(Photo credit: Peter J. Hughes)
With the ending of 2016 and the promise of 2017, this is a vulnerable time.
With all the perceived chaos, darkness, and hopelessness happening "around" us, this truly is our time to GLOW for all of humanity!
We are entering a time in human history of birthing empathy, compassion and Love like never before.
And the contractions really hurt.
They take my breath away. They remind me to breathe. They scare me, they excite me, and they prepare me.
What do we do? What can we do?
I know that I want to help, to be of value, to share my gifts, and some days that feels rather small compared to the seemingly big "problems" in the world.
I feel sensitive to the growing reports of hate crimes in this country, to the inhumane treatment of the Native Americans, to the reports of Aleppo where innocent people are being bombed, killed, and forced to leave their lives.
And then I remember that I am made of Light and that my assignment is to shine as bright as I can at all times. It is my assignment to glow for all of humanity!
What does that even mean?
When you are in alignment with your authentic self, your true self, you naturally glow. There is no effort involved. You're in a state of allowing, so no matter what is happening around you, you shine.
In alignment with my authentic self?
Yes, your spirit, your essence that shines when you bring Love to everything that you do.
This requires diligence. It means being accountable for how you manage your thoughts, your words, and your actions.
This requires being emotionally aware.
Do you react and spew? Or do you breathe and respond?
When do you slow down and reclaim your calm - after you've engaged emotionally or during an emotional upheaval where you simply observe?
When you're emotionally aware, you are in a position to listen for the next right action step to take.
So, during this vulnerable time of birthing empathy, compassion and Love, I ask the questions again:
What do we do? What can we do?
Here are a few steps among MANY you can take to get your glow on:
1. For fighting hate, or as I say, supporting Love, you can support The Southern Poverty Law Center which is "an American nonprofit legal advocacy organization specializing in civil rights and public interest litigation." www.splcenter.org
Click here for ways to give and here to donate to this valuable organization
Supporting the ACLU is also a powerful way to contribute to human rights. https://www.aclu.org/
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2. For the support of Standing Rock:
Click here to access an article from a fellow writer at Huffington Post, Jenna Amatulli, who provides loads of resources and ways to help.
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You can also donate to help the Standing Rock situation through the campaign of actress, Shailene Woodley, here.
She is deeply compassionate about this situation and is in it for the long run.
3. For the urgent situation in Aleppo, you can do what Kate Northrup, a light warrior bad ass online entrepreneur and author of the book, "Money; A Love Story" is doing - donate to the Compassion Collective:
"So I donated again and prayed some more. These folks are on the ground with a very specific description of what they're doing with the donations. Pray with your dollars. Pray with your heart. https://app.mobilecause.com/form/gux8IQ "
For more information on The Compassion Collective, www.thecompassioncollective.org
These are a few ways you can shine your light. There are many many ways to help those who are in need - the hungry, the poor, girls' education in parts of the world where they are denied, the sick, and the list goes on. Definitely go with what resonates with you.
Reach out.
Be the extension of your light and shine!
Open your heart and smile, make eye-contact, give a compliment, lend a helping hand, engage in a conversation, pray, meditate, draw, sing, bake, write, take a picture, dance, heal, listen, Love, Love, Love!
The power is within you and collectively we can transmute this "chaotic" time to that of Love, peace and harmony.
How about it?
'Tis the season!
Let me know how you shine your light in the comments below and let's illuminate this promising time of change!
(Photo credit: Suzy DiMinno)
Looking forward to glowing with you!