Dear Reader,
We have crossed over from May into June, and I hope you are safe and well as these challenging times continue. The coronavirus pandemic is still with us. We are seeing the situation constantly change and evolve, everywhere we look.
Many places are slowly reopening. We are discovering that with this transition comes a whole new set of challenges. And, sadly, we are seeing that the continued pressures of uncertainty and insecurity are bringing to light the deeper problems we faced before we ever heard of the coronavirus.
Most immediately in America, another person of color has died at the hands of police officers. Racial chaos has ensued. I know of no planet where it is acceptable, ever, for another human being to be treated as “less than” because of their skin color. The same applies to nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, economic status, and disability.
We are facing this tragic situation along with other issues, including access to quality health care, global warming, economic disparity, the role of science, the role of leadership, and personal responsibility. All, during a pandemic.
All of this can be incredibly painful to confront.
Looking at this whole pandemic and destabilization of “business as usual” as an opportunity for positive change and growth, many of us are asking, what can we do?
What you can do for yourself
I hope during this time that no matter what, you are treating yourself and others with compassion. I hope you are allowing yourself to feel the full range of your emotions, including the important emotions of fear, grief, loss, anxiety, anger, frustration and boredom.
Be kind to yourself. I can’t say that enough.
Maybe you don’t want to hear another word about coronavirus. Maybe you are horrified by the racial turmoil unfolding right now in America. Know that your feelings are valid. They may come up suddenly, and either linger or vanish just as suddenly. When you open to all of your feelings, you have the opportunity to learn more about who you are and what you value. You also learn about your illusions, and what you do not value.
The challenge is to avoid getting consumed by those feelings. In order to be the change you wish to see in the world, you will need to manage them.
But how?
Work with your daily practices
Last week, I focused on the importance of doing one or more daily practices for your inner life. I hope you have added at least one new practice during the pandemic, or gained new insight about the practices that you already do.
Daily practices serve many purposes. They can help you gain a little perspective on some of those difficult emotions. You may start to find a little peace, along with space in your heart and head to think more clearly.
Perhaps the most important purpose of having a daily practice, however, is to help you to be more fully yourself. And when you forget, drift, or get distracted from who you really are, your practices will help you remember. They will help you get back to living a life of meaning and purpose that reflects your deepest values.
“I’m back. I feel more like myself again.” It’s a good feeling when you can say that, isn’t it?
In fact, just being yourself may be your greatest purpose in life – because when you do that, you are providing a unique expression of Spirit, as only you can. By doing so, you inspire the rest of the world to join you.
What you can do for the world
We have work to do.
If you really do believe that we are all one, as I do, how do we we address this chaos? What action can we take, individually and collectively?
Start by being yourself.
Reflect on what you are experiencing and seeing others experience right now. Feel all of your feelings. Do your practices and recommit to being fully yourself, with courage, strength, love and compassion.
Another way to look at it? Start from your heart.
Going further
Back to that question, what can you do to help?
Well, everything good starts with being more fully yourself.
From that place, let your intuition guide you as to how you could make an additional contribution now. An idea may come to you while meditating, writing, or taking that morning walk that you love. You might find yourself speaking up on social media for equality or compassion. You could find yourself calling out information or opinions that are based on fear and divisiveness.
Do it!
The ways you can help, whether large or small, are endless. One of my contributions is to take a stand for our inner lives, our sense of something bigger, and the belief that we are all one. I love to provide guidance and ask the powerful questions that can help people tap into and live in alignment with their true nature.
How you express your true nature is up to each of you. You will be inspired to contribute in your own way, and that is good. It will take all of us.
I honor your loving heart,
John
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