Change
A Minute Ago?
A minute ago we felt safe. Getting the
repair guy on the phone to fix the refrigerator could
be more important than lingering for a moment to say
I love you in a kiss. Running out the door without
a hug was acceptable if you were late to work. Couldn't
our partners get that getting a new client was understandably
a higher priority than dinner at home with the family?
Checking stocks on line was time well spent on a Saturday
morning and who cares if you and aunt Mattie went to
bed mad at each other or you hadn't called your folks
in a couple of weeks.
A minute ago, getting angry at the busboy, stock clerk
or service attendant was important because they ought
to know better. Cutting back in front of the jerk who
cut you off proved a thing or two and of course you
had every reason for talking behind your friends back.
Zipping through the intersection was acceptable and
talking over Uncle Andy's story was understandable
because he was taking too long to get to the point.
A minute ago how we looked could be more important
than our health or sense of well being. A minute ago
taking time to support a friend could wait given the
hecticness of the day. A minute ago God was something
we talked about, not something we tried to live. Spirituality
was something the woo woo folks played around with
and getting conscious was something we'd all do later
when life slowed down.
A minute ago it didn't seem to matter if another angry
word, thoughtless deed or act of violence took place
in the world. A minute ago the world wasn't lying with
it's belly blown open and there was time to teach that
violence only begets violence in any situation - the
harder you push at evil, the harder it pushes back.
But that was a minute ago and now we are standing at
the brink of our own destruction - or our finest moment.
In the same way that it is impossible to not be pregnant
once you are, or not have heard a truth once you have
- it is also impossible to stand on both side of love
and hate, war and peace, life and death. There is no
going back for do-overs. The weapons are too dangerous
and the stakes too high. You and I must act now and
create a miracle in our own homes and hearts. We must
prayerfully, honestly and with every ounce of conviction
stop the separation that takes place anywhere in our
lives. Can you imagine what it could be like without
another moment of name-calling, arrogance, disrespect
or shaming for our partners and our children? Not another
moment of inflicting pain or misusing power. No more
support for violent movies, video or computer games
that numb us to the reality of war and pain. When it
is real, it stops being a game. When it's a game it
deadens us to what's real.
The next time you encounter anger, take a breath and
make a conscious decision not to fuel it with a response.
Walk away, remain silent or silently offer a blessing
for that person's awakening, but move on. Remember
what happened a minute ago.
The healing of this country and planet must take place
in our own hearts. Put your arms around your beloved
and never leave each other with anger between you.
Tell your friends what a sacred place they hold in
your life and get in touch with your families to do
the same. Thank your teachers, your mentors and your
guides. Embrace love and life today and stop planning
and living for tomorrow. Get your priorities in order
and make sure that from moment to moment, day to day
and month to month, no matter what happens you will
never regret not having said or done anything, a minute
ago.
Recovering Together
October 2001
Dr. Dina Evan
|
