Welcoming the New Year ~ Meditation for Blessing the World

As I am sure you have noticed, we are facing a year of uncertainty and potential difficulties.  We all know people who are celebrating and people who are very concerned.  The road ahead looks potentially very bumpy.

Since early this morning, I have been thinking about Jimmy Carter, our 39th president who passed away Sunday, December 29.  He was president from 1977 to 1981.  In 2002 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to resolve global conflicts and create peaceful solutions, primarily in the Middle East.  In 2000 he left the Southern Baptist Convention because of their rigid interpretation of the gospel, especially related to the rights of women.  But Jimmy and his family continued their relationship with the First Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.  I am sure his decision to withdraw from the Southern Baptist Conference was a matter of conscience for him, and not an easy decision.

Jimmy and Rosalynn lived their convictions.  They were what I would call "New Testament" Christians who lived their beliefs with their work in the world.  Their efforts and outreach while in the White House and during the years following spoke volumes about their commitment to Jesus's teachings.  They simply were a blessing to the World without a lot of fanfare and noise!

We know we are facing challenges this coming year.  We also know that so many of our social systems are not working well.  But when we become reactive, and begin to blame "others" for these problems, we are coming from a place of fear and moving away from our hearts.  When we begin to live from a place of fear, we are in survival mode.  That is not a good place to be!  And our Hearts begin to shrink!  Not a good situation ...

So, what do we do?  This is when our spiritual practice, our well-developed spiritual muscle known as mindfulness, becomes very useful.  If we can catch those moments when we are moving away from our hearts and into survival, then we can shift direction.  We can "choose" to stay centered, focused, and balanced.  This is one of the great benefits of "practicing mindfulness"!  Mindfulness enables us to choose our path, to stay aligned with our hearts and our convictions.  Then it is much easier for us to be present and focused.  When we are "present" and aligned with our Heart, we are a blessing to ourselves, and our families, including everyone within as much as 10 feet or more all around us!

As we move into this New Year, remember the thousands of people all around the World who are meditating, doing their spiritual practices and exercises every day.  We are a "murmuration of Souls" who are doing the work that Old Souls do to heal the wounds of humanity and restore equilibrium.  We have shown up right now with the capacity to be an Awesome Blessing in the World!

Also, do remember that Creation is working just fine!  The Sun is coming up every day.  Trees and grasses and plants are growing.  Squirrels are gathering nuts.  Birds are flying, no problem.  I was doing errands this morning, and as I parked at one of the stores, I saw a small hawk flashing through the parking lot about 20 feet away from me.  I had looked up at just the right moment to see this amazing bird, so close, soaring by, its wings out-stretched.  Absolutely took my breath away!

The Good News is that we are part of Creation.  We are living, and moving, and breathing from within this Amazing Creation that is way beyond our comprehension!  But, in our Hearts, we Know we are held deeply within Creation.  Please remember this ...

Winter is the perfect time for being quiet, for resting within, and for restoring our sanity.  Let's give ourselves the "Gift of Quiet", a time to heal and a time to bless.

Have a Wonderful New Year.

Thank you for all you are doing!

And, remember to Breathe ...