We Each have a Part to Play
It's no doubt we are all feeling deeply about the intense time of transformation we are individually and collectively living through, and witnessing. I know for myself it's taken me some time to ground, find my voice, and know where to put my energy. I hope through it all, each of you are navigating your own way with grace and compassion towards yourself.
Current events have drawn forth so many of my own past experiences that I find them exploding in my awareness. All the places inside that I've felt hurt, wounded, harmed, and oppressed in this life, and beyond. I wonder how many of us are in that space?
I feel the collective pain. I don't say that lightly. It's coming from lived experience. I've stood in countries and witnessed horrific acts of power that governments have inflicted on their own people, so I know what can be on the other side of oppressive power if it goes unchecked. I'm not inviting any of that into our field of possibility, I'm simply stating that experiences (if processed) inform us and open us to new levels of feeling for ourselves and others, where we understand our Oneness and Interconnectedness in new ways. They open us to new levels of responsibility in our own energy and within the collective.
The responsibility piece has been difficult for me because I so much want love and compassion to be the actionable answer. To love people through their own wounding. It seems so simple, so effective if we could all be in it. Yet, I find my energy consumed with sacred rage and questioning what is the next right step for me? Is it to be in the front lines protecting those who are being assaulted? Is it giving resources? Is it documenting and sharing the unconstitutional actions? Is it speaking up against ignorance on social media? Is it to be a safe and sacred place of support and love for those who are daily fighting for humanity? All those answers seem like a resounding YES! However, there is only one of me, only so many hours in the day. There's responsibilities in my personal life that still need to be upheld. What do I do with my time? When do I do it? How do I do it all? Can I do it all? The honest answer is no, I cannot. I believe this is a uniting thread we are seeing and feeling inside of ourselves. We cannot do it all, all by ourselves. And I believe this is a lesson that applies to the collective and the individual right now. We need each other more than ever. We have learned the lessons that we cannot thrive without the web of life supporting us, and us it. We cannot carry the responsibility for all of it.
It seems this is a time for each of us to choose what is in alignment with our own hearts, and those choices can vary moment to moment depending on our capacity. We literally need people in all those spaces I mentioned and more. Not each of us is meant to, or has the capacity to be on the front lines protesting, not all of us have the money to financially support organizations, and that's ok! I'm sharing this because ultimately I want you to know, to truly know, that everything you do matters. Every smile, every kindness, every gift, every conversation that brings light to the spaces that can feel so dark and alone. For those of you reading this, know you are a light in my world. You bring purpose and joy to my being, and that is needed. Because that feeds this interconnectedness. When I'm filled up the next person coming in benefits. They fill me back up (as I hope I do them) and the cycle continues. We so lovingly need one another, and to know how vital each of us is in this web of life.
One final thought, I was pondering the other day how so many of us are caregivers. Whether it's simply being a woman, a mom, a leader at work, a partner, or a friend. We have all been training our whole lives to care! Now we've had time to integrate this superpower and we are being called to use it. To care so deeply that our voices will carry with the compassion and rage that is needed in order to be heard. To care so widely we open our arms and hearts to those who cannot help themselves right now. To care so expansively that humankind find its way to peace, love, joy, and compassion that we choose to dig deep, ground ourselves, care for ourselves, our families, friends, and neighbors. Every action done in love and alignment connects us to those around us and creates communities that thrive. You have done this for me, so I know how much the world around you is benefiting from your existence, your beautiful loving hearts, and precious souls. I love you all, and feel so grateful to know you and to be supported by you.
May you find peace within, and share it without.
Warmly,
Michelle
