One drop

With all the hype, over-reacting and divisiveness showcased in our world lately, it can feel like there’s no way to have meaningful impact.

In the great swirl of reaction on top of reaction, individual, steady, mindful progress might seem paltry.

It is not.

Sometimes I feel insignificant.

I know I am not.

There are things I can do.

There are things you can do.

There are things we can do.

We matter.

And Connection matters.

When pulled from center I can feel isolated, and forget there are millions upon millions of people who care about the things I care about.

What connects us is massive.

Collectively, we can take actions as individuals and together, to create loving shifts in, around, and sometimes straight through hate and divisiveness.

We choose our actions. We choose who and what we stand up for.

Our individual choices have great collective impact.

But, when I’m tossed about in the chaos of nervous-system-wrenching, current-event-drama it is difficult to remember to lean in on Connection.

Is that happening for you too?

When at my center I remember that collectively our power, used in purposeful and strategic ways, shifts us from feeling like a single, tiny raindrop to the realization that, together, we are the ocean.

And nobody can stop a force like the ocean.

So, if you haven’t, find yourself a tribe or two. Define your mission. Gather those intentions with others in ways that maximize connection and make your efforts exponential.

Make choices that support your ideals.

Realize the power of choice and of thoughtful, peaceful collective action.

Share the responsibility of moving toward those goals, leverage the comfort and support of community, and feel the strength in working together toward a common goal.

We are each a drop in a wide and powerful ocean.

Visualize what happens when we all choose to rise.

Not only are there things we can do, but there are things we can stop doing, to help ourselves feel better, to remember our purpose, and make the world a safer and more loving place to be.

We can drop destructive and thought-less choices. They damage us and our society.

I’m dropping my choice to feel overwhelmed (brief flashes are okay, but I’m not hanging out there any more.) I’ve had a tendency to lament, and get caught in the weeds of my FB feed, news sites, the general din of anger and fear pervading so many areas of our lives.

Maybe that’s happened to you lately too?

So, see-ya-later to my need to feel pathetic and helpless. It does me no good and it sure isn’t making the world a better place.

I’m also dropping people who have dropped me. They don’t get my energy.

I’m dropping hating others. I’ve been working on that for a while, but the election season showed me some shadows that need to come into the light. I’m stepping toward addressing ideas, instead of individuals. I’m cultivating the art of listening deeply… even when it is painful.

I read a few great articles this week about maintaining mental stamina and staying true to myself.

Bruce Lee’s recently discovered notebooks inspired me to kick my own ass on occasion. This article, 13 things mentally strong people don’t do, is a great reminder to create and continue proactive, healthy habits for myself. Krista Tippet inspired me to really consider my relationship to this Christmas season. I’ve felt awkward about it for years. Now, I’m making mindful and loving choices that are in harmony with my beliefs and my mission. I’m not doing what she does, but am feeling more authentic about my participation. It feels empowering and integrating. Thanks Krista!

What do you do that is not serving you? Are you ready to let it go?

So, it’s a lot about drops this week. We, “mighty drops in the churning ocean”, and “dropping” the stuff that doesn’t take us where we want to go.

Here’s what Rumi had to say about drops.

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”

Let that sink in.

Feel your connection to the power in that truth.

Then, let’s do this thing!

Together.

Looking forward to connecting and rising.

With Love, Light and Gratitude,

Jennie