How Not To Break In A Broken World
Some days it requires heroic effort to stay positive and on point with your most inspired life.
Traumatic news reports of conflict, chaos and mass tragedies assault our newsfeed each morning.
We can be left wondering if all our seeking and striving will really make any difference in such a broken world.
“All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow…”-Roland Orzabal, Mad World lyrics
There are days when the stories are so tragic, so horrifically heart breaking that even I question if we humans will ever be able to turn this around.
Some days it seems like it would be easier to just surrender to the river of cynicism, depression and despondency and start drinking…
Our Inhumanity
“Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible in us be found.”
― Pema Chödrön
Current research substantiates that human beings are an exceptionally cruel species. However, according to research led by José María Gómez conducted at the University of Grenada, we are not the most violent species, not by far.
The prize actually goes to Meerkats, who apparently make us look like mere kittens. And, studies show we are far less violent toward one another than we were earlier in our species development.
The distinct difference, however, between now and even just 20 years ago is the intensity and scope of our exposure to tragedies and human violence.
We mainline reflections of our inhumanity.
It is over-the-top and only intensifying.
Even if we have the self-restraint to silence alerts and notifications on our phones, we’re pummeled by screens in public lobbies, waiting rooms, fitness clubs and grocery stores.
Why do we do this? Why this preoccupation with our dark side?
Massive R&D Project
“The present convergence of crises — in money, energy, education, health, water, soil, climate, politics, the environment, and more — is a birth crisis, expelling us from the old world into a new.”
― Charles Eisenstein
I think humanity is in the midst of a massive research and development project.
Though we are not conscious of it, I think we are processing our inhumanity in order to understand ourselves at a new level.
For us to grow beyond our violent tendencies, we have to own our inhuman (haha proof that we don’t yet!) shadow.
Prerequisite to world peace is each of us coming to grips with the violence that is an intrinsic part of our lower nature.
The current state of affairs in our world is summoning our participation and leadership like never before. Something evolutionarily significant is happening here and there seems to be a great deal at stake.
Calling On The Big Self
“Listen: this world is the lunatic’s sphere. Don’t always agree it’s real. Even with my feet upon it and the postman knowing my door, my address is somewhere else.”
-Hafiz
Big Self — the one within us that is here on purpose — is watchful and ready to take it’s place among the architects of this new phase. We are called to live by our convictions and offer our input in new and profound ways.
As we emerge from our species childhood, we are naturally questioning authority, losing faith in our leaders and enduring the chaos that comes with breaking our dependence.
We are becoming more aware of our individual creative and generative power — the authority within us, questioning, exploring and struggling to define who we are in this world.
Each of us is getting an auspicious chance to reflect personally on why we are here and how we will lead.
It takes courage to follow through, to step up and bring ourselves into life.
It takes consistency and committment. It takes having a new defining myth regarding our purpose and our relationship to our universe.
Steady Yourself From The Inside
“Be a light unto yourself.”
― Buddha Shakyamuni
We will never have total control over outer circumstances and other people, but when it comes to our state of being, we are the ones ultimately in control.
And, my friends, this is where it really matters, as our state of being is what truly determines our experience of reality.
If you find yourself fearful these days, or waking up in the middle of the night haunted by what you witnessed on the news…if you drag yourself out of bed most mornings anything short of brimming with hope, then I challenge you to look at what part of you has given authority to a dissonant, vibrationally-foreign storyline.
As I said, I have found myself here more than once recently. And when I do I remind myself:
“I hold the highest office in the land when it comes to how I feel and what I believe is possible.
I determine the quality and conditions of my life.
It is not some person in public office, unless I decide to let their story trump mine.”
— Amy McTear
We must not be too swept away by the tales of these times. We have to maintain our hold on the steering wheel.
Be A Light In A Dark Room
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
This is a time for us to gather up ideas and each weigh in. But beware, fear makes us believe we have to compete with our opinions and annihilate or dehumanize the opposing point of view.
We are accountable to bring ourselves forward, to stay tuned and involved.
But, we are also here to work through this evolutionary process together. While it starts with us as individuals, we cannot complete the task alone.
I have faith that the illusions we currently hold about who we are will not sustain us. I trust humanity will arrive at a collective truth and a deep remembering that will inform us in recreating our world.
Take Breaks
“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.”
― Guillaume Apollinaire
We must realize that the human nervous system was not designed for this modern day bingeing on bad news.
100 years ago, we didn’t learn of an earthquake in mexico until weeks later. We were not briefed daily on wars being waged in every corner of the earth. We did not saturate our imaginations with tales of unthinkable violence that humans are capable of perpetrating on one another when they themselves are suffering so deeply.
Don’t wait for society to cue you to take a break. It has no such regulator.
Don’t wait for CNN to report something uplifting. You’ll have to wait too long.
Limit your exposure.
Balance your life on your own.
Give yourself recovery time from all of life’s stresses.
Build your resilience.
No one can do this for you. Mandate it for your own life.
Pause. Breathe. Get out in nature every day. Meditate. Absorb beauty. Sit with friends and family. Chew slowly and savor your food whenever possible.
Reach out to someone who you don’t know, someone with whom you don’t see a common ground, and find a common ground. Find where you line up. You share 99.99+% of the same DNA with each and every human you meet. And, I gaurantee you that you have more than that in common.
Dream of the world you want, not the one you don’t.
Find Your Small But Epic Note
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
― Jane Goodall
I’d like to make a declaration — THE DAYS OF WAITING FOR AN OUTER AUTHORITY TO SANCTION YOUR LIFE PATH ARE OVER.
Follow what matters to You most.
Every challenge, trial, tribulation, failure, joy, excitement, inkling you willingly confront is leading you to your role, your small but epic note in the collective chorus.
If you choose your path only for wealth, security or status, you will add to your own suffering and that of the whole.
We don’t need more clones, copycats, automatons…
We need creators, collaborators, reformers, reframers, founders, inventors and innovators.
We need all beings alive, well, thriving, tuned up, turned on and ready to impact our new world. The time is now to create a world that clearly expresses the full capacity of the human spirit.
Recap:
We are traumatized by our own inhumanity right now. It’s hard to stay positive, but you can. You just need to implement proactive measures.
We are currently in the midst of a massive R&D project that it is summoning us to a higher consciousness.
Be a light in a dark room. Be your Big Self. No one is coming to do it for us.
Don’t make every day about muddling through the madness. Take breaks.
You’re meant to be here in these times. Actually, you signed up for this. You cannot fix the world, but you’re here to do your small but essential part.
Everyone is accountable to find their piece and make their most vital contribution.
It is what makes enduring all this brokenness worth it.
It gives meaning to our lives and to our collective journey.
It will help us remember who we are and why we are here.
Instead of breaking, instead of becoming bitter, we can become better!
Call To Action
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One Last Thing!
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