The things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter least.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The current circumstances surrounding the global civil unrest we are experiencing and the muzzling of COVID-19 have not been welcomed events. However, in spite of these intrusive forces, their disruption has granted us the blessings of engaging in long, overdue, and honest disclosure. Members of our society are courageously pressing relentlessly against thick walls of separation and injustice with efforts that move us toward unity. And, the marketplace shut downs and stay at home orders of COVID-19 have caused us to be with ourselves whether we wanted to or not. It is my hope that more of us have taken advantage of our alone time. We can only avoid being with ourselves for so long.
The year of 2020 will always be remembered but how will you remember it? The impetus for the protests and the sickness and suffering of loved ones have left deep indelible imprints in our hearts. Will you remember the tragedies and losses of 2020 most? Or will you remember the good that came out of 2020 because of the unfortunate conditions? What will your testimony be in the future when you look back at this year?
There is a sliver-lining in every dark cloud but we have to be willing to look for it with eyes of hope. Greater purpose is revealed through pain if we can perceive it a midst the discomfort. My hope is that we will allow this societal purging to bring us to a greater sense of clarity.
People typically learn to appreciate calm in the midst of adversity and gratitude seems most sincere once we have reclaimed whatever we had taken for granted. What would happen if we decided not to wait until moments of crisis, trauma, or death to focus on what really matters most? What would happen if we made the conscious decision to live our lives with the intention of focusing on what matters most? Too often we are distracted by the amenities of life, and busyness and procrastination seem to go hand in hand.
Recently, I was reminded that fear, ego-obsessions, and unchecked emotions are a horrible combination that can easily keep us away from what matters most. When we’re afraid we must consciously step outside of ourselves, become the observer and remember that the fear isn’t real. Fear comes from our perceptions based on limiting beliefs. The intense emotions that accompany fear make fear seem real but the emotions are signals to alert us of our response to what’s going on. We control the emotions is should not be the other way around. Our ego tries to protect us but when it demands its way or insists on being right or heard we’re probably missing what matters most.
So, a lesson I’m learning in 2020 is that personal surrender in the answer! Surrender, is not a weakness in this sense but a strength. For strong-willed people like me finding peace with surrender may not feel an easy task but the key to follow-through is simply a change in perception.
In moments of fear, ego-obsession and unchecked emotion from myself or others, I can surrender to my divine essence–the godliness within me. Then I am not limited by my humanness. I will be able to see past the fog of the situation. I can respond with calm and awareness. I can be my most authentic self and the greater part of me has an opportunity to rise to the occasion. When there is no struggle about what’s minor or trivial, I can seize the moment to be a part of what matters most and so can others around me. Surrender is not a one-time event. Surrender is a lifestyle.
Something amazing happens when we surrender and just love. We melt into another world, a realm of power already within us. The world changes when we change. the world softens when we soften. The world loves us when we choose to love the world.”
― Marianne williamson
Thank you for reading! Post a comment! Authentic thoughts are thoughts that are genuine and sincerely expressed. Authentic thoughts reverberate with other authentic individuals so they have an irresistible urge to ponder and respectfully respond from their own unique perspective.