There was a moment as I walked down a somewhat busy street near my house today when someone, I assume a guy, whistled in my direction very loudly. Like, so loudly that it startled me. It made me jump a little. I didn't turn around...I just kept walking. Then a block later someone honked and looked at me as he drove by. Sigh. My mind started on this tangent to question big choices I have made regarding where I live. I thought, wow, do I really love my neighborhood that much? I mean, if people are that inconsiderate to scare me like that...is it a safe place to raise my son? See how the fear is so heavy and can consume us so quickly? Now, I am usually super happy about where I live. I love the community; the artistic types and healing people are everywhere. I can walk around and see people I know and enjoy without feeling like I am lacking privacy, there is a huge park 2 blocks away with incredible trees, and so on. So I turned to walk down my alley, and there I saw a very beautiful cardinal sitting on top of a fence. I stopped to appreciate it for a while....still feeling jittery and pissed off from the events that just occurred. The red bird's movements were playful, bouncy and graceful. I began to look for feathers on the ground...just in case. I continued down the alley and came upon a very boldly colored butterfly fluttering across my path and landing on a bush. I noticed how the alley has a lot of broken glass....and garbage...and among this seemingly dirty, scary place...there was so much beauty. I then saw my across the alley neighbor who had just moved in recently. We had a nice introduction conversation and I continued about my day. Basically, the universe redeemed itself from the freaky, almost shocking cat-calls...to the calm, powerful and also, almost shockingly beautiful creatures that I encountered just after. What an important reminder that all things must find balance!
We are able to trust that all things are in balance. Right now. And that means that we are able to experience the perceived "good" and the perceived "bad" as equals....as harmony at the deepest and often the most challenging level for our minds. I am aware of much greater injustices and fears that many, many people around the globe suffer from. I strive to find balance inside of myself and to answer life's calling to be of service to the planet. I believe that this is the way to be at peace amongst the chaos. As Howard Thurman said "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive."
The wind blows through the curtains on the porch as I type this...and a big, black fly is buzzing around my ankles. Riley asked me yesterday....he said, "Mom? What if I was you and you were me?" That brought the biggest smile to my face. Gratitude flows through me like a river flows through the land. This gratitude has no idea what is yet to come. It trusts in the flow. It resides in the now. Breathe into your heart, and feel the peace within. Om shanti, shanti, shantihi!
