genius

"To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men - that is genius." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The past few years have been exceedingly stressful, revealing, exhausting, uplifting and more than hard for the world. (Same seas, different vehicles on which to navigate them).

Without delving into the political fray, we are in unprecedented times when, despite enormous differences in views on life's intricacies, we are being called upon to not only find our voice, but also create the collective.

Logically, it seems impossible when it appears views, philosophies and lifestyles are completely divergent. But, in the end, I do believe we all want the same things on the heart and soul level. For example, to:

• Not only FEEL safe, but to BE safe
• Have our basic needs met without daily struggle
• Love and be loved unconditionally with acceptance, appreciation, attention and affection
• Be and feel heard, seen, understood even if we continue to disagree (personally and professionally)
• Benefit from a level of respect for life by simply BEING alive (see first bullets)
• Be of service by using our creativity, inherent skills, talents and abilities, to enhance our lives and the lives of others through work, volunteering, family and community
• KNOW we BELONG, understanding at a fundamental level we are here, in this moment on this planet, for a reason whether we or anyone else fully understands the why
• Give and receive support when its needed
• Feel appreciative, even grateful, for the people, places and things in our life even when it's hard

I don't know why we have to war anymore. Or how things have gotten so confused over the millennia. But, I do know that when we don't feel safe, we react out of fear. When our needs aren't met, we are in a constant state of chaos and suffering. That we are NOT created to live in unending fear, scarcity, grief...feeling empty.

Also, there is definitely a shift occurring where those who "have" in excess are being called-out to be accountable, including corporations and governments. Domination, power plays, scare tactics and such simply are fighting to keep their foothold as the rest of the world continues to shift to more conscious ways of being and engaging in business and community. 

Through all this we are constantly being called into the best versions of ourselves. This is not a call for any type of perfection, but rather a deep dive into exploring what is true for us and living a more empowered life that realizes everyone else is doing something similar (even when it doesn't appear that way due to their fears).

Perhaps it begins by following the call to be kind to those in our little universe. To do something that feeds our hearts each day whether it's through work, family or community.

To take a "news fast" and start creating the world we want at home, work, school, community and let that flow up and out to the world. The changes we seek cannot, nor have they really ever, come from the top down. Let's face it, even in the world's worst moments there are folks who walk to the beat of a different tune that accounts for their own needs and that of their neighbors...even at horrendous costs to them personally.

Watching the news, it's so easy to believe there is no good in the world. While it is important to know what's happening, we don't have to consume it 24/7. Follow some cute animal or craft accounts, a few charities, to our social media feeds and suddenly we start to see that there is good out there. 

Our personal genius is in knowing how we are all alike as living beings sharing planet earth while also understanding we each have something unique to offer. To believe that someone else's success doesn't diminish ours. That collaborations, awareness and empathy build sustainable relationships (work, play, home and with the earth).

Today, I ask each of us to do something KIND for ourselves and another - whether its holding the door open for someone, donating to a charity, pausing before we let our anger spill out our mouths, having a good cry, running for political office, taking a new coworker under our wing, reaching out for help when we are overwhelmed (depressed, grieving, suicidal), saving a turtle on the road, sharing a cookie with a friend, walking away from toxic relationships (personally and professionally)...

Today, let's trust our highest thoughts knowing that "to believe that what is true for your in your private heart is true for all men" and step into our genius.