I often think that from "down here," life can often look like a messy bunch of jumbled up events, relationships, ideas, and non sensical stuff that have very little to do with one another. I also very much believe that if we were able to look at all of this from way up above (or with some time distance), we would most of the time see how it really all makes beautiful sense. How one unpleasant event many years ago, turned out to be such a great gift. How a name that crossed our path "for no good reason," ended up changing our life. The tapestry of our lives, if we could see it from up above, would most likely look like a perfectly harmonious mandala. Colors dancing with each other, symmetry, too. Today, I want to share with you one of my Magical Previews. Something that seemingly came out of nowhere and which took over 20 years to fully simmer into a perfect soup (this was shot during a long beach walk, and you may have to pay close attention to hear me above the sound of the waves.) I know these Magical Previews are all over your life, too. Sometimes, we just need to be patient... This is David, whom I met last week, while on a walk in Mexico. David LOVES to drum, and his friends love to listen to him drum. He jumps seamlessly from his bike to his drum-cart, and back. If he is eating chips and someone asks to listen to him, he can even hold the bag of chips in his mouth while he plays. His drum kit his made of construction parts, and when one of his sticks breaks... he keeps on going. No problema. When we love what we love, we find a way. When something gets in the way of that, we find a way to keep going. On this Valentine's Day, may we enjoy the Essences of Play, Art, Determination and of course, Love. XOXO In the last couple of weeks, I have been feeling almost willingly out of touch. Here in Mexico, as I walk on the long coconut tree-lined beach, as I see kids and adults smiling so big all day long, joking with each other - dogs chasing balls and running free, the Essences of Joy and Levity have often won over the darkness that I sense at home, the pieces that are sharp and deeply serious. And yet, I am aware. Not at the volume experienced by a lot of my friends, but I am aware. And I am also aware that as much as I am currently drinking in the bliss, I am made in such a way that some action on my part is unavoidable. What will it be? As a start, and following a brainstorm with good friends over a couple of limonadas, we will be creating a full set of Sprinkling Signs in Spanish, and making it available to everyone who requests it, at any time. It's not huge, but it's something. Something that speaks of Inclusion. Then what? Walking the beach, I am thinking of my little cottage, back home. That's certainly not huge either, but it's also ... something. Something with a couple of extra rooms, usually reserved for friends, family or Airbnb guests. Feet moving on the sand, passing a few brightly colored hammocks, I wonder how these rooms could become a place of temporary refuge for someone who needs it, someone displaced. Maybe a small family. For a minute, I fantasize. I see my kitchen busy with exotic smells, the air dancing in a language I don't understand. I romanticize the whole thing. I keep walking. When I woke up yesterday morning, in the darkness of my room, I asked. Tell me how I can serve. Please flow through me. I am not even sure who I am asking, I just deeply believe in co-creation, and I think that my first job is to ask. And then to pay attention. This morning, I look at my emails, and there is a message from Airbnb, with the subject "Acceptance Starts with All of Us." I am guessing it went out to all their hosts. I open it, I read it. And where it says Learn More, I click. And then I see the words "How do you want to help?" Followed by a clear, concise statement of intention: We want to provide free short-term housing to 100,000 people in need, in the next 5 years. Followed by a clear concise invitation to partner in doing just that. Three options, two of which got my resonant YES.
In my work, I am blessed with some amazing partnerships. Partnerships with organizations which exist with the first goal of making the world a kinder, more inclusive place. One example is The Pollination Project, the gifts of which I cannot count, over the last 5 years. Partnerships with people and organizations which are bigger than us, with more resources too. When playing / working with these, life also gets bigger really quickly, which allows us to have more impact, make better things happen. This kind of relationships are a huge honor for me. This morning, I am honored to be part of the Airbnb community. I feel privileged to be one of their hosts, and as such, to be invited to be part of making some sharp pieces a bit smoother. Once again, I am deeply, deeply grateful for Divine Partnerships and Divine Timing. Today I invite you, if you feel overwhelmed and as though you are too small to make any ripple - to ask. Just ask. My guess is a Divine Invitation will come your way very soon. |
SCARED OF THE SACRED
HAPPINESS SCHOOL:
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