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This week I saw the movie 2 Days in the Valley, which I talked about in Rants and Raves.
It got me thinking about the story-telling technique it used that I could write about for On Writing. The movie showed several disparate groups of people, revealed the connections between them as they crossed paths and then brought them together for all kinds of exciting consequences.
That led me to think about how combining people from various parts of our social networks opens us to new things. Everyone can grow from the experience. I wrote about that in On Business.
Taking the concept another step further, On the Path, I see that when there’s a confluence of energies, we end up with a lot more than what we bargained for. Fusing these energies, we expand our collective vision. Viewing situations from varied angles, different perspectives, separate personalities, new clarity can be reached. Illuminating more understanding and creating more refractions to see life in a new light.
It’s fusion! It’s kismet! It’s magic! Brilliant discoveries come from seeing the connections and putting our collective heads together. Great things happen when people’s energies are fused.
Look at all the refractions from one simple, every-day Hollywood movie from1996 in plain English! My seemingly unrelated Blogs have a common thread running through them this week.
There are new ways to see life everywhere, all around us, everyday, ready to reveal themselves to us. All we have to do is look.
I woke up the other morning thinking these two thoughts. For me, this is another one of those elegant, but unlikely combinations.
Many times when we think of Perseverance, images are conjured of gritted teeth and clinched fists. Stiff backs of determination to pursue, no matter what the weather.
Grace, on the other hand, evokes the feeling of moving easily. It has a reflective quality. A deep down assurance of Purpose. Grace makes one think of charm and balance. It’s got forgiveness all over it. Seems so gentile next to Perseverance. But the truth is, Grace may move delicately, but it continues to move.
Grace, I believe, is also the stuff that Miracles are made of. Grace from the light of God fills Miracles and makes them shine brightly. Grace keeps the dazzling light going.
What if we use Grace with Perseverance? When we add them together, we have far more powerful fuel. With Grace by our side, we can keep going with ease, we can flow along willingly and with agility. And a song in our hearts.
Julia Cameron’s book, “Finding Water” gives us a powerful but softer way to look at Perseverance. She shows us that it can be a very spiritual tool in living our lives well and doing what we choose to do. With these two features working hand-in-hand, we can keep moving with ease and willingness.
I am still rather amazed at my ability to flip a switch and be bathed in light. Light and light bulbs are truly wondrous inventions. Power is such an important commodity in our world.
The really powerful Light, however, comes from within. It is the Light which illuminates truth. It is most helpful to see the stack of books on the floor so you don’t trip over them, but how much more can you gain from seeing that you’re not feeling appreciated! With that information you can be aware of the ways that you’re not appreciating yourself. There are simple things you can do to appreciate yourself more like acknowledging yourself, or buying yourself a gift for a job well done. And before you know it your steps are a little lighter and maybe more sure. You might just be able step over those books without flipping a switch.
The insights we receive from shining our own light inside our heads can change our lives completely. The effects of it can be profound. Far more than shedding light in a dark room. In A Course in Miracles they call this Light a Miracle. Seeing what’s really going on in your head is the beginning of forgiveness. Leading to nothing less than salvation.
Professor Cox would tell you that the Earth could not sustain life without the light of the sun. Personally, I would be deeply depressed if I lived in one of those countries where it’s dark most of the day. We thrive on sunlight. But we blossom by the Light of our inner knowing.
I’ve been playing around with surrender lately. Thought it’s particularly appropriate in my situation right now, I do believe it’s an important concept.
Surrender, as I’m talking of it, simply means to accept what you find in your life. A wise friend pointed out that surrender without positive action attached is merely giving up. I prefer the idea of giving in. Getting in the flow of what’s happening and letting it take you. That doesn’t mean you can’t paddle or flap your wings, or look out for obstacles in the way. It’s just that you stop fighting the current and allow it to work for you instead of against you.
