pivoting with compassion

The other day I spent an hour and a half walking. Partly for exercise, partly to go to four different stores in search of toilet paper. I came home empty handed. But full hearted. Every person I passed on the street was smiling. Not the usual stiff obligatory-feeling acknowledgement, but genuine, heart-felt, compassion-filled smiles.

On my way home, I noticed the brilliance of the newly opening buds against the misty grey sky and took in the scent of the flowers.

As you’ve probably noticed, people are getting creative in their time at home, coming up with innovative ways to shift their business models. Ways that they likely would never have contemplated unless necessity required it. Ways that will ultimately have far less impact on our planet because we’re more efficient with resources like fuel for our cars. Ways that support each others businesses in the process.

We’re reaching out to families and friends with far greater frequency and more open, caring hearts than we usually take the time to do in our normal hustle and flow.

SO,

What if, instead of hoarding toilet paper and pasta, we used this time to sit with gratitude for what we do have?

What if, instead of endless exposure to the fear-inducing news, we directed our focus toward looking at all of the good that is coming out of this time?

What if, despite all of the suffering that is happening, we opened to the possibility that this has been coming for a long time and that it is, in reality, a kinder, gentler way of the earth righting itself rather than the dystopian nuclear war possibility that we seemed to have been headed toward?

There are always myriad points of view on every subject. Without being in denial of the very real dangers swirling in the air (and on surfaces) these days, we can also choose to see the incredible amount of good coming out of all of this.

What if…we approached this as a letting go, a freefall of trust. What if this is a re-ordering of priorities and perspectives?

What if… it actually allows us the space to see the inherent abundance in our lives? To feel it? To even smell it? To appreciate the simplicity and beauty of what we actually do have.

We can take the time to taste our food more fully. We can watch colors become brighter and more vibrant. We make judicious choices about what’s truly important in the time spent away from home and family.

What if it’s a time for us to empty out? To open up? And practice gratitude? And practice trust? And practice listening? And hearing? And Knowing?

What if this is about walking right up to the edge, to the point where the rocks appear to be crumbling under our feet, peering over that edge and knowing that it isn’t about falling. It is about flying. It is about the freedom to say yes. And the freedom to say no.

What if it is about becoming open to receive what is rightfully ours - versus what we grab out of fear? And if we’re sick and vulnerable, what if it’s about letting ourselves know love? What if it’s about receiving from friends and family; and all we have to do is say yes? And let ourselves know love.

What if this time is about stripping away all of the excess, all of the pretense, all of the everything that keeps us from being our humble, human selves?