How do we navigate?

It seems like over and over again, the last several years, I have had to step back and take a long deep breath. My mindfulness practices invite me to respond, rather than react to what is happening to me, around me. This is not always easy, as I am well aware of my own immediate, visceral reaction at times.

I am not speaking of anything specifically here, the events are too numerous to list. From how to treat our earth, to armed conflict, to threatening and removing rights, to hypocrisy....its all around us. and this I know...this world is challenging for us all.

My ordination as an interfaith minister 4 years ago was a commitment to serve all, to see the divine in all. To listen deeply....really listen. Listening to both sides, seeing what I can learn from both sides. It is true we all speak from where we are. It can be a challenge to have firm beliefs but also hear the other side when it is very difficult to understand. Often we do not see any good in difficult events for a very long time. I often wonder if I will see a shift to a more unified consciousness in my lifetime. That, I do not know.

For what is life? This is deeper than a "why are we here", but what are we here to experience? to have our awareness teach us? My vows to ministry through One Spirit are to minister to all...to love and serve those most in need of love and service. From my place of privilege it looks very different to many other people in this world. In working with clients, I find that we all just want to be seen, to be heard, to be acknowledged.

But at the end of the proverbial day, I stand with those in pain, those navigating this most difficult world that we live in. and every day I pray to be able to listen, to be able to hear, and to find my way to serve. I pray I can hold sacred space for all divine beings. I pray I take my sadness, my anger, my despair, my fear, and use it to drive change in this world. For that is how it will be done, one person at a time.

I pray the same for each and every person in this world. May we all be open to each other, may we approach difficult conversations with an open heart, may we see each other as the divine beings that we all are. May love be our fuel.