I had a heart-opening a few days ago, that I would like to share with you. I was freaking out because I didn’t know how I was going to do my work in the world. My resources are so limited, especially my time, and I just see so much work I want to do. This consciousness shift is happening, but I do get nervous sometimes that it might not be happening fast enough. Additionally, I start thinking that the weight of the shift is on my shoulders, and I start feeling like I have to push myself harder than my physical limits will allow.
In moments like this, I am blessed with the perspective of fellow shifters. Anthony, my facebook friend and one of the new Evolver Asheville Regional Coordinators, told me, “remember, this will be a revolution with no central command, and no leaders. Its a movement from the true roots of our society, and so every contribution, no matter how big or how small, is a step in the right direction.”
Right. Breathe, Virginia! Relax. He’s correct. When I read this on my phone,(as I was waiting in the park with Joy for the fireworks), something in me shifted. I felt that he was right, and that while it’s good I’m doing what I can, I can also trust in everyone else doing this work. I don’t have to do it all myself, and I wouldn’t want to. We are all rising up together, and it is happening! This shift in consciousness is taking hold of more and more people, and we are doing it, and we can trust that the work is happening, even when we don’t see every bit of it. That’s the whole point!
Also, this made me think differently about one of my unfortunate obsessions, fame. I’ve always wanted to be famous. I think there’s a few reasons for this, one is that this obsession is a way for me to deal with the loneliness I sometimes feel. This is clearly, not a healthy approach! Another reason I’ve always been obsessed with fame is because fame grants power in our culture, and I want to have as much ability to do my work as possible. Fame would allow my work to get farther out there than if I am not well known. Interestingly, his comment addressed both these issues. When I can realize that I am not alone, that there are lots and lots of us doing this work, I don’t need to feel lonely, because I am a part of something, even if its something that’s sometimes invisible. Also, I don’t need to have fame to create these changes, because we are all creating changes together, and by doing it together, we are stronger and more resilient. That doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t like my work to be well-known. I would still like that, but something about these comments softened this desire in me… put it back into a healthier proportion to the bigger goal of contributing to the shift.
Joy and I enjoyed the fireworks, and on the walk had another experience. We were walking within a huge crowd of people traveling away from the park, and a woman’s voice rose up. As we got closer to her beautiful song, I noticed that a big crowd had formed around her to listen. The crowd was big enough that other pedestrians had to walk onto the side of the road to get by. Cars weren’t happy about the flow of foot traffic, but something about this scene made me very happy. I felt united, not only with the walking pedestrians but also the standing observers. I also stopped to listen to the woman sing. She had a basket by her feet, and it was overflowing with dollars. Everyone who passed by was moved by her incredible voice, and there was a feeling of connectedness and reverence within the crowd.
This is when everything hit home for me. Humanity is really all connected, and we can make the changes we need to make, because of our shared experiences. Sometimes, people might emerge as a focal point for our attention (like this singer) but what it’s really about is our common humanity. Not only was this a mental shift for me, but I felt it in my body as well. I felt a visceral connection with all these people, and with all people. I felt even deeper the truth of Anthony’s words, and I felt the change pushing up through the Earth.
Looking through a store window to the Singing Woman
