Family, friends, darling humans,
The twilight of a summer, the dawn of the fall. Leaves slowly stiffen with yellow pigment, daring to succumb to gravity. But they linger in the moment, reminding us, each morning to hold onto golden dreams, to kiss slower, to breathe deeper. Summer is still with us. We are alive. Small stubborn flowers persist in the dogged August heat that overflows into September. Here we are. Witnessing the unfolding of it all.
Three thoughts for you:
Practice being unperturbed.
Find something that annoys you, or, if something happens to arise, notice something that would normally leave you instantly agitated. A gross cough. Someone playing music too loud. A face that looks differently than faces you’re used to. When it happens, force a smile. Not because we’re ignoring our feelings, but because we are disrupting patterns that no longer serve us. Release the reflex of needing to assign judgement and aversion to an event. Reactionary preferences are the claws of your ego, forever making things ‘happen to you.’ It’s not happening to you. It’s just happening. At the very least, contemplate a reality where your reaction is optional.
Diversity is inevitable
The agricultural revolution saw the uniformity of crops. Many species died. Medieval Christianity saw a uniformity of opinion. Many people were burned at the stake. The scientific revolution created a monopoly on truth, creating a naively restrictive definition what is real. Many civilizations were crushed and ideas were lost. And yet, through it all, humanity retains its diversity, just as nature attempts to regain what it has lost. The desire for uniformity of opinions is a flawed and fear-based attempt to assert control for personal power. Aversion to diversity create adversity. Adversity creates diversity of solutions, people, and ideas. The demand for uniformity is a resistance to reality. Embrace diversity — of people, of opinions, of experiences, of ideas — and you will quickly find you are embracing life (reality) itself.
Awareness is everything
Awareness is the first step and the final goal. Notice your patterns, your weaknesses, your fears, your choices, your thoughts, emotions, and dreams. Love it all, and show yourself the utmost compassion. To change anything, we must first become aware of it. The mind’s purest activity is awareness. Without judgement. Without condescension. Without shame. Simply, a soft gaze with a warm heart. When you meet yourself there in the darkest moment, speak softly and slowly. Breathe deeper than you normally would. Relinquish your control on the external situation and simply perceive yourself with love. This turn inward, to your beautiful human experience, will set you free to find the most powerful solutions in your outer world. A compassionate awareness of yourself, of others, of everything, is the most profound strength your mind can offer.
Two links for you:
Here’s a youtube video about kids who can see with their eyes closed. Intuition is a powerful tool. This can be taught to anyone, preferably before the logical brain is developed.
Here’s a podcast episode that introduces my Eighth Grade English Teacher, Mrs. Esmiol. [Spotify] My full interview with her (after 20 years since I last saw her) will come out next! Can’t wait for you to hear her wisdom!
One question for you:
Looking back on your life so far, where and when and how do you feel most connected to who you are? When were you most alive and most yourself? What’s the experience you’ve had where reality and your perception of yourself meld into one?
Have a good week!