It seems like every time I tune into the news there is evidence of change. Massive tornadoes, snowstorms, flooding, the events still going on in Japan- a lot of natural disasters. Seems our world is definitely changing.
Then,last night and today, the news headlines are pretty clear and "in your face" and seem to speak of human-made change. President Obama in a special news release last night reported that United States forces killed Osama Bin Laden, the former leader of al-Qaeda, the group that claimed responsibility for the events of 911 in the United States. It seems rather unbelievable, but for almost ten years Osama has been hiding out evading capture or killing despite the incredible number of nations, organizations and individuals that have been hunting him down. Makes you wonder how it could possibly take that long and what was different last night that caused the tipping point.
For the last 5 weeks, in Canada we have been watching news of election strategies. Today is a federal election day in Canada. Another sign of human-made change?
The point that strikes me, is that it seems, during all this change, we adopt an "us against them" theme, even if the "them" is nature. When we see reports of natural destruction it seems there is a fight of "man against nature". Certainly Osama Bin Laden's demise was "us against them". It became the "war on terror". The events of 911 unified a lot of people, even nations, but unified them against something else.
The election campaigns in Canada have been very much along these lines, in my opinion. It's become who you want to aline with in order to be against someone else. It seems we are asked to "pick a team" assuming there must be an opponent.
I don't have the answer, but I wonder if change always has to be a fight? Do we always have to push something or someone out to allow something else to come in?
We even fight against the change itself. There is a high degree of skepticism as we consider change. Can there really be more natural disasters occurring lately or are we just seeming more news coverage? Is Osama Bin Laden really dead? Will an election really change anything at the political level? Hmm....
And perhaps the burning question, above all others is... "what does this mean to me". Maybe we don't want to admit it, but I truly believe that's the first question we ask. That's a survival skill that is embedded within in. Perhaps there is nothing wrong with that.
I also believe, that in the midst of such change, it's important to maintain your balance. The, "what does it mean to me" question helps you maintain that balance. It's a good thing if your life hasn't changed that much. It's a good thing if you can maintain a calm spot in the midst of chaos. Embrace you secure position in the world.
Walnut is a Bach Flower essence that can help you find or maintain your personal place of balance. Walnut helps protect your inner core from change and outside influences that might be tipping you a bit. If you feel eager to move forward in your own life in positive ways but feel held back by the negative influence of others, Walnut can be helpful. It isn't about ignorning the news or the events around you, it's about having the abilty to move forward and make necessary changes that are meaningful and positive for you.
If I don't watch the news, or turn on the Internet or the radio, and just go outside, I see change. It's a beautiful spring day. The sun and the rain are both making an appearance. It doesn't really seem like a struggle. It doesn't seem like the sun is against the rain, or vice versa. It just "is". The only struggle becomes if I want one or the other to "win". The struggle is mine internally, not within nature. Hmm..
The daffodills are blooming and that brings me joy. I'll watch a bit of news. I will go out and vote. But on my way to the polling station, I'll take note of the flowers that are blooming, the buds that are coming out on the trees, and the personal freedom around me. That's a change I will embrace.
Well said.
ReplyDelete