The Music Never Stops

About once a decade, musicians gather together and pool their incredible talents in a single concert broadcast around the world to raise relief funds for some disaster. It’s impossible not to be swept up in the magic of the moment.


For a brief time, there’s no “us” or “Them”, no rich or poor, white, black or Latino. The world is united and everyone is giving. It’s all about giving, all about heart.

I love to watch the emotions of celebrities who have so much be so thrilled to pitch in and offer their share. Squabbles subside. Struggles seem trivial compared to the bigger picture and every one knows it.

There was much talk today about celebrating on this perfect day of 12-12-12, but the concert tonight brings smiles far beyond expectations. When people really give from their hearts, they find a sweet euphoria.

Even the tragedy is celebrated.

The hard work is set aside. The tears are less in sorrow and more for gratitude. Somehow, no matter how tough things are, when people come together, they find a strength in community that makes everything alright.

The heroism is acclaimed. The survivors become thrivers. Hope becomes manifest and all becomes possible.

And the music is pretty good too!

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In Love

We're down to just a matter of days now before the acclaimed date of December 21, 2012.  Already, as I write this in most parts of the world, it is the symmetrical and picture perfect 12-12-12.

            Easy to think that this will be just another day and notice we're all in the holiday spirit with little regard for the End of the World as heralded by the end of the Mayan calendar.

       

     Yet from all types of people and on many channels of media, I hear comments, wry jokes, dire predictions and surreptitious musings.  Many in my realm meditate in preparation, cleansing souls to purify the energy.

            The stock market was up a few points today.  People died in conflict around the world.  Babies were born and each of us must make the decisions about how we face the dawn.

            Like any other day, the consequences of our actions will be direct results of our thoughts, intentions and interactions.  We are in control more than many of us believe.  We create our own destinies.

            For those who scoff and say life will go on, of course it will.  Those who think of apocalypse may likely find a way to destroy their own and possibly other lives.

            Many of us are taking notice and deciding that we can make small differences that add up to an enormous change.  As the Berlin Wall peacefully collapsed when we were ready, toppled by mutual consent, the boundaries between cultures are evaporating and we are becoming One.

            Despite angry headlines, the majority of us live in peace, rely on our families and neighbors, and are kind to strangers.  We strive to better our lives and raise our arms to embrace.

            We believe in there being a higher purpose and a spirit that gives meaning to our lives.  We look forward with hope and behind with gratitude.

            Despite our daily struggles, the world is a wonderful place and feeling love is a warm fire in the heart that makes us sing with joy.

 

            If my world should end next week...or tomorrow...or fifty years from now, I will still have regrets for things I already cannot undo, but I move forward each step each day as best I can to be fearless, valiant and vulnerable.  I strive to listen to my heart and give without need of reciprocation, to love without question and appreciate gifts in whatever form.

            So many are opening hearts, love can carry us ever forward.

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Realignment

Another day of significance with planets aligned strategically and incomprehensibly passes around and through us. This was the day when Mercury, Venus and Saturn would stand directly over the three pyramids at Giza.

            Instead of being energized, however, I feel eclipsed, my brain so dense and full of mush, I crashed comatose on my couch at 8 PM. Curiously, dreams long unremembered are suddenly so vivid and intense, I seem to be awake in my sleep.

            This morning I am unable to concentrate and unwilling to go about my business as usual.

            In the past, we might categorize this as a bad hair day or take a pill to alleviate flu-like lethargy.  By sleeping it off, we can shrug it off without connection.

            I am guessing, though, that others feel this tug.  If the gravitational pull of the moon can affect our oceanic tides, then why not the alignment of planets magnetize the flow of our blood?

            Now we have the will, the awareness and the tools to compare our experiences around the world.  We can recognize patterns and establish connections.

            As I struggle this morning to go about my usual business, intuition directs me to focus on the heavy-headedness in my brain.  Instead of fighting "through" it, embrace it.  Without plan, I sit down and meditate.  My eyes close and my mantra steadies my breath.

