Me, lounging in my Panda Suit the day after the Tsunami
For the last few months I have felt a little bit crazy. Overwhelmed. Frazzled. Luckily, I have tools, friends, and mentors that keep me on track and unless you live in a cave its obvious that shit has been flying at us at light speed. The internet has gone hog wild, facebook "friends" are building by the masses, global communication is on the rise, the news tells us the world is ending, and fear is permeating every morsel of media. Even friends I once thought were relatively sane have turned into conspiracy-theorist that are adding to the fear and mayhem.
I guess I'm becoming the ultimate rebel in saying: I don't think it's as bad as they say. Really. It's not. Don't buy in. The world will not improve with fear or mediocrity. The world will only be saved by the appearance of great people and it's up to you to step into those shoes. Those shoes will require grace.
I'm not denying that there is war, devastation, starving children, and environmental disaster. I'm aware of these things. But along with the bad there is tremendous amounts of good happening. There is more light in the world than ever. Thousands, if not millions, of people are helping each other. Mercy Corps has gotten millions of dollars donated (more private donations than anytime before in history.) Helping hands are everywhere. People are showing up, as well as focusing on the power of prayer, meditation, and gratitude. If you can't fly to Haiti, or Japan, and it's not your speed to hang out with the homeless, you can do a lot of good by turning off the media, and turning on your love. Simply pray or meditate and focus on loving those around you. Perhaps set a goal of changing five peoples lives. Just five. Maybe you could be a source of inspiration, or calm for someone who needs it. If we all helped five people have a better life the world would become a better place.
And for God's sake stop thinking so much. Feel your way. Trust your gut, it's the only thing you have that is certain. Your mind is not your leader, it is only a guide.
Remember we are here as a physical representation of a divine principle, yet not everyone chooses to heed the call of his or her own heart. Most of us are too frantic with the voices in our head or with the outer world to pay attention to our hearts. Our inner voice gets drowned out easily. We have forgotten how to trust ourselves. And if we can't trust ourselves it's almost impossible to trust anyone else, let alone God. (Universe, Divine Power, Spirit)
I like the word God. If you get freaked out by that word replace it with whatever you want.
I went to Maui this month and aside from hiking bamboo forests, swimming in turquoise waters, and ogling hot sassy bodies, I was also evacuated for the Tsunami. Horns blew on every coastline. Thousands of tourist evacuated to upcountry high schools. The emergency broadcast system was on every radio station. The cottage I was staying in (30 feet from the coast) would have barely survived a wind storm, so I drove to my friend Dave's house who lives inland and upcountry. As we watched video footage of Japan's destruction I vowed to not take my life for granted.
Back in the Bronx in the 80's I had my share of fear: running from gangs, being witness to guns and open fire and violence on the streets and subways. However, in the back of my head was always the thought, "I can get away from this." And I did. But when the earthquake hit Japan, I realized I couldn't run or hide from a 9.1 megaquake. All the control I thought I had was gone. Which, ironically, made my heart swell and my ego loosen up. The world somehow became a place of wonder again. I could see love everywhere, even through tears and destruction.
The news stations told us the first Tsunami wave would hit Maui at 3am and no one could guarantee how big or small, how weak or strong it would be. I prayed for a peaceful ocean until I fell asleep around 2am and when i woke up I prayed again. I spoke to the humpback whales and asked them for help. Maybe they had some magical power within the seas. The morning came and luckily there was minimal damage to the shorelines and no one got hurt.
Since then I've found a new respect for people and nature and the unpredictability of everything. Maybe it was the Hawaii sun, or maybe it's the calm before the Apocalypse, either way I'm no longer going to sit and worry about things I have no control over. I will instead follow my heart, finish my book of poetry, love those that are near to me, and hope to inspire and change the lives of at least five people, maybe more. Because everything is a ripple.
