyes, instead of your own muse.

I believe you’d be surprised to see
That you’ve been blind and narrow minded, even unkind.
There are people on reservations and in the ghettos
Who have so little hope, and too much worry on their minds.

Brother, there but for the grace of God go you and I.
Just for a moment, slip into his mind and traditions
And see the world through his spirit and eyes
Before you cast a stone or falsely judge his conditions.

Remember to walk a mile in his moccasins
>And remember the lessons of humanity taught to you by your elders.
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave
In other people’s lives, our kindnesses and generosity.

Take the time to walk a mile in his moccasins.

May we all choose to be Awake to the Infinite Possibility, available here and now…

May we 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…