As we celebrate this season of holiday blessings, gratitude, and cheer, I want to share a story with you.
For several months now I have been thinking about the distressing circumstances in which we find ourselves in the world today. I have been contemplating our situation and, ever hopeful, looking for understanding and reasons for encouragement. Notwithstanding the constant barrage of media and the fear mongers, I am encouraged!
As I was leaving the gym last week, my attention was drawn to a woman standing with her back to me, in conversation with another. I did not know her, indeed had never seen her before, but I noticed her, and in particular her headscarf, a muted violet design beautifully arranged and perfectly draped. I was quite struck by the scarf, for it was simple but elegant, and of a perfect hue. As I exited the building onto the street, I turned to see her leaving at the same time, and I paused and said to her “Your headscarf is beautiful.”
And then something astonishing happened. As we stood on the sidewalk she instantly and without hesitation leaned towards me and kissed me on the cheek. There were tears in her eyes, she was filled with emotion, and yet radiant at the same time. Then she said: “Thank you.” She put her hand over her heart and said: “I wear the scarf because I am a Muslim, I am from Iraq. But what matters is the heart, my heart and your heart. The heart under the scarf is like a jewel to be carefully tended to. It is a precious thing.”
Her emotion filled me with emotion. She was deeply moved, and so was I. It was clear to me that her response was not so much to my compliment, but more so because I did not view her with fear or suspicion. I was greatly touched by her heartfelt appreciation–and more than a little troubled by the thought that my friendliness towards her was in any way extraordinary in her daily experience.
I felt specially blessed to have had this encounter. This was a real life, real time example of what is possible when we live from our hearts. Two strangers suddenly connected through open-heartedness flowing in both directions. In that moment of open-hearted engagement there was a knowing, feeling sense of truth and safety and trust in the other.
Think of the possibilities if we are willing to engage this way on a global scale.
We do indeed have the potential to effect positive change in the world through our attitudes, thoughts, emotions, behavior and activities. We can effect negative outcomes as well, depending on how we manage and nurture ourselves. Our activity of human consciousness—the radiation of our thoughts and feelings–matters. It has impact. It lands somewhere. This is not nearly as far-fetched as you might think.
How do we work towards positive influence? It begins with taking responsibility for our thoughts and actions. We need to pay attention to our own inner connections and to remembering the light we each hold. A very simple approach is to share our love through simple acts of engagement without fear.
The subtle energy of open-heartedness paired with intentional engagement is a very powerful force.
I share with you my wish, my hope, and the blessing I offer as we move into the New Year:
May We Work Together to Find Our Way Towards Greater Acceptance of Others
and
Love and Peace on Earth.
For more understanding of subtle energies and how to work with your own subtle activism, please refer to the Lorian Association’s resources at http://lorianassociation.com/subtle-activism-resources/.
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