Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Personal Inauguration...

What a day, what a day!
As I sit in my living room watching the television, I can't help but feel the weight of these moments; the precise moment when a black man was sworn in as President of the United States...wow.
I am reminded as I watch this of how easily I judge, because if you had asked me during the election if I thought this would happen I would have said no. I honestly did not believe that the American people were ready for this kind of change. I was wrong....again.
I forgot, that America is not the media and the garbage spewed at the world from that vantage point. I forgot that America is me. America is us. We are all one.
Forgetting that has cost me some profound connections, because I know that a connection cannot exist to its full potential with judgment in the mix.
Try it for yourself. Try to reach out to someone who you believe is doing something wrong. Try to connect with someone who you believe is living their life in a way that hurts themselves or others. Try to connect with someone you don't like.
How does that feel?
Now, what if the person you want to connect with is someone you DO like? Someone you LOVE even?
If you judge, as I do at times, you will sacrifice the ability to fully connect with the people in your life. Period.
In these days of historical changes for the better, why not make today your own inauguration day and resolve to be aware of toxic behaviours and what they cost us.
It may be an addiction that needs to be revealed, a forgiveness that it is time to seek, a thank you that needs to be expressed or a conversation of healing that needs to take place. Whatever you need, give yourself the gift today of taking the first step and bring more self-love, awareness and compassion to your life through passionate action.
Thank you Barack and America for this day of incredible inspiration, mindfulness and compassion and thank you for reminding me of what really matters, that my connections with people are up to me and what I bring to the table. From now on I plan on bringing less judgement and see how that works ....