Consciousness, Kindness, Connection

There is a site, Earth911.org, which talks about recycling and other things we can do to stop polluting the Earth. Remarkable things are happening now, in case you haven’t heard – Target is now selling waxed paper zip lock bags to replace single use plastic zip lock bags.  Many places are selling bamboo or metal straws to replace plastic straws. In 6 months, Charleston County is banning the use of Styrofoam containers for food and drink.
 
There is a dawning awareness that THIS is the time when we must do something.  What this awareness does is put the power back into each person’s hands. The action of one person matters.
I think that, in some ways, it’s crisis that makes us act.  I wish it were not so, but it seems to be.
 
If we didn’t have some political crisis people would not have become aware of what goes on in our politics. If we didn’t have crisis in our weather and the melting of the icebergs, we would all not be taking any action toward stopping the causes of it.
So, in some ways, the things that scare us and cause alarm are the very things that ultimately also save us.
 
In case you haven’t noticed, in order to make these changes, we have to band together.  Crisis bring us together. Because while a single person makes a difference, it is each of us working with others that creates the momentum that changes everything.
 
The bottom line is that we need to work together.  When we are more affluent we tend to be independent and keep more to ourselves, but in crisis we are forced to be together.  What if we learned to work together without having to go through crisis? What if from the get go, we learned to help one another, caring for one another, supporting one another.
 
Being generous, helping others makes us vulnerable. We are a culture that doesn’t like to show who we really are.  We cover up our kindness, gentleness and open heart with an attitude of competence and independence.  We don’t like to show our heart. But it is in coming from our heart that we are happy because that is what connects everyone one of us to others. And, that connection is what brings us joy. Think about the times when you felt full, happy and at peace. Usually, there are others involved. And, when we can actually help someone our cup runneth over. It is in giving that we receive. It is in giving that we open our hearts so we can also receive. 
 
I am learning, too about all of this.  And, I can feel that this lesson is one of the most important of my life. I offer to you, to learn about opening your heart to others and see how it enriches your life.
 
Wishing you giving and receiving kindness from your open heart,
Dianne J. Shaver, M.A.
Coach to Entrepreneurs with Heart
www.entrepreneurmindworld.com