Are you like me? A little nervous about how things are going to unfold Post Covid – in our workplaces, at restaurants, the gym, shops, at our kids’ schools…? Maybe you’re wondering how to “be” around others with whom you come into contact. How close will you stand, will you keep up the practice of wearing a mask, how you’ll “be” around people who choose differently, whether you’ll want to broach the question “have you been vaccinated?”
Are you leery of the “messiness” that can emerge in relationships as we maneuver around current “hot topics?” Do you struggle with how to be your “authentic” self when our current social framework is a hotbed of do’s and don’ts with seemingly changing rules on acceptable terminology? Are you uncertain who the “authority” is on best practices? I know I am.
I want to “be” a “good” person –respectful, empathetic, kind and compassionate – how about you? Do you sometimes find it can be hard to be that person – authentically – when you’re constantly second-guessing acceptable ways and means of being – how to act/speak – what terms are ok to use. Do you sometimes get taken by surprise when
you find yourself acting in the very ways you wish to “rise above?” Maybe in reaction to others’ words and actions?
This internal struggle, coupled with my desire to help all of us take steps to “calm” our current social unrest and racial tension, led me to seek out practices of self- development. I want to “re-engage” as an aligned self and act in ways that support growth as opposed to those that would further fuel divisiveness and regression. My thought is that we’re hardwired for continuous improvement and innovation.
Our enforced isolation during the pandemic for some led to lethargy and even depression as – we were not able to engage in activities in the ways we were used to. For some this ignited what has been a slow burn of rage at the injustices against our fellow beings – both current and historical. And some found themselves sparked creatively – revisiting past creative pursuits or learning new ones. The world saw an upsurge of home improvements, baking bread, crafting, visual arts, musical arts, performance, technological innovations – the list goes on.
For me – it was a mixed bag. I re-engaged with mixed media art (yay!), got back to regular walks in nature, started my morning journaling again, and worked to balance my chakras. In the process, I experienced an “awakening” to my dismay at entrenched, racist behaviors and my worry about how “we” were choosing to respond to these issues was going to impact the world at large. My concern that the current practices of blaming and shaming will divert energy from healing to further divisiveness which will have a far reaching and long-lasting impact. An impact that will negatively affect future generations.
I started to wonder how I could be an agent of change, how I wanted to “be” in relation to myself, others, the world so that I could help heal on all levels and then grow on all levels. I am a “work in progress.” I stumble and fumble regularly. I suspect most of us do. I thought if we could start a dialogue, share our ideas of best practices to support calm unity, provide tools, techniques and access to deeper learning, that perhaps in the process of achieving self-alignment (mind, body and spirit) we could co-create the world as a better place.
I believe in the power of one. One drop can have an amazing ripple effect. I want my drop to be positive, productive, and creative. I believe in the power of collaboration – increased opportunities for innovation – where the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” If the power of one is amazing, I’m thinking the power of “many” will only be further magnified. Let’s work together to magnify the best that life has to offer our future generations. Let’s step into our power of one; let’s help each other do the same, let’s create a world that eases the way for our little ones to step into their strengths and “be” in the world as their best selves.