I Choose Love
The society we live in is full of noise: technology, machines, hustle & bustle of people, social media, emails, snail mail, appointments to keep, meetings to make, phone calls to follow up on, family to care for, friends to check on. So much noise! Sometimes it feels as if you just need to curl up in a little ball under your covers and stay there for the next 43 days! Then all of the news makes you feel like you cannot bear to hear one more word; then all of the anxiety around you converges into a single point of all-encompassing, white-hot miasma of pain; then the drama builds and spills from one part of your life to another…
And we want to yell, “STOP. Just. Stop!”
This is where the bits and pieces we practice in our everyday life come into sharp focus. I truly show up when I look to my happiness as well as another’s; when I practice exquisite self-care; when I speak up for my needs, my wants, my fulfillment; when I choose love over fear, acceptance over hate, compassion over apathy.
When I do these things, I actively choose to open to the Beauty that surrounds us. I choose to step across boundaries, to cut across stereotypes, to BE a part of the Beautiful Universe that we have the privilege to live in.
Many cultures the world over celebrate this time of year with festivals of light, hope, and goodwill. Part of the winter tradition also includes going into the cave and getting some respite and rejuvenation. We carefully plan all sorts of self-care (physical, emotional, and spiritual). We remind family and friends that we may not be as responsive to their needs because we are going to be actively caring for ourselves.
Now, more than ever, this ritualistic time of introspective self-care is so important! It is imperative for us to assess where we are. When we do, we are able to more readily plan for where we want to go. Do we want to continue on the path we are on? Do we want to adjust slightly? Do we want to choose an entirely different direction?
Along with the self-care, I want to encourage us all to reach out to those around us. If there is someone you appreciate in your life, tell them. Take a chance and connect with someone who is not in our regular circle of acquaintances.
Yes, it’s risky to let others see us as we are! When we do so, we run the risk of being rejected and that is terrifying. And it is also rewarding. Connecting with someone can be as rejuvenating as tucking away in our cave for the entire season. Sharing space with others reminds us of our commonalities, it allows us to stretch beyond our own little capacity. It actively makes us see Self in Other.
When we do this, we choose to do things differently. We choose Love.
What do you choose? Share with us your connections! What other connections do you wish to make?
This season, May you be filled with what you need. May you have enough to share. May Love fill every nook and cranny of your being!
Thank you for choosing to be connected to Woman’s Way Red Lodge.
