sacred life sunday

be the change you want
to see in the world.
-mahatma ghandi

where to even begin... i know i had said that i was going to post about my little ganesh ritual, for when i am stuck and need clarity, but there has been a change of plans...



it's so very ironic that right after i posted about having a gratitude practice (see previous post), the mister told me a bit of news he had read the other day that totally brought down my well build emotional walls. you know the ones... the walls that keep us from being totally overwhelmed by the state of the world and the inequalities that exist right in front of our noses. collapsed. it really didn't help that we were watching a tv show that dealt with child abuse. fiction or not, that subject really breaks my heart. i totally felt overcome with emotions and cried... alot. like i was unleashing all the build up helplessness that i have been harboring for some time now.

with the help of the internet we can now really be informed of all the sh*t that goes on in the world. the living conditions and inequalities that exist. i've been following jen lemen's efforts in rwanda and soule mama's project for infants in haiti... but it's not only in other countries. there is so much that is unfair (to me) on our own side of the planet. check out stacy anne's contribution to inequality in california. these women are doing awesome things, and i truly deeply believe that all actions, big or small, can make a difference and help.



i ask myself how can i help... i can donate if i have the cash, or i can help out in others ways... but like patti digh says in her book (chapter on inclusion: being generous) "there is too much need in the world. i can't hope to keep up with it." and sometimes that's how i feel. i'm just being honest here. i get so overwhelmed with all the causes and charities... i would love to help every single one of them. but what about the abused child? the genocide victim? not all suffering has a charity attached to it. this is where i lose it and the tears start to flow. my heart aches and i feel like i am bearing the weight of all the injustices of the world on my shoulders.



but friday evening, when i was feeling really (really) low, i read in patti's book something that completely changed my outlook. she was talking about how we can recognize something and own how our presence can change a situation and also change others... she says "i can't help but wonder what the world would be like if we all gave unconditionally and held presence for others, even strangers... the world needs more kindness." this totally warmed my heart. it encouraged me and reaffirmed my belief that all actions can help change the world... even just a little tiny bit.



then i got thinking... how helping others is completely related to being grateful. kindness towards others emerges from being thankful of what we have in our own lives. once we recognize our blessings, we can give more freely to others since we are full ourselves. wow, i'm blowing my own mind here. this reaffirms my enthusiasm to inspire myself as well as others in cultivating a daily gratitude practice. i've added in my left side bar a resource links list for gratitude practice information. whenever i come across something that inspires me and my own gratitude practice, i'll be adding it there.

feeling energized and uplifted, i decided to commit myself to a gratitude journal, here it is:



from the back:



i'll be writing in it every day, documenting my gratitude practice. i would love to share with you a little ritual i've come up with to hold presence for the world and it's suffering. i know it's not physically changing the world, but it's something... hopefully the energy i put out there will benefit in some way. i believe it will... i invite you to try it.

~sit comfortably in a space that will invite quietness and calmness
~ you can light a special candle, burn incense,
whatever will help you find your center
~think of everyone who need help in this world... i know it's depressing,
but it's the truth. hold presence for them. send the world your energy...
to the people, animals and habitat who are in need.
~sit and be be present for them, send them love.

that's it. simple. a small action that can help heal the world.



an individual has not started living until he can
rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic
concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
-martin luther king jr.

this was by far the most personal post to write... i was debating whether to write it at all. but i think it's important and i simply want to express myself genuinely.

so thank you
for listening
(well reading)

peace and love
jennlui

Comments

[leah]

beautiful post, jenn!! i hear you on the overwhelm and i also agree that small actions can heal the world. i love your painted rocks and your gratitude journal. thanks for sharing yourself!

[Dia]

What a wonderful post! I also love the rocks & gratitude journal! I posted a bit about a fire ritual (I'm doing 'soul coaching as well) on my creation station blog, that I love. Thank you for sharing your practice - it's all these little actions that DO make differences!

[Melissa]

I had this feeling this morning. I heard what sounded like a cat fight in the distance. I began to think about all the 'unloved' animals in this area, then in the world. I quickly became overwhelmed by it. So, I thought - I am doing my part. I have 10 cats. I've had others in the past. I can't take care of them all, although I wish I could. And no matter how much I want people to be responsible, they just aren't. But I'm doing my 'small' part and making a difference because of it. I know Twix (one squirmy wormer) would be dead if we didn't take them in - his eye infection would have spread, plus he's the runt. I know there are so many more out there, but we saved these 5 and they will have cozy, fun lives because of it. I have to focus on that. This was meant to be.

Thank you for sharing the ritual and for being the brave and caring soul I know you to be! It's hard sometimes (I share your pain), but I'm sure you feel my choice: I'd rather be overwhelmed with feelings for the world than not care.

Gorgeous journal, btw.

~Deep breaths~
Melissa

[patti digh]

this is so beautiful. i'm humbled that my words were in some small way a catalyst for this beauty. small actions, it turns out, aren't so small. with love.

[mccabe]

you are beautiful
and i love you.

thank you for this,
mccabe xx

[Carrie West~LoLa Enchanted]

What a beautiful heart warming post!

I love these kinds of posts!!! And I LOVE your heart{s}!!!

Enjoy your day beautiful gal!

[misty]

beautiful post, thanks so much for sharing it.
i have been thinking a lot about gratitude, about one's outlook on life and how very important it is to see everything, to be positive, and to be present, and to be grateful~

namaste xo

[3rdEyeMuse]

I'm glad you chose to listen to your heart and share what you've been thinking/feeling. you must see the confirmation of your honesty and practice by the responses of your readers.

personally, I agree - it's the small things that add up to make a whole lot of good.

your painted rocks & gratitude journal are nearly as beautiful as your post.

always, ~M~

[muffin pants]

Thank you so much for deciding to share this post. You are brave and wonderful and the world is a better place because you exist.

ps I love your mermaid rocks ;)

[Serena]

I'm very glad you have shared this beautiful and compassionate post with us too, Jenn. Like you, I feel a deep empathy when I read of, or see, pain and suffering in this world...whether it be human, animal and even environmental. It saddens me that so many people can be so indifferent to this suffering.

I think the best thing we can do is send out loving, positive energy into the Universe whether it be mentally or by acts of kindness, love and caring. Eckhart Tolle says, a lot of the negative things that happen in this world are because of a collective negative energy that people have put out into the Universe. The best way to beat it is to send out even more love and positive energy. We as, individuals, can and do make a difference.

Thanks for such an inspiring post ~

love, light and peace,
serena

[Serena]

I meant to add that, I too, keep a gratitude journal and this is also a wonderful way to send out positive vibes into the Universe.

Btw, I love how you decorated your journal!

Blessings,
Serena

[Tammy Vitale]

Patti's book is certainly setting a lot of folks off on projects (self included: celebration, with a candle!, for 37 days). I love these rocks - what did you paint them with? They are wonderful!