Missing the Connection

I am sure you have noticed how many glorious, amazing, inspiring, profound websites there are out there for all the brilliant groups, organizations, people who are committed to changing the world. I am certain that you have as you probably wouldn't be reading my blog if you weren't at least a little bit interested in progressive change. I have highlighted a few that have recently impacted me.

Each time I come upon another moving and incredible group who are preparing for the revolution ahead with love and energy and heartfelt desire to make a difference, I think a few things:

* where do I sign up?

* will I be like them when I grow up?

* how can we connect the dots of all this good work and really GET ON WITH IT?!

Probably the most frustrating aspect for someone like me, chipping away at the mountain of resignation and despair, declaring the occasional victory when I hear that a conversation I have had or an action on my part lightened someone's day (woot woot - ring the bell!!), is to see the intentions of all of these wonderful people so tantalizingly close and yet so far away.

I know we are speaking the same language, sense that we all hold a similar dream in our hearts, understand that we share a huge vision of a world that works for all, yet we seem so disconnected. It is almost as though the competion for the attention and focus of the folks who are already enrolled and engaged is counter-productive to the end result. How do I know which group to align myself with? Where do I put my efforts where they will produce the highest return? If I am to tithe my income for a good cause, which one do I pick? If I were to join each and every group that resonates with me, not only would my inbox be (more) stuffed with newsletters for the sharing of their news, my evenings would be filled with listening to talks and my days could be spent learning and educating myself on how I would become better equipped and able to fight the fight too.

This weekend, during a lively discussion on the state of the world, which I enjoyed with dear friends, I suggested that the threads of inspiring and committed people would organically find a way to link up and tip us over into this lit up, global network, like little lights blinking across a dark planet until the combined luminescence shines like the sun on our precious earth. Romantic balderdash is how that occurs to me today. Optimistic poppycock. Pollyanna on steroids. A fairy tale...

I wish I knew the answer. I plug along, comforted that my little efforts brighten a small circle and that circle expands to its circle - you know the deal. But I can't help but think that something else is required; something that allows us to reach beyond the little baby steps. I know in my gut that this is an urgent need and requires some extraordinary response.

What would it take to find that proverbial 100th monkey? Which conversation will be the one to shift the balance? Which little kindness will inspire the right action?

I don't know, but I haven't given up. There is no other game worth playing!

photo credit to michaeljosh

Waking up to birds

This week, despite the freezing cold weather, (at least for this part of the world), I have been wakened by the insistent and persistent voices of the birds outside my window. They know that it is supposed to be spring even though the weather man does not share their enthusiasm.

I have been creating practices that support my well-being this past several weeks, having done an inventory of the broken promises of fitness and health strewn across the landscape of winter. I am always surprised by the extent to which my sense of wholeness and integrity are affected by my physical body. This is no revelation for many of my commitedly fit friends but for some reason, this knowledge rarely empowers me.

I have been making use of a beautiful Moleskine journal that my son gave me for Christmas to capture thoughts and images that reflect being inspired and energized in my life. Since I impose very strict rules on my journal writing (has to be handwritten, in a beautiful script, using each page, every line, no spelling errors, dated for review and consideration - very legible in case my memoirs get published etc...) this freedom of sticking cut out pictures from magazines, colouring and drawing and without form and order is very freeing! And it has resulted in inspiration for a lean, strong, peaceful me. I have discovered that I want to exercise and stretch, walk regularly, meditate each day. That is a huge breakthrough for me. Now I will take that momentum into continued action and realize the vision of that Carol striding up the hill and running on the beach.