Friday, July 3, 2020

Independence Day

Independent:
"freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others."

Being independent
"means being able to take care of your own needs and to make and assume responsibility for your decisions while considering both the people around you and your environment.”

I felt stuck when I attempted to write of late. The words “me” or “we” were bouncing around in my head but I kept hitting a wall. I began thinking about the upcoming holiday, Independence Day, and the characteristic Americans are especially proud of—our right to live as we choose. As I looked up the definition of independent I discovered that I could not relate to it as a interpretation of how we live in the 21st century. Being independent seemed a much better fit. I sat with the words, “assume responsibility for your decisions while considering both the people around you and your environment.”

In this unique time in our history we are called to think, not only of ourselves, but of our place in and our impact on community. Selfish actions are not only thoughtless, they are life threatening. In this escalation of the philosophical idea of “independence” we have forgotten that in truth we are all interdependent.

A community and the people who inhabit it thrive when the population works together for common goals. It is destroyed when people forget that we are linked together by all that we do and how we live in our villages, towns and cities.

Have you ever played this game? Look around your environment and take note of how many invisible and nameless people have provided goods and services to furnish your world. From the person who dyed the wool in your carpet, the carpenter who cut the boards for your floor, the farmer and laborer who harvested your food, and the trucker who delivered it, there is nothing in your world that you can claim sole credit for. You may move independently through your day but each move has been supported by millions of others working and living on this planet.

As we celebrate Independence Day my hope is that we also celebrate our fundamental connection with each other. And that we all focus on bringing more love, more healing and more light into our individual and common world. Let’s celebrate our interdependence with renewed respect and love for one another.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

"To Love a person is to 
learn the song that is in their heart, 
and to sing it to them 
when they have forgotten."
Anon

There are times when life surprises you and offers a gift that resonates with your spirit. While rummaging through a drawer for a piece of scrap paper I came across the above quote. My spirit lifted as I thought about the people in my life and how they have touched my heart. 

The image of each person having a unique song overwhelmed
 me with awe. I wondered could we all learn to listen for each other's unique soul song? Would you take time to remind another of how their spark lights up your world? Or how their heart touches yours?  

Let's vow to take the time to remind another of their beauty, their individual contribution or simply just how they make us feel. Be the one who whispers in their ear the music that is their special song when they have forgotten. 

Sending you a song of love.
Nora