This past spring, I began hearing whispers in my ear that kept saying, “It’s time.” These whispers have been getting louder and louder as the year has gone on.
One might think me a bit crazy to be “hearing voices,” and yet, I knew exactly what those voices were from the start.
For as long as I can remember, I have felt a deep calling toward “something different.” I spent plenty of time in my life trying to fit in and feel accepted, while secretly I was crying inside, knowing that there must be a better way than to simply accept the so called “normal” without question.
The thing is, I couldn’t articulate what it was about the “normal” that I didn’t feel comfortable with. All I knew was that it didn’t feel right.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve now come to see and feel the inadequacies in today’s social systems and organizations, be they educational, financial, economic, justice, medical, nutritional, religious or otherwise. I’ve never been one to follow politics or get directly involved in activist movements. Yet, consistent with my “Jill-of-all-trades, master of none” way of being,
I learned just enough to know within the depths of my being that these systems and ways of existing are not sustainable, and are in fact causing a devolution rather than evolution of Humanity and the Earth.
I became interested in alternative education, enrolling my boys in schooling that I felt would better nourish their unique souls. I dabbled in the study of alternative currencies, and how our financial system is actually structured. Oh the things going on in that arena! Yikes!!!
I looked at aspects of how our economic and justice systems work. I have had first hand experience of the unethical complexities and greed of our medical system, representing myself in court over a 4 year period while fighting against a system that charged me double what I was quoted for a needed medical procedure (for which I was uninsured), and ultimately winning. What an exhaustive process!
I have watched our children and loved ones succumb more and more quickly to inflammatory diseases, and mental and emotional ailments, so many of which have been directly traced to the nature, or should I say “non-nature,” of our food supply and environment. I have experienced the heartache of so many religious and spiritual teachers preaching one thing, and doing another, all in the name of power and control, which of course stem from fear.
I am beyond grateful to the many activists who stand on the front lines protesting these various systems, and generating change.
Many times I’ve longed to be on those front lines. Even now, I wish I could be with our brothers and sisters in North Dakota standing for the protection of our water! Yet protesting has never been my style. So, with all this learning, education, and awareness, I did what many mothers concerned for the future of their children would do.
I did the best I knew how, in my own home, with my own choices, for my own family.
Years into making these “different” choices, I am realizing how critical these choices are. Mothers make most of the purchasing choices for family households. Mothers are the primary influence on the education, nutrition and medical care of their children. Mothers are naturally gifted at cultivating community and culture. Mothers know how to birth new ideals into existence!
I realized that while I’ve never been a “front line” activist, I’ve been a sacred activist in my own home, family and community for years. I know because you are reading this that you are doing the same thing.
You care. You love. You hurt. You long for a “different” life you know is possible, and you are searching for that within yourself, your family and your community.
You are doing what you can to contribute to a wiser and more living world, no matter how difficult it may be, and you deserve to be honored for that!
Please, Please, Please…..
NEVER underestimate the differences you are making with one meal at a time, one connection at a time, or one choice for Mother Earth, Her people and the future at a time.
I honor you for your interest, effort and care. I love you for your courage and your conviction!
What has ultimately driven me my entire life has been the knowing that the Creator and the Earth have given us absolutely everything we could ever need.
Yet, I have forgotten the gifts I’ve been given plenty of times, and found myself trying to swim upstream and gasping for air.
In this space of misalignment and lack of flow, my old friends doubt, fear, anxiety and overwhelm inevitably show up. Then I look for the familiar, seek rational explanations for things, and disconnect from my inherent wisdom.
It is in these moments of disconnection that our capacity to remember is critical. We don’t have to do anything, other than to remember the gifts we’ve been given, the trials we’ve moved through because of them, and the light on the other side of the challenge.
In remembering the inherent gifts of life, we can befriend our doubts and fears, and reassure them that all is well.
We are always given everything we need…always!
When I remember why I’m committed to inspiring others to challenge their status quo and take a stand for what matters most, why I care so deeply about living in alignment with Nature, and why I believe so strongly in the potential of humanity, I feel unstoppable.
I know that it’s time. It is time for all of us to step into, appreciate and protect the gifts we were given, those within and those without. It’s time for us to empty ourselves, embrace the fullness of all that we are and all that life is, clearly envision the future we know is possible, and start taking action in our lives to create the life and future we long for.
I often turn to inspirational verses or mantras to strengthen my memory and commitment to what I know to be true. A friend recently reminded me of one of my favorites, and I wish to share it with you.
In 2006, I heard the New Year 2000 Message from the Hopi Elders for the first time. You may be familiar with it, but it is worth repeating in these times, over and over again.
To my fellow swimmers;
There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift
And there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel that they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.
Know that the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore,
Push off into the middle of the river,
Keep our eyes open and our heads above water.
And I say,
See who is in there with you and celebrate!
At this time in history we are to take nothing personally;
Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do,
Our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!
Banish the word “struggle” from your attitude and vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner
And in celebration
We are the ones we have been waiting for.
Each time I read this verse, something new sparks within me. As I have settled into the remembering of the knowing that we truly have been given all that we could ever need, it has become easier and easier to push off from the shore.
Pushing off from the shore is one thing. Keeping your eyes open and heads above water is another. I feel the fruits of that whispering, “It’s time,” ready for harvest as I create new offers, and prepare to launch a new website in the next few weeks, all in the interest of supporting you to keep your eyes open and heads above water in these challenging times.
So much is happening, and so much is needed. Indeed we are the ones we’ve been waiting for, and indeed, we will all have moments of being afraid. We need each other. We must find ways to connect and collaborate.
Remember…Reconnect…Reimagine…Rebirth
Or, for those who are familiar with the Foundation Stone of Love Meditation by Rudolf Steiner:
Spirit Remembering…Spirit Awareness…Spirit Beholding…Spirit Light
How do you swim, while not playing the lone wolf? What supports and nourishes you in these times?
Remember, you are a swimmer, and every day you make a difference!
I celebrate you!
