We Are the Ones
I find it utterly amazing that there are so many different people living on planet Earth at the same time. Each individual has a special gift to share with the world that is unique to personality. Each carry the potentiality for goodness and compassion, joy and love, wisdom and play. It doesn’t matter where we live the possibility for change lies within each one of us. It doesn’t matter our particular profession or career the seed of life and vitality resides hidden until we tap into the truth of our being.
Nearly eight billion people live on this planet and each is endowed with special gifts to share. That’s astounding. It’s also a lot of brightness and knowledge that can generate change and transformation. Not all of these contributions will reach a massive audience, but the energy and contributions are significant.
Who are we and what are we doing at this time in history? No one can answer that question for us. But those questions have been asked throughout major periods of change in the universe and they are being asked of us now, today. Not left in the hands a priest, guru, political leader, or therapist—it’s your answer—rooted in your particular journey. In some respects that is a relief as there is no one to really look to but your inner self, and therefore, the responsibility is yours. When you take up your God-given gift, there can only be a deep trust in the experiences that become your tapestry of life. Your multifaceted, dynamic, and full life is set for constant change and growth.
There are many gifts to be gained during the human journey: joy, love and acceptance are just a few traits to cultivate. Let’s take a look at each one of these qualities briefly.
Sometimes joy gets confused with smiling and being kind, while commendable qualities they are very different from pure joy. Looking at Dr. David Hawkins’s consciousness assessment chart The Map of Consciousness, we know that joy calibrates very high on the scale and logs in at 540. This is more than just being happy, it’s a state of effervescence that comes from within and according to Franciscan spirituality is recognized as a grace that is unbounded and sustained by inner peace. A constant reservoir of vitality that allows us to engage in an inclusive manner with all creatures and all people. When we absorb the negativity and trauma frequently presented by the media our ability to function in pure joy gets dissipated, affecting our physical, emotional, and spiritual system and how we interact with others. We have to rise above those accepted narratives and know something new and good is happening
Also ranked high on the The Map of Consciousness is Love in the 500s. The kind of love of which I’m speaking goes beyond the sentimental love we all have experienced from time to time, a place where we can often get stuck. Learning to harness the divine bond of unity that is both in the Christ and our fellow brothers and sisters takes practice. Regardless of gender, race, education, or politics divine love extends beyond our egos to higher levels and a state of reverence for all. This is clearly a noble task and a way of being in the world. We recognize people who are exemplary in their expression of love: Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa are just a few. We want to emulate them, but we also need to elevate our own measure of love to share with the world.
Acceptance may seem mundane compared to joy and love. Acceptance is derived from Latin, acquiescere, to acquiescence. Understand that we are not giving up or giving in (a negative connotation) but we are fully embracing events and people as they happen in our lives. Acceptance includes forgiveness allowing for harmony and eventually transcendence. We are not trying to change a person or event. We are merely being present in the moment, in a state of Presence and allowing for the natural unfoldment of life to occur. This is hard work, which I will admit I have had varying degrees of mastery, but when this alignment occurs we know it and are grateful for the experience of oneness.
Intentionally weaving joy, love, and acceptance into our various skills, individual activities, and communion with others are true gifts. And this work is not just limited to humans, there are many relationships from in which we can integrate joy, love, and acceptance: with animals large and small, wild and domesticated, and nature. You don’t have to be an environmentalist to appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons, a rainbow after a storm or the bright fullness of moon against a starless, black sky. Our multi-sensory capabilities enhance our life and everything around us.
It’s true there is so much to learn and do in this new era we have entered: a time of peace, wholeness, justice, and equanimity. It’s also true that it is going to take work both internal and external.
According to Matthew 28:19, Jesus said:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
We don’t necessarily need to quote scripture to people, however we do need to ensure that no one is left behind in this venture to transform our world. Try not be dismayed by periodic levels of chaos. We must live in hope. We are the ones to keep the vibrations high in joy, love, and acceptance. It is going to take every one of us fulfill His will. It’s our service to humanity.
Thank you so much