A Clear, Cold Winter Morning …
Life is apparently going to be more complex than we could have ever imagined. If we do not have something real to anchor ourselves we will possibly be swept away at sea. Gregge Tiffen (The Significance of Beginning – January, 2007)
I chuckle as I read Gregge’s words first published 12 years ago. Indeed life is and seems to continue to become more complex, more chaotic. THAT is our opportunity! WE get to deepen our learning in how to navigate the stormy seas of life on planet earth by anchoring in a foundation of what is real.
We’ve turned the page on yet another year. We made it through a year that for many was tumultuous at best. Hopefully, we made some progress – not simply in terms of how the world measures progress (money, career, etc.) – but progress in our capacity for self-awareness, self-belief, self-love and faith in the ultimate good of the Universe. THAT is where our opportunity lies.
Deepening our capacity to adapt to changing conditions and to respond to unexpected events is a requirement in a world that seems ever more chaotic. Otherwise we may be swept into the sea of the world’s chaos and find ourselves contributing to its intensity rather than living a life that counters the craziness.
We need more than a life raft. We need a solid foundation in which to anchor ourselves and our choices. We need to be stable yet remain flexible. We need not to be stuck, but able to move. Adaptability is the key.
And, we won’t find adaptability ‘out there’. It’s an inside job that requires consistent attention and care if we are to deepen our capacity to not get caught up in the world’s chaos or in the unexpected events that life brings our way. We measure our progress in how we navigate these each and every day.
Does the ringing phone that I ignore as I write this disrupt my train of thought? Yes. How much? How do I adjust and refocus? Do I allow an event that could disrupt my holiday plans to do so? Do I participate or not? How do I do so in a way that contributes positively and expresses my true being?
These are the choices we face each and every day, dozens of times. Many seem insignificant. We may not even notice them. Yet each is a building block that contributes to our quality of life AND to the atmosphere and quality of consciousness on the planet. Positive contribution is our opportunity.
Beyond reporting of the so-called news and the punditry of opinion that follows it is an unseen world of cycles within cycles, vortexes within vortexes. This infinite sea of pure, raw energy is what is real. This is the Universe. Events occur. We choose to step into an event or not using this energy. Play or don’t play. These are our choice points, new beginnings.
We are either caught in their chaotic spin or operating with the self-awareness, self-belief, and self-love to sail our own ship. When we sail our own ship, we discover the Universe is pretty friendly, and our faith in something beyond, yet connected to, ourselves grows.
I continue to discover that when I make decisions that are true for me, choices from this foundation, they tend to serve me well, if not immediately, then certainly long term. Even decisions that don’t work out as planned turn out in my favor in the long run.
This week I invite you to take a deep look at what anchors you in the sometimes stormy sea of life. How rock solid is your foundation? How might you strengthen it in the year ahead?
… And Cool Hand Luke LOVES It!