so what now?

am i DREAMing? if so, please don’t pinch me, for i don’t want to wake up…

i’ll begin by expressing my gratitude to be ALIVE during this historic, incredible, uplifting time in the world.  i feel strongly that there is some force that is pushing us forward as a collective group of caring citizens of the earth.  there is a forward momentum that is rolling along, an unstoppable power that won’t stop until we get where we need to be.  i feel that PEACE, a word that is commonly thrown around, is now truly being recognized as the life-blood of relationships and of the world. HOPE isn’t so much of an abstract idea, and CHARITY looks more now like a verb than ever before.  i think that people are starting to get it. and i am tickled pink. yes, pink. January 20 2009 was indeed a remarkable day, which to me, marks the change i have been feeling in the world. let’s all do our part to REMEMBER what happened this day, and what this particular event symbolizes to us personally and collectively. 

with that said, there is a need for me now to speak out from the other half of my heart, as i was recently reminded of the importance of yin-yang, and i have never been one to have enthusiasm without skepticism…

i have a concern that we will look at what happened as truly incredible, and then forget.  i am concerned that as more societal, financial, environmental, and other problems are created, we may be a little too quick at pointing the finger at our leaders (whether in the U.S.A, Canada, or elsewhere) and not turning that little finger right back at ourselves.  i am concerned that we may expect that with new leadership comes immediate changes or solutions to problems.  i am concerned that we will continue to live our lives the way we have been for years, without reflecting and identifying what we can do to help find solutions.  i am concerned with the easy way of blaming others for our problems rather than gracefully accepting responsibility for the way our lives and our world looks.

i love the message of peace that President Barack Obama offers through his dignified words and actions.  in order to truly see his vision though, and become part of the change he speaks of, don’t we all need to find something in our own lives to change first? i am convinced that peace needs to be nurtured within our own personal hearts before it can be extended most fully to others.  so what will we do to generate true peace internally? what will we do to establish peace in our homes and families? what opportunities will we discover to offer peace in our communities, local and global? can i, at the end of every day, ask myself, “what did i do today to assist in the cultivation of peace” and sincerely answer, “a great deal!”…or will i be disappointed with the outcome of an honest answer? feelings are energy, and energy is a thing that can’t be created or destroyed, but simply changed. with this in mind, how can i seek to change the negative energy of hatred, anger, depression, and guilt into the positive energy of love, calmness, joy, and peace? 

the past 5 days i have experienced excitement and witnessed it in others.  my mind is continually brought back to other influential people who also proclaimed the messages of peace, hope, charity, and human rights through words and actions, in their own unique way. here are a few of the images in my mind…there are obviously many more pictures that could be inserted here, but i chose these ones:

as i contemplate the lives and sacrifices of these (and so many individuals i actually know personally) i wonder what i can do to emulate their lives, and to not let their sacrifices and hard work be in vain.  i can’t help but let my less-than-positive side of my mind (remember yin yang…)  take over and see how easy it is for us to forget these other incredible men and women, and not give them the credit they deserve by following their example. so this is why my concern dulls my enthusiasm for the historic day of January 20, 2009. will we be so quick to forget now as we have in the past? or will we step up to the plate, truly reflect on the direction of our lives, and choose to follow and support all good leaders and people of peace? will we be the first to say, “i’m sorry” or bite our tongues when needed, even though we feel justified in our verbal attack? will we be more aware of the pain and suffering of the people around us–those we work with, live with, go to school or church with–and then let our intuition be our guide to help them in the way that they need help? will we reach out to our brothers and sisters in the global setting, and find ways to sacrifice our money or time to make their lives a little more comfortable? will we provide more simple hugs where needed? will we forgive ourselves for our mistakes and shortcomings, and love ourselves despite our inward and outward flaws? unless we do these things, then what right do we have to be hopeful for the direction of the future, regardless of a political leader? i have no doubt that we can all do these things if we put our hearts and minds into it. no doubt at all.  if you’ve actually made it to the end of my lengthy discourse, then kudos to you!! thank you for indulging me. i am excited to see more examples and hear more stories of this positive, forward momentum, so please share!! love you all. jess.