After all the craziness that’s been going on in the world over the past few months, I can’t help but want to let go of it all and return to my center. I think it’s time for me to reflect and review what it is I want to focus on. Though it can be an ego-trip to satisfy my need to know what is happening in the outside world at all times in order to guard myself appropriately, that is not what my soul needs right now. And perhaps, not what we as a collective need.

It is too easy to fall into the trap of the online world, and worrying about what is outside of us. Which is why I feel a deep longing to turn inwards for the answers. When everyone is telling us to look outside of our self for guidance, that is a very good indicator we must redirect that attention deeper within.

This seasonal shift has me questioning how I can show up in the world. What do I have to offer? Though many things come to mind as to what I enjoy, I don’t think that is the question. I want to bring something more to the world, something important. I want to provoke a longing for connection–with the earth and with each other. When I take a step back and ask what do I need, and what may others need right now, I keep thinking: a return to nature.

More than anything I think we need to connect back with our Mother, for she needs our attention. This home we are all so blessed to be part of, is something we take for granted. Perhaps it is time to say thank you.

In a lofty way, we can literally meditate on this and feel the appreciation deep within our hearts for this life and this planet. In a more practical way, we can say thank you by giving back to her. By growing foods, starting a garden. We can take a walk and feel the earth beneath our feet, marveling at the life all around us. Perhaps just sitting in the grass, under a tree, or on a hill, we can appreciate the beauty that is all around us. Even in a time where some of the earth has been scorched, and many things have died we can be grateful we are still here to witness this power, for perhaps that too is part of the ever changing cycles of life.

When so much bad is happening around us, it demands of us to see the good, the beautiful, the extraordinary, and to thank it all.

Whether you believe your soul travels on after this life, or it ends with you decomposing in the dirt; whether you get to start all over again, or become part of something way bigger and grander than you every could have imagined, we can all appreciate the fact that this life is short, and there is plenty to be grateful for while we are still here, together on this physical plane.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend my days worrying about what happens when I die. I want to live and love, and enjoy my time spent with the people around me. I want to appreciate the birds and the plants that work so effortlessly yet so remarkably to grow and thrive. Living our lives worrying about death and destruction, is truly no way to live at all. Let us fill our hearts with joy and our bellies with laughter. This is a ancient medicine we all truly need right now.

This is a call to action to marvel in the beauty of life, and feel the gratitude of having the grass under our feet or the mud squishing between our toes, or perhaps just the fact that you are here still, experiencing this life along side one another. Maybe we can spend a little less time in front of a screen, and more time enjoying the real world all around us; enjoying the people we get to hold close.

Because when we look up, we see in fact life does go on, and is still moving whether we are present to it or not. We can either let go and move along with the flowing of the stream, or desperately hold on to what we know only to be pulled in forcefully and roughly thrown into the waters anyway.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather float on and enjoy the ride.

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A Message From the Hopi Elders

You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour.

        Here are the things that must be considered:

                Where are you living?
                What are you doing?
                What are your relationships?
                Are you in right relation?
                Where is your water?
                Know your garden.
                It is time to speak your Truth.
                Create your community.
                Be good to each other.
                And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel like they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off toward the middle of
the river,
keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.

See who is there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally,   least of all
ourselves!
For the moment we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time of the lonely wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!

Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we have been waiting for.

The Elders,
Oraibi, Arizona
Hopi Nation

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Together, we’ve got this.