Covid 19

Balance in the Web of Life

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Can you widen your perspective for a moment? Imagine rising up above our Earth like a soaring bird and viewing the beauty of our land from above…

…the woodlands, streams and rivers, the grazing deer, flocks of birds flying below, fields of green, shady and pleasant neighborhoods, the gardens and parks, lakes and ponds, farms and ranches, the quiet cemeteries, the playing fields…

…Vast oceans and seas, waves breaking on beaches and rocks, mountain peaks and deserts… clouds of butterflies migrating…

Flying bird, summer landscape

From this birds eye perspective you may begin to discern the magnificence and complexity of the web of life on this planet. Can you feel the peace and calm that seem to be generated in some areas?

Do you feel a kinship, a deep connection with all that you see?

But dear ones, as you soar above the Earth you may also see the devastation created by human alterations of our ecosystems, over-development and pollution. You may see some dying and diseased landscapes.

You may sense the anger and suffering inequitable policies have engendered. You might feel the widespread fear of disease for those with no safety net. You may feel the grief of those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic.

The web of life weakens when those with too much power believe the accumulation of massive wealth is the only thing that matters. When this grasping for wealth is valued over the equitable balance and distribution of resources, when health care is doled out for profit and those who cannot pay are left behind, the health and well being of all life on this planet suffer.

When kindness empathy and mutual benefit are seen as weak, when living together in harmony is scoffed at, when co-existing in peace doesn’t manufacture enough money to fill the bottomless pit of greed, the web of life weakens.

Do not allow the precious and complex beauty of our world to become damaged beyond repair under the weight of such stupidity greed and negligence.

Choose leaders who seek to assuage suffering, who do not turn their backs when others are hurting. Choose leaders who are rooted in reality, who make decisions based on the best advice available, who use their power for the good of all humans, all beings, the web of life.

When there is balance within the great web of life on Earth, all her beings can thrive.

A time for transformation

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Life spins a chrysalis around you right now, a container for transformation.

Like a caterpillar within a chrysalis, you must face darkness and uncertainty, let go of all you’ve known, trust and surrender to the transformation life requires of you right now.

Painted lady butterfly on gold marigold

Remember this, even in the darkest hours you are alive. You have what you need in this moment. You breathe, your heart beats. You have been given the most precious gift – life.

This period of great adversity will transform your life. You can choose how that will play out –

Will you stay in your metaphorical chrysalis and get stuck in the past, or will you thrive and adapt to the new world reality, drawing on your inner resources, your ingenuity, and spirit?

If so, you will be required to develop stamina, courage, patience, and perseverance.

Orange butterfly on elderberry bush

I wish for all humans an emergence into a soul satisfying new life when this is over, a beautiful transformation.

Your Inner Fire

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Can you locate your inner fire? When you are able to quiet your mind and bring awareness to your body and subtle energy, pay attention to your spirit, where the elements of passion and light and life intersect to fuel your existence at this time and in this place.

Male cardinal in thicket

Is your fire burning strong and steady and bright? Does it need an infusion of fuel, is it dimming and cooling? Your fuel is that which gives you purpose. Your fuel sparks your creativity and ignites your passion for life.

Pay attention to your body – when you feel a dimming or a sense of hollowness or emptiness, you are growing cooler – when you feel a brightening, an energizing effect, a renewed focus, you are getting warmer. Ask for more of that, do more of whatever it is that engages your being.

Living with a great creative fire and passion within you will raise your vibrations, will improve your outlook, make life flow more easily, light the way forward.

Don’t compare your inner life with others. Go inward and get to know yourself, know what makes you want to get up in the morning and live. Do what brings you life, what feeds your spirit even if others scoff or scold.

(Your wise inner self will never ask you harm, disrespect, or diminish yourself or others in any way. Find a therapist trusted friend or healer if you are having these thoughts).

Male cardinal in bare tree

If you are temporarily blocked from your life’s work during this shutdown, plan, dream, sketch and write out ideas, draw in inspiration from all around you. Let spirit guide you.

Let your work change, evolve, and grow stronger adapting to the new realities of our world in this moment of crisis. Find new ways to fuel your inner fire if the old ways are no longer viable.

Let change make you stronger, more resilient, more creative, flexible and adaptable. You are alive, you are here in this time, in this place, you are meant to be here!

Let your inner fire burn brightly to fuel your life with purpose.

Reweave the Web of Life

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Tender green shoots reach toward the sun. This is life on our home, Planet Earth. The seasons turn, spring follows winter, the earth revolves, night follows day. All life depends on these ancient cycles and rhythms that we have learned to trust and depend on.

Cottonwoods at dusk

But now the web of life has been severely disrupted, threatening human life on our home planet and creating vast imbalances that magnify pre-existing imbalances and injustices. This disruption is throwing life on our blue and green planet out of tune, off true center, out of kilter, creating untold misery.

The intricate web of life has kept our planet healthy and in balance for millennia, providing conditions for life under the sun and stars. Now the damage to our web is showing up with widespread sickness and death, magnifying the imbalances that provide rude shelter and meager food for billions, a basic existence for many, abundant food, water, good health and riches for some; vast unimaginable wealth for a few.

To help reweave the web of life, begin to rethink your definition of wealth. Let your new thinking inspire new actions.

What is more precious than clear unpolluted fresh air or a deep breath that is easily exhaled? The feel of sun or rain on your skin, the beauty of thriving evergreen trees, blooming grasses and flowers, songbirds building their nests, the sight of a thin crescent moon through bare tree branches? Happy and healthy children? The tastes and textures of a simple meal to be savored? The smile of a loved one? A warm home in winter? What is true wealth?

Evergreens

Can you simplify and downsize your life and still feel wealthy?

Rethink your definition of what is necessary for you to enjoy daily life. Rethink your definition of true health. That includes health for all who people this Earth, and all life forms that grow and live their lives here on land, in sea and air.

The disruption in the web of life on Earth will help to focus your human attention on what is precious, what is true in your life, what changes you wish to make, what you can do that will help all living beings reweave our priceless web of life in which all things are one.

Rethink your true purpose here. Go beyond the surface. Dig deeper in your thinking. Tune in to your heart and spirit, and ask to know your role in the web of life and your role in reweaving the web.

We are all connected as one. We are meant to thrive together in our interconnections, to live in harmony and balance.

We all create and experience the best of life and health together, or we stand by and witness the diminishment of our lives, our families our potential, and our spirits.

We must act with compassion to reweave and restore true balance in our web of life.