1) Surrender to the Daily Trip Ups
The best place to practice surrendering is with the little things. When you didn’t get the flavor you really wanted. Or when the lid doesn’t fit, the printer isn’t behaving, the kids are bouncing off the walls. You have a choice. You can get pissed off, rant to yourself or anyone who will listen about how that’s just another sign that life is out to get you, things never go your way, you should’ve . . . (or whatever such babble might come up that makes you feel bad). Or you can surrender to the fact that the kids are just playing, that this is not the right lid, or the printer needs some attention. Tell yourself that it’s all for the best. Maybe today is strawberry. Tomorrow could be blueberry. Use the small things to practice for the bigger ones.
2) Surrender to the Moment
It’s quite easy and possible to stop and surrender to this moment. It only takes one breath. I find this extremely helpful in the holiday season. When things get to moving too fast or too loud, if you take a breath and see what’s around you, you might find some good stuff. Even if there’s nothing going on and it’s quiet. Whatever is happening, surrender to it. Just this one moment.
3) Surrender When There’s Nothing You Can Do
Keep an eye out for those things that you truly can’t do anything about. At least not now. They’re not so hard to surrender to. Simply acknowledging that there’s nothing you can do about it can kick you into surrender gear. The rent’s due, but it’s Sunday and there’s nothing you can do about it today. So “Don’t worry. Be Happy.” Just accept it. You can take your positive action tomorrow. The Dalai Lama said, “If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”
4) Surrender to Your Right to Shine Your Light
We all have something to shine. It’s not really a right, I just liked the rhyme of it. It’s more like a purpose or even an obligation. I believe that we are all put on this Earth to share our light. The light that’s inside of us. That’s not exactly easy. But if we practice with this thought, maybe we can learn to let it shine!
5) Surrender When You Feel Caught
If you find yourself stuck in resistance or obstinance or anger, or a meeting that won’t stop, just breathe out and realize you’re there. Take a moment to ask yourself, “Can I accept this situation as it is? Do I have a choice?” This is where you are.
6) Surrender to the Joy
I happen to believe it is a Loving Universe. If I allow myself to see all the joy around me, I’m reminded of that. Surrender to the hot bath, the loving embrace, a good meal. There’s so much in this world to enjoy! It may be hard to surrender to a bleak situation, but not so hard to surrender to what’s good. Practice where you can.
7) Surrender to God
Caroline Myss said of surrender that it’s about saying to God, “You choose, I’ll follow.” Knowing that we don’t know it all and can’t see the whole picture. We can trust in and surrender to God.
I’ve been playing with this idea of making everything lighter. Just releasing my grasp a little, easing up a bit.
When I think of feeling lighter, no matter my weight, I do feel lighter. Things become easier to do. I can move forward with grace and ease.
The lightness helps me to see more. Not clouded by a bunch of angst and worry, I can view the situation more dispassionately. This helps to see what to do next. And I can move forward with a lighter step.
Being light releases stress. Tension in the body can build up. Letting that go can allow for feeling better and moving better.
We can travel more lightly on the Earth. Leaving less of a destructive footprint. We can have a lighter hand with the young, with the old, with the trying. Lightness helps me to forgive more easily, without the heavy weight of neediness.
Allow light to fill your being and you can spread it. Shining light on everyone you come in contact with.
When we’re just resting into being, not pushing, not stressing, we can feel the lightness. Just being in the moment lightens everything.
I read somewhere recently that “enthusiasm” means filled with God.
What is it like to be God-Filled? To feel that warm light brimming inside of you. You can hardly sit down, you are so excited!!
Enthusiasm is fueled by love. Or something akin to it. Your heart is embracing whatever it is you’re enthusiastic about.
It is certainly warm and has a bit of the bubbly to it. You’re not just “up for it,” you’re enthusiastic about it! It even sounds like you’re in that fun and active state. As in athletic / enthusiastic.
Enthusiasm flows abundantly. It over flows and sparkles. It lights you up, brings a glow to your face. Watch for it . . . it can be contagious and will easily stick to whatever it touches.
It’s very hard to be still when your enthusiasm is kicked up. You’re eager to get started or get back to it. You just love it!
You’re filled with love for what you’re enthusiastic about, that’s for sure. And you’re not usually concerned with whether it’s good or bad. Or any such dualistic thoughts. Your enthusiasm keeps you connected to the present moment.
It’s surely stuffed full of God!
The Positive Slant On the Path 