Hi All,
No, I am not talking about the kind of change one finds in between the sofa cushions or under the car seats. I am speaking about the change within ourselves as a species, as human beings. I have not been around long enough to be called an Elder, but I have put my time in on this planet, and in my community to know what I believe change is. Still, it always gives me pause for concern when I reflect on what has and has not changed over the years in my life, and yours. I have heard wiser and older people say that change is found within one’s self, and I believe this to be true, but how does one go about this?
Some of you might say that we only really pay attention to the negative events in our lives as they stand out in such stark contrast to those that are positive and uplifting. This may be true, but I am not certain that this is the case. Whether the tide turns for those that have been held down and limited by life’s circumstances, or those that have been born privileged, there always seems to be a common complaint about how things could be better, how things could be different. There in lies the difficulty and the commonality of man, at the apex of universal thought; how often are we thankful for the meal we just ate, or the smile given us by a loved one?
Could it be that if we were more conscious of what we have rather than what we do not have that our perspectives might magically change in the blink of an eye? Could this be part of what many of our spiritual, or religious leaders are talking about when they speak of a new consciousness coming to light? Is it possible that change might just be that simple? I mean, when we acknowledge even the most minor events or occurrences in life, our lives certainly seem to change for the better. What is it that we are seeking to make us happy in life? There is not one possession that we can take with us when we pass. Have you ever seen luggage racks on a hearse?
I have experienced the happiness of being content many times in my life, and hopefully so have you. So how did we get away from the simple task of acknowledgement? As a people, regardless of color or creed, we have much in common. We all want our children to be happy, healthy, and successful. We strive for a home to shelter us, and our families, we wish for our family to be happy, a job to pay for our necessities and our luxuries. However, for some reason or another many of us just cannot seem to recognize these gifts when they actually occur.
Why is this? Especially in our country, the richest country on the globe where the majority of the people (myself included) have two to three times more than they actually need. In fact, there is a new neuro/psychological disease called “Hoarding” which seems to be exploding in our society. The physical body is trying to adapt to these social and spiritual symptoms of loss, and the feeling of lack by overfeeding the physical and psychological senses. We just cannot fill that empty hole in our soul, so the body tries to fill the void emotionally and cognitively.
I am not suggesting that you give away the surpluses in your lives, or try to become more charitable (although that would be nice), or go on a spiritual quest or walkabout. What I am suggesting is that each and everyone of us, rich or poor, take a moment in each day to contemplate the “small” events or experiences in our lives, to take stock and appreciate them, recognize them, acknowledge them. Look to see if you cannot find something in your life that you have perhaps taken for granted, whatever that might be. Maybe then we can experience our happiness and goodness more often, rather than less.
Have a great week!
Aho
Curtis Williams MA, A.P. D., CRMT