            Illumination and clarity are nearly immediate.  All worry dissipates.  My list of "shoulds" vanishes.

            In place of confusion glows a perfect knowing that this moment is precious and as it should be.  I am where I am supposed to be: here and now.  It feels right to sit quietly, to notice the calmer energy and connect with my soul which races outwards into the Universe and hovers over the pyramids, my imagination, over myself and over all others, an enfolding and embracing of life and living ecstatic and fulfilled, all encompassing and re-energizing.

            As quickly as it started, I am back in my body, ready to make that call and go about my day.  With these few words scribbled, I anchor the moment in the heart and re-establish the connection with all around me.

            Even as I go out into a cold rain and miserable temperature, it feels glorious to be alive.

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Round and Rounder

This is a weekend of gratitude. 

            Thanksgiving is perhaps the most American tradition, crossing all boundaries of religion, ethnicity and politics.  For this one day after the elections and before the shopping intensity, as a nation, we pause to bless, love and appreciate.

            Beyond the feast and companionship, my favorite part is to walk outside in the late afternoon and hear in the silence the splendid noise of peace and contentment, knowing all are participating in that moment of tradition.  No matter where they are, everyone seems to accept and rejoice that they are at least where (and with whom) they are supposed to be.

            Life stops even as we recognize and celebrate how beautifully it goes on and on.

            In the meantime, Mercury is retrograde, meaning even as it goes forward, it is in a position of appearing to go backwards, a phenomenon that happens typically for six weeks three times a year.

            Having scoffed in my youth at the idea that bad luck could have any connection to the stars, I have seen too many alignments over the years to ignore my internal calendar now.  It intrigues me how often I can be struggling, check the chart and confirm that indeed the wily planet is retrograde again.

            Most often it disturbs communication.  This week my email crashed and I have been misunderstanding conversations that should have been very simple.  It is a time to be careful our reactions are not overly dramatic, burning bridges that might be better left standing.

            For me, the energy that drives my creativity lacks its usual luster.  I stumble indecisively and wrestle with false starts seeming to head down paths leading nowhere.  Inspiration quickly fizzles or never appears as I ponder projects and turn to something else.

            Like trying to walk in mud above my knees, the effort to move forward feels too heavy a step.  I strain against it and pause with heavy breath, wondering where the abundance lies that so many promise is simply a function of my thoughts.

            Shadows dance.  The laughter of many gremlins grown strong from my past foibles shriek instructions to step left or right, confusing my internal faith with the doubt and fear of so many implications.  The mud is real and so difficult to wash away with thoughts of gratitude when I have chosen to spend this time alone and still miss my friends and family.

            Fortunately all cycles move into new phases and by Monday, Mercury will go blessedly direct again (not that it ever was going any other direction than forward).  My mind will miraculously clear in the midst of productive activity. 

            I am no less thankful for these quiet weeks of emotional frustration.  Pain makes us question our choices and resolve to make amends.  Rather than wallow in the mire, I observe and accept the connection, reducing its fury even as I acknowledge the influence.  I forgive myself for my swollen brain, too obese with thoughts for any clarity.  I learn lessons in my discomfort and rejoice that light in the distance begins to illuminate and dissipate the shadows at my sluggish feet.

            As it quickly approaches, more and more people are focusing on the date of December 21, 2012 with curiosity and conviction as a time of major shift.  It takes very little research to discover that the stars and planets in our galaxy actually are conjoining into a significant and unusual pattern and we are at the beginning of new 6,500 and 26,000 year cycles in our solar system.

            Doomsdayers predict an end to the world.  Luminaries and Seekers believe we are entering an age of more heart-centered communion compared to 6,500 years of struggle for survival and the false belief that material wealth might ensure that survival.

            Our thoughts can create the reality we fear or embrace.  The choice is ours to live in panic and reaction or to love our surroundings, each other and ourselves. 

            Interesting times...

            How clear is your head today?

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